Ski resort in the Chamonix valley. Chamonix, France. Chamonix - ski resort

You can and should relax not only in summer, but also in the cold season. You just need to properly organize your vacation. Of course, many people prefer to go to warm countries on the seashore, but there is a much more interesting option - a ski resort.

The main center of winter recreation are the Alpine mountains. One of the resorts located on the slopes of the Alps is French resort Charmoni.

The Charmoni Valley is characterized by snowy winters, during which it can get very cold. However, there are no really cold months, the average winter temperature is -15 degrees Celsius. In summer, in places of mountain slopes, the high temperature does not please, which is not surprising for the highlands.

The average temperature is +14 degrees. If we talk about the city, then the air temperature by months is typical for a temperate climate.

Interesting fact: Chamonix is ​​the first capital of the Winter Olympic Games.

Characteristics and scheme of routes

There is no single ski area, there are several areas separated from each other and differing in difficulty level. In total, there are a hundred tracks in the valley, the total length of which is 170 kilometers. At the same time, the tracks are divided according to the level of difficulty, so both professional skiers and beginners will like this place. One of the longest routes is the White Valley, which is a descent with a length of twenty kilometers.

The trails are far away from housing, so you need to get to them by bus.

All zones are divided into two categories: high and low.

High ski areas include:

• Le Tour - Vallorcine - Col de Balmes - which, in turn, include slopes of varying difficulty, from which it is not only convenient to leave, but also to admire the beautiful views of the Charmonix valley.
• Grand Monte , representing an area characterized by large differences in altitude, this figure varies from 1200 to 3300 meters above sea level.
• White Valley , which is the most famous area for skiing. Its length is twenty kilometers. At the same time, this place is a valley and is distinguished by a large difference in height. All this makes this area one of the most difficult. So it is hardly suitable for beginners or amateurs. This place is more suitable for experienced skiers.
• Lez Ouch unlike the previous version, it is less complicated, so it is suitable for beginners.

The list of low areas includes:

• Glacier du Mont Blanc - Le Bosson
• Le Planard
• Le Savoy
• Le Pellerin
• Le Chozalet
• La Vormain

The main difference between these areas is the low difficulty of overcoming them, which makes them ideal for beginner skiers and snowboarders, as well as for children. In addition to tracks suitable for skiing and snowboarding, Olympic tracks are equipped here.

Chamonix ski resort map (click to enlarge):

Prices for skiing and ski passes

Holidays in the French valley of Charmoni can not be called cheap, but it's worth it. Most of the money will be spent on the purchase of a ski pass.

• Elite card "Mont Blanc Unlimited", which will allow you to ride on all tracks. Depending on the validity period, costs for an adult within from 56 to 716 euros. The minimum validity period is 1 day and the maximum is 20.
• More budget option is Chamonix Le Pass. This card is worth from 46 to 664 euros. There is a one-day, ten-day and twenty-day card. However, it is worth noting that, unlike the elite card, it does not work everywhere.

There is a system of discounts for children and pensioners.

Housing and living in Chamonix

Accommodation in hotels, based on the conditions provided and the location, varies within from 100 to 270 euros per day.

Since the Charmoni Valley is a resort place, there are all conditions not only to ensure the leisure of visitors, but also for their comfortable accommodation. There are many hotels and hostels in this area.

Most of hotels are not certified by the number of stars, so you need to choose according to the description and reviews. Most of the hotels and inns offer rooms for one or two people. Hotels in most cases are separate standing buildings with few floors.

As services, such hotels offer services such as:

• free Wi-Fi;
• bar and restaurant on site;
• TV in the room.

In hotels that can be classified as elite, the rooms are more luxurious. There is a mini-bar, air conditioning and other amenities, and on the territory of such a hotel, in addition to a restaurant, there is a sauna or even a spa center and a swimming pool.

The cost of living depends not only on the conditions, but also on the location of the hotel relative to the ski areas. The closer, the correspondingly more expensive.

The average cost of renting rooms varies within from 7 to 8 thousand rubles per day. So the resort is not budget, but the resulting comfort and pleasure from staying in the valley are worth it.

Food is also an important expense item. If you want to save money, what is better to eat in the city, since the higher the establishment is, the more expensive the food sold there is.

