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General Overview of
Chamonix
They 'll be
dropping names like the Vallee Blanche, and
Brevent, and oohing and aahing about their
ski instructor and how patient and
understanding he or she was about their
aggression and style, or lack of same. So in
this scenario you might also be thinking
that Chamonix is solely a playground for
beginners and those less talented skiers.
Well the truth is dear reader that Chamonix
is all of the above. True, it is a haven for
"serious" skiers from all over the world,
who come and match their skills against
possibly the most testing pistes and off
pistes in the world.
Certainly these people are seriously challenged by the
offerings here, and many would scoff at the suggestion
that there are other resorts in Europe with at least as
much variety and challenge. But on the other end of the
scale there are ample slopes for those players among us
who are, well, just players. There are nursery slopes,
ski kindergartens, good intermediate slopes, the lot.
In addition there is the magnificent Vallee Blanche, a superb 16km run from
the Aguille Du Midi back to town that takes you through the Mer Du Glace,
and perhaps the most stupendous panoramic view in the Alps.
This is all within the boundaries of the skills of most recreational skiers.
But please go with a guide. All this is available in the resort which is
billed as "the ski and mountaineering capitol of the world".
Hey! Who are we to quibble? Chamonix has come a long way in improving
it's
lifts and services too in recent years. Gone forever (one hopes) are the
days when one would rise with the chickens, bus to Argentiere, get a number
and go home again to catch a few hours sleep until one's number was up, so
to speak.
Now one can make a reservation in English simply by dialing 50 53 40 00.
Chamonix can be expensive, but it usually is good value. There are plenty of new first
class hotels to be found, and many more a bit more down market for those of
you who borrowed this journal from a rich friend. After dark there is plenty.
Bars, a casino, night clubs, tons of restaurants, you name it, you
got it.
The area is a summer delight too. There is an eighteen hole golf course just
about in the center of the town,
a marvelous swimming pool, unlimited camping, tennis, etc., and as well
there is the wonderful tower of
Mont Blanc overlooking all the possibilities.
Most if not all of the cable cars run during the summer as well, so you won't have to walk up the mountain unless you want
to. A lot of people seem
to like jumping off it though, on a nice summer's day the sky is dotted with
parachutes.
To get to Chamonix by air, Geneva is your best bet. By car you can also come
from that city by Autoroute, or from Martigny. From Italy, its Aosta,
Courmayeur, the tunnel and Chamonix.
Back to
Chamonix
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