Latest posts for the topic "Looking for advice on Chamonix"

Looking for advice on Chamonix

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:00:08 GMT

My daughter wants to book a catered chalet in Chamonix for Christmas 2013 & the group will be myself, daughter & husband & 3 young boys.

I can ski any piste & my son in law can also, my daughter would be on easy reds as only 3 weeks skiing in total.Eldest boy 13 yrs skied in sugar mountain for a week this year with school trip, the other 2 boys one 11 & the other 9 have done a couple of sessions on the dry slopes.

I have not been to this resort as I don't do France as a rule & from what I've read on here in the past Chamonix is best avoided by beginners or early intermediates.I have told my daughter this but she seems adamant to going there for two reasons, one short transfer time & appears to be in love with the chalet.

Taking in all of the above can anyone give the pros & cons of this resort being suitable for our group, she wants to book the chalet asap as it gets booked out quite quickly, but I am more concerned about suitability.

Thanks in advance

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:16:26 GMT

Hey Brooksy,

The great thing about Chamonix is that is so huge it caters for all standards. Its almost 4 resorts in one. Brevent is great for blues and reds. Les Houches has greens and reds and Grand Montettes is fab for reds/blacks, to name a few. You can access all areas in the one Cham pass but its certainly large enough to keep everyone entertained for the week! My (extended) family go most years to Cham for exactly the reason you're asking about! The only downside is that it's expensive and i would recommend getting a car to travel between the resorts. Hope that helps, have a great time! S

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:16:51 GMT

Chamonix caters quite well for all levels of skier... just not all in the same place.

Where exactly is the chalet? If it's in Argentiere then you might find it a challenge, but if it's near one of the easier areas then it could be ideal (just you and son-in-law may need to get on the bus).

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:28:22 GMT

This is not true about Chamonix and beginners/early intermediates. Beginners have fewer problems in most resorts as they are usually going to ski schools and instructors would choose an accessible for the level terrain and won't take them down any blacks:)

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:32:19 GMT

Thanks for the info.

I don't know the areas & it just says its in Chamonix, the acomm is
The chalet Blanche, & below is their description.

In Winter
In Summer
Chalet Blanche Photos
360 tour
Prices and Availability
In Winter
During the winter season, which runs from mid December to early May, Chalet Blanche, situated less than 10 minutes walk from the centre of Chamonix and 5 minutes walk from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, will ensure that all your winter amenities are close at hand. We employ a chef for the whole season and offer luxury catered weekly breaks where you won't have to think about anything other than enjoying the great skiing and superb hospitality.

What's Included?
Extensive Continental breakfast
Afternoon tea, coffee, Vin Chaud and home made cakes
Pre-dinner drinks
Three course evening meal with unlimited wine
Free packed lunch provided on request
Personal daily minibus service to and from the slopes
Hot tub, including drinks service
British satellite TV, internet access, and a wide selection of DVDs
Ski hire and lift passes organised by us. www.chamonix.twinner-sports.com
Return minibus transfer from Geneva airport (Euro50 per person)
Ski hosting
Child minding arranged.
Cots and high chair provided

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:44:08 GMT

Sounds very nice! :thumbup:

Closer to the easy bits, but...

brooksy wrote:Personal daily minibus service to and from the slopes

...will presumably take you and son-in-law up the valley to Argentiere whenever you want.

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:05:34 GMT

Thanks to all, as no negative posts it looks like a goer :)

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:17:27 GMT

You are near Brevent/Flegere then, which is a good area. And if you use the minibus you can go to Argentiere and your daughter with children continue to Le Tour which has some nice and easy cruisers.

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:11:10 GMT

I don't think beginner, intermediate can get bored with weeks skiing in Chamonix. I would argue that les Houches has the nicest piste skiing in area when snow conditions are good. Some great runs and also best mountain restaurants in the valley.

Flegere some really long reds from top lift, perfect for just linking turns. If you can go top to bottom of that then serious burn in legs.

Argentiere, for onpiste I do not believe is a great area. My favorite is the run back down to Argentiere. Best skied in the morning when nobody else is on it. Nice run off the Hurst as well.

Balme, plenty of easy blues, nice and wide and normally quite so good for working on high speed turns. Auguillette is perfect for this.

Brevant is my least favored of the 5, don't get lured into staying there on basis is closets to town. Others are worth the trip.

If you have a car then St Gervais etc also comes into play.

Basically more than you can handle in a week.

Re:Looking for advice on Chamonix

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:41:18 GMT

Thanks again to all those who have contributed advice & info in the true J2 manner, On the overwhelming positive nature of the comments I have told my daughter to book me in for the trip. :-)