Ski Information:
This year Chamonix has had a bumper year for snow and a season which normally extends until mid-April was continued until the end of May!! Officially the season begins in mid-December but the lifts may open sooner if the snow conditions are right.
The piste areas in the Chamonix Valley are spread over 15km, from Les Houches at the entrance to the valley to Le Tour, at the head, which is linked to Vallorcine and some lovely advanced and intermediate runs; there are also plenty of sunny slopes for beginners as well. Les Grands Montets in Argentiere which offers experienced ski and snowboarding slopes as well as a fun snow board park. Les Chosalets offers beginners pretty wooded slopes. La Flegere in Les Praz, which connects to Le Brevent in Central Chamonix is a winter wonderland of interconnected pistes and one lift pass covering all the ski areas and ski buses is available at a reasonable price. Non-skiers can also enjoy the lifts and quaint restaurants/bars with amazing views!
Chamonix by day and night:
Chamonix is a very versatile resort with excellent slopes and infrastructure for skiing and snowbarding but also offers the attractions a town to non-skiers as well as those who prefer to ski in a more desultory manner!!
It offers a wonderful array of shops as well as a huge choice of restaurants offering both local Savoie (think fondue, mountain meats and raclette! - wonderful when it is cold out and after a hard day on the slopes) as well as Chinese, Italian and traditional French cuisine.
At night Chamonix is very lively until the small hours with plenty of entertainment for all age groups - bars with live music, small night clubs and of course the plethora of restaurants and snack bars.
As befits a town of Chamonix's size, there are classical and rock/reggae concerts, cinemas, exhibitions, wonderful Saturday markets and museums to be visited. In winter there are nighttime children and teenager's ski/ snowboard competitions organised by l'Ecole de Ski Francais and lots more ..
Sport and Leisure Activities in Chamonix Valley:
It is never possible to be bored in the Chamonix Valley! The golf Club de Chamonix has a high standard and excellent facilities with 18 holes in a beautiful alpine environment. and there are some lovely walks alongside the river here too.
In the summer, hiking is a great pleasure, with many lovely walks on wooded paths or alpine meadows with spectacular views and crisp mountain air, often punctuated by charming chalet snack bars such as the famous La Floria in Les Praz.
Children and teenagers love Les Planards - in winter a beginner's slope - but in summer an exciting journey through the tree tops, with zip wires, bungee jumping and much more! as well as a summer luge (toboggan run) and playground. The large modern Sports Centre is also central and offers swimming, tennis, ice skating, rock climbing and more..
In summer, paragliding mountain biking and horseback riding are also popular.
One can drive to Italy or Switzerland for lunch, shopping or sightseeing in just half an hour!
Other Activities:
Ice skating, rock wall climbing,
