Chamonix

Hrududu

We're in the middle of planning at the moment and we're currently looking at Chamonix. I was hoping to pick brains here on a couple of things.

From doing a bit of research it looks like the ski areas aren't linked by lifts so it would require getting a ski bus between them. Has anyone here been there? And how did they find getting around? The past couple of years we've been to the three valleys and the grand massif which we were able to navigate mostly by skiing and lifts so I'm wondering if this would be a big difference?

And where to stay is my next question. Is Chamonix itself a bit far from the skiing? Would it be more worthwhile staying somewhere like Argentiere?

The group in question is mostly intermediates with one who has only been skiing once before.

So any thoughts people had on the place would be great. Its always handy to hear people's experiences.

Fattes

Hrududu wrote: »

We're in the middle of planning at the moment and we're currently looking at Chamonix. I was hoping to pick brains here on a couple of things.

From doing a bit of research it looks like the ski areas aren't linked by lifts so it would require getting a ski bus between them. Has anyone here been there? And how did they find getting around? The past couple of years we've been to the three valleys and the grand massif which we were able to navigate mostly by skiing and lifts so I'm wondering if this would be a big difference?

And where to stay is my next question. Is Chamonix itself a bit far from the skiing? Would it be more worthwhile staying somewhere like Argentiere?

The group in question is mostly intermediates with one who has only been skiing once before.

So any thoughts people had on the place would be great. Its always handy to hear people's experiences.

Chamonix is a large valley with six resorts in it marketed as one. From Les Tour at one end to Le tour at the other is about 35 minutes in the Bus and Cham is half way. The best way to work it is to pick a area and ski it for a day or a morning and head to a second closer one near bye.

Argentiere is right under the grand montes but very quiet in the evenings compared to Chamonix but the buses run late and cabs are not to pricy.

It is one of the top resorts in the EU but you pay a premium for that in everything from lift passes to coffee & accommodation the below is pretty good as is the Larve in the centre of Chamonix

http://www.hermitage-paccard.com/en/

a148pro

I've been there a good few times, imo best skiing is in argentiere and thereafter in flegere. One side of le tour is quite good (I think it's the vallorcine side) particularly if clouds come in.

Les houches is usually missable unless others are closed and you only go up the aiguille with a guide. Brevant, which is the lift in chamonix is missable and is linked to flegere anyway.

As such, the q of where to stay really depends on what your priorities are. If you'd rather stay in a nice town with a bit to do apart from skiing aim for Chamonix. If not I'd prob go for argentiere.

a148pro

I should add that the bus system is pretty good. And your relative beginner should prob head to le tour for some warm up runs (there are one or two gentle pistes each at argentiere and flegere)

The difference between Chamonix and 3v is quite marked. 3v is like cocaine for piste skiers, it's prob the best in the world in terms of endless lift accessed cruising. Chamonix is really about off piste, though the place itself is pretty dramatic and there are still a few good pistes. Also Chamonix is a much nicer town than the 3v space stations, and there are quite a few good restaurants. It's been done to death on old threads here so do a search.

cormee

Hrududu wrote: »

We're in the middle of planning at the moment and we're currently looking at Chamonix. I was hoping to pick brains here on a couple of things.

From doing a bit of research it looks like the ski areas aren't linked by lifts so it would require getting a ski bus between them. Has anyone here been there? And how did they find getting around? The past couple of years we've been to the three valleys and the grand massif which we were able to navigate mostly by skiing and lifts so I'm wondering if this would be a big difference?

And where to stay is my next question. Is Chamonix itself a bit far from the skiing? Would it be more worthwhile staying somewhere like Argentiere?

The group in question is mostly intermediates with one who has only been skiing once before.

So any thoughts people had on the place would be great. Its always handy to hear people's experiences.

I found the bus trips to be a bit tiresome to be honest. 20 minutes each way gets a bit annoying, there are some ski areas close to the town but the ones I visited aren't as good as the ones that require a journey. I wouldn't be in a hurry back.I much preferred the 3v and have just booked my chalet there yesterday. Woo!

GOS7

As a resort the place is amazing, we are currently gearing up for our third trip there. We are using http://www.snostation.com/ for accommodation this year as the hotels can be quite expensive. They can organise your airport transfers and your ski passes.

I would recommend staying in or around Chamonix Sud, it's very central for ski hire and bus routes and only minutes from the main town.

Hope this helps a little