Chamonix France ski. Extreme sports. Clubs and nightlife

Chamonix is ​​one of the largest and oldest ski resorts in France, located in the valley of the Arve River, at the foot of the highest mountain peak of the Alps - Mont Blanc. First of all, the resort is known as the region that gave rise to tourist mountaineering. After the summit of Mont Blanc was conquered by Michel-Gabrielle Paccard and Jacques Balmat in 1786, a tourist boom began in the Chamonix valley. To this day, climbers from all over the world come here to climb the highest mountain peak in Europe - 4,807 meters. However, it is not easy to do this, and climbing Mont Blanc requires very good climbing training.

general information

The next significant event in the development of the resort was the construction of a railway track that connected Chamonix with the capital of France and the cities of neighboring states. In addition, this made it possible to come to the valley at any time of the year, and already in the winter of 1893, the first skiers appeared on the alpine slopes of this area. It was here that the world's first Winter Olympics took place in 1924. Since then, both the resort and the city itself have changed - a lot of safe high-altitude slopes, many lifts, as well as a well-developed tourist infrastructure with many modern hotels, shops, restaurants and entire entertainment complexes. However, the ancient cobbled streets, stone and log houses are reminiscent of more than 200 years of history of these places.

The resort town over the past decades has expanded significantly and this moment, the number of its permanent residents is just over 10,000 people. Today Chamonix is ​​considered secret capital winter extreme sports, which attracts thousands of tourists, including both professionals and beginner skiers and snowboarders. The 16 km valley has become one of the most popular ski resorts in the world. Its geographical position on the border of France, Italy and Switzerland allows tourists to ski not only on the slopes french alps, but also to cross the border of Italy, getting on the slopes of the Courmayeur resort, and also to visit the Swiss Vallorcine and Verbier without any problems.

Transport connection

Thanks to its good location, you can get to the resort from any European capital. Most convenient option- by plane. The nearest airport is in Geneva, at a distance of 88 kilometers. Located a little further air port- it is separated by about 200 kilometers. Between these cities and Chamonix established bus service, you can also take a taxi to the resort.

Chamonix is ​​the only one in France ski resort, which has railway station. Run here every day high speed trains from . The journey will take about 5 hours.

Climatic features

The resort has its own climatic feature- due to the ring surrounding it mountain peaks, a temperate climate and high humidity prevail here, contributing to a longer season compared to other ski resorts: from December to early April, and snow lies on high slopes almost until mid-May. The winter in this area is quite mild, and in the valley the air temperature fluctuates around 0⁰C…-1⁰C, but on the high slopes the air is colder and sometimes frosts can reach -20⁰C. Summer in Chamonix is ​​almost always sunny and the thermometers rise to +20⁰C, and in the mountains - up to +25⁰C. It should be borne in mind that, as in any mountainous area, the weather here is very changeable and in winter time snowfalls are very frequent, and in other seasons the sun is abruptly replaced by heavy rains. The favorable season for skiers lasts from the beginning of winter until last days Martha.

Chamonix slopes

For the convenience of vacationers, Chamonix is ​​divided into 5 skiing areas, most of the slopes are at an altitude of 2000 meters, so the snow cover is very stable. The slopes equipped for descents are located in different areas and communicate with each other and the city by regular transfer:

Grand Monte - captures part of the glacier, and is one of the most popular, thanks to its long trails with elevation changes of up to 2,000 meters. A snowpark and half-pipe are organized in this area, European snowboard competitions are held here.

Breva - located near the center of Chamonix, the slopes of this area are suitable even for beginner skiers.

Le Flegère is an area adapted for skiers with an average level of training.

Le Tour - located in the depths of the valley. The sunny slopes of this area are wide and flat - ideal for beginners.

Les Houches - the most picturesque area, there are trails for athletes different levels preparation.

However, the most desirable for professionals is the legendary White Valley track - one of the longest and most dangerous descents in Alpine mountains over 22 kilometers long. The route starts from the top station of the Aiguille du Midi, the highest lift in the world today, and then goes along one of the largest glaciers in Europe, Mer de Glace, whose thickness in some sections reaches 400 meters.

Entertainment and attractions

The main attractions in Chamonix are picturesque panoramas of steep mountain slopes and interesting ski slopes. Those who wish can dilute active rest with a cultural and excursion program.

One of the most impressive places in the valley is the huge Mer de Glace glacier, which stretches for 12 kilometers. To him, in the Montanver Valley, tourists are delivered by a funicular. During the summer in the Mer de Glace, an artificial ice cave, which houses the Museum ice sculptures and wax figures depicting the townspeople of Shamani of the 19th century in traditional interiors, with household items and in costumes of that era. The magical realm of ice fascinates, and multi-level illumination adds mystery to these huge grottoes.