All photos of Chamonix ski resort:

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 along the Mont Blanc massif, majestically rising above the valley. The number of permanent residents of Chamonix today is approximately ten thousand people. However, with the onset of the tourist season, the number of people living in the valley at a 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. On mining ski slopes There are webcams installed, 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 share 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. A small village nestled at the foot of mountain range Fiz, over the past years, has not lost its authenticity at all 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 told about an interesting trip to friends, and gradually everyone 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 for the hotel business, the first luxury hotel was built in 1816, and in the 1900s, three excellent palace hotels worthy of any fashionable resort were built 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 hosted the very first Winter Olympic Games in history in 1924. 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 a popular tourist spot, but also a 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 this geographical position that, having passed through the tunnel under Mont Blanc, 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. Several high-speed trains leave here daily from Paris. Come to Chamonix and enjoy scenic views, modern tracks, sunny mountain slopes. Unforgettable holiday for you!

Chamonix is ​​a popular ski resort on the border of France and Switzerland. It was here in 1924 that the first Winter Olympic Games. Since then, the city has changed - modern infrastructure, safe trails and many lifts. lovers active rest attracts a variety of slopes and the spirit of an old ski resort - the warm comfort of log cabins, snow-capped peaks and the atmosphere of an eternal holiday.

Chamonix is ​​the first capital of the Winter Olympics.

It is worth coming here even for those who have never skied and do not plan to. At least - to admire the views of the French Alps from the observation deck or from the window of the restaurant. And also climb high into the mountains and go sledding, go dog sledding or mountain biking and, of course, taste hearty and high-calorie Savoyard cuisine, which warms you so well on a frosty day.

Chamonix Tourist Center

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Tourist Center: Place du Triangle de l "amitié, 85. Website.

From airport to city

The most convenient way to go to Chamonix is ​​by bus from Geneva. Transport departs directly from Cointrin airport, where planes from Russia arrive, so you don’t have to spend time on the road to the bus station. Transportation is carried out by the SAT Mont-Blanc company (off site in English), the ticket price is up to 60 EUR, the journey will take 1.5 hours. Prices on the page are for September 2018.

There are also companies that organize transfers from Geneva to Chamonix - Alpy Bus (off. site in English) and Chamexpress (off. site in English). During the season (December to April) shuttles run daily, every half an hour. The fare is 27 EUR.

You can also travel from Geneva to Chamonix by train. First you need to get to the Central railway station - Kornavena. There are no direct routes, only with transfers - in Bellegarde-sur-Valserin and Saint-Gervais. You will have to spend more than 3 hours on the road, the whole journey will cost 20-30 EUR. You can see the routes and buy tickets from the official distributor) French Railways. Tickets to Chamonix from other European cities are also sold there.

Getting from Lyon and Paris is even longer and more expensive - 4.5 hours (49-71 EUR) and 7 hours (117-130 EUR), respectively. From French capital high-speed TVG trains go to the Alps, however, only to Lyon. There you need to transfer to another train, and then make another change in Saint-Gervais.

Search for flights to Geneva (nearest airport to Chamonix)

Transport

The Chamonix Valley has a well-developed public transport system. Buses of the Chamonix Bus company run throughout the resort (off site in English), in the winter season there are night routes. They depart frequently, a ticket costs 3 EUR.

Those who want to save on travel should ask the hotel administration guest card resort - "Carte d'Haut". Its owners, as well as those who have a ski pass, can use all public transport and SNCF trains for free. In hotels, you won’t have to pay for the card, but in the city municipality and tourist office it costs 2 EUR.

From the Swiss town of Martigny to the French Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-les-Fayets, the famous Mont Blanc express train runs (off site in English). It passes through the center of the Chamonix valley and the main railway station of the resort and makes stops at several villages and at the ski lifts. With a Carte d'Haute card and a ski pass, you can travel on it for free, for the rest, the road from Chamonix to Saint-Gervais will cost 15-22 EUR. This is a convenient way to move between different tracks.

For those who are too late or in a hurry, there are several taxi companies operating in Chamonix. A trip around the resort will cost 30-80 EUR, to other cities - from 150 EUR. Some companies accept credit cards for payment.

