Chamonix, Chamonix Mont-Blanc and Valley

Resort altitude: 1035 m

Chamonix has strikingly beautiful glacial scenery and rugged off-piste skiing beneath the soaring peaks of the Mont Blanc. This is a high Alpine area best suited to strong intermediate and expert skiers and riders looking for new challenges. The village of fin de siècle villas and grand hotels with the river Arve running through it, offers a vibrant and varied après-ski scene with a cosmopolitan ambience and easy airport access along the motorway.

Winter
Chamonix offers various options for its skiers and boarders, with access points all well connected throughout the town and facilitated by free public transport. Those aiming to ski the highest mountain range of Europe, should not be afraid of heights as the cable cars climb extraordinarily steep mountain faces. The skiing on offer ranges from 1035 m to 3842 m. The results of this climb are some of the most awe-inspiring views of the Massif. There are plenty of groomed pistes, but they are much steeper than in most other resorts.

For families and those seeking a more gentle approach to descents you will find the neighbouring resort of Les Houches more suitable. Chamonix offers many cultural and exciting sports events throughout the year, one of these being the famous Kandahar World Cup welcoming some of the world's top skiers at the end of January.

Summer
With the colourful Alpine summers, the Chamonix mountain range attracts thousands to its 350 km of marked hiking trails, 40 km of mountain bike tracks, challenging rock climbing, mountaineering, rafting, canyoning, paragliding and even an 18 hole golf course. There is also a superb adventure park for children with acrobatics, huge slides, pony and donkey rides.

Throughout the year the village offers a large and varied range of retail therapy along the main pedestrian area. You will find it caters for all tastes from haute couture Chanel to the casual Billabong. The sports centre with its swimming pools and water toboggan will delight all ages and on a wet day there's always the indoor climbing wall, fitness centre and spa, an Olympic sized ice-rink and a cinema complex.

In the evenings you will be spoilt for choice, you can watch the world go by in one of the street cafes over a quiet bite or experience the typical rustic Savoyard menu or if you prefer you can delight your palette with some fine dining, you can even find a Michelin starred restaurant.