pratical guide winter 2014

CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC TOURIST
OFFICE
PRATICAL GUIDE
WINTER 2014
SOMMAIRE
KEY INFORMATION................................................3/4
HOW TO GET AROUND IN THE VALLEY……........5
ACCOMMODATIONS.................................................6
SPORTS & LEISURE ACTIVITIES.........................7/8
SPORT CENTRE RICHARD BOZON….....................8/9
SKIING….....................................................10/11/12/13
•
•
•
•
SKI AREAS
HIGH-ALTITUDE RESTAURANTS
SKI SCHOOLS
SKI PASSES
THE TOWN........................................... .....................14
CULTURE ...................................................................15
EMERGENCY NUMBER.............................................16
2
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
KEY INFORMATION
AIGUILLE DU MIDI CABLE CAR
After a breathtaking two-stage ride in one of the world’s highest cable cars, you will
reach the Aiguille du Midi (altitude 3,842 m).Surrounded by famous peaks whose
names are linked to the finest conquests in mountaineering, you can admire the
unique panoramic view of mont Blanc and the Alps.
DISCOVER
The Mont-Blanc wing : an incredible panoramic view of the three mountains( MontBlanc, Mont Maudit, Mont-Blanc du Tacul) from inside, in the warm, through vast
picture windows. Also superb photographs of mountaineers in action.
A covered summit area : This shelter on the summit terrace at an altitude of 3842m
provides visitors, with protection from the cold and wind, a breathtaking view
through wide glass walls.
The waiting area : before boarding for the descent to the valley, discover an
incredible adventure of human and technological endeavour : the construction of the
cable car and its imposing machinery.
The museum : like a temple to climbers, mountaineers and mountain adventurers, it
gives you a better understanding of the captivating world of the high mountains.
And if you dare, step out on the sky ledge for a bit of a rush.
A step into the void : onto a 2.50m glass cage out over a 1000m precipice.
A product of modern architectural and technical prowess and a sensation packed
experience.
Information at the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc  +33 (0)4 50 53 22 75
MONTENVERS TRAIN & MER DE GLACE
Discover the famous Mer de Glace in a winter setting. The red train will drive you to
the Montenvers in 20mn. At the foot of les Drus, la Verte and les Grandes Jorasses,
the Mer de Glace is the longest glacier in France: 7km long with a surface area of
40km². Above all, on arrival at the railway station, do not forget to visit :
The crystal gallery: Here you will admire a collection of very fine exhibits from the
Mont blanc range and learn about the exciting story of the cryst al hunters.
3
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
The "Glaciorium": a little museum that gives you a better understanding of how
glaciers form, exist and evolve over the centuries.
The ice cave : hewn from the glacier itself, it enables you to penetrate the innards of
the Mer de Glace and to admire the ice sculptures that trace the lives of 19th
century mountain folks.
To reach the entrance of the ice cave, you will have to go down 400 steps.
The Temple of nature : dive into the past with its optical theatre, participating in
interviews with famous 19th- century artists and scientists who adored this site.
Information at the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc  +33 (0)4 50 53 22 75
FORECAST/MOUNTAIN SECURITY
Météo - Pôle mountain risk: Maison de la montagne  04 50 53 22 75
7days weather forecast, updated twice a day.
Weather forecast bulletins are displayed at the Maison de la Montagne and at the
tourist office.
Weather forcast :  +33 (0)892 68 02 74
*Office de Haute Montagne (OHM) :
Centralises all information concerning conditions and safety in mountain areas.
Maison de la Montagne is in front of the Tourist Office  +33 (0)4 50 53 22 08
www.ohm-chamonix.com
Bulletin neige et avalanches
Bulletin on the state of the snowpack and avalanche hazard.
Recorded message : +33(0)8 92 68 10 20
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Beside skiing : dogsledding, ice climbing, ski touring, cross country skiing,
snowshoeing, walking trails, paint ball, paragliding, taxi ski, speed riding…
Lessons for beginners and advanced with mountain sports professionals. Their
staff of passionate enthusiasts is at your disposal to ensure that you enjoy the
pleasures and sensations of winter sports as much as possible. Lots of activities
are adapted to visually handicapped persons.
