Chamonix Information

The famous North Face of the Petite Drus catches the morning sun as Chamonix remains in shade way down in the Valley below.

Chamonix is a lively town in South Eastern France with around 10000 permanent residents. Situated in the Haute Savoie department within the 'Rhone Alps' region Chamonix has an economy which largely revolves around year round tourism. The Chamonix Valley includes numerous smaller, yet still well known, villages like Argentiere, Les Praz and Les Houches which are spread along the impressive, steep sided section of the upper Arve Valley. With the Mont Blanc Massif to the south and Aiguilles Rouges range to the north The Chamonix Valley is rightly referred to as 'The capital of world mountaineering'.

Chamonix - Map & Getting There

Chamonix & Mont Blanc Photos

Chamonix Accommodation

Chamonix Weather

Chamonix Snow & Avalanche Forecasts

Swiss & Valle d'Aosta Avalanche Forecasts

Chamonix Climbing Conditions

Chamonix Mountaineering Reports

Chamonix Mountain Guides

Chamonix Ski Instruction

Chamonix Paintings

Chamonix Map & Getting There

Chamonix is easily accessed in a one hour drive from Geneva International Airport.

You can use one of the following methods to reach Chamonix from the airport

Mini-Bus Transfer. Try the companies 'Mountain Drop-offs' or Cham-Express. Transfers start from around 25 Euros.
Bus. Check the SAT Mont Blanc bus timetable here.
Car Rental.
Rail.

Chamonix has a Train station on the French national rail (SNCF) network and you can travel from Paris using a combination of TGV and local (Rhone Alps SNCF) rail lines.

Road Access to Chamonix from France and the North is via the 'Autoroute Blanche' E25-A40 which links to the main European motorway network. Access from Switzerland is via Martigny, Col de la Forclaz and Col des Montets (only occasionally closed in winter). Rapid access from Italy is via the Mont Blanc Tunnel at the head of the Valle d'Aosta.

View Larger Map

Photos of The Chamonix Valley

Chamonix Mountaineering

An impressive collection of galleries giving an insight in to the quality and huge variety of mountaineering within and around the Chamonix Valley. Routes include classic beginners alpine ridges, 1000m+ classic North Faces, winter style Chamonix Goulottes and many more.

Chamonix Ski Touring / Mountaineering

A collection of galleries giving an insight in to the superb variety of ski touring both in the Chamonix Valley itself and the equally excellent surrounding areas of the Aravis, Italian Val d'Aosta and Swiss Rhone Valley. A ski touring dream!

Chamonix Rock Climbing

Chamonix Granite is rightly famous throughout the world for the quality of rock climbing it offers and the amazing alpine scenery in which the climbing takes place. There really is something for everyone here from the rock 'Grande Courses' in the Mont Blanc chain, the mid-mountain gneiss of the Aiguille Rouges and quality valley sport climbing in and around the Chamonix Valley.

Mont Blanc 4810m

Frosty Morning on Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc Summit 19/8/2010

The Bosses Ridge on Mont Blanc

Suggestions for Chamonix Accomodation:

Hotel Chaumiere. Decent hotel between central Chamonix and the crag / lake at Les Gailands. Bar, restaurant, garden, storage / drying room and plenty of parking make this a good spot. They claim to speak French, Italian, German, Spanish and English....so take your pick!

Hotel Richmond. Large and charismatic / quirky hotel smack bang in the centre of Chamonix. Offers a fine breakfast, good kit storage facilities, free parking and is widely reported to be good value.

Ice & Orange. Chalet Tissiers ~ Catered chalet in the pleasant village of Les Bossons. Flexible approach to nights away in huts etc.

Hotel Les Aiglons. Three star hotel In Chamonix Sud, opposite the bowling alley and bus station. Smart new look and great pool and Spa. You can see the summit of Mont Blanc from the pool! Fine food.

Albert Premier Hotel. Very smart four star hotel with Michelin two star restaurant.

Hotel De L'Arve. Pleasant two star hotel 5 minutes walk from the centre of town on the road to Le Praz. Parking easier than most Chamonix Hotels.

Hotel Pointe Isabelle. Two star hotel located in central Chamonix.

Gite Le Vagabond. Starting at 14 euros this is probably one of the cheapest options in valley. Self catering or half board accommodation 5 minutes walk from the centre of town.

Studio in Les Houches. Pleasant self catering studio, with parking, in a quiet part of Les Houches. Available for weekly or daily let.

Camping île des Barrats. Good three star campsite situated in 'greenery' but close to Chamonix town centre and the Aiguille du Midi.