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❖Destination Report: Europe

Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France

By Emily K. Weber
C

Chamonix, resting in the Rhone-Alpes region of southeast-
ern France, shares a summit with Mont-Blanc, Europe’s
highest mountain at approximately 15,780 feet. The views
are breathtaking, making Chamonix an extremely popular
destination for skiers and mountain enthusiasts. A bustling
town of 10,000 with a quaint Old Town area laced with
cobbled pedestrian streets, France’s oldest ski resort
boasts authentic alpine flavor.

Home of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, Chamonix
prides itself on being a hub for winter sports. With well-
packed downhill ski slopes and famous off-track skiing
routes, it caters to skiers and snowboarders at a variety of
skill levels. Amongst the ski trails on five mountains, the
Grand Montets ski area reaches a height of 10,750 feet.
Skiers and snowboarders can descend adjacent to the
Argentiere Glacier across 10 miles of powder. Annual © ATOUT FRANCE/Jean Francois Tripelon-Jarry
snowfall for the area is 264 inches. Skiers enjoy a long
season, with lifts open into May.

The Breverent and Flegere ski areas have been linked
by a cable car since 1997 and offer some of the most
stunning panoramic views of the French Alps. Slopes at
Breverent and Flegere are available to skiers of all levels different mountainsides. On Charamillon, riders can enjoy
with the highest peak at 8,284 feet. Accessible from the wide-open gentle slopes that provide views overlooking
villages of Le Tour and Vallorcine, the snow-covered pas- the entire Charmonix Valley; on the Vallorcine side you
tures offer a variety of ski and snowboard options on two can ski tree-lined slopes bordering Switzerland. The high-
est peak reaches 7,447 feet. Just two minutes
from the center of town, Les Planards is a low
valley ski area reaching a summit of 4,074 feet.
It provides a variety of runs for beginning to
intermediate skiers. Strong intermediate and
above skiers accept the challenge of the Aiguille
du Midi, reached by a two-stage cable car. The
7,000-foot descent on and along the glacier of
Vallee Blanche features glorious vistas dominated
by Mont-Blanc.

If your group is not feeling up to downhill skiing,
you can enjoy a leisurely journey or private
© OT Chamonix/Mario Colonel Les Houches ski area provides leisurely forest
tour through the forest on cross-country skis.

runs for the pleasure of all skiers. Popular trekking,
hiking and snowshoeing routes include the Haute
Route and the Tour of Mont Blanc. Both routes
take roughly 10 days to complete and take hikers

MIDWEST SKIER ❖ 15
www.skicmsc.com ❖ SPRING 2011 PLANNING over some of the highest peaks in the Alps.