Chamonix:
Chamonix is probably best known as the skiing and alpine capital of the world. As a destination it has a reputation for the extreme and this, whilst undoubtedly true, can mask a wide array of sporting and leisure activities (particularly in summer), peace and quiet, great nightlife, and superb scenery that can be enjoyed at whichever pace suits you. Chamonix is the perfect place to come for a weekend break, a week's holiday, a season, or a lifetime, as you will never run out of things to do or tire of the views!
Travelling between the Airport & Chamonix :
Geneva airport in Switzerland is the best and closest airport to use for Chamonix at just over an hour away by motorway. Alternatives include Turin, Lyon (Satolas) and Chambery, each being 1½, 2½ and 1¼ hours away respectively. It is also possible to fly into St. Etienne and Grenoble airports although these are not such good options for Chamonix as they are a little too far away and transfer options are more limited and likely to be expensive.
To travel from these airports to resort you have the choice of scheduled bus, shared shuttle, hire car, taxi, tour operators, private helicopter transfer or train. However, it is always worth checking with your accommodation provider in Chamonix first, to see if they make arrangements for you anyway or if they can as an 'optional extra'.
Buses:
From Geneva, you can book coach seats on-line with Altibus, a reliable coach operator that offers routes across the alps.
Summer Activities in Chamonix :
The majority of things to do in Chamonix relate to being outdoors, and whilst there are many organised activities, getting out there is mainly what it is about - at a leisurely pace or at warp speed, it's up to you.
Some of the main activities we could think of are: golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, walking, nature parks, themed trails, animal farms, fishing, canyoning, mountain-hiking, children’s clubs, several adventure parks, paint-balling, horse-riding, paragliding, mountain-biking, rafting and hydro-glisse, paragliding lessons, bowling, climbing, mountain and ice-climbing with a guide, taking the lift
Ski:
If you like challenging steep runs that seem to go on forever then Chamonix has got plenty to keep your legs working hard. Because the valley floor is low and the lifts rise to over 3000 metres there are plenty of possible runs offering 2000 or more metres of vertical. The largest amount of vertical is offered from the Aiguille du Midi, however the gradient on La Vallee Blanche is flat at times so it won’t offer you the high speed thrills that you’ll be looking for.
From the dramatic glaciers and peaks of the Aiguille du Midi and Grands Montets to the gentle rolling slopes of the Domaine de Balme, each unique skiing area in Chamonix has something different to offer skiers and boarders. One thing's for certain, skiing in Chamonix is unlike skiing any other French resort. It's variety on and off the slopes are almost guaranteed to keep you sufficiently entertained during your stay.