Next to the Ice Museum is the Space Tyrazz Exhibition Center, where art exhibitions and various cultural events of the city are held. The photo gallery of Philippe Franol attracts attention, capturing in his photos the incredible beauty of the Alpine peaks and breathtaking tricks performed by snowboarders and skiers on local slopes.

Here, at the base of the Mer de Glace, is the Gallery of Crystals, which exhibits the rocks of Mont Blanc, as well as valuable minerals, most often found in the depths of the Alps, telling about centuries of history nature and climate of these places.

For tourists who, in addition to skiing, are also engaged in other sports, Chamonix provides swimming pools, climbing walls, gyms, tennis courts, canyoning, rafting, mountain biking and even a paragliding club.

A few kilometers from the city, near the village of Le Praz, there is another entertainment unusual for a ski resort - a large golf course equipped in a modern style. It was created back in the 30s of the last century under the guidance of architect Robert Trent Johnson, and today there is everything necessary for fans of this aristocratic sport - about 18 holes, equipment rental, locker rooms and showers. The field opens for guests in early May, and closes with the onset of cold weather - at the end of October.

IN summer time a lot of tourists come to the resort and in addition to the huge number of entertainment offered, there are international festivals, including gastronomic, adventure, jazz and organ music festivals.

Leisure for children

Chamonix offers ample opportunities for a full-fledged active rest the whole family. There are many private instructors in the valley, as well as several ski schools and special "green" slopes, equipped in such a way that it is convenient for beginners to learn to ski.

For very young travelers, nurseries and kindergartens are organized on some slopes, allowing parents to calmly conquer the peaks and not worry about their child.

The true delight of the young guests of Chamonix is ​​dog sledding, with harnessed blue-eyed huskies. Riding on snowdrifts will bring great pleasure not only to children, but also to adults. On some slopes it is possible to ride on equipped toboggan runs, the necessary equipment can be rented or purchased at the store.

In the vicinity of the ski resort there are several zoos and protected natural parks with a large variety of flora and fauna of the region. Some animals living here are endemic and it is impossible to see them outside the protected area. Marmots, deer, llamas and chamois live in the Merlet Animal Park near Les Houches.

Cuisine of Chamonix

There are more than 100 different cafes and restaurants in the Chamonix Valley, among which there are both budget and luxurious Michelin establishments. IN this region fat and high-calorie Savoyard cuisine is common. One of the main products for local residents is cheese, which is added here to almost every dish. Not everyone knows that the French Alps are the birthplace of the classic cheese fondue.

Hot mulled wine is considered the most popular drink in the snowy mountains, but local white wines from nearby wine regions are also in demand.

Even tourists who have never skied should visit magnificent Chamonix at least once in their life. At least in order to admire the picturesque views of the French Alps, which open from the observation decks or from the windows of restaurants.

Services for tourists that will save or get more for the same money:

• – inexpensive transfer from the airport to the hotel in more than 100 countries of the world;
• - inexpensive excursions from local Russian-speaking guides with reviews.

Holidays in France in winter is an opportunity to combine excursions to historical sights with skiing. Choosing a place for the latter is difficult. To do this, you need to explore each Mont Blanc ski resort, which operate from December to March. Popular with Russian tourists are Chamonix and Courmayeur

About the ski resort of Mont Blanc - Chamonix

Ski tourist area Chamonix is ​​made up of five different sets of slopes. Two of which are connected together with the rest, separated along the length of the valley. Because the Chamonix valley is low and the ski lifts rise to over 3000m, there are plenty of opportunities for skiing at 2000m or more.

The ski area in this Mont Blanc ski resort ranges from 950m to 3300m, while the backcountry skis offer steeper slopes with increased difficulty.

There are about 150 km of pistes, which can be reached by 65 ski lifts, divided between the main ski areas and areas with low mountain nature. Chamonix has 6 green runs, 30 blue runs, 31 red runs, 10 black runs and 2 snow runs. They are distributed over five mid-level ski areas.

low mountain

Here you can find many gentle slopes along the Chamonix valley with easy access for beginners. These areas are suitable for beginners or those who want to brush up on their skills before heading to a higher mountain.

Ski slopes:

• La Vormaine (1480m) in Le Tour.
• Les Chosalets (1230m) in Argentiere.
• La Poya (1120 m) in Vallorcine / Le Buet.
• Le Savoy (1049-1125 m) in the center of Chamonix at the base of the Logs.
• Les Planards (1062-1242 m) close to the city center and Montenvers train station.
• Le Tourchet (1000m) in Les Houches next to the outdoor ice rink.

They are suitable for beginners and professionals. Each Mont Blanc ski resort has equipment rental. The cost is from 20 Euro per day.

Average height of the mountain

These areas are accessible via a system of lifts and offer a much wider range of pistes of all levels, from confident beginners to experienced skiers and snowboarders.