Information at the Chamonix Tourist Office: 04 50 53 00 24
4
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
HOW TO GET AROUND CHAMONIX
TRAIN
The SNCF railway line serves all the villages from Saint-Gervais /Le Fayet to
Montroc passing through Servoz, Les Houches, Chamonix and Argentière .There is
about one train every hour. A bus will drive you to Vallorcine.
(Free transportation between Servoz and Vallorcine with the “carte d’hôte”).
Informations SNCF railway stations and +33 (0)892 353535 – www.sncf.com
BUSES
Regular urban transport serves the entire Valley, free with the “guest card”. With
your ski pass you get free transport between le Tour and les Houches.
Chamonix Bus  +33(0)4 50 53 05 55 –  +33(0)4 50 55 95 59
www.chamonix-bus.com
WALKING
The best way to enjoy stunning views of the mountain ranges, leaving your car in
one of the 4,000 parking spaces of the resort (Up to 1 hour free of charge at the
indoor parking lots). Lively downtown pedestrian area.
LES MULETS
“Les Mulets” free shuttles are running in the town centre (fitted with particle filters
and motors that meet restrictive pollution control standards).
Wait at one of this bus stops and go to town!!! Running all year round.
Time table : Every 10 minutes during the high season and every 20 minutes during
the low season. Plan available at the Tourist Office.
TAXIS
Abac Taxi Gopée
Aéroports Chamonix Taxis
Alp Taxi Laurent
Station pl. Gare
5
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
06 07 02 22 13
06 11 27 23 21
06 81 78 79 51
04 50 53 13 94
Taxi Buton
06 07 19 70 36
Taxi Monard 06 08 26 84 76
Taxi Rousseau06 07 67 88 85
ACCOMMODATION
For the day, a weekend or a week…Chamonix Mont Blanc Valley proposes a
complete range of accommodation: you can find hotels of all categories, bed &
breakfast, guesthouses, camp sites, apartments and chalets to rent, holiday
centres, family houses or holiday villages.
All information can be obtained on the website www.chamonix.com
WWW.CHAMONIX.COM
To find all availabilities updated and special offers.
Also, book on-line reservations 24/24, 7/7.
CARTE D’HÔTE (Guest Card)
Given to you for free by your accommodation provider, the guest card offers many
advantages, in particular free transportation in the valley by bus (except
“Chamo’nuit”) and train from Servoz to Montroc. With this card, you get discount at
the swimming pool, the ice rink, at the cross country ski, in museums (Alpin
museum and Espace Tairraz), in parkings… Request your «Advantages of the
Guest Card» brochure from the Tourist Office.
* Note: the free travel offer on the local train is only valid for a journey beginning and ending at stations
between Servoz and Montroc. Outside this area, the SNCF requires each passenger to have a valid ticket
for the entire journey.
6
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
SPORTS & LEISURE ACTIVITIES
SPA
• BACHAL, HAMEAU ALBERT 1ER  +33(0)4 50 53 05 09
38 Route du Bouchet. www.hameaualbert.fr
Every day from 3 pm to 8 pm and mornings on appointment.
Steam room, swimming pool…
• DEEP NATURE SPA, HÔTEL LES AIGLONS  +33(0)4 50 55 90 93
270 Avenue de Courmayeur. www.aiglons.com
Spa, sauna, steam room, outside swimming pool…
Deep nature : 3 spas in Chamonix.
• SERINITY, PARK HOTEL SUISSE  +33(0)4 50 53 07 58
75 Ave du Majestic. 6th floor, panoramic view on the Mont-Blanc range.
Spa, sauna, jaccuzi swimming pool.
Full list at the Tourist Office.
PATHS FOR SNOWSHOEING AND WALKERS
17 km of trails are groomed in the valley. There is also on trail reserved for walkers
on “Les Grands Montets” area. For snowshoeing, ask about trails at the Tourist
Office.
For these activities and outside of maintained way-marked routes, think of your
safety and contact the mountain sports professionals, instructors, guides and
monitors.
