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Introduction
With Western Europe's highest mountain Mt Blanc towering over the town, Chamonix has attracted winter sports enthusiasts for well over a century, and was the site of the first Winter Olympics.
The skiing here will challenge the very best although there are also enough options for lesser mortals - but beginners will find their choices limited. The Chamonix area is a series of separate resorts - Les Houches, Le Brévent, La Flégère, Grand Montets, Le Tour and Balme, with only Le Brévent and La Flégère linked by lifts.
Indeed, there's no actual ‘resort' that goes by the name of Chamonix - this is the large bustling town around which all the skiing is focused.
The skiing here will challenge the very best although there are also enough options for lesser mortals - but beginners will find their choices limited. The Chamonix area is a series of separate resorts - Les Houches, Le Brévent, La Flégère, Grand Montets, Le Tour and Balme, with only Le Brévent and La Flégère linked by lifts.
Indeed, there's no actual ‘resort' that goes by the name of Chamonix - this is the large bustling town around which all the skiing is focused.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,030m (3,379ft) (Chamonix town).
Top elevation: 3,840m (12,600ft).
Base elevation: 1,035m (3,400ft).
Number of lifts: 60.
Number of runs: 75.
Average annual snowfall: 6.3m (21ft).
Where in the world?
Chamonix is situated in the Haute-Savoie region of France in the French Alps. It is bordered by Switzerland and Italy and dominated by the Aiguilles de Chamonix mountain chain, which peaks at the top of Mt Blanc (4,807m/15,771ft).
Hit the slopes
The season runs from late November until May, depending on snow conditions.
For good skiers both on- and off-piste options are sensational, but don't overestimate your ability, as Chamonix offers some of the world's most challenging terrain. Snow conditions can vary enormously - lower slopes can be dodgy unless it's a good season, but the upper slopes are high enough to guarantee snow cover.
‘Cham' specialises in the spectacular, such as the wonderful 24km (15-mile) Vallée Blanche off-piste run from the top of the 3,840m (12,600ft) Aiguille du Midi and the magnificent off-piste options of Grands Montets (a ski guide is recommended!).
The lift system for each individual area is generally good, although queues are common at base lifts; however, it is frustrating that with the exception of Le Brévent and La Flégère none of the ski areas are lift linked.
The terrain park at Les Bossons is quite small, but it has some decent rails and the jumps aren't too bad.
The Ecole de Ski Français (ESF) (place de l'Eglise) along with independent operators such as Evolution 2 (36 allée du Savoy) are based in the town centre and are well regarded. They are especially good at more specialist training such as off-piste skiing and ski touring.
You'll have no problem hiring gear since the town is inundated with ski hire businesses and there are also hire centres at the base of each ski area.
For good skiers both on- and off-piste options are sensational, but don't overestimate your ability, as Chamonix offers some of the world's most challenging terrain. Snow conditions can vary enormously - lower slopes can be dodgy unless it's a good season, but the upper slopes are high enough to guarantee snow cover.
‘Cham' specialises in the spectacular, such as the wonderful 24km (15-mile) Vallée Blanche off-piste run from the top of the 3,840m (12,600ft) Aiguille du Midi and the magnificent off-piste options of Grands Montets (a ski guide is recommended!).
The lift system for each individual area is generally good, although queues are common at base lifts; however, it is frustrating that with the exception of Le Brévent and La Flégère none of the ski areas are lift linked.
The terrain park at Les Bossons is quite small, but it has some decent rails and the jumps aren't too bad.
The Ecole de Ski Français (ESF) (place de l'Eglise) along with independent operators such as Evolution 2 (36 allée du Savoy) are based in the town centre and are well regarded. They are especially good at more specialist training such as off-piste skiing and ski touring.
You'll have no problem hiring gear since the town is inundated with ski hire businesses and there are also hire centres at the base of each ski area.
Beyond the slopes
On the snow try snowshoeing, tobogganing, dog sledding or ice climbing. In the centre of town there's a well-equipped sports complex which has an indoor ice rink and climbing wall. And for the less active there's cinema, a bowling rink and an interesting alpine museum.
Family fun
One of the most popular ski schools/nurseries for youngsters is the Panda Club in Argentière (near the base of the Grands Montets cable car), which takes children from the age of three. With options such as tobogganing and ice skating it's easy to keep younger children occupied, whilst older non-skiers will love the Aiguille du Midi cable-car ride from the centre of town.
Retail therapy
There's a great range of shops in the pedestrianised town centre, including top-end gear retailers such as Patagonia and Peak Performance at 249 and 231 rue Paccard respectively. For ski hardware try ChamSport (432 rue Joseph Vallot and other locations).
You'll also find a wide range of souvenir shops featuring local products from cheese and wine to traditional wood carvings.
You'll also find a wide range of souvenir shops featuring local products from cheese and wine to traditional wood carvings.
Après ski
‘Cham' has a fine range of après-ski options. The cool Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (350 route du bouchet) is good for food, beer and live music. Café de la Terrasse (43 place Balmat) has two floors of music seven days a week until 0200 and a daily happy hour. Le Choucas (206 rue Paccard) attracts a range of nationalities until 0400.
Eating out
All tastes and budgets are catered for. The pizza and pasta dishes at Chez Valerio (88 rue du Lyret) are always popular, while some of the best value traditional Savoyard fare is found at the Chaudron (79 rue des Moulins). For mountain-town ambience, try Sarpé (30 passage des Mottets Les Bois) or the riverside Atmosphère (123 place Balmat).
Getting around
A free ski bus service serves all the ski areas - without a car it's the only way of getting between most of them.
Splashing out
An unforgettable day out is to ski the Vallée Blanche, for which you should be a strong intermediate skier and will need the services of a guide. Or hire a guide for a day's off-piste adventures elsewhere. Contact the Compagnie des Guides (website: www.chamonix-guides.com) at the Maison de la Montagne in the centre of town.
Accommodation
Luxury
Mont BlancComfortable rooms with retro 1970s feel and restaurant with great views of Mt Blanc.
62 allée du Majestic
Tel: (04) 5053 0564.
Website: www.bestmontblanc.com
Moderate
Hotel Gourmets et ItalyGood value B&B in centre of town beside river Arve.
96 rue du Lyret
Tel: (04) 5053 0138.
Website: www.hotelgourmets-chamonix.com
Budget
Hotel MontanaFriendly, traditional hotel well placed for skiing above Argentière.
24 clos du Montana, Argentière
Tel: (04) 5054 1499.
Website: www.hotel-montana.fr
Getting there
Nearest airports: Geneva (GVA); Lyon (LYS).
Distance to resort: 86km (53 miles); 226km (140 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes; 3 hours.
Nearest railway station: Chamonix.
Distance to resort: 86km (53 miles); 226km (140 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes; 3 hours.
Nearest railway station: Chamonix.
Website
This resort is good for...
Snow reliability, Après ski, Experts
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