List of ski slopes:

• Les Grands Montets (1235-3300 m)
• Logs / Fleurere (1030-2525 m)
• Le Tour Vallorcine (1453-2270 m)
• L'Aiguille du Midi / La Vallee Blanche (1030-3842 m)
• Les Houches (950-1900 m)

If you want to ski on more than one day, you can take a ticket on one of the regular buses or train, the cost of which is included in the ticket. Thanks to the Mont Blanc Unlimited service, you not only ski in the Chamonix valley, but also in neighboring ski areas such as Courmayeur in Italy, the Waising-Mont Blanc and Verbier ski areas.

Courmayeur

The Italian ski area of ​​Courmayeur offers a completely different skiing experience in Chamonix despite being only 22 km away. There are simple trails and inexpensive mountain restaurants. The weather here can also be mild, with many sunny days.

The main ski area has 31 runs - difficult and easy. With plenty of snow cannons serving the pistes, skiing is guaranteed from December to mid-April. There is a system of lifts - one at an altitude of 1224 m, and most of the ski areas are above 2000 m.

Access to Courmayeur from Chamonix via the Mont Blanc Tunnel, either by car, regular buses who work in winter and summer. There is a discount for the tunnel and bus ticket if you have a Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass.

Trails for beginners

Courmayeur makes a great day trip from Chamonix for the early intermediate skier or fast progressing beginner at the end of their first week of skiing. Lots of blue runs combined with a huge number of cafes. Few options for a beginner

The beginner areas are at the foot of the mountain next to the small village of Dolonne and on the hill by the Maison Vielle shelter and restaurant. The Dolonne area is very similar to Vel Veni, with the difference that it is at the foot of a hill, so the snow conditions are not always as good, but the weather is a bit milder.

There is a small Tzaly lift in the beginner area next to Maison Vielle and it is steps away from the main slopes. Maison Vielle Restaurant also has an excellent reputation among the locals for its high quality Aosta food.

Slopes for experienced skiers

A challenge for professional skiers in Courmayeur is off-piste travel. The main slopes start from the Bertolini cable car station. The Rocce Bianche circuit has the most stable corners in the resort and, being on the dark side of the mountain, usually has good quality snow.

The Chamonix ski resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in Europe and is part of the prestigious The Best of the Alps organization. The Chamonix Valley is located at the foot of the Mont Blanc glaciers (4807 m) and stretches for 16 km from the village of Les Houches to the town of Argentiere. In its very center is the city of Chamonix - the center of tourist activity.

Chamonix Valley, stretching for 16 km, surrounded by magnificent slopes that guarantee perfect snow at any time of the winter season, is located at the crossroads of the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland. Although the winter resort of Chamonix is ​​located at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, 90% of all ski slopes are above 2000 m, so there is always snow. For tourists heading to ski holidays in Chamonix, in the valley there are more than 3000 hectares of specially prepared ski slopes, more than 140 km of slopes for every taste - both for beginners and for good skiers. Here is one of the longest slopes in the Alps - the legendary White Valley, more than 20 km long.

Ski tours in Chamonix are unique in their ability to ride the slopes of not only France, but also Italy. If you take the Aiguille du Midi lift and overcome the mountain range, then you will see a panorama of the resort of Courmayeur and the vast Italian Alps.

For the pros, Chamonix is ​​home to perhaps the most difficult and dangerous black pistes - the slopes under the Grands Montets funicular, the Pointe de Vue and the Pylones. The famous 24-kilometer Vallee Blanche downhill is not recommended to be overcome without an escort - it passes through dangerous areas glacier and marked as off-piste skiing. Some of the red pistes in the Le Brevin area are low, narrow, with sharp turns and bumpy in places.

For the intermediate level: wonderful easy wooded slopes in the Le Tour and Les Houches areas - red and blue slopes. If this seems not enough for you, then you can use the shared Chamonix-Courmayeur ski pass and cross the Aiguille du Midi to Italy.

For beginners: at first, beginners will be upset by the disunity of the ski areas and the difficulties associated with it, but this feeling will go away as soon as you get on the skis, since the ski areas for beginners are practically isolated from other slopes and you will not be disturbed by flying at crazy speeds professionals. For the first time, use the slopes of La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Les Planards and Le Savoy.

Specifications

Resort Height: 1035 m

Ski area: 1035-3842 m

Track length: total - 152 km - 42 km for cross-country skiing.

Number of tracks:

– Green – 8
– Blue – 28
– Reds – 20
– Black – 10

Number of lifts:

– Funiculars – 2
– Large cabins – 8
– Small cabins – 5
– Chairlifts – 17
– Rope ropes – 18

Ski pass

Apress-ski

Chamonix is ​​a meeting place for those who are passionate about mountains, however, in addition to skiing, mountaineering, rock climbing, this resort can offer you tennis courts, golf courses and many other entertainments: casinos, cinemas, discos, restaurants and bars.