DOGSLEDDING
Huskydalen  +33(0) 6 84 99 34 67
www.huskydalen.com
Beginner’s lessons in dogsled driving. Day and half-day outings and trapper
evenings.
TORCH-LIGHT PROCESSION
See the program of E.S.F.
7
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
PANORAMIC FLIGHTS
Chamonix Mont-Blanc hélicoptère  +33(0)4 50 54 13 82
[email protected] – www.chamonix-helico.fr
Panoramic flights in the Mont Blanc chain starting from Chamonix. With 6 persons,
prices are between 65 € to 200 € per person.
We are at your disposal to organize groups.
CENTRE SPORTIF RICHARD BOZON
+33(0)4 50 53 09 07 –  +33(0)4 50 53 71 70 214, av. de la Plage.
e-mail : [email protected]
PISCINE, SAUNA, STEAM ROOM  +33(0)4 50 53 23 70
Horaires d’ouverture du 21 décembre au 11 mai
Du lundi au vendredi : 12h-19h30
Samedi et dimanche : 14h-19h30
Les 24 et 31 décembre : 12h-18h
Les 25 décembre et 1er janvier : 15h-19h30
Tarifs
1 entrée piscine adulte : 5,70 €
1 entrée piscine enfant (-18 ans) : 4,30 €
1 entrée adulte carte d’hôte : 4,40 € 1 entrée enfant carte d’hôte : 3,30 €
Entrée gratuite pour les -6 ans
- 10 ans obligatoirement accompagnés d’un adulte
Shorts, caleçons, bermudas interdits
Location maillot ou serviette : 4,40 €
1 entrée adulte piscine-sauna-hammam : 12,60 €
(sauna et hammam interdits -12 ans, 12-18 ans obligatoirement accompagnés d’un adulte
TENNIS AND SQUASH  +33(0)4 50 53 28 40
Du 21 décembre jusqu’à l’ouverture des terrains
extérieurs
D u lundi au vendredi : 12h-19h30
S amedi et dimanche : 14h-19h30
Possibilité de jouer entre 8h30 et 20h30 jusqu’à
la date d’ouverture des terrains extérieurs, sur
réservation préalable en caisse piscine aux horaires
d’ouverture du Centre Sportif.
Tarifs pour 1h
Tennis intérieur : 17,50 €
Squash : 9,50 €From 04/11/13 to 06/04/14 :
Reservations for tennis will be done at the swimming pool welcome desk.
INDOOR SKATING RINK  +33(0)4 50 53 12 36
8
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
From 21/12/13 to 05/01/14 : open daily from 2 PM to 6 PM
From 06/01 to 14/02/14 : open daily from 2 PM to 5 PM except on Tuesdays.
From 15/02 to 16/03/14 : open daily from 2 PM to 6 PM Evening opening once per week from
8PM to 11PM.( Day to be confirmed).
From 17/03 to 11/05/14 : open daily from 2 PM to 5 PM except on Tuesdays.
BODY BULDING AND FITNESS ROOM
+33(0)4 50 53 23 70
From 21/12/13 to 11/05/14 :
From Monday to Friday : from noon to 7.30PM
Saturday and Sunday : from 2PM to 7.30PM.
CLIMBING WALL
 +33(0)4 50 53 09 07
From 21/12/13 to 11/05/14 :
From Monday to Friday : de 12h00 à 19:30
Saturday and Sunday : from 2PM to 7.30PM.
For more information, the brochure is available at the Tourist Office.
9
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
SKIING
SKI AREAS
Chamonix Mont-Blanc is:
3 ski areas for all level:
• LES GRANDS MONTETS
The spot “par excellence” for off-piste skiing and free riding.
This resort is known and recognized by skiers and snowboarders the world over for
the length of its slopes, the quality of its snow, its off-piste areas and its snow park
listed in the best guidebooks. The resort is open every year up to 10 May.
• BRÉVENT /FLÉGÈRE
«Sunshine» skiing, facing the Mont-Blanc range.
The southerly slopes of this resort make it a favorite with sun-loving skiers and snow
riders of all levels. The view of the Mont-Blanc range is exceptional. Enjoy the Big
Air Bag by practicing and improving your jumps.
