Guides Office. There are actually severaltowns and villagesalong the Chamonix valley, each with their own distinctive character and charm. In Chamonix in the summer you can expect: Being the popular European vacation month that it is, August in Chamonix is more crowded than the rest of the summer. Simple. Situated near Mont Blanc and the iconic Alps' mountain range, Chamonix is a stunning destination for ski touring with plenty of entertainment in town when you're off the slopes. Youll want to stay as close to Chamonix as possible. or qualifying requirements and/or dates. However, there's no greater feeling than arriving at your doorstep with your skis on, so if you find a place you like and it's available, book it as soon as you can. Where to stay in Chamonix in winter - Chalet la Foret With a week you could see the top sites, get in some of the best day hikes, eat some great alpine staples, and still have time to chill out and relax. You meet some interesting people and enjoy a guided day for a fraction of the price of hiring your own guide. When you book your room here, be sure to demand a room NOT on the ground floor. This is bad because when getting back the bus was late and became too crowded with people carrying their skis. With 157kms of on-piste and virtually unlimited off-piste Chamonix is exceptionally popular and is also a year-round mountain town, not just a purpose built ski resort. Could Flaine be the perfect ski weekend resort? I think many of these comments are clearly from people who are not well suited to Chamonix. You could spend an entire summer in Chamonix and still not see all of it. Snow cover can be patchy lower down in Chamonix, but most of your skiing time will be spent at high altitude, where snow conditions are generally reliable. Mont Blanc viewed from the Aiguille du Midi, La Flgre looking towards Les Grands Montets - Photo: Tim Hughes, Les Grands Montets - Photo: Salom Abrial, Read more about our luxury ski holidays in Chamonix. The Best Hotels for Skiing in Chamonix - Budget Your Trip Their on-site restaurant and bar is great and their breakfast buffet is fabulous. Fair enough! There are mostly reds and blues. Why waste time wading through all the less than desirable hotels? Beyond Les Praz is the beautiful area of Les Bois, boasting numerous extravagant holiday accommodation options in peaceful settings. Although on the smaller side, most of these places will have pull-out sofas and bunks. They all boast stunning spas, gourmet restaurants (even a twoMichelin-starred eatery) and cosy but grand bedrooms with plush beds and panoramic mountain views. A Guide to Skiing in Chamonix - Ski In Luxury Blog Ski runs here are gentle and wide, ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers, and there's an ice rink and plenty of activities for children to keep them entertained. Le Croix de Savoie is a cross-shaped brioche pastry filled with vanilla custard. Something along the lines of this one from Decathlon or this one from Amazon is perfect. I hope this travel guide has helped you plan your trip to Chamonixone of the most beautiful destinations in the Alps. is also accessible by cable-car a couple of kilometres up the valley. Copyright 2023 My Wanderlusty Life - All Rights Reserved. Overall: If you want a soulless Disneyland style resort where everything is perfectly groomed, if you want everything managed for you, if you spend most of your time on pistes, if a massive gourmet lunch stop is an important. The best snow quality in Chamonix is nearly always above the mid-station on Les Grand Montets. You'll also receive new posts and updates. Who should stay in Servoz? Cest magnifique! Even if you spend most of your time within the city center of Chamonix, you may still want to use the bus before or after your day hikes, to the Bossons chairlift, back and forth from Les Houches, and more. It will most likely cost more than youve ever paid for sunscreen. (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Chamonix is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close. live music. We have never been to Chamonix before and would like some help about where to stay. Welcome to My Wanderlusty Life! More information about Chalet Cragganmore. The pisted ski terrain in Chamonix ranges in altitude from 950m to 3,300m (see the piste maps ), whilst the backcountry skiing offers much more in terms of altitude, vertical descent and of course, difficulty. I saved 31 euros on just that one day. Important note: Since my stay here in 2019 the hotel (formerly known as the Hotel du Louvre) has rebranded. Chamonix: Extreme Skiing Capital of the World | Welove2ski Top tip: Ideal for skiers and non-skiers alike thanks to its proximity to a golf course and the villages of Chamonix and Argentire. It can be found at 59 Route De Vers Le Nant Les Bossons. Get your free Boston checklist + map here! Chamonix is one of the most famous ski resorts near Lyon. It does have some of the most challenging world class free-ride terrain and off-piste potential, enough to challenge most people. SeeTheWorld 1998-2023. If youre heading straight to Chamonix from the United States, the best place to fly into is Geneva, Switzerland (GVA). If youre pondering whether to spend more time in Switzerland, elsewhere in France, or to give Chamonix a go, let me just say that Chamonix is very much worth visiting. Tendance Foehn is the worst of the worst! If youre looking for some escargot while youre in town, this is where you want to go. The MO bar on Avenue Michel is another lively option, with anywhere in the world. And if you do decide to stay in Les Houches, I highly recommend Gte Michel Fagot. (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Chamonix. (1) Not even a kicker at Chamonix, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails. France is famous for its well-equipped motorhome areas or 'aires de camping-car' and Chamonix is no exception. Carry a copy of your Michelin guide to fine dining with you? At the top end of the scale, both the Hameau dAlbert 1er and Auberge du Bois Prin hotels have restaurants with Michelin stars. If you want luxury reviews. Save this info for later, pin these images: Ashley is a historian and Oktoberfest expert & tour guide. If you want outdoor adventures, amazing alpine hikes, professional sports, delicious alpine classics, and unforgettable awe-inspiring views, consider visiting Chamonix in the summer. Are there any campsites in the Chamonix Valley? There was generally quite a lot of snow. We started out as a small business back in 2004 and are now a shareholder company with 45 advisors and staff in all fields. Who should stay in Le Tour and Vallorcine? Another frequently asked question is how to get to Chamonix from Paris. The most popular of these are the Aiguille du Midi cable car to the summit of Aiguille