Transfer

Webcams

Official sites of the resort

Specialist assessment

Location

Travel time from Geneva airport - 1 hour 40 minutes, from Grenoble - 2 hours. from Milan - 3 hours, from Turin - 2 hours.
+ There are almost no traffic jams on the highway.
+ Daily flights of UIA, Aeroflot and SWISS allow you to plan a tour on any day.

Height above sea level - 1035 meters

There is no need for acclimatization and "getting used" to the height, even for small children.
+ Unique in its beauty combination of rocky peaks, peaks and coniferous forest.

- The "lower" slopes are rarely available for descents (due to the lack of snow) and, as a result, there are periodically emerging queues for lifts at the end of the day.

Trails and slopes

A wide variety of trails, especially for fans of off-piste skiing.
+ 5 autonomous stations give the feeling of a fundamentally new skiing place every day.
+ Autonomous stations allow skiers of different skill levels to ski compactly (families with children, groups, etc.), because at each station there are trails of all difficulty levels.
+ The presence of 2 stations with a southern orientation of the slopes provides sunny comfortable skiing even in the "cold" months of winter.
+ Enough a large number of trails for beginners in the city, in close proximity to hotels, allows you to successfully combine trying to get up on skis with shopping, visiting numerous shops and bars, or just relaxing with a view of the highest peak Western Europe- Mont Blanc (4807 m).

– No single network cable cars, so lovers of "ski safaris" are unlikely to be satisfied.
- The number of tracks is limited, not in the hundreds.
– A small number of trails for beginners.
– Insufficient processing of tracks by snowcats.

Lifts

Numerous cable cars make the most of the terrain of the slopes, allowing you to significantly expand the ski area.
+ Optimal positioning of ski lifts and slopes allows you to minimize the number and time of "empty" slopes (on the blue slopes for strong skiers, for example).

- Many of the "main" cable car lines are outdated.
- A small number of cable cars and, as a result, periodically arising queues.
- When strong wind many stations are closed.

Resort

One of the oldest resorts in Europe is certainly a classic of the Alps.
+ The only mountain resort France is a member of THE BEST OF THE ALPS.
+ Extensive center with numerous shops, restaurants, bars, discos.
+ An exceptionally international resort where everyone feels at home.
+ Prices are generally 10-20% lower than in other French resorts of the same class.

– Dense road traffic road and bus transport.

Our comment - group tour, "Two sides of Mont Blanc" January 2-9, 2011

Group With Ukraine, accommodation V Residence Ours Bleu 4*, Vallorcine, Ski Mont-Blanc – Chamonix. FIRST SEASON

Group skating:

Chamonix offers several ski areas.

Skiing in Vallorcine - Balmay - Le Tour is recognized as the most comfortable.

Lift - very close

There is a very beautiful descent almost to the railway. station – it remains to walk about 100 meters to the ski lift and the residence

You have to drive 2 stops to the Le Tour ski area, it is comfortable for beginners, very sunny, quiet and very cool for children

most of the time the group spent on Le Tour

Transport

1. A cool train runs throughout the Chamonix valley - it solves all communication issues between the villages of the valley and the ski areas. The traffic schedule is maintained, but the last train leaves Chamonix early (at 19.43), tourists do not have time to work up in the evening in the city.

2. Taxi - from 50 to 100 euros per car one way

From the Vallrsin station it would be possible to go with a change in Verbier, but literally 2 minutes are not enough to connect with the train from Martigny to Switzerland.

Nutrition

1. The residence is beautifully equipped and equipped with new equipment and utensils for cooking and dining

2. There is a small shop in the village, it has fruits, vegetables, a small selection of products. Therefore, it is recommended to skimp in Chamonix 1-2 times during the tour. For the price it will not be too expensive and the range of products is very large.

3. In the residence, they drank water from the tap.

Rooms

1. The rooms are warm. Very spacious. Each room has a TV (plasma). Channels - French, Eurosport, no Russian channels.

2. The rooms can be freely and comfortably placed:

in a two-room apartment - 4 people,
in a three-room apartment - 6 people,
in a four-room apartment - 8 people.

3. Upon check-in, high-quality linen sets are issued, but at the same time, detergents are not issued during check-in, toilet paper and shampoo

Parking

Under the residence there is a huge parking lot, reservation is not required.

Ski storage

It is carried out in individual boxes for each room

The boxing key is issued at the reception.

The storage is located under block A, next to the lift, very convenient and close.

After skiing, it is better to leave your boots to dry in the corridor near the entrance to the room, it is very warm in the corridor at night.

Rental.

1. The rental office is located next to the station. If you walk along the bridge across the river, it is not far, you can use the second, larger rental point, it is more comfortable and a little more expensive.

2. The average rental price - for 6 days they paid 80 euros (this is for the average level of equipment, including skis, boots, poles).

