To describe the Chamonix Valley as beautiful would be a lot more then



an understatement. It is, without doubt, one of the most picturesque

areas in the world.

One hour from Geneva by road, this skiing and mountaineering haven has

become popular the world over with skiers, mountaineers, climbers and

mountain lovers alike.

The valley itself is dominated by Mt Blanc, as well as other ranges

meeting in this most dramatic mountain area. Towering pillars of

granite dominate the area often bewhildering you with the very scale

that they represent. It is difficult not to be impressed once the

clouds lift, the peaks towering above you like sentinels.

Chamonix has become very popular with the British, who have now

gathered there in significant numbers, though many leave and go

somwhere else once the ski season is over.

Scandanavian peoples also appear to favour the area, and, of course,

there are the French.

Chamonix has become so multicultural in some areas that it would be

easy to say that it is not typically French. Though French is widely

spoken, you will never be far from a British accent. Most Brits have

picked up the baton, so to speak, and learnt French, but a minority

remain who expect to use English wherever they go. This has lead to

small amounts of friction between the two communities, but nothing too

serious.

If you are going to go to Chamonix, you should expect to speak some French.

As a ski area goes, Chamonix has some of the most extreme skiing

available to man. There are many resorts, all reachable via a small

bus or cable car ride from Chamonix or the surrounding area. For the

more extreme routes like the Vallee Blanche you should look to find

yourself a guide, or ski the route with people that know the way, or

you may find yourself in a crevasse.

Some skiers complain of the layout that Chamonix offers - of course

you can't please all the people all of the time - if you want extreme

skiing, come to Chamonix, and expect to take a few short journeys to

the venue of your days skiing, that's all.

As well as being a mecca for skiers and snowboarders, Chamonix offers

excellent climbing and mountaineering options, with climbs up

fantastic granite cliffs suitable for all comers, stretching to huge

extreme alpine rock routes like the Walker Spur. Pleasant woodland

walks can also be easily found!

Not far from Chamonix are the mountain villages of Argentiere and Les

Houches. Les Houches is only a 20 minute bus journey from Chamonix and

is actually a ski resort in its own right, so you don't need to be in

Chamonix itself to enjoy some of the best skiing the Alps has to offer.