Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and home to the very first winter Olympics in 1924. This commune is located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne- Rhône-Alpes. Its steep slopes and snowy winters make it an ultimate destination for thrill-seeking skiers and snowboarders. But even though this village attracts millions of avid skiers every year, summers are mild thus making it the ideal destination for other outdoor activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, paragliding, golf and tennis! But that’s not all this charming village has to offer. Read along for a comprehensive list of what to eat, drink and play in Chamonix!

Eat

Savoyard cooking, the typical food from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, is quite hearty and consists mainly of cheese and potatoes. And three of the most traditional meals you can have there are the Fondue Savoyarde , Raclette (a half wheel of cheese that is melted and scraped onto your plate) and La Tartiflette (a baked potato and cheese dish). Pierre-Chaud, or pierrade, is also quite popular and is a dish of raw meats served with a small hot stone for diners to cook and eat at their table. For a delicious and authentic taste of any of the above Cap Horn, La Calèche Restaurant, and Brasserie de L’m. If lunch with a view is more your style, Le Panoramic is only accessible by cable car and overlooks snow-covered mountains giving you a truly panoramic view.

Stay

There are no shortage of accommodations in Chamonix! You’ll find Bed and Breakfasts, luxury resorts, cozy chalets or even glamping! For a one-of-a-kind experience, you can even spend the night in a bubble! We had an absolutely lovely stay at Hotel Le Castel. The staff was very friendly and helpful and the aesthetics of the entire property were Instagram-worthy! I loved the bathtub and our balcony gave us beautiful views of the snowy mountains. It is a bit away from the center of town but the hotel gave us free bus pass for the duration of your stay that got us in and out of town in just minutes.

Do

Ski and Snowboard

Skiing and Snowboarding are the obvious choices at this world-reknowned ski resort and even the most avid skiers won’t be disappointed. But aspiring skiers as young as 3 can also take ski lessons!

Dogsledding

Another way to enjoy the snow – get a ride from Alaskan or Greenland Huskies! Dogsledding is a fun way to spend time with these incredible animals and learn about the history of dogsledding!

Après ski

A day of skiing is only ended well with Après ski libations and Chamonix is not short of drinking establishments. Chamber Nerf boasts live bands and 2-for-1 happy hours. La Terrasse‘s terrace has an unbeatable view of Mont Blanc and there’s always some live music on to get the party started. And for beer lovers, Micro Brasserie de Chamonix serves up local ales.

Mer de Glace

Mer de Glace (sea of ice) is the largest glacier in France and a must-see during your visit to Chamonix. To get there, take the Montevers train from the Chamonix town center. The 20-minute train ride is a spectacle of its own boasting beautiful views of the mountains. Once you arrive, you’ll need to take a cable car from the train station and then walk 400 steps to get to the Mer de Glace. And you can also visit the man-made ice grotto.

Aiguille du Midi Skywalk – Step Into the Void

Aiguille du Midi mountain peak is the closest you can get to the summit of Mont Blanc without a pair of crampons. And claiming to be the highest attraction in Europe, the Aiguille du Midi skywalk is not for the faint of heart. This glass box with a glass floor gives visitors 3,842 meters of free air directly under their feet, in total safety! This attraction is free as it’s included in the price of the cable car ride.

To get here you’ll need to take a two-part cable car ride from the center of Chamonix to the top. The first part of the ride reaches the Plan de l’Aiguille at 2,310 meters. And the second part of the ride continues to the Aiguille du Midi summit, reaching a height 3,777 meters. Once there, you’ll have a short walk to the elevator that takes you to the top platform. Be sure to wear warm clothes, sunglasses and put on your sunscreen.

Visit Chamonix Village

The village of Chamonix is nestled below the Mont Blanc so you are always surrounded by beautiful mountains. Strolling trough the village you’ll find numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes which contribute to the liveliness of the streets. There is also an ice rink, a luge on rails which is open all year round and several museums to explore.

Parc de Loisirs de Chamonix

For fun under the sun for the little ones, Chamonix Parc is theme park for the entire family! Lots of actives for every one from slides, toboggans, trampolines, motorbikes and even the Chamonix Luge-Alpine roller coaster!

Chamonix is wedged right at the conjunction  of  3 countries: France, Switzerland, and Italy. So there’s so many places to visit around Chamonix. We visited Saint-Gervais-les Bains, Cordon, Megève and Annecy! Stay tuned for travel guides. And feel free to reach out of you have any questions! I would love to hear from you!

Happy Travels!

Natalia