Ski weekends & short breaks
Short ski breaks & ski weekends
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the most beautiful communes of France in the Rhône-Alpes region on the border with Switzerland and Italy. Chamonix and its valley have been charming visitors with its stunning locations incredible on and off piste skiing and a long winter season as the skiing areas are at high altitude. It is a great place for short ski breaks and offers the good value weekend ski deals.
The number of tourists visiting Chamonix for such weekend ski breaks increased after Chamonix hosted the Winter Olympics in 1924. Chamonix is today considered as the ‘world capital’ for skiing and mountaineering activities.
Chamonix Ski Chalets has been organising short stays in Chamonix for ski weekends, teambuilding, incentives and private flexible holidays for 15 years. As we have unrivalled access to all types of accommodation and a wealth of experience in organising short ski trips, we can put together simple or complex weekend or mid-week ski events in and around the valley.
Best Locations in Chamonix for Short Ski Breaks
Chamonix is a great getaway for a perfect ski weekend. It offers a variety of slopes for all – right from beginners to the pros. It has approximately 155 km of piste which offers everyone a chance to enjoy their short ski break to the fullest. This place is the favourite ski break destination for all because of the wide variety of options available. As it is only 1 easy hour’s drive from Geneva International Airport, access makes short stay ski weekends very convenient.
La Vormaine and Le Tour is a great skiing location for beginners. It is the largest beginner skiing area in Chamonix and provides brilliant ski lifts for newcomers to skiing in a safe environment. It is
Les Houches, with its gentle slopes and charming tree lined skiing is also ideal for ski holidays for intermediate skiers and groups arriving from Geneva.
Les Grands Montets caters to advanced skiers providing them with high altitudes and are spread over a vast area off piste around the Argentiere glacier and on piste.
La Flegere and Les Brevent are interconnected ski areas just above Chamonix village and the town centre. It can be accessed via the free bus service or from the nursery slopes of Le Savoy which are walking distance from the center too. It is known to attract many intermediate and advanced skiers for short ski breaks in Chamonix.
Chamonix has great weather throughout the year and can be visited at any time of the year. The valley is always full of tourists almost throughout the year. However, tourists who are keen to visit Chamonix exclusively for skiing are recommended to visit between December and April. These months are perfect for short ski holidays or for skiing weekends as Chamonix is adorned with snow during this time.
For advanced skiers who like to explore the high mountains during their stays, the ski touring season extends until the end of May and beyond sometimes.
Skiing resorts in Chamonix provide the best weekend ski deals during these months. You can find ski resorts that offer accommodation and skiing services at all price ranges. They also offer all kinds of skiing paraphernalia.
Skiing Accommodation
Chamonix has accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets! Since there is extensive availability of short stay accommodation and flexibility for dates, ski weekends are easy to arrange for just a few nights.
This is the same for corporate groups, private groups or individuals. If you need accommodation for specific dates it can usually be found.
Chamonix is a great place for short ski holidays as it provides you great skiing locations with some great weekend ski deals. It will only leave you wanting to visit the place again because of its pristine beauty and lively culture. So plan your next ski weekend to the ‘world capital’ of skiing – Chamonix.
Getting there
Chamonix is located 15 kilometres away from the Swiss border at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is constituted by 15 villages and the hamlets of Le Tour, Montroc, Le Planet, Argentière, Les Chosalets, Le Lavancher, Les Tines, Les Bois, Les-Praz-de-Chamonix, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Les Pècles, Les Mouilles, Les Barrats, Les Pélerins, Les Gaillands, and Les Bossons. So its as important getting directions to the valley as it is to know precisely where in the valley you will be staying.
Getting to Chamonix
By Air
The following airports operate around Chamonix:
Geneva Airport (GVA) on the N205 / E25, “Autoroute Blanc”. Check road conditions at http://www.inforoute74.fr/
Milan Malpensa (MXP) on the A4 / E25 / A5
Milan Linate (LIN) on the A4 / E25 / A5
Torino Caselle (TRN) on the E612 / A5
The Geneva International Airport is the closest airport to Chamonix. A variety of national flag and low cost airlines are operated from Geneva.
These include:-
British Airways (www.ba.com), Swiss (www.swiss.com), Alitalia (www.alitalia.il), Easyet (www.easyjet.co.uk)
By Train
Chamonix can also be accessed by trains from Geneva, Martigny, Paris (via TGV on www.sncf.fr), Milan and Turin. You can also visit Chamonix from London with a connecting train from London to Geneva. Travelling by train to and around Chamonix is mostly the preferred alternative after flying.
From the UK the Eurostar is now operating a scheduled service to the Alps 19 December 2014 and 11 April 2015 between St. Pancras and Moutiers. From Moutiers there is a road transfer of approximately 1:45hrs to Chamonix.
By Road
Directions from Geneva Airport to Chamonix
Generally the fastest way to reach Chamonix from Geneva Aiport is via the motorway. There is a shorter route through Geneva town centre, however, this would usually only be faster during the night and well after the evening and before the morning rush hour.
The section of Swiss motorway between the airport and the border requires a Swiss motorway “Vignette”. These can be purchased at the border and cost CHF40.00 (subjecct to change).
Directions (Journey of approximately 1 hour and 100km/approximately €7 in tolls)
Leave the airport and join the main road, Route De Pré-Bois heading South West; Watch for speed signs are they change and there are speed cameras along the entire route to Chamonix.
Follow the green autoroute signs to France along a straight road for about 1km; move into in the centre right lane on arriving at a T-junction with traffic lights; at the T-junction turn left onto the Route de Vernier; immediately move into the right lane (bus lane);
Drive 150m then take the slip road onto the autoroute sign-posted France;
You will go through two tunnels (Tunnel de Vernier and Tunnel de Confignon). You will be on the E62-A1-E25 motorway takes you to the border (Bardonnex) with France.
It is rare to be stopped but do have your passports to hand in case;
Take the right lane into the: A40/E21/E25 with sign to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc/Turin/Milan.
Near Annemasse, continue on the Autoroute Blanche A40 E25;
You can also travel to Chamonix by road from London, Paris, Milan and Turin. There is a fleet of cabs at Geneva airport but this is a very expensive alternative to hiring a car or booking a transfer with a transfer company.
Climate in Chamonix
The weather in Chamonix is dominated by a snowy winter in the months from December to March, making it the best time for ski holidays and the temperature can reach -20 oC during the bitterest weather extremes. The rest of the year has less snow and the temperature may vary from 8oC to 22oC.
The valleys tend to be warmer and the low lying area gets cooler with the increase in altitude.
Accommodation
Chamonix offers a wide range of options for accommodation from chalets and rental ski apartments to luxurious hotels and resorts. All the accommodation facilities are moderately priced and are comfortable. All the resorts and chalets will provide you with information about skiing locations and equipment. They also provide ski equipment on hire for the visitors.
You will find a number of restaurants in Chamonix that serve local as well as intercontinental cuisine.
Travel Tips to Chamonix
It is always advised to hire a travel guide or concierge company (see www.chamonixconcierge.com) when you visit Chamonix especially if you are visiting for the first time.
Carry ample warm clothes as Chamonix is extremely chilly during the skiing season.
If you’re ever in need for travel advice while in Chamonix, you can always visit the tourist offices to get the right information.
It is very important to have a Chamonix piste map before going skiing to avoid getting lost and losing your track.
Learning a few phrases in French will be helpful while moving around in Chamonix.
Chamonix is a great destination for skiing as the place is affordable and has the best facilities for skiing. The connectivity to Chamonix is another important factor as to why skiers prefer this place for shorts skiing weekends.
