Hiking and Hill Walking:
Local bookstores (one just 3 doors down the street from the flat) sell copies of hiking guides to the area. Hikes can be steep or flat, long or short as desired. Even with small children or the elderly you can for example go by cable car and chair lift for a picnic in a mountain meadow at the top of the Col de Balme with beautiful views of the entire valley, requiring very little physical effort (about 5 minutes walk on a flat trail). Or, for the more adventurous, a day's hike and picnic on the Mer de Glace glacier may appeal (mountain guide references available upon request). Overnight hikes are possible using one of the numerous mountain refuges (with beds and meal service!) without the need for a tent and large backpack. Hiking in the early morning or late evening in the high mountains, you can often see marmots or ibex and beautiful flowers are nearly always in bloom. Robert is a fully qualified hiking guide (IML) and you can speak with him about arranging guided hikes.
Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Paragliding:
What better place to practice these more so-called 'extreme' sports than Chamonix? In summer time the mountains offer countless routes of more and less technical nature, from bolted sport climbs at Les Gaillands on to multi-day full alpine climbs such as routes in the Aiguilles Rouges. For simple cragging, many guide books are available. For bigger mountain routes hiring a mountain guide is recommended. Mountain bikers will find the Chamonix valley steep and challenging. Most lifts will accommodate bikes for those into downhill (Les Houches is popular). Paragliding fans can find companies set up to take you on tandem jumps as well as courses for learning to pilot the wing yourself! Practice ice climbing in the summer by using the giant crevasses of the Mer de Glace. Equipment rental or purchase is available for these sports at dozens of stores in town. We enjoy many of these sports ourselves, and are happy to answer questions or point you in the right direction to get started.
Golf, Swimming, Horse Riding:
Other activities available in the valley are a high quality 18 hole golf course (designed by Trent Jones Sr) with views of the Mont Blanc Massif; horse riding in Argentiere on mountain trails; swimming at the indoor or outdoor pool in the center of town at the Richard Bozon sports centre; going river rafting or body surfing on the Arve river; indoor rock climbing at the gym in Les Houches; and organized activities for children during the school holiday season (creches). Trail and mountain running are very popular now, culminating in the North Face Ultra Trail race in August. We can provide information on any of these activities. There is even a local movie theatre with both English and French language movies shown (2 minutes from the apartment's doorstep!). For a true 'spa day' visit the nearby town of Pre St Didier in Italy 20 minutes away - very affordable yet luxurious. Other smaller spas and massage treatments are available in downtown Chamonix for a quick re-energizing break
Other Activities:
ice climbing, glacier walking, ski touring, rock climbing, thermal baths
