- Read More
Aiguille du Midi
The dramatic and spindly Aiguille du Midi mountain looms over the Chamonix valley, in some ways even more impressive looking than the ominous Mont Blanc, which sits farther away. In 1955, a cable car was built to connect the center...
- Read More
Downhill & Cross-Country Skiing
Chamonix's 70-plus miles of ski runs are spread throughout four separate areas, serviced by 42 ski lifts. Offering arguably the best advanced and extreme skiing in the Alps, Chamonix steep slopes are its best but there is varied terrain that...
- Read More
Hiking & Climbing
Chamonix boasts some excellent hiking trails for both summer and winter. Hikes range in difficulty and itineraries can be multiple days with nights spent in simple mountain huts.
- Read More
Maison de la Mémoire et du Patrimoin
Housed in a former Catholic girls’ school, this small museum details the rich history of the Mont Blanc Valley. Visiting the maison is a great way to spend a warm afternoon inside.
- Read More
Mer de Glace
The 7km (4.3 mile) long glacier Mer de Glace was named as such (it translates to "sea of ice") by 18th-century explorers. The ice plane has been slowly shrinking over the past few centuries and is currently the lowest it...
- Read More
Musée Alpin
This small, kitschy museum details the history of Chamonix, from its humble beginnings to its explosion as an international ski hub. The perfect break from a day of skiing, there is an especially interesting exhibit on Mont Blanc and its...
Chamonix
Jon Krakauer, author of Into Thin Air, and no stranger to dangerous mountains, described Chamonix as the “death-sport capital of the world.” The French village is Europe’s (if not the world’s) extreme sports mecca but there is also much for non-daredevils to do, including some beginner and intermediate skiing, hiking and in-town diversions such as the annual Cosmo Jazz Festival each August.