Chamonix

Chamonix is well known as the ‘off-piste’ capital of the world but valley provides a huge variety of skiing and snowboarding for all levels.

There is a huge variety of skiing and snowboarding available in the Chamonix valley. Below is a brief description of each area. Click here to view an interactive map of the ski domain.. Compagnie du Mont Blanc offer a range of ski pass packages and these can be ordered and purchased directly from the agency.

Beginners & Children

Chamonix caters for first timers and children, below are the main beginner areas most of which have their own children’s ski club and crèche.

 

• Les Planards (1062 m - 1242 m) Just 2 minutes from the centre of town, large ski area for beginners and intermediate skiers with 4 runs (1 red, 1 blue and 2 greens). 41 snow canons guarantee conditions all winter long. Restaurant, sun terrace and free parking. Floodlit night skiing is available on this slope every week through the winter season

• La Vormaine (1480 m) – Beginners skiing Located at the foot of Charamillon on the Balme ski area, these sunny slopes are ideal apprentice skiers and snowboarders, for the little ones a ski kindergarten is available.

• Le Savoy (1049 m) - Beginners skiing In the heart of Chamonix, at the foot of the Brevent, 2 drag lifts and a rolling carpet welcome beginners and children for their first turns. Artificial snow and ski kindergarten, make this an excellent place to start out

Intermediate / Experienced

• Les Grands Montets (1235 m - 3300 m) – an ‘off-piste’ heaven
  The pistes are spread over 3 mountainsides (the Argentière glacier, Lognan and the Pendant) and offer tremendous on and off-piste possibilities. Ski or board adjacent to the glacier and take advantage of excellent snow conditions right up until early May. For freestyle fans, a new snowpark and boardercross are open at the mid-station of Lognan.
• Brévent / Flégère (1030 m - 2525m) – wide, open pistes for beginners, intermediates and experts
  These 2 ski areas have been linked by a cable car since 1997 and offer one of the most outstanding panoramas of the Alps. South-facing slopes with a wonderful variety of pistes and enviable views over the Mont-Blanc Massif. Gently acquire a tan in this idyllic environment whilst enjoying skiing on slopes adapted to all skiing abilities.
• Le Domaine de Balme (1453m - 2270m) – wide, open slopes and the very top of the valley.
  Accessed via the villages of Le Tour and Vallorcine, the snow-covered alpine pastures offer numerous possibilities on two distinct mountain sides. From Charamillon, enjoy the wide open gentle slopes overlooking the entire Chamonix valley and on the Vallorcine side, ski beautiful tree-lined pistes bordering on Switzerland.

Advanced

• The Vallée Blanche - world famous off-piste (3842 m) - We could not talk about Chamonix in the winter without a mention of the magnificent high mountain terrain of the Vallée Blanche, an enormous off piste Mecca rising some 3842m from the valley floor and offering 25km of uninterrupted off piste heaven to those who wish to experience a truly world renowned run. It is somewhere that must be respected, and has many crevasses and other dangers associated with this type of high mountain terrain, as such Endless Descents only recommend attempting this area if your skiing / boarding is at a strong intermediate / advanced level, and then only with a qualified guide.

Chamonix stats

• 150km of pistes – 7 greens, 20 blues, 17 reds, 9 blacks
• 36 lifts – 6 cable cars, 3 gondolas, 17 chairs, 10 drags
• Off-piste – the vallée blanche and vast blackcountry
• Highest point – 3842m
• Longest run – approx 22km

 

Chamonix is more than just a skiing capital

With culture and heritage to rival the most established French towns, you can’t help but be amazed by the eclectic mixture of alpine farms, baroque churches, art deco buildings and palaces from the ‘Golden Era’. This cosmopolitan atmosphere in the heart of the French Alps is positively captivating.

Shopping

If you can drag yourself away from the stunning scenery for long enough, Chamonix can also offer a wide selection of fashion boutiques including a recently opened Chanel store. In this delightful pedestrian centre the abundance of coffee shops and delicatessens is enough to tempt the most dedicated shopper to sit and relax with the beautiful mountain views.

Restaurants

If eating out is your thing, Chamonix certainly won’t disappoint. With an array of restaurants providing everything from traditional French to tex-mex and haute cuisine, there really is something for everybody. Here are a few of our favourites:

 

 

• Le Caveau - Set in one of the oldest underground vaults in Chamonix, the Swedish meat balls at Le Caveau are a must-try!
• Munchie - With its lively and friendly atmosphere, this has become one of the Valley’s most popular restaurants. Modern fusion food with an Asian twist.
• L’Eden - Freshly prepared, classic French cuisine with a contemporary twist - the emphasis here is on quality. Minibus pick-up and return provided within the Chamonix Valley.
• Casa Valeria - The finest, authentic Italian cuisine with a menu offering over 40 types of pizza baked in a wood-burning oven. As well as pizza there is a wide selection of specialities such as entrecôte Osso Buco, fresh fish or Valeria’s own pasta recipes.

Bars & Après Ski

 

• Chambre Neuf - The liveliest bar in town. With the return of last season’s band Rocky, you can be sure that Chambre Neuf will be packed to the rafters. Après Ski is hectic but after 9 p.m. a more relaxed atmosphere ensues. We recommend the tapas.
• Micro-Brasserie de Chamonix (MBC) - MBC is a microbrewery run by four Canadians with a real passion for beer. If you fancy something different and have a fondness for naturally produced real ales and lagers, the MBC is a must.

For After Dinner

• Terrasse - Situated on the banks of the Arve, this beautiful hisoric building plays host to a lively and mixed crowd. Downstairs a stylish and busy bar boasts live music 7 nights a week. Upstairs a contemporary ‘cocktail style’ bar is set in a stunning original art nouveau conservatory. Later in the season, Terrasse is a great place to sit outside and watch the Chamoniards go by.
• Chambre Neuf - As mentioned above, Chambre Neuf takes on a relaxed atmosphere after 9p.m, very different from Après Ski. It transforms into a chilled, candle lit bar, the perfect wind-down after your day on the slopes.

For the night-owls among you there are plenty of bars and clubs to keep your party going into the early hours.