Rent a Car

For those who come just to ski, renting a car does not make sense - it is convenient to travel around the resort by public transport. A car will help save time and money if you plan to travel around the area and to other cities in France and Switzerland.

There are no traffic jams in Chamonix, traffic jams happen on the French-Swiss border. You can leave your car overnight for free - most hotels have parking lots, the use of which is included in the price. During the day, too, there will be no problems - there are many paid and free parking(in the center, at railway stations and in ski areas). Price per day 15 EUR. At night, most parking lots are not limited in time and are free of charge; during the day, you can’t leave your car on some for more than 2 hours.

There are several rental offices in Chamonix - Europecar, Avis and others. Prices start from 133 EUR per day, the longer the rental period, the cheaper.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Mobile communication in Chamonix works well, the exception is only the highest points. However, as elsewhere in France, it costs a lot here - buying a local SIM card will not save much on calls home. Packages of three French mobile operators - SFR, Bouygues and Orange are sold in mobile phone stores, where you can also buy a top-up card. The cost of a call with Russia is different, the most favorable tariff is offered by Bouygues - 1 EUR per minute.

When buying even a prepaid rate, you will need a French address of the place of residence - a hotel or recreation center will do.

Going online in this town lost in the mountains is not difficult. True, posting a photo on Instagram directly from the top of the Aiguille du Midi will not work, you will have to go down to the valley. Free WiFi available in most hotels and chalets, cafes and restaurants, as well as in the tourist information center. The easiest way to catch the network on main square- there are several catering establishments with equipped access points nearby.

Skiing in Chamonix

Chamonix is ​​one of the most popular ski resorts in the French Alps. For more than 200 years of history, excellent infrastructure has been created on the slopes of the Mont Blanc massif, which allows you to comfortably ski from late December to early March (on some slopes until early May). In the resorts of Chamonix there is also a place for snowboarders, lovers of freestyle, slalom and flat skiing.

Trails and lifts

The town itself is located in a small valley at an altitude of 1000-1200 m above sea level, but all ski areas are located above 2000 m. There are more than 70 slopes of various difficulty levels, several dozen lifts, and half-pipes. All slopes and pistes of Chamonix are divided into several areas of skiing.

It is better for beginners and inexperienced athletes to hone their skills in the Les Houches zone - there are many simple and wide green and blue pistes. There are also more complex red and black slopes, but there are not many of them.

In all areas of skiing there are cabin, chairlifts, drag and tow lifts, from Chamonix and the surrounding villages the slopes can be reached by funiculars. Some of them operate all year round, others - only in the high season.

Funiculars from the center of Chamonix, the neighboring town of Argentière and the village of Les Praz lead to the areas of Brevin and Fleger, interconnected by a cabin lift. There are more red and black slopes, there are several easy and medium routes, and at the very top there is an area for snowboarders.

Experienced skiers should look into the Le Grand Morte area. Here are the most difficult slopes of Chamonix and some more interesting descents. Those who are confident in their abilities can conquer the longest route - 22 km. To do this, you need to climb to the top of the Aiguille du Midi on the funicular - the highest in Chamonix.

The zone Le Tour - Vallorcine - Col de Balme is located on the border with Switzerland. There is a black track that ends on the territory of a neighboring state. On the other hand, you can slide down to the very bottom - the city of Argentiere. There are many interesting descents and traverses, one drawback - strong winds, because of which the lifts are sometimes closed.

Active holidays in Chamonix

Ski passes

The Mont Blanc Unlimited pass allows you to ski on all slopes and includes a few more bonuses - an ice rink, a pool and museums - for free. Price - 63.50 EUR per day (for children and pensioners - 49.70 EUR). It is more profitable to buy for 6 days - 306 EUR.

More cheap option- "Chamonis Le Pass" - applies to 3 ski areas (Le Grand Morte, Brevent - Flégere and Balme - Vallorcine - Le Tour), the cost of a ski pass for 1 day is 51.50 EUR for adults and 43 EUR for children , for 6 days - 258 and 218 EUR.

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Chamonix Hotels

Housing in Chamonix is ​​not cheap, even places in a common room are comparable in price to double rooms in inexpensive hotel. The most economical option is hostels, a night in a room for 6 people will cost 49-75 EUR.

