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Chamonix
It's that time of the year again when the bike gets put away and everyone pulls out their winter woolies. There's no better sport in the world than getting on the slopes and flying down a mountain as fast as you can. So here's a guide to one of the best ski resorts in the world.
Chamonix, 9000 beautiful feet.
This little town captured the teams heart back in the 90's. Many of the older kids from our school decided to do a Ski season in Chamonix. Inspired by their stories we also ventured out there to see what it was all about.
We came back after a whole season realising it was one of the best places in the world. The team is desperate to go back and try out our biking skills as well as skiing skills.
Information about Chamonix
The town of Chamonix Mt-Blanc is 1042m (3,396 ft) above sea level at the foot of the Mt-Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe at 4807m (15,770 ft). 45.9 N 6.9 E
Chamonix is at the heart of Western Europe in the french Alps, very close to Mt. Dolent where the french, swiss and italian borders meet
Half way down the east side of France, just below lake Geneva, Chamonix is one of the more northerly of the French alpine resorts. At the foot of the highest mountain in Europe, the Mont Blanc it is only an 1 hour 15 minute car drive from Geneva international airport.
There are 5 main resorts to the Chamonix skiing experience - Grand Montet, Le Brevent, Le Tour, Les Flagere and Les Houche.
Grand Montet
This resort is the most challenging resort in Chamonix. Our recommendation is to try and stay as close as possible to Grand Montet, possibly Argentière.
Les Grands Montets is the largest piste skiing area in the valley. The altitude guarantees quality snow late into the season. Some of the best skiing can be in May. The scale of the area, its vertical possibilities and high mountain atmosphere, place it in the Premier League of great ski resorts. There is a half pipe for boarders and enough off-piste skiing, accessible via the top station to bring the faithful back year after year. Two restaurants, with snack bars and covered areas for picnics (Hors Sac) plus two test centres
An expansive area on the north facing slopes above the village of Argentière. The lift system can be confusing. There are two lifts from Argentière (1260m). A quad to Plan Joran and a téléphérique to Lognan. At Lognan (1960m) there is easy access to the Bochard télécabine (2800m), Herse chair (2600m) and immediate access to Les Grands Montets téléphérique (3300m). The latter is run by a separate company. Tickets can be purchased at Lognan or a ticket which includes the top station can be bought at the base station in Argentière.
At the top of the Bochard and Herse lifts the ski terrain is steep and glaciated... just. It is advisable to stay on the marked and controlled pistes.
The Bochard lift accesses a black run down through the Le Lavancher bowl. On leaving the top of the Bochard lift everyone turns hard right. To access the Le Lavancher Bowl, turn left as soon as possible. Escape the crowds and ski 1000m of descent. Use the Pendant lift at the bottom to return to a point above Lognon with an easy ski down to this mid-station.
Le Brevent
The Brevent ski station is the closest to the centre of Chamonix.
The hill from Cham centre to the bottom station is deceptively steep to walk up, especially in ski boots. The easiest way up is to catch the free bus. Parking is limited.
Le Tour
This is probably the best ski area in the valley for beginners and intermediates.
At the bottom three drag lifts make up the Vormaine area, ideal for complete novices or children with its green and blue runs.
The main ski area consists of 11 blue runs, 8 red and 1 black.
A new chair-lift on the Vallorcine side of the valley has opened up the ski area enormously, adding an extra 4 or 5 runs not to mention the off piste opportunities.
There is an idyllic off piste run through the trees right down to the train station at Vallorcine. After an aprés-ski drink at the station bar a scenic train ride back into the Chamonix valley is a great way to finish the day.
There are restuarant facilities at Charamillon.
Although the parking is fairly good at Le Tour the Chamonix free bus is the best way to get there.
Les Flagere
La Flégère caters for almost all abilities of skier. A new 4-person chair lift, La Trappe, has increased the rate from 1000 people per hour to 2400 per hour. It remains easy for beginners. The second of the green pistes is also a new addition, Les Libellules (the dragonflies).
Since 1997 the Brevent and the Flégère ski areas have been linked by a cable car. In 2000 the resorts formally joined to become Brevent-Flegere
La Flegere caters for almost all abilities of skiing. A new quad, La Trappe, has increased the rate from 1000 people per hour to 2400 per hour. It remains easy for beginners. The second of the green pistes, Les Libellules (the dragonflies) was new in 1999. A black run does go down from La Flégère to Les Praz, although this is patrolled it is not pisted. This is probably not the most difficult of black runs but it is very long. La Flegere also offers some good off piste skiing, for example: combes Lachenal, Glieres, Crochues, etc. Since 1997 the Brevent and the Flégère ski areas have been linked by a cable car, thereby allowing skiers to "jump" from one area to the other.
Les Houche
Les Houches is a resort in it 's own right just inside the valley on the right when arriving from the southwest (Geneva). Like Le Tour this is a good place for beginners and intermediates. More sheltered than the other ski areas, it' s the place to go when the weather is bad. There are some good fun runs through the trees.
Les Houches has two main cable cars: one leaves from the center of town and climbs to Belle Vue, the other from Les Chavants to La Prarion.
Cham' Ski passes are not valid in Les Houches ski area.
Summer Activities
Mountain Biking in Chamonix
This has got to be the ultimate experience.
Mountain biking is possible for all ages, sizes and abilities. Energy, enthusiam and a mountain bike is all that is needed. If you do not have a bike, rent one from a store in Chamonix. More experienced riders may chose to wear body armour for technical and downhill riding. From pleasure biking to the extreme, Chamonix valley will have something for you.
Excursions
Chamonix is surrounded by many other valleys that also provide good mountain biking. The valley of Vallorcine near Switzerland has a number of trails. The area of Megeve has a huge variety for all abilities. From Chamonix intrepid bikers can venture out on the Tour du Mt Blanc.
For the competitor - "The Grand Raid" is a fantastic MtB competition traversing 131km of the Swiss Alps from Verbier to Grimentz.
Trails on the valley floor
Although Chamonix is a narrow valley it has numerous trails that run its length from north to south. The area of Les Bois has many tracks for all levels of ability. The most common tracks are the Petit Balcon Nord and the Petit Balcon Sud.
High Trails in Chamonix
All the cable car systems run in the summer so Chamonix has a lot of high alpine riding for keen riders who want something a little different. Col du Balme is a fantastic area with trails to Switzerland.
MtB Stores in Chamonix Cycles le Grand Bi 240 rte Bouchet Tel.+33 (0)4 50 53 14 16 Fax.+33 (0)4 50 55 80 67 Trajectoire 91 av Ravanel le Rouge Chamonix Tel.+33 (0)4 50 543 18 95 Zero G 134 ave Ravanel le Rouge Tel. +33 (0)4 50 53 01 01 MtB Stores in Argentière Sportech 352 rte Charlet Stratton Tel: +33 (0)4 50 54 00 56 MtB Stores in Les Houches Cyprien Sports 244 rue Essert Tel: +33 (0)4 50 54 41 02
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