Ski pass

1. For a group Ski-pass is better to book in advance, they give a group discount of 5%. But it is very difficult to arrange the whole group at once!! They sold us Ski-pass twice for groups of 20 people and no less!! Organizing everyone at the same time is very inconvenient and difficult.

2. At the same time, 6-day Ski-passes for the group were purchased:

Unlimited - 241.5 euros, according to the following calculation 250 euros - 12.5 euros (5%) + 3 euros (card)

Le Pass - 198 euros, according to the following calculation 205 euros - 5% + 3 euros (card)

Children's Ski-pass cost 163 euros for a child under 12 years old.

3. When registering a group price, even the one who took the Ski-pass for only 1 day or even half a day was considered a member of the group.

4. You can individually take a Ski-pass for any number of days, for one or for 4 hours. Six days in a row, rarely anyone rides, so if you skip even one day of skiing, the savings effect eventually disappears.

5. Each tourist needs to think in advance and decide how he imagines the organization of skiing, both personal and his family. It is not necessary to fit everyone into everyday skating, this may not be feasible. Still, it is better to buy a Ski-pass for a day or two at the beginning, according to the initial desire and well-being. For example, in our group, tourists P. and M. almost did not use their 6-day Ski-pass, because they went to Geneva almost every day. Chamonix, Annecy. They could buy a Ski-pass at first for 1-2 days, and then it would be visible.

6. When planning skiing, you need to understand exactly which of the Ski-passes is more rational to have - Unlimited or Le Pass. The choice of the type of purchased Ski-pass depends on the desire of the tourist to visit various ski areas. January 2011

2011

website

Our Commentary - Group Tour "Two Sides of Mont Blanc", December 30, 2011 - January 8, 2012

Group With Ukraine, accommodation V Residence Ours Bleu 4*, Vallorcine, Ski Mont-Blanc –WITHhamonix. SECOND SEASON.

I will immediately note THE MOST IMPORTANT– the tour in the second season was ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT from the group's first (last year) visit to Chamonix (Vallorcine).

Three main differences:

weather, snow and skiing for the group.
during the tour there was a meeting of the New Year
visit to Turin added to the tour program
With the most important, I will start my commentary on the tour.

Weather, snow and group skiing.

cardinal difference weather conditions from the previous round. During this period, a snow cyclone and a snowstorm passed through Europe. Many stations and ski areas were closed across Europe, including in the Alps. The full number of days this year was not possible to ride anywhere ..

In Chamonix, also during this period, entire ski areas were closed, stations and lifts stopped working, closed due to a large number track snow.

The Chamonix region experienced record snowfall for this time of winter. For example, in Argentiere, I saw 1–1.5 meters of snow on the roofs of houses!

White Valley was closed for skiing due to difficult weather conditions

After a heavy snowfall, the Balme-les-Tours ski area was torn in the middle. Some skiers (Vanya) crossed the distance from one working part to another on foot, on virgin soil. They say that the sensations from this are just space !!

During bad weather, our tourists mostly stayed to ride in their zone

On January 3, there was a departure to the ski resort of Courmayeur (Italy), we rode in clear sunny weather on fresh snow

The departure to the ski resort of Verbier (Switzerland) was scheduled for January 5, but it was on this day that a snowstorm raged in the Alps and the departure was canceled.

Meeting of the New Year.

Meeting the New Year is a difficult event, because there is no constant food in the residence. Therefore, it is necessary to place an order in advance, coordinate the menu and make a full prepayment. In addition, questions arise in the process and mental differences between the French and Slavs appear, for example:

1 our tourists are not aware of the peculiarities of the local cuisine

2. our tourists, as usual, are not ready for restrictions when ordering, paying and drinking alcohol. For example: there is a strong desire to bring on New Year's Eve Dinner alcohol with you, but the owners for each such bottle require full payment to the cashier in accordance with their rules and tariffs.

3. Our Slavic form of festive communication implies an unlimited invitation and connection to the event of friends, comrades and relatives. For the French, the composition and number of participants in the dinner is strictly defined and paid.

Turin and Milan.

Turin is a beautiful, very beautiful city, which appeared before us in a dazzling New Year's dress. Behind last years the city has changed a lot and got prettier. In 2008, the Winter Olympic Games were held here, which attracted 2.5 million guests. Then there was a massive arrival of pilgrims to visit the Shroud of Turin and this gave another 2.5 million tourists. So the city attracted serious money to its budget.

Tour of Turin is very informative and interesting. It’s just a pity that many of our tourists didn’t get to it, who along the way were “lost” in shops, cafes and restaurants.

Transport

Arrival and departure to/from Chamonix (Vallorcine) was this time through the Great St Bernard Pass Tunnel

This added about 50 km of track. Our pass between Chamonix and Vallorcine was closed to large buses.

