Chamonix is a quintessential snow town and has been this way since 1760 when a Swiss scientist offered up a cash prize for the first ascent of the tallest mountain, the rest is history. The town then hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and now is widely regarded as the finest all-mountain skiing destination in the world. Its accessibility is a major drawing point with Geneva’s international airport located just an hour away and local rail and coach stations situated in Chamonix or nearby Argentière, just a short 5-minutes away.
The best way to get the most out of the mountains and to really soak up the French ski town atmosphere is to invest in a luxury property. Chamonix has some incredible and beautiful chalets and apartments that will suit all tastes.
This steep-sided valley draped with tumbling glaciers split by granite points and dark green trees pepper the snow, is where snow sports thrive and where the world’s best come to test their skills against “le grand ski”. Chamonix is a lively hub all year round, where 10,000 permanent residents mix with nationalities from all around the world at the foot of Mont Blanc. The town boasts a historic charm, which is apparent as you amble between Victorian era buildings that are intertwined with the more luxurious Belle Epoque style abodes.
As the weather warms there is no better way to relax and breathe in the crisp alpine air than by ambling around the centre of the traffic free town indulging in delicious French pastries and other speciality food, before stopping to enjoy a coffee overlooking the majestic river Arve. The town is also very much in touch with the arts, boasting a plethora of galleries for you to gaze over, not to mention the abundance high tech snow sports stores that offer everything one could need for a day on the Piste. For those who love to cook, make a note of the open-air market that is held in Chamonix every Saturday morning, at Argentière on Sundays and at Les Houches on Mondays. They provide some of the freshest and finest produce that you can find anywhere. Delicious cheeses are a staple here with local cheeses such as Tomme and Reblochon being known the world over, we suggest picking up the excellent Beaufort cheese that hails from the Alps just to the south, best enjoyed with a bottle of the local red whilst taking in the views from your luxury property in Chamonix.
What makes Chamonix so appealing is its ability to cater to all levels of snow sports enthusiasts, from the professional rider to someone who has never stepped foot on the snow. Make the most of the world-class facilities that Chamonix boasts and enrol in a ski school for a beginners lesson, before moving on up to an off-piste course or session. In just a few sessions you’ll be enjoying the blissful lines as you ski along the region’s famous 20km Vallée Blanche glacier run.
For those who have experience on the slopes, you can hire a professional guide who will have the experience, expertise and equipment to find the best terrain and which runs will have the best powder on any given day. With the resort lying at 1,035m and the highest lift nestled in at 3,842m, you will find a hugely versatile skiing landscape and one that offers respite from the Alpine snow storms as there are still highly enjoyable and lengthy runs below the tree lines. You’ll also be able to ski well into April due to the high altitude glacier runs that offer fantastic snow conditions even when it’s a gloriously sunny snow free day at resort level.