• LE DOMAINE DE BALME
Skiing between high mountain pastures and forests on the Swiss borders.
This area is accessible to skiers of all levels and ages from both sides of the
mountain, by gondolas from Le Tour and Vallorcine. Balme offers both wide, gentle
slopes, with more technical skiing in the forest on the Vallorcine side.
Informations : Compagnie du Mont-Blanc  +33(0)4 50 53 22 75 ou
www.compagniedumontblanc.fr
3 ski areas for beginners :
• LA VORMAINE  +33(0)9 79 51 73 67
A very sunny ski area with a lot of snow, in Le Tour village, for beginners and
medium-level skiers. Ideal for children (day-care centre) and for beginners in
snowboarding.
10
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
• LE SAVOY  +33(0)4 50 53 22 75
Right in the middle of Chamonix, at the bottom of Le Brévent. Ideal slopes for
beginners and especially children, served by 2 ski lifts and a moving walkway.
Artificial snow. Day-care centre.
• LES PLANARDS  +33(0)4 50 53 08 97
In the town centre, it is the largest ski area for beginners and children. 5 slopes:
red, blue and green; day-care centre. Guaranteed sunshine and snow coverage.
Bar - restaurant, solarium, and free car park.
• LES CHOSALETS open from 21/12/2013 until 09/03/2014
At the foot of les Grands Montets 2 drag lifts are expecting beginners.
Enjoy a little rest at the snack bar at the bottom of the slopes.
11
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
HIGH ALTITUDE RESTAURANT
For a light snack or to taste specialities of the Savoy area, gourmet restaurants offer
all tastes of the Alps in a natural setting for walkers or skiers. Every day, highaltitude restaurants are happy to welcome you. There are clear views of the Mont
Blanc chain from the terraces: a unique treat for the eyes and the taste buds.
• MONTENVERS / MER DE GLACE, à l’arrivée de la Vallée Blanche
Le Grand Hôtel du Montenvers
Buffet de la gare du Montenvers
 +33(0)4 50 53 87 70
 +33(0)4 50 53 55 82
• FLÉGÈRE
L'adret
Restaurant La Chavanne
 +33(0)4 50 55 34 88
 +33(0)6 34 20 15 14
• DOMAINE DE BALME
Cafeteria de Charamillon
Restaurant le p'tit chara
Restaurant chez Felisaz
 +33(0)4 50 54 10 21
 +33(0)4 50 54 04 72
 +33(0)6 83 33 86 61
• BRÉVENT
La Bergerie de Planpraz
Le Panoramic
 +33(0)4 50 53 05 42
 +33(0)4 50 53 44 11
• LOGNAN / LES GRANDS MONTETS
Le Spot (vente à emporter)
Le Rider




Restaurant de Plan Joran
Chalet Refuge de Lognan
Restaurant le Top
 +33(0)4 50 54 10 21
 +33(0)4 50 54 10 21
 +33(0)4 50 54 05 77
 +33(0)6 88 56 03 54
 +33(0)6 34 20 15 12
• AIGUILLE DU MIDI
Cafétéria de l’Aiguille
Le 3842
12
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
 +33(0)4 50 55 82 23
 +33(0)4 50 55 82 23
SKI SCHOOLS
Lessons in all winter sports and mountain sports (skiing, snowboarding, free ride,
speed riding, and paragliding) are provided in English, German, Italian, Spanish and
Russian, for groups and individuals of all level, including snowshoe hikes with a
guide.
There are some specially trained Handiski instructors.
A dream comes true ski down the « Vallée Blanche » by taxi-ski.
SKI PASSES
2 différent ski passes :
• “CHAMONIX Le Pass”
Ski all ski aeras in Chamonix, in total freedom, at altitudes up to 2.700 m.
Brevent-Flegere, Grand-Montets (summit not included), Balme(le Tour Vallorcine) Savoy,
Planards,Vormaine et Chosalets.
• “MONT-BLANC Unlimited”
You ski Chamonix le Pass + top of Grands-Montets(3275m), aiguilles du Midi, Mer de Glace,
tramway du Mont-Blanc all ski aeras of Les Houches and Courmayeur (Italie). From 6 days pass
acces to "Les 4 Vallées” (Switzerland). For passes between 3 and 21 days you can ski one day
the Evasion Mont-Blanc ski aera.
