Chamonix - World Snowboard Guide

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Introduction

As you drive into the Chamonix valley on a two-lane elevated road, your stomach empties, not from the bad food on the plane or the tight bends of the road, but from that tingle of anticipation the very name. Chamonix excites even the most hardened of pro's and it doesn't disappoint. Above on your right towers Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc, (don't tell the French about Mt Elbrus) the blue ice from a brimming glacier tumbles towards the road threatening to break off and take you out. Once in the town, you pick up on the hardcore vibe of the place. Early morning there's skiers and boarders stuffing a pastry into their mouths whilst rushing to get the first lift, a rope over one shoulder, a transceiver over the other and a waist full of carabeeners. Chamonix was a town long before anyone thought of making purpose-built ski resorts and unlike most French resorts it's a year-round destination, with climbers flocking here like migrating geese when the snow melts. The place benefits from this with loads of bars, cheap eats and all kinds of shops. The lift system is antiquated and should have been sold to the Hungarians years ago. The pistes are unkempt and the queues for the bus home can be a joke, but that's the Chamonix experience. It's not polished like some of its neighbours - its infrastructure is rough and so are its slopes, although this is what makes it so great. The valley is really a collection of ski areas: Le Brevent out of Chamonix town. La Flegere out of Les Praz and at the head of the valley are Argentiere and Le Tour, both with great terrain. The best way to deal with Chamonix is to have a car, if not there is a bus service and a train.

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Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Dec to April
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 47
Cable cars: 7
Gondolas: 6
Chair lifts: 16
Drag lifts: 11
Other lifts: 1 train, 1 magic carpet
Max people per hour: 52,660
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 74
Total ride area: 87miles (140km)
Longest run: 13miles (21km)

Top lift: 3840m
Vertical drop: 2808m
First lift: 1032m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 54%
Red runs: 32%
Black runs: 14%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes: 1 Day pass - 40 euros
6-day pass - 176 euros
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 9.6m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 47 cannons%

Facilities

Night Riding: : No
Snowboard Schools: Group Lessons 3 x 3 hr 100 euro
Group Freeride Freestyle 5 x 3 hr 135 euros
Private 2hr 80 euro
Full day 230 euro
Snowboard Hire: Beginners 1 day 20 euros, 6 days 105 euros
Pro 1 day 23 euros, 6 days 150 euros

Heliboarding: : Will be taken over border into Italy, around 200 euros pp (min of 6 people)
Snowmobiles: Not available

Further information

www.chamonix.com
Email:info@chamonix.com

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Summary

Chamonix offers some truly excellent freeriding and great natural freestyle terrain. It's not great for beginners and can suffer if there's not much snow. It's rough round the edges - but therein lies its charm. If you can, wait until there's fresh snow then jump in your car.

ON THE SLOPES Fantastic

OFF THE SLOPES Shoddy

MONEY WISE A little dear (as is most of France), but can be budget boarder-friendly.