Many hotels in Chamonix are built in a warm pastoral chalet style, which enhances the atmosphere of the old ski resort.

This place is very popular among outdoor enthusiasts. It is worth booking accommodation, especially for the season, in advance. In addition to standard hotels, apartments, holiday homes and the type of chalet accommodation typical of the Alpine region are widespread here. The cost varies from 80 to 460 EUR per day. There are also tents and yurts for 5-7 people (from 150 EUR per night).

The city has many middle-class hotels without stars and 2-3 *, some include breakfast and parking in the price. Prices for double rooms start from 100 EUR and go up to 300 EUR. Elite housing is represented by 4 and 5 * hotels, accommodation in them will cost 110-300 EUR for two.

What to bring

All souvenirs in Chamonix are somehow connected with the Alps and skiing. Shops and shops sell posters, mugs, plates and key rings with images of snow-covered slopes. The demand for cute ceramic figurines of St. Bernards, which are considered a symbol of Alpine mountains. Especially a lot of them on store shelves in winter - during the Christmas holidays.

T-shirts with funny drawings and inscriptions on the ski theme are also popular among tourists. And avid athletes will be able to find in local malls excellent equipment, the quality of which is impressive, and the price significantly hits the pocket. However, this does not stop true skiing enthusiasts - good equipment is a guarantee of safety on the track.

From edible here you can grab local farm products - organic cheeses and milk. True, in Chamonix itself, they also cost a lot, it is better to go to one of the neighboring villages.

Cuisine and restaurants of Chamonix

Savoy cuisine is common in Chamonix - fatty and high-calorie. However, after a whole day on the slopes, this is just what you need. One of the main products is cheese, which seems to be added to all dishes without exception.

The French Alps are the birthplace of the classic cheese fondue.

The most popular are "tartiflet" (potato casserole with bacon and onions under melted cheese), "raclette" (a large piece of cheese is melted on a metal tile right on the dining table and scraped off into a plate - on boiled potatoes) and classic cheese fondue. The inhabitants of the French Alps believe that they invented this unusual dish here. As for drinks, hot mulled wine and cool white wines of the nearest wine-growing regions are in demand.

The ubiquitous McDonald's has reached this town, lost in the mountains, so that economical and unpretentious tourists will not have problems with food. A full meal will cost 5-10 EUR per person.

There are more than 100 catering establishments in Chamonix - fashionable restaurants (there are several Michelin stars), democratic establishments, cafes and coffee houses. In addition to traditional Savoyard cuisine, there are French, Italian, Japanese and others. The price range is large - breakfast in a cozy coffee shop costs an average of 10-18 EUR for two, lunch in a middle-class restaurant - 25-60 EUR, and dinner with good wine in an expensive establishment - from 80 EUR.

Entertainment and attractions

The main attractions of Chamonix are steep mountain slopes and interesting trails. However, even here you can dilute active rest with a cultural program.

To do this, you need to go to the Mer de Glace glacier, which in itself is considered the most impressive place resort. This huge ice massif stretches for 12 km from top to bottom. The Montenver funicular, a mountain railway, runs to it. Every summer, an artificial ice grotto is created in the Mer de Glace, which is equipped with a Museum of Ice and Wax Sculptures depicting local residents of the 19th century in traditional costumes and with household items.

For those who want to relax actively, but do not ski, Chamonix has swimming pools, gyms, climbing walls, tennis courts and much more, and for extreme sports there is a paragliding club.

Not far from the "ice museum" is the exhibition complex "Espace Tyrazz", where cultural events and art exhibitions are held. The most interesting photo gallery belongs to Philippe Franoll, who captured the beauty of the Alps and the drive of skiers and snowboarders in his pictures.

Another interesting museum located at the base of the Mer de Glace glacier. The expositions of the Glaciorum are dedicated to the depths of Mont Blanc, the valuable minerals that the Alps are rich in, as well as the nature and climate of these places.

Popular excursions

Hiking in the vicinity of Chamonix and on the Mer de Glace glacier is most in demand (about 31 EUR per person). You can also ride a mountain bike along the same routes (25-50 EUR). For those who want extreme sports, there is rafting and canyoning (45-60 EUR).