Unlimited acces to the swimming pool, the ice skating rings, the museums…for ski passes from 3
to 21 days).
Disabled people can obtain a 50% discount on the day pass and excursion ticket,
by showing their disability card at the cash desk. Same price discount for the
accompanying person if their presence is required.
You can buy your ski pass in advance by Internet
(www.compagniedumontblanc.fr) or the day of your arrival, at the lift.
13
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
THE TOWN
SHOPS & SERVICES
Brochure on request at the Tourist Office.
MARKET
On the Place du Mont-Blanc, every Saturday morning.
CASINO +33(0)4 50 53 07 65
Casino Barrière, Place de Saussure.
Slot machines from 1 centime to €5, open from 11am on Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays Thursdays and Sundays.
Table gambling games (English roulette, French roulette and blackjack), open from
8 pm. Restaurant, entertainment, events and shows all year round.
Buffet at lunch time
Identity cards must be shown on entering the casino.
CINÉMA
Cinéma Vox, 22, Cour du Bartavel.
Programme available on answering machine :  +33(0)4 50 53 03 39
Information :  +33(0)4 50 55 89 98
www.cinemavox-chamonix.com
NIGHT
Concerts, events, night clubs and bars, vidéo bars and
restaurants : La coupole, the Office, White Hub, Amnesia …
14
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
CULTURE
MUSÉE ALPIN (ALPINE MUSUEM)
+33(0)4 50 53 25 93 89, av. Michel Croz (pedestrian area).
Situated in the old « Chamonix Palace » (the first of 3 palaces to be built in Chamonix at the
beginning of the 20th century) , this beautiful museum retraces the development of Chamonix
from the first tourists who came to admire the « glacières de Savoye » to the golden age of winter
sports. An important collection of prints illustrate the considerable changes to the valley between
the 18th and 20th centuries, but you can also admire photographs, relief maps, rock crystals,
ancient objects, costumes and all that constitutes the memory of the valley.
Adult : 5 €
Child : free of charge
Reduced fare upon presentation of the voucher : 4,00 €.
( Guest card, resident, seasonal, senior, student, local, large family, disabled).
Hors vacances scolaires : tous les jours sauf le mardi 14h-18h
Vacances scolaires : tous les jours sauf le mardi 10h-12h et 14h-18h
Fermé les 25 décembre, 1er janvier et 1er mai
Closing from November 4th to December 20th.
• ESPACE TAIRRAZ  +33(0)4 50 55 53 93
Parvis Saint-Michel.
• Interactive mountaineering exposition and crystals museum.
RatesAdult : 5 € Child : free of charge
Opening timesFrom 01/12/12 to 17/11/13 : open daily from 2 PM to 6 PM (During the school
holidays from 10AM to 1PM and from 2PM to 6PM.).
From 09/12/13 to 18/05/14 : open daily from 2 PM to 6 PM.
• Musée des cristaux
(Crystals Museum): presentation of crystals
from Mont Blanc and the Alps. The museum’s completion is the culmination of a
collaboration between the Mineralogy Club and the town of Chamonix.
This facility is intended as a "site" museum that gives pride of place to minerals from
Mont Blanc, which are known throughout the world, particularly smoked quartz and
pink fluorspars. The exhibits come from the club’s collections, the Musée Alpin
(municipal collection), the "Lesage" collection bought by the municipal authority and
the club, and others are on loan from crystal specialists and collectors.
• Espace Alpinisme
A place of discovery designed on the basis of electronic and mechanical
15
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
systems for a unique, playful experience through a long journey in the Alps
from former times to today.
Mountaineering dates from a long time ago, but it has evolved considerably
with new techniques and methods and with changing attitudes. As a visitor in
this playful and educational space, you can get under a modern mountaineer’s
skin through new interactive exhibition techniques.
You can come to grips with the mountains that were the major mountaineering
challenges, in order to better understand the routes taken to conquer them. You
can organize your own expedition to distant peaks. You can climb famous
mountain faces by using a simulator - the world’s first mountaineering
simulator.