du Midi, the Montenvers train to Mer de Glace Glacier (which is really a funicular), the Bossons chairlift up to the Bossons Glacier, and the gondola to Plan Praz that takes you to the cable car to Le Brvent. The crowd favorite for getting to Chamonix from Lyon is via the BlaBlaBus (formerly and still sometimes known as the Ouibus). (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Chamonix. (1) No intermediate terrain at Chamonix, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs. Ive already talked about how the Chamonix Guest Card gets you access to free public transportation throughout your visit and Im going to mention it again. Most of the hotels, apartments and chalets here have exceptional panoramic views of the whole Chamonix Valley from Le Tour across to Les Drus, the Aiguilles, Mont Blanc and down to Les Houches. Often the guides prefer to go through to Courmayeur and there are great off-piste routes there too. Going to Les Arcs next, which is ski in-ski out so if that doesn't impress then back to Austria and Andorra. This bus journey will take about three hours and cost around 25 each way. This large ski chalet in Les Praz was voted the coolest chalet on the slopes in 2012 by The Times and its easy to see why. Chamonix is the oldest skiing area in the French Alps, and it hosted the first winter Olympic Games in 1924. Most will provide bedding but require you to bring your own sleeping sheet. (Mostly for chocolate bar refills and beer. Its quick and the food is delicious. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. But hey, weve all burned toast before.) Let us help you choose. All types of holiday accommodation are on offer here, ranging fromluxury hotelsto simple self-catering apartments, many within easy reach of theAiguille du Midi cable carrequired to access the legendary off-pisteValle Blanchedescent. I used it to go up to the Aiguille du Midi in the morning, and then to take the Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace glacier in the afternoon. This is one of the largest ski resorts in France and offers Olympic grade skiing. Getting to Chamonix from cities in Italy is just as easy. Ive stayed at Hotel Croix Blanche a couple of times and have had two very different experiences. (English is in orange letters.). Lift ticket is expensive at 50 Euro per day. This end of the valley is also a known First time in Chamonix and left disappointed because we where paying premium prices (340 for 5 day Mont Blanc pass) but not getting a premium product. Le Brvent is linked to the La Flgre sector, which Unsubscribe anytime. The main attraction of staying in Argentire is its proximity to theGrands Montets ski areawhich is home to some of the most exciting skiing in the world both on and off piste. Whats the best place to stay in Chamonix for couples? Yes, indeed, Chamonix for skiing is a king without a crown. So if youre able to, bring some with you. Les Houches skiing areamay not be the most extreme in the valley but it is certainly challenging and the pistes are regularly used for international events in particular the Kandahar run which features on the Mens Alpine Skiing World Cup circuit. Skiing can be a lot of hard work sometimes so it is important to have a great place to stay and recover. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. But just be warned. Chamonix in the summer offers the perfect conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, paragliding, climbing, rafting, and tons more. Located at an elevation of 3,000 feet at the foot of Mont Blanc, there is a traditional farming and alpine culture to explore, with its own ski area. After the sun goes down temperatures drop to that signature alpine chill, even in the summer. Are there any five-star hotels in Chamonix? However, in my opinion, it deserves the money. Where the best place to stay and ski in Chamonix ? If youre interested in checking out Hotel Croix Blanche, read more reviews here on Booking.com where I always book. In the summer, theres a long list of places to stay (some that arent even open in the winter), its easy to get there and get around, and its just all around a perfect alpine escape. Being in the heart of the action Bars, restaurants and cafes. The following info comes from my experience here in 2019, though things may have changed since then. Depending on your level of proficiency, consider hiring a mountain guide to ski the breathtakingly beautiful Valle Blanche, Chamonix's well-known ski routeof 20km, over glaciers, navigating around and over crevasses and surrounded by some of the most inspiring mountains in the Alps. The hotel has its own spa and fitness area, where you can give wall climbing a try! SeeChamonix.com is not a travel agent nor tour operator, nor the end supplier. Get fresh posts + the MWL newsletter straight to your inbox! This allows me to find the best hotels based on their location. Im not exactly encouraging you to ride the wheels without paying, Im just putting that out there.). It is a short day trip from Geneva. Check it out here. High snow-capped peaks, deep luscious forests, white snow-filled fields and cosy wooden chalets with roaring fires a ski break can be the most romantic of holidays. In winter, this area receives the most sun in the valley. (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week. Summer in Chamonix is mostly warm and sunny, but theres always the chance of rain, wind, clouds, and even snow in June. While on the map view screen, on the left under review score, I filter the search results to show me only hotels ranked Awesome: 9+ or Very good: 8+ by reviewers. Buses next day to the other mountains, no snow-making to top up through lack of snowfall. Heres how to decide whether a self-guided or guided hike is the best for you. (Except maybe that time someone burned toast in the kitchen at the crack of dawn and set off the fire alarm, sending me bursting down from the top floor and into the streets in the pajamas. THE 5 BEST Chamonix Ski Hotels Chamonix Ski-in / Ski-out Hotels Check In / / Check Out / / Guests 1 room, 2 adults, 0 children Popular 5 Star Breakfast included & up Luxury Property types Hotels B&Bs & Inns Lodges Condos View Vacation Rentals Amenities Free Wifi Breakfast included Pool Free parking Show all Distance from 25 mi The small but luxurious spa features treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, sauna and steam room, and an outdoor Jacuzzi and swimming pool with stunning views of Mont Blanc. Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons has a great guest rating of 7.90 out of 10, and offers skiing, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and mountain views. If this is the case, the easiest way to get to Chamonix from Geneva is by shuttle bus. However, the desk is staffed only a limited number of hours each day.