Set high in the French Alps and overshadowed by the breathtaking Mont Blanc, Chamonix has for centuries been a renowned winter holiday destination, having hosted the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924.

Prior to this, Chamonix was an extremely popular mountaineering base and that legacy continues to this day. Built-in a valley that extends from Les Houches to Le Tour for 20 kilometers, Chamonix provides one of the most beautiful locations in the Alps for luxurious winter holidays.

The busy area, consisting of a number of satellite villages running down the valley, has a car-free center full of history with paved streets and beautiful old buildings as well as various luxurious chalets, hotels, and apartments.

Shops sell everything from souvenirs to high-tech climbing equipment and there are plenty of post-ski dining and socializing bars and restaurants open. Festivals of fashion, culture, and music are annual events that will hold you amused during your visit.

Chamonix has endless possibilities for all snow sports lovers with its expansive ski area, combining skiing through the woods, wide-open pistes, off-piste, and beginner’s slopes. But it’s professionals who are going to be really in their element here, with vast steep terrain and thick snow to navigate. With a local guide, the beautiful off-piste is better explored. Each ski area is special from Grands Montets to Brevent and Les Houches, but all deliver stunning views of Europe’s’ roof’ and its surrounding peaks.

While skiing is not on the schedule, families and adrenaline-junkies alike can find a range of activities to keep them busy. Take the air, paraglide over the mountain peaks, refuel your battery in one of the many spas or take a tour of Montenvers ‘ Grotte de Glace (ice grotto) and Glaciarium. An indoor Olympic ice rink would certainly encourage some young skaters and there are plenty of dedicated sledging areas as well.

KEY INFORMATION

Ski area: Chamonix Valley Resort altitude: 1035 m

Top altitude: 3843 m

Pistes: 155 km

Nearest airport: Geneva – 1h20 by car / 100 km