You can experience the void, handle the mountaineer’s tools and learn about
the history of these activities. In brief, you can enjoy the experience of
mountaineering without taking the risks!* NEWS : museum pass 11€ : one year
unlimited access for the 4 museums of the valley (musée alpin, espace Tairraz,
musée Montagnard, Maison de l'Alpage)
• Inheritage house
In 2006, the Municipal Council decided to renovate the building, but did not rule on the final
intended use of the internal spaces. From 2009 to the summer of 2010, the Culture
Commission examined the possible new uses for the Maison Baud. It finally decided to use
it as a Memory and Heritage Centre.
This house is a centre for: conservation of sound, oral and photographic archives collected
by the town’s Memory Preservation department
highlighting memory and heritage through interpretative exhibitions and cultural actions
consultation and research: a document resource centre available to everyonea participative
project
RatesAdult : from 2 to 3 €
Child : free of charge
Opening timesFrom September 14th :
Tuesday : 14:00 - 19:00.
Wenesday : 10:00 - 12:00 et 14:00 - 19:00.
Friday : 14:00 - 19:00.
Saturday : 10:00-12:00 et 14:00-19:00
Sunday : 14:00 - 19:00.
16
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
GUIDED HERITAGE TOURS
For individuals every Thursday morning at 10 am, groups and coach tours parties
on demand. [email protected]
CHRISTINE’S CULTURAL TOURS
Christine is a Ministry of Culture-registered heritage guide who leads groups on
guided tours on different themes that take the form of unusual walks exploring the
history and heritage of the Chamonix Valley: Belle Époque houses, historical
holiday villas, cemeteries, hamlets and villages, etc.
Price: from 8 to 2€ per person.
For information and bookings
06 07 21 51 90
www.blogdesvireesculturelles.fr
[email protected]
17
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
•
FIRE BRIGADE :  18
•
SAMU (MOBILE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE):  15
•
International emergency services number from a mobile phone :  112
•
P.G.H.M (mountain rescue service) :  +33(0)4 50 53 16 89
•
Ambulances (non-emergency service) :  +33(0)4 50 53 46 20
•
Chamonix Hospital:  +33(0)4 50 53 84 00
509, route des Pèlerins.
•
Hemodialysis Centre at Sallanches Hospital :  +33(0)4 50 53 22 00
384, route de l’hôpital, Sallanches.
NIGHTS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
*On Duty doctor :  15
*On Duty dentist :  +33(0)4 50 66 14 12
ARGENTIÈRE, CHAMONIX, LES HOUCHES,
SERVOZ
In addition to the 14 general practitioner doctors in the Valley, there are also several
specialists in cardiology, dermatology, etc.
A detailed list is available on request from Tourist Offices.
18
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Tourist Office
85 place du Triangle de l’Amitié – 74 400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc CEDEX
 +33(0)4 50 53 00 24 –  +33(0)4 50 53 58 90 - [email protected]
Opening times :
* Until mid-April : from 8.30am to 7pm every day.
*After mid-April : from 9am to 12.30am and from 2pm to 6pm..
Argentière Tourist Office
24 route du Village – 74 400 Argentière
 +33(0)4 50 53 02 14 –  +33(0)4 50 53 06 39 - [email protected]
Opening times :
*Christmas and winter holidays : from 8.30am to 12am and from 3pm to 7pm .
*From 5 January to beginning April : from 8.30am to 12am and from 3pm to
6.30pm.
*From April: from 9am to 12am and from 3pm to 6pm.
SITE INTERNET : www.chamonix.com
“Best of the Alps” est la marque commune des meilleures destinations de vacances de tout l’espace alpin. Chaque membre de
ce prestigieux groupement répond aux attentes les plus exigeantes
de sa clientèle internationale. Une infrastructure ultramoderne,
l’atmosphère authentique des villages de montagne, un service
chaleureux de qualité, de même qu’une offre de prestations
complète, en été comme en hiver, vous assurent de passer des
vacances formidables et inoubliables. Les lieux de villégiature
“Best of the Alps” vous souhaitent une cordiale bienvenue !
19
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC