Chamonix has been welcoming travellers and adventurers for over two and a half centuries and can be truly described as an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. The mountain scenery surpasses one's wildest expectations and the Mont Blanc, jewel in the Alps crown, sits majestically over the Chamonix valley.
Skiing is what has made Chamonix so famous, featuring in many high adventure ski and board films, and although the areas are separate and you have to catch buses or drive to most ... well. That doesn’t seem to matter to the enthusiastic, “can’t get enough” of this beautiful place brigade who whether they are skinning up, lifting up, walking up or flying up are always looking up to the heights and wanting to try something more daring and adventurous.
That’s not to say that anyone other than advanced skier won’t get anything out of it. In fact I came here as an intermediate skier and fell in love with the place – it inspired me – both my skiing and love of the mountains was enhanced from my many visits here. And besides skiing... many of the lifts and cog railways also give access to exceptional viewpoints and mountain restaurants.
There are marked winter hiking and snowshoeing trails, a tremendous sports complex including 2 indoor heated pools, an ice rink, keep fit and spa facilities, tennis/squash courts and indoor climbing walls... . Chamonix offers an extraordinary choice of sports activities, be it for tentative beginners or keen enthusiasts, there's something for every visitor :110 kms of marked piste (a heck of a lot of off-piste as well), 350 km of marked hiking trails, 40 km mountain bike tracks, rock climbing, mountaineering, rafting, canyoning, paragliding, an 18 hole golf course and lots more...
Chamonix is a vibrant alpine town with a wonderful architectural heritage that bears witness to a wealth of history. The Priory, alpine farms, baroque churches, art deco buildings and palaces from the "Golden Era". The cosmopolitan atmosphere in this small town is captivating.
There is an excellent alpine museum and exhibition centre in the centre of Chamonix and for those who wish to delve a little deeper into the history of the valley, a heritage guide will be delighted to share her knowledge with you during a weekly visit of the town.
Take advantage of the free public transport and discover the outlying villages and hamlets, each with their individual identity and charm. For those in search of a little retail therapy, they will be delighted by Chamonix's pedestrian centre with its wide selection of attractive boutiques.
If you enjoy watching the world go by, what better place than one of Chamonix's sunny street cafés! The valley also offers a vast gastronomic choice, from rustic mountain restaurants serving Savoyard specialities, to the chic of the Michelin starred Albert Premier, from international dishes to nouvelle cuisine, each visitor will find something to suit their palette! In Chamonix luxury living meets rough mountaineer and both come out looking good.
