Ski Resort Guide: Chamonix

Skiing Chamonix | Getting to Chamonix | Accommodation in Chamonix | Ski Gear in Chamonix | Après-Ski in Chamonix | Activities in Chamonix

Chamonix is a traditional Alpine town set against the spectacular scenery at the foot of Mont Blanc. The skiing is divided into five main areas, Brevent & Flegere, Les Grands Montets, Le Tour & Vallorcine (Domaine de Balme), L'Aiguille du Midi / La Vallee Blanche and Les Houches - all linked by a ski bus service.

Chamonix's ski areas are spread out almost 10 miles along the valley, only two of the ski area are connected, the ski buses are crowed and erratic and non of the pistes finish back in the resort.

However Chamonix Ski Resort does offer some of the worlds best expert skiing on some of the worlds most spectacular mountains.

Chamonix ski resort is part of the Ski Pass Mont Blanc Area with access to 394 individual pistes. As well as the skiing in Chamonix itself, which has 152 km of pisted ski runs, the pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Ski Pass Mont Blanc ski resorts of Argentière, Combloux, Cordon, Le Tour, Les Contamines, Les Houches, Megève, Passy Plaine Joux and St Gervais Mont-Blanc.

Brévent ski station is closest to the centre of Chamonix. Les Planards has 1 blue, 1 green and 1 red for beginners.

Skiing in the Chamonix Valley | Getting to the Chamonix Valley.

The village of Argentière lies 7km above Chamonix town, between the Mer de Glace and Glacier d'Argentière. There is plenty of good novice and intermediate skiing but the extensive off piste is some of the most challenging and exciting in the Alps.

More about Argentière.

Getting There:
Lyon: 220km (135 miles).
Geneva 80km (50miles).
Airport bus available, railway station in resort, on the St Gervais-Le Fayet/Vallorcine line.
Direct TGV (fast train) link from Paris on weekends.

Height:
1,040 - 3,840m (3,410 to 12,600ft).

Marked Pistes:
Ski Pass Mont Blanc Area 500km, 394 in total.
Chamonix 152km.
Argentière 30km.

No of Lifts:
Chamonix 49.
Argentière 10.

Types of Pistes:
15% beginner, 47% intermediate, 38% advanced.

Main Advantages:
Large, varied ski area; excellent off-piste; lively apès-ski; traditional village; beautiful scenery.

Drawbacks: The Ski areas are widely spread out, the ski buses are crowed and erractic, very little slope-side accommodation. popularity can mean long queues.

Unlimited access on Pays du Mont Blanc lifts
Les Houches, Chamonix, St Gervais, Les Contamines, Megève, Praz sur Arly, Combloux, Cordon, et Passy, also included Courmayeur in Italy.

Winter 2008/09 Adult Senior* Junior**
3 Days Skipass 160€ 136€ 128€
4 Days Skipass 200€ 170€ 160€
5 Days Skipass 230€ 196€ 184€
6 Days Skipass 255€ 217€ 204€
7 Days Skipass 280€ 238€ 224€

* : Senior from 60 years old and more / ** : Junior from 4 to 15 years old.

Skiing Chamonix | Getting to Chamonix | Accommodation in Chamonix | Ski Gear in Chamonix | Après-Ski in Chamonix | Activities in Chamonix