The Village:
Les Contamines Montjoie is a traditional and very pretty Savoyard village which is a popular ski resort full of charm & friendliness. The area is a nature lovers paradise, far removed from the purpose built resorts. It is a real french village, where old chalets mix with sympathetic newer buildings.
It is a lively, bustling little village in the winter and summer with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants and a very relaxed apres ski atmosphere. There are 2 supermarkets, butchers, 2 bakeries, ATM machine, post office and bank all within a few steps of the apartment. Also a weekly market on a tuesday, for more relaxed shopping.
The telecabines are easily accessible either on foot (within 15 minutes) or via the local bus which stops just outside or via your car. As well as the downhill skiing and snowboarding there is a good cross-country ski area. During the winter months there is an ice rink in the centre of the village, as well as opportunities for sledging on the nursery slopes.
Website:
Link to website with further details and pictures about our apartment and the area can be found on our website, please ask us for link.
Summer in Les Contamines:
In summer the village attracts walkers, climbers, cyclists and those who enjoy the outdoor life. It comes alive throughout July and August, when the weather is at it's best. The telecabines opens up a huge area. There are hundreds of kilometres of marked paths in the valleys and foothills giving endless opportunities for exploring the high mountains on bike or on foot. For the road cyclist, there are challenging, scenic road routes; many used in the Tour de France, which often passes through the region. There is a large scenic swimming lake, and another Lac d'etape (at altitude), for a refreshing swim in alpine waters. Locally a golf driving range, championship tennis courts, rock climbing school, mountaineering and parapenting are available.
A number of alpine towns and villages are an easy drive or bus ride away. Recommended is Lake Annecy which offers every sort of water based activity in a most beautiful setting; often described the Venice of the region, it is well worth a visit.
Ski:
Les Contamines has 125km of well maintained & uncrowded pistes make for some fantastic skiing as well as excellent off piste opportunities, all above 1900 metres. The top slopes at La Signal (1900m) link over to the Col du Joly (2000m) and then across to Aig. Croche at (2487m). There is skiing for all levels along with a snow park (championship level) and a half-pipe for snow boarders. There are also 2 nursery slopes in the village (one of which along with the half pipe are flood lit on certain nights of the week). The local ski pass is linked to the town of Hauteluce and there is also a 'Evasion Mont Blanc' pass which covers Les Contamines and another 420km of skiing in St. Gervais, Megeve and Combloux. Further afield within a 30 minute drive are the resorts of Chamonix and Argentiere. If you hire a car - day trips are possible to Les Gets (for the Portes du Soleil) and Samoens which links to Flaine. Even Courmayeur is only about 90 min away, to see Mont Blanc from the other side!
Other Activities:
snow boarding, snowmobiles, cross country skiing, cannoning, whitewater rafting, husky dog sledding, sledging, skating