5 things to do in Chamonix

1. Take a ride on the highest lift in Europe to the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m).
2. Learn how to cook "pierade" - meat fried on stones.
3. Try all sorts of cheese in the most unexpected combinations.
4. Learn to distinguish "straw" Savoyard wines from whites from other regions of France.
5. Ride a dog sled along the snow-covered slopes of the French Alps.

Golf

3 km from the city, near the village of Le Praz, there is an extensive golf course, equipped in accordance with modern technologies. It was designed in the 30s. of the last century, the architect Robert Trent Johnson, and today there is everything you need for lovers of this calm sport - 18 holes, a locker room, a shower, equipment rental and much more. True, you won’t be able to play in the winter, the field is open from May to November.

Chamonix for children

In Chamonix there are ample opportunities for outdoor activities with children. There are many private instructors and several schools in the valley (one of them is on the slope of Le Grand Monte), special easy tracks are equipped on which it is convenient to learn to ski.

Tourist offices offer babysitting services in case parents need to go away, and there are nurseries and kindergartens on some slopes.

A real delight among young travelers is caused by dog ​​teams harnessed by blue-eyed huskies. Riding on snowdrifts will bring a lot of pleasure to both children and adults. At the resorts of Le Planar, Le Savoy, La Vormain and several other slopes, toboggan runs are equipped, equipment can be bought at the store or rented.

In the vicinity of Chamonix there are several zoos and natural parks which showcase the rich flora and fauna of the region. Some animals are almost impossible to see outside the protected area. One of them, "Merlette Animal Park", is located near Les Houches. Deer, chamois, marmots, llamas and many others live there.

December

As in any mountainous region, the weather in Shaomni is changeable. In winter, snowfalls are frequent here, ice occurs, and at other times of the year - heavy rains. The climate is temperate - in the cold season there are no severe frosts, and in the warm season - heat.

Tourists rest here almost all year round, with the exception of October and November, when it is already cool, but it is still impossible to ride. The ski season starts in December and lasts until the end of March (in the lowlands) and until the beginning of May (in the highlands). In summer it is warm and sunny, there is also something to do (climbing, horseback riding and hiking, golf and much more), so in July it is quite crowded.

(Chamonix) is located at the foot of Mont Blanc, in the very southeast of the Haute-Savoie department. Considered the historical capital skiing, the resort is located at an altitude of 1035 meters, but almost 90% of all ski slopes are above 2000 meters ( highest point lift - 3842 m). Chamonix has been used as a mountain resort for about two hundred years, and therefore a vast and very diverse recreation infrastructure has been formed here, not only in winter, but also in summer. Like Megeve, Chamonix is ​​a member of the prestigious Best of the Alps (BOTA) resort association.

The winding 16-kilometer valley has 3,000 hectares of specially prepared slopes, 69 marked trails (21% green, 33% blue, 32% red and 14% black) with a total length of 140 km , conditionally divided into several autonomous regions skating.

• The Breven-Flegere region (Le Brevent, La Flegere) lies at the foot of the La Flegere plateau (la Flegere, 1900 m) and on the slopes framing the Chamonix valley from the south. You can get here by lift directly from Chamonix, as well as from Argentiere and the village of Les Praz (les Praz, 2 km from Chamonix). There are many interesting slopes on these sunny slopes. different levels, including the "mixed" ("green" and "blue") track No. 2, the more difficult "black" No. 1 (length 9.5 km, elevation difference - 1490 m), long track L "Index - Les Praz ( length -7.5 km, drop - 1400 m) and several short "blue" and "red" slopes, as well as interesting areas for mogul and off-piste skiing. for skiing at night, and at the top of the Logs area there is a snowboarding center, perfect for both professionals and beginners.
• The Le Grands Montets area (Les Grands Montets, 1230-3300 m) covers the areas of the Argentiere and Lognan glaciers, having slopes for the most part of the northern exposure. Therefore, it is always somewhat colder here than in neighboring resorts, and abundant snow and large elevation changes provide many interesting tracks. Here you can slide along several steep slopes (Grands Montets, Pointe de Vue and Pylones) to the very, and the longest slope Le Grand Montet - Argentiere has a length of 8 km with a vertical drop of 2070 meters! The most difficult track in the region is also located here - Piste des Pylones (length - 4.1 km, elevation difference - 1260 m).
• Le Tour - Vallorcine - Col de Balme (Le Tour - Vallorcine - Col de Balme) is adjacent to the Swiss border and is famous for its relatively simple (elevation difference - from 1453 to 2270 m, the only "black" track goes into Switzerland ) and always perfectly prepared descents of great width.
• The region of Les Houches (Les Houches) lies in the southwestern part of the valley, in its most gentle part, intersecting with its slopes with areas neighboring resorts. There are about two dozen simple and gentle (1001-1871 m) trails, which are distinguished by a simple relief and therefore are excellent for beginner skiers. However, it is here that the Kandhar cup track is located, and the track of the famous Mont Blanc tram passes, from the upper station of which (1794 m) open great views to the valley and Mont Blanc. Quite a lot of trails for beginners are located within the city, in close proximity to hotels - La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Les Planards and Le Savoy.

