Chamonix is the birth place and capital of extreme sport, such as big mountain skiing, alpine rock climbing, and mountaineering. The last decades paragliders, mountain bikers, sky runners and base jumpers have joined the crew of mountain loving sports people in the valley.
All though dominated by the impressive panorama of the Mt Blanc mountain range, Chamonix also has more moderate hills that offers a playground for beginners and families.
Summer activities
Chamonix is the where alpine climbing and mountaineering was born, and in summer it is the Mekka for all sorts of mountain sports; Down hill biking, cross country biking, paragliding, canyoning, rock climbing, alpine climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing and trekking.
Mountain Spirit Guides offer alpine climbing and mountaineering courses for private groups of all levels. We recommend them because they are skilled, motivated and honest people with a lot of local knowledge and experience.
Full suspensing down hill bikes and cross country bikes you can rent at ZeroG on the south end of the pedestrian area in Chamonix.
Winter activities
Chamonix offer world class off-piste skiing in the mind-blowing scenary of the Mt Blanc massif. This is extreme-skiing terrain and the area inspiers a spirit of adventure. If you are new to the area and going off-piste it is highly recommended to ski a few days with a IFMGA mountain guide. Also because it allows you to avoid the crowds and the get away from the obvious areas that are skied out within hours on a fresh-powder-day.
Local Chamonix ski guides are again recommended for their high level skiers, passionate about instructing and guiding off-piste skiing and ski touring.
Combining off-piste skiing with a randonnée set-up opens up endless opportunities for ski mountaineeinrg and descents with un-tracked snow. Ski touring is a peaceful activity far away from lifts, crowds and pistes. One lift is normally used to get into the high alpine terrain. Thereafter the days’ objective is reached by skinning and climbing. The reward is a long run in a remote place, and eventually a beer at the local pub on the valley floor.
Lift passes, lift status and reserving your bins at Compagnie du Mt Blanc. In the winter all 5 ski areas in the Chamonix valley, the Montenvers train, Courmayeur and Puta Helbronner on the Italian side are included in the Mt Blanc Unlimited lift pass.
Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls in the valley, for all levels, are normally good from December till end of February.
Cross country skiing for both state and classic is available in Chamonix, Argentiere and Vallorcine. Many days it is better to choose the track in the upper end of the valley, since the air pollution can reach dangerous levels in the lower valley. A daily report and forecast you find at Air Rhone Alpes.
Food
Eating out in Chamonix is not only traditional french food.
MOÖ bar & cuisine: Plat du Jour for lunch, after-ski, and home-made burgers for dinner. Here you feel welcome in both Goretex and high heels, and nobody start crying when the bill comes.
Le Munchie: Best food experience for a nice dinner, all categories! A mix of French and Scandinavian food, with inspiration and spices from Asia, leaves nobody disappointed.