Chamonix

Chamonix is an Alpine town in France. During its balmy summers, you can hike, golf, picnic and kayak to your heart's content. But winter is when it really shines. During the colder months, Chamonix transforms into a winter wonderland that looks almost too beautiful to be real. 

With its babbling rivers, scenic surroundings, cobbled streets, historic town centre and charming chalets, all of which presided over by the mighty Mont Blanc, Chamonix looks like something out of an old book. I've been fortunate enough to visit my relatives there a few times throughout my life. So without further ado, here's a wee recap of my last ski trip to Chamonix.

Author's note: I'm fortunate enough to stay with my Auntie and Uncle whenever I visit Chamonix, so this blog is very much a Chamonix-on-a-budget vibe. Anyways, let's get into it.

How to Get There

The closest airport to Chamonix is Geneva Airport in Switzerland. From there, it's either a 1 hour car journey or 1 hour 20 minute bus ride for about 20 euros. I'd recommend getting a FlixBus from the airport if you're travelling on a budget. Plus it conveniently drops you smack bang in the city centre.  

 

Skiing & Snowboarding

Chamonix is internationally-known for its winter sports. Fun fact: Chamonix hosted the Winter Olympics in 1924, and it was even mentioned in Mary Shelley's celebrated gothic novel, Frankenstein. 

We opt for Chamonix Ski in the town centre to rent our poles - but there are plenty of rental places to choose from. The rest of the gear I tend to burrow from my cousin. As skiing goes, I sit confidently at the mediocre level. I'm a green and blue slopes gal all the way, so I can only recommend the slopes I am actually able to do without falling. 

Thankfully, Chamonix offers slopes for all types of skiing and snowboarding levels. Whether you're an expert, a novice, or somewhere in between, here's my ski resort recommendations in (and around) Chamonix. 

Another author's note: Most of the following regions mentioned are covered on the Ski Chamonix – Le Pass (€50.50 a day or €252.50 for 6 days). 

 * Brévent: This is a south-facing resort and is a short bus ride from the city centre. It consists of mostly blue and red pistes, with a couple of green slopes for beginners. It gets a lot of sun -so the snow is soft and easy to ski on for most of the day. I'd recommend lunch at La Panoramic afterwards.
* Flégère: Flégère is very close to Brévent and has plenty of gentle slopes which are great for beginners like myself. But for you off-pisters, it's got lots of deep powder bowls, steeps, drops and trees right next to it.

* Le Tour: Le Tour is about 15 minutes from Chamonix by car, and again, it caters to skiers and boarders of all abilities. For absolute beginners, there are multiple drag lifts and green slopes at the base of the mountain - my personal favourites.
* Courmayeur: Fancy a day trip out of France? Then head to Courmayeur. Courmayeur is nestled in the Italian alps and takes only 40 minutes in the car from Chamonix. You get to the mountain via a lift by the car park and it's got slopes for all levels. Plus it's got a charming little restaurant high in the slopes where you can literally enjoy a slice of pizza up in the clouds.

 

Bars & Restaurants

As well as being renowned for it's slopes, Chamonix is a sociable town with great restaurants and bars. Some of my favourite bars include Monkey Bar, Bar'D Up, O'Byrnes and The Pub. For restaurants, I'd recommend Japanese joint Satsuki, Josephine and Bighorn Bistro. Or if you're really wanting to soak up the local culture, head to the most boujee chalet-themed McDonald's you'll ever see. 

Chamonix has a small picturesque town centre that offers plenty of sweet cafes, souvenir shops and art galleries. One of my favourite cafes is Le Petit Social, which is 30 minute walk away from the town centre. 

Activities

My family always keep it budget-friendly when we visit. But trust me, there's lots of things to see and do in Chamonix. And whilst I haven't completed any of the adrenaline-inducing activities Chamonix has to offer, I am sure they're so worth it. You can go paragliding, take a tour of Mont Blanc, attend a private cheese and wine tasting, or go on an electric bike tour through the mountains - to name a few.

That's my quick recap on my last ski trip. Until next time, Chamonix.