During the snowstorm, train traffic was interrupted throughout the Chamonix Valley, as well as railway communication with Switzerland (surprisingly, sometimes trains ran late).

After a heavy snowstorm, the pass between Chamonix and Valorsin was closed, and communication between them was carried out through a railway tunnel. For the locals, this is a common practice. The traffic police, together with the mountain services, quickly organize the movement of cars inside the railway tunnel along a specially provided platform.

I will note the good transport connection throughout the Chamonix valley via ski-bus. Buses take skiers to all ski areas. Main road junction of such buses is located near the Tourist Office in the center of Chamonix.

After arriving in Milan, the transfer to Turin did not seem tiring.

Nutrition

During the transfer from Turin to Chamonix in the city of Aosta (Italy) we stopped for 2 hours at the Carrefour supermarket Very seriously and inexpensively (pre-New Year sales and discounts had already begun at this time) were stingy for the New Year's table.

Rooms.

Check-out from the residence rooms was very organized. Delivery of rooms began at 7.30. ended at 9:00.

Tourists after their stay left the rooms in perfect sanitary condition, fully equipped and carefully cleaned. Accordingly, the owners of the residence returned everything without any problems. security deposits in full.

Only tourists from one room paid for the final cleaning - 90 euros .

Parking

From the group, several families traveled to the residence in their cars from Germany and Poland.

Ski storage.

The residence does not provide special boxes for Studio rooms, so tourists who settled in this type of room left their skis on their balconies.

rental

Skis were rented by about half of the group, mostly right next to the station. The rental price is the same as last year.

Ski pass

Our station returned the cost of a ski pass to tourists for one day of its downtime, on January 5 there was a snowstorm and the station did not work. Such a move by the French ski stations happened for the first time in many years. Stations usually do not offer refunds due to weather conditions. For a refund, it was necessary to present a receipt for the purchase of this ski pass.

year 2012.

Group leader Vasily Maslov, director of the ski portalwebsite

The city and valley of Chamonix is ​​the most famous ski resort in France, and maybe the world. These places have long been perceived as the capital winter sports and few skiers do not dream of visiting the legendary valley.

And it all began not with skiing, but with mountaineering. After all, the city of Chamonix is ​​adjacent to Mont Blanc, highest peak Western Europe, and already in the 19th century tourists began to come here.

The railway made this region accessible in winter, and gradually ski routes became fashionable. It was in Chamonix that the first ever Winter Olympics (1924) was held. The automobile tunnel under Mont Blanc has made the area even more accessible.

Features of the Chamonix ski resort

This is a large alpine resort with a population of ten thousand. Hotels can accommodate up to 60 thousand guests at the same time.

The Chamonix Valley is 16 kilometers long. The city itself lies at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, but the highest ski slopes are located at an altitude of 3330 meters, and the elevation difference in the valley is more than two kilometers. Most of the trails are located above two kilometers above sea level. At this altitude, the snow cover is very stable.

The Chamonix Valley has ski slopes for both beginners and athletes

There are more than 100 trails in the valley with a total length of over 170 kilometers. There are routes of varying difficulty, so both experienced skiers and beginners come to the resort.

One of the longest routes is the famous White Valley (twenty-kilometer descent). There is no single ski area, and ski valley is broken down into several distinct areas that vary greatly in complexity.

Tourists travel from the city to these areas by bus. Travel time - no more than a quarter of an hour.

High ski areas:

• Le Tour - Vallorcine - Col de Balmes– slopes of varying difficulty with excellent views of the entire Chamonix valley.
• Grand Monte– a skiing area with very high slopes and a large elevation difference (1200-3300 meters).
• White Valley- the most famous descent with a length of 20 kilometers. Another kind of record is the height difference (2770 meters). This path is only suitable for experienced skiers and requires great care.
• Lez Ouch– skiing area with great views especially attractive for beginner skiers.
• Brevent
• Flegier
• Courmayeur- a skiing area located outside the Chamonix Valley, on Italian territory (the borders with Italy and Switzerland are not far from the resort). You can get to Courmayeur by bus through the tunnel under Mont Blanc, it will take less than an hour.

Low ski areas:

These are ideal places for skiing children and beginner skiers. The Olympic slalom tracks are also located here.

Chamonix can offer outdoor enthusiasts not only ski slopes, but also much more:

Tourists settle in hotels of different categories, there are more than 90 hotels here.

The city has over 100 restaurants and 200 shops, cinemas, casinos, nightclubs.

There are several museums, including the Crystal Museum and the Alps Museum, exhibition halls.

The appearance of the first tourists in the Chamonix region dates back to the beginning of the 19th century

Festivals, carnivals and other events take place from time to time. In general, there is a good infrastructure and it is impossible to get bored.

Those who do not like busy cities can be advised to stay in the surrounding villages: Servo, Les Houches, Vallorcine. There are also comfortable hotels there.