From the center of Chamonix, you can take the highest funicular in Europe directly to the top of the Aiguille du Midi (Aiguille du Midi, 3842 m), from where the famous "White Valley" (Vallee Blanche) begins - a 22-kilometer descent through the glaciers Jean, Tokul and La Mer de Glace. This route can only be recommended for well-trained skiers and only when accompanied by a guide. On the border of the Tokul and La Mer de Glace glaciers, there is a cafe La Mer de Glace ("Sea of ​​Ice"), and at the gondola lift of the same name there is an unusual Museum of Ice. Nearby lies the Les Bossons glacier (Les Bossons, 1020-1410 m), known for its Olympic slalom and giant slalom courses, as well as regular night skiing (from 19.00 to 22.00 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays). The length of the descent here is about 2.5 km, but the elevation difference is small - about 400 meters, so you can find many different slopes here.

There is a snow park with a half-pipe in the Lognan area - Les Grands Montets, a boardercross track, 30 km of marked hiking trails, a sports center with swimming pools (including for children), a water slide, a sauna and a hammam, a fitness center, a climbing wall (180 sq. m), a tennis center (6 indoor and 3 squash courts), several ski schools, an indoor Olympic ice rink, a paragliding club and 42 km of flat skiing. The slopes are served by 7 funiculars, 4 cabins and 18 chairlifts. cable cars, as well as 12 drag lifts, but for the second line of funiculars to the top of the Aiguille du Midi, you must purchase a separate subscription (10 euros), as it is not included in the price of the ski pass.

You can also find the Le Majestic congress center with 12 halls, bowling, bridge club, billiards club, casino (open until 3.00), library, cinema with 3 halls, museum, over 100 restaurants, as well as a huge number of discos, bars and cafe.

The estimated cost of living and recreation in Chamonix is ​​about the same as in other mountain resorts of Haute-Savoie. A one-day ski pass Chamonix le Pass (valid on the territory of Brevent - Flegere, Domaine de la Balme, le Savoy, les Planard, la Vormaine, les Chosalets and Grandes Montets) will cost 36-38 euros for adults (16-59 years old) and 29-30 euros for pensioners (over 60 years old) and children aged 4 to 15 years, six-day - 182-190 and 146-152 euros, respectively.

The O "Lympide sports center can be visited for 5 euros (with a visit to the sauna and hammam - 15 euros, a gym plus a swimming pool - from 9 euros), an hour of playing tennis costs $ 10, an ice rink for adults - 5 euros, children - 4 euros (rental skates - 3 euros).The cost of renting ski equipment depends on the category and season, but on average a set for an adult for 6 days will cost 60-130 euros, for a child - 40-70 euros, a snowboard (full set) - 110- €130 Group ski school lessons for adults will cost approximately €30 (2 hours) to €180 (6 lessons of 4 hours), individual €150 for half a day, €260 for a day. ) - 30 euros for 2.5 hours, 60 euros - for the whole day with lunch, 300 euros - for 6 days with lunch.A ski guide will cost at least 60 euros per person.

The resort has 68 hotels of all categories, more than 4000 apartments of any category and many individual houses and chalets that can accommodate about 9 thousand people at the same time. Rates vary depending on the season and class, while you can book a hotel through the official website of the resort (there is a section in Russian).

The skiing season in Chamonix lasts from mid-December to the end of March on low slopes, in the highlands - until mid-May.

