Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France by Flávio Eiró

The World renowned Skiing

Chamonix offers one of the best ski-resorts in the world with five major ski stations complete with all year round lift systems. This is home to the awe inspiring Vallée Blanche, Chamonix’s most famous and challenging 20 km ski run where both glaciers and crevasses can give the very best exponents a run for their money. Generally the off piste skiing is fantastic and there are plenty of beginners slopes so the town can cater for all abilities and ages. Many believe the term “Après-Ski” was created here, and the accommodation is of a high standard with chalets, apartments and hotels aplenty. With skiing in mind, the next attraction on our list will certainly stir interest with you.

Aiguille du Midi

You simply haven’t experienced the Alps until you stand atop the most incredible views from the peak station of the Aiguille De Midi cable car, the 1905 brainchild of two Swiss engineers. At more than 3800 metres you’ll need time to take in the Mer De Glace glacier in all its God like glory, the whole panorama of Chamonix including Vallee Blanche, and of course the enigmatic Mont-Blanc range of mountains. But it gets better as on a clear day, you can also spot the magnificent Matterhorn, Monta Rosa and the Grand Combin. The journey is made in two stages bottom to top and can take up to two hours all in. If you fancy eating in one of the World’s highest restaurants then the ambient “3842″, is the place to be seen in. But there are plenty of cafes and snack bars around and the station even has its own stamp and post-box.

Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix, France by Guillaume Baviere

Montenvers railway

The Montenvers Railway  has the distinction of being the first specialist tourist attraction in the valley, opening in 1908. Enjoy lovely views as the train works its way up the sides of the Aiguilles de Chamonix eventually reaching a height of just under 2000 metres. Known as ‘the little rack railway’, It’s now one of the most popular attractions in Chamonix with the station balanced on a rocky ridge overlooking the Mer de Glace glacier, the largest of its type in France.

Ice Caves

Once you have ridden the Montenvers train to the top, a short cable car ride will take you to the Ice Grotto or caves where you can see some wonderful sculptures made out of ice and fascinating caves. There’s also an animal museum and exhibition of extraordinary mountain crystals. But remember there are more than 300 steps from the lift to the cave entrance.  A return trip for an adult will cost just under 28 Euros and you can buy a family package for just under 83 Euros.

Climbing Mont Blanc

If you’re extremely fit and fancy an exciting challenge then even without much experience you can still climb the White Mountain. There are specialist companies who will quickly train you in all the necessary skills to make a climb alongside a vastly experienced guide. This means everyone can climb at their own pace. You can spend time acclimatising in unique mountainside huts and then have three nights to make the ascent. You’ll need to research the companies thoroughly to get the best deals and the package best for your needs. The main ascent day is quite tough involving 1600m of height gain though you’re roped up and won’t have to use your hands much at all. Normally spread over  12 hours, the feeling of achievement is reported to be simply fantastic. This will generally cost you just under 2,000 Euros for the experience of a lifetime. But remember, weather conditions can change rapidly here so flexibility on timescales is key to a successful summit.

Soaring east face of Mont Blanc du Tacul by Masa Sakano

So there we have it. Exciting visitor attractions set alongside some of the world’s most beautiful scenery. The area around Chamonix is not only fabulously French but tantalisingly tasty when it comes to exhilarating activities.

Convinced and fancy a trip to the famous Chamonix? Being located only 100km from Geneva International Airport organising a Geneva to Chamonix transfer has never been easier than it is with Chamonixfirst. With door to door collections and drop offs this is the best way to make traveling to Chamonix from Geneva Airport simple. Alternatively Chamonix is only an 8 hour drive from Calais if you would like to indulge in the scenic drive through rural France.

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Photo published with a kind permission of its author va.lentijn

The entrance to the cave is situated at an altitude of 970 meters above sea level and used to be known as a “cold hole”. The first visitor was a mining engineer and amateur speleologist Eugen Ruffínyi with his friends Gustáv Lang and Andrej Mega. They explored the cave in June 1870. A year later it was opened to the public and in 1887 became the first cave in Europe with electric lighting. The total length of the cave is 1388 m, from which only 475 m long section is available for the public. In the years 1893 – 1946 the public skating was allowed here during the whole year.

Photo published with a kind permission of its author va.lentijn

Underground spaces were created and formed by chemical and mechanical action of water of the river Hnilec. Dobšinská ice caves were originally connected with Stratenská caves. But after the collapse of the cave ceiling, the cave system has been divided and closed the air circulation. The cave got a shape of a pocket-like large cavity. It is 18 meters wide and 70 meters deep with a single hole on the surface. This resulted in the establishment of local microclimatic conditions and ice caves. In winter a cold air penetrates into the cave, which cools its walls and leaking water and freezes, creating ice formations (stalactites, stalagmites, icefalls, pillar and floor ice). The thickness of ice reaches up to 25 meters at the floor, its volume is approximately 145,000 cubic meters. The average annual temperature of the cave is -1 °C while the humidity reaches 96-99%.

Photo published with a kind permission of its author va.lentijn

Glaciation is only in the part of the cave entrance, where it gets cold from outside. Rear and bottom areas are ice-free, but with many weathered stalactite formations. The cave consists of several separate parts – Small Hall, Large Hall, collapsing dome, Ruffínyi’s corridor, and other. The largest area is the Great Hall – 72 metres long, 42 metres wide and 10 metres high. The largest ice column is named the Well (Studňa).

The tour through Dobšinská Ice Cave lasts 30 minutes. It is open from May to October. Eating or drinking is prohibited here, you can use a camera for additional fee. Entry is permitted only with a guide.

Dobšinská Ice Cave is a home of several species of bats, and in 2000, the cave has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Photo published with a kind permission of its author va.lentijn

View Dobšinská Ice Cave – the largest ice cave in Slovakia in a larger map

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