The history of winter sports at Chamonix goes way back. This Savoyard ski town lies at the foot of the legendary Mont Blanc, which at 4810m is the highest mountain in the Alps and is credited as being the birthplace of modern mountaineering. The ski area offers slopes for every level of skier, while the bustling town centre is alive with shops, restaurants and bars. Chamonix is a must for the bucket list, drawing thousands of skiers and snowboarders every year who come from all over the world. Here are five tips for getting the most out of your ski holiday in Chamonix.
The different ski areas at Chamonix are not connected by pistes or lifts, but it's a simple affair to switch from one ski area to the other via a short bus or car trip halfway through the day. The Grands Montets ski area has no shortage of lovely long valley runs with beautiful views. One of our favourites is the Bochard pistes, which is nice and wide for carving.
There are ample choices for dining in Chamonix, but they're not all cut from the same cloth. We particularly enjoyed the Chalet Refuge de Lognan. To get to this restaurant you can either conquer a challenging black slope from the Grands Montets (Point de Vue or Pylons/Blanchots), or come by pistenbully from the gondola midstation. The Chalet Refuge de Lognan is an old-fashioned mountain hut where you'll feel like you've travelled back in time while you enjoy your delicious meal.
Two gondolas bring skiers and snowboarders to L'Aiguille du Midi, which lies at a towering altitude of 3842m above sea level. We advise against doing this on your first day in Chamonix. Since it's so high, you might get altitude sickness, so it's better to wait a day or two until your body acclimatises. Enjoy insanely beautiful panoramic views from the balcony on L'Aiguille du Midi, including a front-row view of Mont Blanc. People who don't have a fear of heights can visit Step Into The Void, a glass cube that offers views not only of the surrounding mountains but also hundreds of metres below, into the depths. Can you say breathtaking?
Chamonix is not particularly known for its après-ski scene - after all, this is France, not Austria. But there is nevertheless a nice selection of bars which often play live music to the fairly international crowd. These cosy bars are the perfect place to gather round with your friends or family after the ski day and enjoy a relaxing drink together. We recommend the Chambre Neuf, which has a lively atmosphere every night of the week.
The village centre is packed with good restaurants. And although Chamonix may be slightly more expensive than your average alpine ski town, skiers and snowboarders should be able to find somewhere to eat no matter what their budget. We recommend La Télécabine, which has a charming atmosphere and a mouthwatering selection of French and international dishes.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