Chamonix is ​​the largest French resort, which is over 200 years old. It is located in the valley of the mountain range french alps Mont Blanc at an altitude of 1010 - 1200 meters. The ski resort of Chamonix in France is the site of the first ever Winter Olympics (1924). Moreover, this place is the ancestor of skiing in general. Skiing began here in 1893.

It can be safely said that if business card France is Paris, then in relation to the Alps it is Chamonix. If we talk about the possibility of relaxing in this resort - in Chamonix the prices are such that both very wealthy people and lovers can afford it. mountain scenery middle income level.

If you are looking for something more affordable, then we recommend that you pay attention to domestic resorts. In and, for example, more and more tourists come every year, including foreigners.

basic information

Location

Chamonix is ​​located at the intersection between the mountain tunnel under the Mont Blanc Massif (Italy) and the Monte Pass (Switzerland).

Not far away is one of the largest ski resorts in Italy - Dolomitic Alps. You can only read positive reviews about it: the slopes satisfy the needs of a skier of any level of training and it is also just a paradise for snowboarders. The hospitality and excellent service of local residents delights ... Read more.

How to get to Chamonix?

Get to Chamonix from anywhere European country possible by plane. The closest airports are:

• in Geneva at a distance of 80 kilometers;
• in Lyon at a distance of 226 kilometers;
• and in Paris at a distance of 612 kilometers.

Car enthusiasts will also find it easy to reach their destination, as the European road network runs through the center of Chamonix. In that resort town even has its own railway station, where every day goes from Paris high-speed train(travel time - 5 hours).

In the Chamonix Mont Blanc valley, you can travel on the Mont-Blanc Express train on the route "Saint Gervais - Vallorcine - Martigny"

weather, season

The climate in Chamonix is ​​very mild, so the resort operates throughout the year. In winter, the average temperature reaches plus 7 degrees. ski season here it starts in December and lasts until early April. The temperature in Chamonix in summer reaches plus 24 degrees. During this period, the resort is no less attractive for tourists (climbing, mountain biking).

Trails, slopes, lifts

The total length of the ski slopes in the resort in Chamonix is ​​170 kilometers. They are mainly located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters, so there is no shortage of snow cover. At the service of lovers ski holidays more than 3000 hectares of perfectly prepared slopes, with slopes of all types of difficulty.

One of the longest slopes in the Alps, White Valley, is located here. The resort opens up a wide range of opportunities for lovers of off-piste skiing.

There are a total of 49 lifts in Chamonix. However, there is no common system connecting different ski areas. A bus runs between them (travel time 7-15 minutes).

The resort has two large ski schools.

Ski pass prices (prices are in EUR)

Accommodation, other activities, après-ski, attractions

To accommodate tourists in Chamonix, there are about 70 hotels of various classes, as well as more than 4,000 apartments and chalets for every taste and income level. For vacationers in the resort there are cinemas and discos, casinos, bars, more than 200 restaurants and about the same number of shops.

If you are going to visit a restaurant or cafe, we recommend you to take the Restaupoche guidebook from the tourist center. It contains all the information about the cuisine, wines and desserts of each establishment. We recommend visiting "La Caleche" and tasting traditional Savoyard cuisine with excellently matched wines.

The city has a library, a photo gallery, an exhibition complex and a museum. Also numerous in the resort and sports activities in the centers of O'lympide and Richard Bozon.

The O'lympide sports center offers solarium services, water slides, Turkish bath, saunas and pools.

Service prices:

Sports Center Richard Bozon offers jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, water slides, swimming pool, gym and climbing hall.

Service prices:

Do you want to get acquainted with the surroundings? Visit excursions that are held in the following directions:

• Church of Our Lady of All Graces;
• Geneva;
• Martini (Switzerland);
• Courmayeur (Italy);
• Megeve;
• Lyon;
• Aosta (Italy);
• Annecy;
• Evian;
• Lausanne (Switzerland).

Go snowshoeing along the winter hiking trails (it's about 17 km!) or go dog sledding.

Tennis courts, bowling, billiards, squash courts, gyms, ice rinks. Helicopter rides, hang gliding, sleigh rides, rock climbing on frozen waterfalls and much more are at your service.

Photos of Chamonix attractions: