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Where to go for...
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With such a big ski area to explore, it's sometimes good to have a little bit of inside information… For your pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite places for challenging and steep runs, the places to go on bad weather days, and the nicest and sunniest spots for lunch. For those wanting to check out the off-piste, Chamonix also has vast areas which are easily accessible from the lifts. |
| Backcountry Routes in Chamonix |
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Limitless blue skies, pierced by bright sunlight and the sharp Aiguille ranges of the Chamonix valley makes backcountry riding here something spectacular and magical! There's hundreds of miles of mountain for the backcountry rider to enjoy around Chamonix, all of which is fairly accessible after a short hike from some of Chamonix's excellent lift system. Many of those who choose to take on Chamonix's backcountry terrain are experienced mountain riders as this is a serious sport. The highs that many riders experience are equal to the risks the sport itself presents. Avalanches don't just happen to the inexperienced or careless rider, many highly experienced riders and skiers with years of back country riding can be caught out by mother nature. Today due to advances in equipment and lift systems to get you to it, the alpine backcountry has now become much more accessible to the experinced as well as the inexperienced, but confident/cocky rider. Always respect the mountain, understand the conditions you are riding in, know your route, and always make sure you are appropriately equipped. Essentials to carry are all included within our Avalanche awareness article, but in summary, they should include: Transciever, shovel, probe, backpack, ropes, harness, crampons/snowshoes, poles and plenty of fluids, you'll dehydrate must faster at altitude too!
Many people will access the backcountry with snowshoes, but using skins on the bottom of your skis (ski touring) is far easier and faster. Boarders may prefer to use 'mini skis' as an alternative. Whatever your mode of approach, you should be relatively fit and strong and be ready to hike!!
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last updated 21-Nov-2007 |
| Bad Weather Days in Chamonix |
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So, nobody wants bad weather days on their holidays, but every now and then, they do happen! The trick is to head for the pistes that are tree-lined, as they help provide definition when everything else seems to be white. In the Chamonix Valley, there are several places you can head for that will give you some protection from the weather. Keep in mind that the valley itself can be covered in an all-encompassing fog, but the top of the mountains can be bathed in glorious sunshine (check out the Brevent webcam!). Also, if it’s lashing down with rain in the valley, it means it’s snowing up top, giving you the best and freshest powder you’re likely to ski on! And because it’s a bad weather day, chances are, you’ll have the mountain to yourself. ... more |
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last updated 21-Nov-2007 |
| Beginner Ski Areas in Chamonix |
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There are lots of beginners’ slopes in Chamonix; in the form of separate small ski areas, they are strung out along the bottom of the valley. When you’re starting out, rather than buying a full lift pass, which covers the whole Chamonix ski area, it’s cheaper to buy either a full or half day pass for each beginners’ area, or even a book of tickets allowing you a varying number of rides up the draglifts. As most of the slopes are low altitude they may be short of snow if you visit towards the end of the season, however the lowest ones, Savoy and Planards (1035m), have artificial snow cover so you should be ok even late on. ... more |
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last updated 5-Oct-2007 |
| Cross Country Skiing in Chamonix |
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Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. Hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles from any hire shop, and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges. Once you have grasped the essentials, head off for the 75kms of the beautiful and tranquil cross-country trails which start in Les Houches (near Le Prarion lift), Bois de Bouchet (starting from Foyer du Fond), Le Praz (nr Flegere lift), Argentiere (entrance to town) and Vallorcine (starting point Tourist Office). In this activity, one can be as energetic or slow as one likes.
Adrenaline factor: 2/10
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last updated 1-Dec-2007 |
| Off-Piste in Chamonix |
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As well as the really obvious stuff between the pistes, there’s plenty more off piste in Chamonix within easy reach for just a little bit of effort.
PLEASE NOTE: YOU IGNORE SAFETY WARNINGS AND BARRIERS/ROPES AND UNDERTAKE OFF-PISTE SKIING/BOARDING AT YOUR OWN RISK. WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE A MOUNTAIN GUIDE WHEN HEADING OFF-PISTE. THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A SET OF DIRECTIONS OR INSTRUCTIONS: ... more |
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last updated 7-Mar-2008 |
| Steep & Deep Runs in Chamonix |
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If you like challenging steep runs that seem to go on forever then Chamonix has got plenty to keep your legs working hard. Because the valley floor is low and the lifts rise to over 3000 metres there are plenty of possible runs offering 2000 or more metres of vertical. The largest amount of vertical is offered from the Aiguille du Midi, however the gradient on La Vallee Blanche is flat at times so it won’t offer you the high speed thrills that you’ll be looking for. The following, however, will: ... more |
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last updated 7-Mar-2008 |
| Sun, Picnics & Lunch Spots |
Chamonix is blessed with spectacular views, and one of the most enjoyable ways of appreciating them is at the top of a mountain. There is something for everyone here, whether you are a skier or a non-skier. From a simple deckchair and a snack, to a full blown gastronomic indulgence, we have some suggestions on where to go.
Les Grands Montets can be very cold in the mornings, and its shady northwesterly aspect can mean that in mid winter it barely gets any sun until mid-afternoon. Later in the season Grands Montets starts to get more sun but in general it’s the least sunny of all the areas. So if it’s cold weather we avoid it until the afternoon, choosing to spend the mornings at Flegere and taking a short bus ride from Les Praz to ski Grands Montets after lunch.
Probably the sunniest area in the valley, Flegere benefits from the direct sun early in the morning, which means warm, pleasant conditions and even hotter afternoons for those who like to spend time sitting on the terraces with a beer or two. One spot we can thoroughly recommend is the terrace below the Chavanne chairlift, which has the sun all day long (as long as it’s out of course).
Flegere is also a great place for taking a picnic lunch, especially at the top of the Index chairlift just above the lift station where the rocks make good places to sit out of the snow. Here the views of the Mer de Glace, Les Drus, Grands Montets and Mont-Blanc are stunning on a clear day. From there you’ll be able to watch ski tourers skinning higher still into the valleys behind the Aiguilles Rouges. This spot is one of our favourites as it’s a real sun trap and late season can get seriously warm; don’t forget to wear plenty of sunscreen!
You’ll often see picnickers at Brevent sitting under the ridge to skier’s right of the Cornu chair; whilst this is a sunny spot with plenty of rocks to sit on make sure you’re not sitting too close to the cliffs as after a snowfall in sunny weather we’ve seen many avalanches sliding over the cliffs onto the slopes below. Much safer is the Panoramic restaurant at the top of Le Brevent with its stunning views of the Mont-Blanc massif.
Le Tour also has its share of sunny spots. The restaurant at Charamillon has a busy terrace, which faces down the valley straight into the afternoon sun. It can get very crowded here but there are plenty of deck chairs available and you’ll find people spreading out onto the snow to soak up the rays. Alternatively, a great place for a picnic is at the top of the Aiguillette des Possettes. You’ll find this small peak at the top of the L’Aigillette drag lift, just hike up the last section all the way to the top and you’ll find a flat area with some superb 360º views down to Vallorcine, across to the Le Tour Glacier and further down the valley to Chamonix. Perfect with some friends and bottle of wine and some French cheese. This spot can be very sunny, and away from the crowds you can really soak of the mountain atmosphere. Avoid the back of Le Tour as it can be pretty shady and windy with runs like Belle Place staying icy throughout the day, stick to runs at the front that catch the sun and often soften up in the afternoons when things warm up.
If you’re determined to take packed lunches with you even when the weather is cold and snowy there are places where you can sit indoors and eat your own food as most of the restaurants have 'picnic interdit' signs up and don’t take kindly to you eating your own food there even if you buy a drink. There’s a designated picnic areas: at the main Flegere lift station, downstairs at the Charamillon station at Le Tour and at Grands Montets at the Plan Joran restaurant downstairs at the side. They give you the chance to get out of the cold and warm up whilst saving some money for the evening ahead.
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last updated 5-Oct-2007 |
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