Chamonix Valley is a success all year round: it is not only a Mecca for skiers, but also an important mountaineering center (after all, Mont Blanc is nearby!), And someone comes here just to walk in the mountains. And yet it is the ski slopes that are the face of the famous Alpine valley.

Approximate prices in Chamonix ski resort

Due to the popularity of the resort, skiing here is not cheap. But the game is worth the candle!

The most significant expense item is the purchase of a ski pass (a special card that gives you the right to ski ski slopes).

Ski passes can be of different types

The Mont Blanc Unlimited elite card allows you to ski on all slopes in Chamonix - and in some resorts outside the valley (Couromayor in Italy). At the moment (season 2013-2014), an adult one-day "Mont Blanc Unlimited" costs 56.5 euros, a ten-day one - 406 euros, a twenty-day one - 716 euros (you can order a card at different prices for any number of days, from 1 to 21).

A more economical option is Chamonix Le Pass: respectively, 46 euros for one day, 354 euros for 10 days, 664 euros for 20 days. Such a card gives the right to ski in most areas of Chamonix (but still not everywhere).

There is also a system of discounts, including for children and pensioners.

Booking hotels in Chamonix is ​​somewhat cheaper than skiing. Per week of stay different hotels costs from 100 to 270 euros.

Food is not the last item of expenditure in resort town. I must say, the higher the cafe is located, the more expensive it is. A skier can have a snack in a cafe in the mountains, near the track. However, it is more economical to take food from the city with you.

In addition, all tourists visiting Chamonix pay a resort fee (approximately one euro per person).

Naturally, the cost of air travel, as well as ground transportation, must be included in the amount of expenses.

How to get to Chamonix

There is no airport in Chamonix, so you need to go to the mountain resort by land transport from major cities Europe.

You can ride in three different ways:

• by bus
• by train
• by car

The tunnel under Mont Blanc greatly facilitates the movement: you can come to the border town from the other side of the Alps, through Italian territory.

Perhaps the most popular route to Chamonix is ​​via Geneva. The airport in the Swiss city is located just 88 kilometers from the resort.

Between Geneva and Chamonix there is a regular bus service (1.5-2 hours), in addition, you can easily order a taxi.

The French city of Lyon with the airport is a little further (200 kilometers). They walk Shuttle Buses(the journey may take 4 hours).

The road through Paris is 600 kilometers by train. Chamonix is ​​one of the few resorts with a train station. This is a road for the curious - after all, winter holidays can be combined with cultural program in one of the most interesting capitals.

Rest in the capital skiing- an extremely exciting activity (although not too cheap). This will be remembered for a lifetime!

Among the ski resorts Chamonix ranks completely special place: nowhere else can you find such a variety of routes and landscapes, such unusual opportunities.

Chamonix (France) - the largest, oldest and most famous resort It is located only fifteen kilometers from the border with Switzerland, which runs along the Col de Monte pass, and fifteen kilometers from the border with Italy, passing through the Mont Blanc massif. All three borders converge at a single point - on the top of Mount Dolent (height 3820 meters).

Geography and climate

The Chamonix Valley (France), the photo of which is presented below, stretches for seventeen kilometers from Servo to Vallorcine. There are four communes and many small, original villages, each of which is an excellent starting point for a variety of interesting trips through the Mont Blanc massif, towering majestically above the valley. The number of permanent residents of Chamonix today is about ten thousand people. However, with the onset tourist season the number of people living in the valley at the same time increases to sixty thousand in winter and one hundred thousand in summer. In the mountains, the weather is always changeable and can bring many surprises: having arrived in Chamonix for a week, you can see ice, sun, and waist-deep snow. Webcams are installed on the ski slopes, thanks to them you can always get information about the current situation. On the low slopes, the skiing season lasts from December to March inclusive, while on the highlands you can ride until mid-May.

The legendary city of Chamonix

France is rich in interesting places, but this popular Alpine resort has a special energy. On the streets of a mountainous town, perhaps all the languages ​​of the planet are heard. However, people who come here, although they speak different dialects, have similar feelings and thoughts. They are united by a passion for high mountains and the way of life that they give. And the mountains here are very close, they rise above you every minute, no matter what you do and wherever you go. Just raise your head: Mont Blanc will look into your face - 4810 meters of snow, ice, rocks, heroic deeds, legends, dreams of the future.

Family Les Houches

Would you like to share the joy of meeting Mont Blanc with your children? Then come to Les Houches, a place where you can watch an impressive spectacle that never loses its spectacle. You will see how the mountain peaks rise above the Chamonix valley (France) in all their glory, and at their foot, among the hilly dense forests, hasty mountain rivers, houses crumble. For the first meeting with the mountains it's easy perfect place. The village of Les Houches is located only six kilometers from the city of Chamonix and offers many activities (both summer and winter) for the whole family. Mountain bikes, snowboard, dog sled, hiking, skiing ... It is not for nothing that all skiers strive here, regardless of the level of training. Men's World Cup skiing goes right here.

