Winter Activities

If you fancy a day off from the ski slopes during your holiday, there really are a stack of things that you can get up to.

If it's an unathletic day you are looking for then how about a trip to Lavey, just over the Swiss border for some pampering at the spa? If the weather is good, why not sit back and take a helicopter ride over Mont Blanc?

If a bit more action is required, you might consider ice climbing with some tuition or skating at the rink in downtown Cham. Snowshoeing is another favourite in the forests around Argentiere or you can hire a guide and walk up to a mountain restaurant in Les Houches for dinner. If the weather on the mountain is poor, how about cross country skiing near Les Praz along the banks of the river Arve? For the real adrenaline junkie you could always chuck yourself off a mountain and paraglide over the town....

If you have purchased a lift pass, you can use this to take the cable cars up to the Aiguille de Midi [the start of the famous Vallee Blanche] and stare in awe at the incredible vistas. Or take the Montenvers railway from the middle of town to see the other end of the Vallee Blanche and enjoy views of the Dru over lunch.

Kids and parents alike love the huskies and the chance to ride on one of the sleds [Huskies]. Remember that the dogs like their orders in French!

As you would expect with a reasonable sized town like Chamonix, there is an excellent sports centre with pool, rink, gym, tennis and squash, open all year round.

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Summer Activities

Chamonix really does have something for everyone and I would not be surprised if I miss out a couple of activities because they are just so plentiful.

To begin with I have to mention the mountaineering because that is how Cham gained its fabled position in Alpine folklore - and not just because it boasts Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc. Edifices like the Dru will feature in the top 10 hardest climbs anywhere in the world. However, there is plenty of genteel stuff, like the climbing wall at Les Gaillands to get you started.

Hiking and trekking are also very popular here with miles of trails suitable for all ages and ability. For the more intrepid you might consider the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt.

Being an Alpine valley, it is hardly surprising that there are many gushing torrents and therefore a plethora of water sports - rafting, canoeing and canyoning being the most popular - [too energetic? Flyfishing perhaps?].

As in winter, there are lots of people jumping off mountains as well as climbing up them, so if you want that buzz, try parapenting, hangliding or the more sedate ballooning.

One of the fastest growing sports in the world is mountain biking and Chamonix offers some of the most thrilling riding anywhere in Europe. You will find most major lifts open, so whether you want to scream down on your bike with full body armour or just sightsee, Cham's the man.

The Plannards leisure park has some great treats for kids and the Sports centre provides entertainment all year round including, swimming, skating and a gym.

More traditional sports such as golf and tennis also feature in the valley. It is no wonder that the French produce so may stars when there are such good facilities.

If you would like further details, please let me know.

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