This is one of my favourite resorts. It was also the first resort that I visited although I would not recommend it for beginners. It is at the foot of Mont Blanc and is world famous for its steep and deep skiing. Many extreme skiers are based in Chamonix and when you visit the Grands Montets area in Argentiere you can see why. After 11 years skiing in other resorts I finally returned to Chamonix in March 2007.

The ski resort is based around a number of small villages in the valley. All ski areas are inter-linked by a shuttle bus that is free with a lift pass. At one end of the valley is Les Houches. This area has a lot of rolling blue and red runs. It is also has one of the few runs from top to bottom that is classified as a blue run. Most other runs into the valley are black or off piste. Brevent area is accessed by a telecabin from Chamonix. Here there are a number of red, blue and black runs. There is a green run at the end of the chair lift but it is not very long and the return to the telecabin can be tricky. The only other pisted ski area accessible from Chamonix town is Plannards. This has two red/blue runs from a chair lift, as well as a beginner area. It is also the finishing point for the Vallee Blanche run, when snow cover is suitable, otherwise you need to complete this off piste decent using the Montevers railway (charge if not using the unlimited pass). The other lift in the centre of Chamonix is the Aiguille du Midi. This cable car gives access to the Vallee Blanche, one of the longest off piste runs in the world. Intermediate skiers can attempt this run and a guide is required, as it is an off piste run on a glacier. This is the highest point in the Chamonix Valley and the views across the Alps can be spectacular. On a clear day you can see the Matterhorn with its pyramidal peak. Heading further down the valley, the next ski area is at Flegere, which is accessed by a cable car from the village of Le Praz. This area has a number of red and blue runs. They have now linked the ski areas of Flegere and Brevent with a cable car. The next village that you come to is Argentiere, the base of the Grands Montets ski area. This is one of the most popular ski areas particularly for off piste skiers. This area is consists of mainly red and black runs. The final main ski area in the Chamonix valley is at Le Tour. This area is made up of two parts. At the bottom is a wide gentle area served by three button lifts. This area is used for teaching and is popular with beginners. Most of the skiing at Le Tour is on blue runs. There is a red run back to the valley that is kept open for most of the season usign snow cannon. These are accessed by a telecabin. From the top station here you can climb up and ski down into Switzerland (it is off piste though).

There are now two lift passes covering the Chamonix valley. The standard pass covers all lifts at Le Tour, Flegere, Brevent and Plannards and the lower part of the Grand Montets area. The Unlimited pass adds the upper part of the Grand Montets ski area, Les Houches, Aiguille du Midi and Montevers Railway. The unlimited pass will also allow you to ski in Courmeyer in Italy for a day.

http://www.chamonix.com

2007 Photo album will be available soon from http://www.chamomix.bentall.me.uk