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mountain sports world-wide and attracts the best skiers, snowboarders, and
climbers each season.
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Chamonix is the French mountaineering capital thanks to its Compagnie des Guides and it also attracts many hikers who appreciate its 310 km of footpaths. However, the resort mainly owes its popularity to the numerous viewpoints which offer some of the best and most spectacular landscapes in the Alpes.
Since the first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924, Chamonix has become an important well-equipped ski resort. The development of the resort has been helped since 1965 by the direct link to Val d'Aoste and to Courmayeur provided by the Mount-Blanc tunnel.
The Chamonix Valley can undoubtedly boast the most remarkable ski area in Haute-Savoiefor it offers some of the finest runs to be found anywhere, combining length, gradient and unsurpassed mountain scenery.
The ski area spreads over several massifs linked by shuttle services. The snow cover is usually excellent above1900m but is insufficient to allow skiers to ski right down to the bottom of the valley. Experienced skiers favour such runs as Chalres Bozon, the Combe de la Charlanon and Col Cornu, the Pylones and Pic Janvier and above all the second section of the Grand Montets. Off piste itineraries, to be ventured with only a guide, are exceptional, in particular the famous Vallee Blanche. Inexperienced skiers fell particularly at ease in the Balme area, where slopes are moderate and snow plentiful. In summer, the Aiguille du Midi cable-car enables enthusiasts to ski down the glacial valley known as Valle Blanche. Cross country skiing is practised between Chamonix and Argentiere, the the bottom of the valley.
There is also the Montenvers rack-railway. This picturesque train, which enables non-specialists to experience the fell of high mountains and glaciers, gets its name from the viewpoint at the end of the line. On this 5km line there is a drop of 870m between the upper and lower stations. The service ran in summer from 1908 onwards; the train was pulled by a Swiss steam engine and negotiated slopes with a 20% gradient with the help of a rack; the ascent lasted approximately 1 hour at an average speed of 6km/h. Since 1933 the line has been modernised and more powerful engines are now used, so that the service runs all year round and trains have a top speed of 10km/h.
The chalet is approx 50 mins from the town centre of Chamonix village.