Chamonix became the first resort to host the Winter Olympics back in 1924 and is now one of the oldest ski resorts in France. Chamonix has developed as a popular winter sports resort ever since, mainly because the town sits at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps. Mont Blanc is the resort’s most powerful attraction, working like a magnetic pull for thousands of mountaineers and skiers from all corners of the globe every year. Mountaineers are greatly attracted to the challenges of the 4,810m ascent and skiers are equally attracted to the off piste from the Aiguille du Midi peak and the famous Vallée Blanche. Chamonix sits in the middle of a huge ski area. The local Chamonix-Mont Blanc ski pass covers Servoz, Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentière and Vallorcine.
The town itself is very pretty, with traditional and authentic architecture. Flowing through the middle of Chamonix is the River Arve. Each side of the valley there are majestic peaks towering above the town, Mont Blanc at 4,810 metres above sea level is the highest mountain in Western Europe. Other famous peaks include Le Brévent, Aiguille du Midi, Aiguille Vert and the famous Mer de Glace Glacier that winds its way down from Mont Blanc to Montenvers.
Any keen skier or mountaineer must visit Chamonix. It is considered to be the mountaineering capital of the world and is a mecca for skiers, boasting a potential 1200 km of downhill skiing, with 507 marked pistes and 248 ski lifts across 3 countries including Courmayeur in Italy and Verbier in Switzerland. Staying on the French side of the border, the lift pass provides access not only to the 152km of ski runs in Chamonix, but also to those at Combloux, Cordon, Le Tour, Les Contamines, Megève, Passy Plaine-Joux and St. Gervais Mont-Blanc.
The pretty village of Chamonix is busy all year round but during the winter months visitors enjoy the diversity of skiing that the resort has to offer. Chamonix has one of the longest runs in the world which take you through the 22km long Vallée Blanche. It is also well known for having the world’s biggest lift-served skiable vertical drop of 2807 metres ( 9209 feet ) and the off piste on the Grands Montets is legendary. It is safe to say that the skiing in the immediate area of the Chamonix valley is better suited to intermediate and advanced skiers.
As the snow melts Chamonix starts to fill with extreme sports enthusiasts looking to conquer Mont Blanc as well as visitors who come to sample the exquisite views up and down the valley. The number 1 attraction is the Aiguille du Midi, reached by a 2 stage cable car. The viewing gallery, at 3842m above sea level, offers a 360 degree view of the French, Swiss and Italian peaks as well as well as views of the skiers and mountaineers descending the arête onto the famous Vallée Blanche or heading up to the summit of Mont Blanc.
Chamonix is surrounded by natural scenery including the Aiguille Rouges Nature Reserve and Parc de Merlet. There are numerous running trails and hiking trails that provide access to some of the most dramatic peaks in the Alps. Visit the Mer de Glace by train and take a visit inside the Grotte de Glace. This glacier is the longest glacier in France at 7km in length.
The Chamonix Valley is renowned as a place that offers some of the best climbing in the world, catering to every level of skill. Try climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, bouldering or via ferrata from this stunning mountain resort. For those looking for something more ground based, there is a summer luge, tennis, cycling and mountain biking, watersports and horse riding to name but a few.
Chamonix is a thriving summer resort with an endless list of extreme sports activities as well as more relaxing activities - take your pick!
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