Key Facts Chamonix, France

Chamonix, France
Key Facts
• 115km of pistes up to 3300m
• Challenging skiing and plenty of off-piste
• A haven for thrill seekers
• Lively traditional town
• Easy to get to for the weekend
• Only 1 hour from Geneva airport
• Excellent après-ski & wellness facilities
• Vast selection of restaurants and bars
• 15km from Italy by the Mont-Blanc tunnel
Resort Information
Getting there
Chamonix is just one hour from Geneva and 15km
from Italy via the Mont-Blanc tunnel. It is one of
the easiest resorts to access so is perfect for a long
weekend. At an altitude of 1035m but with glacier
skiing at 3300m, Chamonix is snow sure, with 115km
of challenging slopes and great off-piste making it one
of the top resorts in the Alps. It is a proper town and a
pleasant place to visit at any time of year. As popular
in summer as it is in winter, and with great après ski,
Chamonix town is exciting rather than peaceful.
Chamonix is easily accessible by air, road or rail. It is
only 1 hour from Geneva airport making it ideal for a
weekend getaway. The Mont Blanc Express railroad
runs though Argentière on its way from Chamonix,
and is a relaxing way to travel through the most
impressive scenery in the French Alps. This is one
of the shortest and easiest transfers in the Alps so
Chamonix is an excellent choice if you are looking for
something weekendable.
Argentière is a picturesque village just a ten minute
drive from Chamonix. At an altitude of 1252m, the
village is more peaceful than Chamonix. It has some
cosy bars and restaurants, but if you want a bit more
action Chamonix is easily accessible. The Argentière
Glacier lies above the old village and creates a dramatic
backdrop, while Les Grand Montets ski area is one of
the best in the Chamonix area.
Winter
Après Ski
Chamonix is a beautiful alpine town with 250 years
of mountaineering history, and traditional villages
and hamlets scattered along the valley. There are ice
falls and glaciers, as well as one of Europe’s highest
cable cars. Cog railways give access to exceptional
viewpoints and mountain restaurants.
Chamonix offers a tremendous selection of
restaurants that widely reflect the town’s international
community, from Michelin starred establishments to
local Savoyard bistros. Equally the bars in Chamonix
guarantee excellent après-ski entertainment. There is
also a casino and a couple of nightclubs.
Although the ski area has slopes for skiers and boarders
of all ability levels Chamonix is particularly good for
experts, with challenging blacks and arguably the best
off-piste skiing in the world. With high altitude skiing,
the resort is snow sure and enjoys a long season.
Expert Opinion
From long rolling blue runs to freeride terrain and
snow parks, Chamonix has something for everyone.
The lift pass, Chamonix le Pass, provides access to
the 3 main ski areas and to all the beginners slopes,
while a larger pass that includes Les Houches and St
Germain is available.
Ski property expert Fenella Hunter says:
“Chamonix is one of those resorts that you either
love, or you don’t. Usually, people who want to buy
in Chamonix know they want Chamonix from the
very beginning. They know it ticks all their boxes, and
they’re not seriously considering anywhere else. The
main selling points for me are its year-round appeal
and the challenging skiing across the three main ski
areas and the Aguille du Midi.”
Restaurants: Annapurna
Indian food might not be the first thing you think about
when it comes to Alpine food, but the Annapurna in
Chamonix offers fantastically authentic indian food
(none of it overwhelmingly spicy) in a cosy spot not
right in the centre of Chamonix itself.
The restaurant is very busy, so it’s probably worth
booking at peak times of year.
Restaurants: Satsuki
Chamonix is home to a host of excellent Savoyarde
spots, but we at IIP like to draw attention to the
more unusual features, like Satsuki. It’s a Japanese
restaurant, selling everything from sushi to teriyaki
along with a saki and a warming miso soup.
Summer
Chamonix is a vibrant alpine town with a wonderful
architectural heritage where traditional and modern
styles rub shoulders. The Priory, alpine farms, baroque
churches and art deco buildings from the “Golden Era”
give the centre of the town an old-world charm.
The sports centre has facilities for all the family, with
its swimming pools and water toboggan. There is also
a new state of the art wellness centre in Chamonix
Mont Blanc being built for 2016. The facility is located
in the Le Praz area of the resort, and will have indoor
and outdoor infinity pools, treatment rooms and
guest suites.
The valley offers 350km of superbly maintained hiking
trails, from lower walks through the forest to high
altitude glacier walks. The valley offers a large number
of mountain bike trails for all abilities, and there is
a summer lift system available if you’re primarily
interested in downhill.
There are plenty of paragliding schools offering novice
flights, or individual and group courses at all levels. If
you’re experienced in paragliding, you will appreciate
the valley’s lift system which provides easy access to
the various take off points.
Golf
The 18 hole golf course at Chamonix was designed
by the world famous Robert Trent Jones Senior in a
setting between the Mont-Blanc range and the massif
of the Aiguilles rouges.
Viewing
Company Profile
Whether you are travelling alone, with a partner, or
bringing the whole family we can suggest the perfect
place to stay. We can also recommend excellent local
restaurants and even let you know if there are any
events happening in the area to ensure you have
an enjoyable trip. Simply let us know which dates
you have in mind and we will arrange for one of our
representatives to meet you and show you around. All
you need to do is to book your flight and rent a hire
car and we can help organise everything else for you.
Investors in Property specialise in the sale of ski
chalets and apartments in Switzerland, Austria, and
France. We have over 25 years experience and an
unrivalled knowledge of well established and up and
coming ski resorts. We will provide expert advice and
professional guidance through every step of your
purchase. If you have any questions or need general
advice please do not hesitate to contact us.
Ask for our visits guide for further information.
FAQs
Contact
Simon Malster – Investors in Property
Tel: +44 (0)20 8905 5511
[email protected]
For everything you need to know about buying properrty
in France, from legal requirements to rental obligation,
please check out our FAQs.
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relied upon as statements or representations of fact. © Investors in Property 2016