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 licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Rob Alter

Chamonix provides skiing in a variety of central areas, which are linked by an efficient bus service, and because the resort shares its peaks with neighbouring Courmayeur, a full lift pass gives skiers access to nearby Italian slopes as well. Beginning with Les Houches and le Touchet, beginners can enjoy a broad variety of nursery slopes to find their rhythm before progressing to tougher pistes.

Intermediate skiers can make steady progress in the well-known Vallée Blanche (with a guide) and enjoy the variety and scenery in Flégère before moving on to off-piste, red and black runs. Advanced skiers can hone their skills at the Grands Montets in Argentière, at Brévent, Flégère and le Tour, while all the runs offer some of best powder skiing available in the country.

Not forgetting snowboarders; there are drag lifts in the beginners’ areas, and plenty of on and off-piste terrain for intermediate and advanced boarders at Brévent, Flégère and le Tour, providing opportunities for jumps and gullies.

Chamonix is also a part of France’s mountaineering heritage, perfectly situated for hikers and climbers to explore the local terrain. The untouched countryside, red squirrels, chamois and deer, and magnificent views across Mont Blanc, provide a harmonious atmosphere. Chamonix is also well-equipped with sporting and leisure facilities, including exciting nightlife, and comes highly recommended as one of France’s best-loved places to ski.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jason Blue-Smith

Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) is in the Caucasus Mountains in Russia. It’s the highest mountain in Europe, and has more than one summit. For less experienced climbers there’s the advantage of lift and cable chairs that take you up to 3800 metres. If you’ve got reasonable climbing skills you can climb from here, but if not, you can do a walking tour from the top of the lift run. You can easily find accommodation in hotels and lodges in the local area.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Martin F

At the borders between Switzerland and Italy, you can put on your climbing shoes to climb one of the most famous mountains in Europe – the Matterhorn (4,478 m). It stands out in the landscape like a giant rock pyramid and is considered by many to be the birthplaces of mountaineering. As such, it’s on most climbers’ must-climb lists.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by stefg74

In Greece, the home of the ancient Greek gods – Mount Olympus – is also a famous climbing spot. To get to the highest peak of Mytikas (2918 metres) takes two days’ climbing. Many people climb up in one day and rest overnight in their tents before descending the next day. It’s not a place for solitude though – it’s a very popular place to climb.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Vasile Cotovanu

Mont Blanc is found on the border of Italy and France. The closest towns are Chamonix in France and Courmayeur in Italy. It’s the second highest mountain in Europe, with a summit of 4,810.45 metres. Although it’s not the highest mountain, it’s probably the most challenging climbing spot in Europe. Even though a cable car takes you up to 1000m below the summit, the last 1000 metres is a real challenge. You’ll need high levels of fitness and will have to acclimatise to the altitude before completing the ascent.

Even people who go equipped with all the right rock climbing equipment can get into difficulty on Mont Blanc and the mountain rescue helicopter service is kept busy all summer recovering stranded climbers.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Thierry Gregorius

The highest peak in the UK is Ben Nevis. The Scottish mountain’s summit is 1,344 metres and it’s reached by thousands of climbers every year. It needs good fitness levels and climbing ability to attempt the day’s climb.

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The top of Mont Blanc is covered by a thick layer of ice and snow. In 1893 the observatory was built at the top, but due to unfavorable conditions it was abandoned in 1909 and it finally fell. Mont Blanc is very popular for rock climbing, hiking, skiing and snowboarding. In the vicinity there are two towns – Courmayeur in Italy, and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France —the site of the first Winter Olympics, there is also a ski resort.

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