Uncorrupted Servo

The picturesque village of Servo is located near Les Houches. From a height of 812 meters to the Mont Blanc massif, mountain ranges Araviz and Fiz, Pormenaz, Le Prapion, Tet Nar offer stunning views. For a long time Servo has been part of the French mountaineering heritage and is well known to climbing enthusiasts. The village, nestled comfortably at the foot of the Fiz mountain range, has not lost its authenticity over the past years and, like a sentry, stands guard over the valley. To this day, the inhabitants keep the traditions of handicraft, there are many handicraft shops, festivals of handicraftsmen are held here. With a guide, you can visit interesting places, such as the Alpine Museum, the Les Gorges de Diosaz gorge, the Christmas market and many others.

Natural Vallorsin

And how about not in the photo, but with your own eyes to see the red chamois. If you come to Vallorcine, then you are on their territory. Those in love with the Chamonix resort (France) cannot help but love this charming village hidden behind the Monte Pass. An unpretentious ascent and the same simple descent - and you find yourself in another world, a world of calm and silence. The pass seemed to cut off Vallorcin forever from the bustle and noise, allowing people to merge with the magnificent alpine nature into a single whole. The village, which is located right on the Swiss border, has lived for centuries in harmony with untouched fields and forests full of frightened birds and animals. Alone with those around you everywhere wild world you can replenish the supply of energy depleted by urban stress.

First guests

When the young British aristocrats Richard Pocock and William Wyndham first visited the commune of Chamouni in 1741, they could not even imagine what the consequences of this trip would lead to. The British talked about interesting trip familiar, and gradually large quantity rich European tourists rushed to Mont Blanc to see with my own eyes the mysterious and beautiful sea of ​​\u200b\u200bice - a giant glacier that the pioneers admired so much. Local miners and hunters, who knew the mountains well, became guides for them. A start has been made!

From Chamouni to Chamonix

In 1770, an inn was opened here - the first sign of the future hotel boom, which inevitably followed the growing popularity of the valley among climbers. After the conquest of Mont Blanc in 1786, it became especially stormy. Everyone believed that the local mountain peaks were not so inaccessible as it seemed at first. Romantic journalists and writers began to talk about the mountains not as a place full of terrible dangers, a formidable place, but as a reserve of beautiful nature, preserved in its original state.

Now, along with desperate daredevils and adventurers, quite respectable tourists rushed here. Setting a new trend hotel business, in 1816 the first luxury hotel was built, and in the 1900s, three excellent palace hotels worthy of any fashionable resort were erected in the valley.

The construction of roads was a turning point in the history of Chamonix. France thanks to good slopes and convenient rail links, was able to receive guests from all over Europe. During the reign of Napoleon III, in 1866, the first horse-drawn carriages appeared on the village streets, and a railway line was launched between Chamonix and the station of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Les Faye.

mountains accessible to all

Chamonix is ​​a ski resort that in 1924 hosted the very first winter Olympic Games. The Olympics have turned it into a real Mecca for winter sports enthusiasts. In the following years, many lifts appeared on the surrounding slopes. At first they took tourists to Planpraz and Glacier, which no longer exists. As the resort of Chamonix developed rapidly, lifts began to deliver vacationers to Le Brevent, Le Fleger, Aiguille du Midi. Today this alpine territory- not only popular tourist place but also strategic transport route, due to the tunnel under Mont Blanc linking France and Italy. Chamonix is ​​a ski resort striving to maintain an optimal balance between tourism and transport needs in order to maintain a clean environment.

Ski slopes

Here is the legendary twenty-kilometer White Valley - one of the longest slopes in the Alps. For professionals, the seventeen-kilometer descent of Valle Blanche is provided, the slopes of Grant Monte will satisfy even the most demanding skier.

Chamonix provides good opportunities for lovers of extreme and off-piste skiing. The ski resort is famous for its schools, where everyone can learn to ski. Each region has blue and green runs for beginners. Chamonix has such a geographical position that, having passed under Mont Blanc through a tunnel, you can also ride in Switzerland and Italy. There is no single ski area, which would be connected by a network of lifts, in the resort. The districts of Le Brevent, Le Tour, Les Houches and others will take seven to fifteen minutes by bus. For owners of spa cards or ski passes, travel is free. Buses run regularly throughout the valley.

How to get there

From any European capital getting to Chamonix (France) is not difficult. The nearest airports are Geneva (80 kilometers), Lyon (226 kilometers), Paris (612 kilometers). Right through central part The city is covered by the European motorway network. Chamonix is ​​the only one in which it has its own railway station. There are several daily departures from Paris high speed trains. Come to Chamonix and enjoy the scenic views, modern pistes, sunny mountain slopes. Unforgettable holiday for you!