Chamonix Possibly the Coolest Town on Earth

Growing up in the the Pacific Northwest in the 90s, I was constantly dreaming of winters with endless snow. I would constantly watch ski videos of Glen Plake and his wild mohawk skiing crazy lines in a little French village called Chamonix. Ever since I can remember I have dreamt of visiting Chamonix. Because of that it had become an unreachable place in my mind. I had always been scared to visit for fear of being disappointed. Let me tell you what, I faced my fear, and Chamonix did NOT disappoint!

Chamonix is possibly mine and my families favorite town in all of Europe! I know that is a big statement, but for real, Chamonix has it all. If you are an “outdoorsy” person or not, put Chamonix on your list! Here are just a few reasons why;

River Arve

Location…location…location!

Chamonix sits at the foot of the Mont Blanc Massif. The Massif is a group of mountains in the Western Alps that perch above this quaint alpine village. There are numerous note worthy peaks located in this Massif.  Mont Blanc, possibly the most well known, and the tallest in the bunch with it’s summit reaching 4,810m or 15, 780ft! Chamonix is a mecca for mountaineers as well as those who enjoy the peace and tranquility of a mountain view. This area is a mountain lovers paradise!

Chamonix and Mount Blanc

Endless places to stay:

There are various hotels and inns oround town ranging from luxury to more economical. When we visit Chamonix we prefer to stay in an Airbnb so we can get a more local feel. There are many different Airbnb options in Chamonix that hit on all the price points. If you aren’t so much into sleeping indoors, there are also plenty of places to camp in and near Chamonix, or throw on your pack and head out into the wilderness for some backpacking!

Chamonix France

Adventures:

I kind of feel like it might be easier to write about the things that you can’t do here, since the list of amazing adventures is almost endless! It doesn’t matter what season you visit Chamonix, there are an infinite number of things to keep you occupied year round.

One of the best ways to get familiar with Chamonix is to visit the Tourist Information. The people who work here are SO helpful! Regardless of your question, there will be someone here who has an answer. This is also a great place to get information on the different gondolas, special activities, maps, and general information about the area.

Paragliders in Chamonix France

All the Things:

Chamonix is paradise if you love: skiing (in any form), mountaneering, rock climbing, ice climbing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, hiking, trekking, trail running, rafting, canyoning, golfing, biking, sky diving, parasailing, sight seeing, or breathing. There really is something for everyone! If it sounds daunting to try to figure out what to do while in Chamonix you can hire a mountain guide through the Tourist Information, and they can guide you through a fun itinerary while you are in town.

Hiking from the Brevent Cable Car

Brevent Gondola:

There are SO many adventures to be had around Chamonix. Take the Gondola up to the Brevent, high above town and go on an alpine hike. You are likely to see alpine sheep, mountain goats, alpine lakes and some of the most beautiful views you can imagine. We love the Brevent side of Chamonix because you can look across the valley at Mont Blanc and the Midi while you hike. As long as the weather cooperates.

Brevent Cable Car in the clouds

Aiguille de Midi:

If you would like to be on the other side of Chamonix hop on the Aiguille du Midi cable car and head up into the mountains. From the top of this two cable car ride, you can stretch your eyes across the Alps looking into Italy, Switzerland and France!!! We have yet to go on this adventure sadly. This trip is a bit pricy, and if the weather doesn’t cooperate you may end up paying a lot of money to look into the clouds. Maybe the weather will cooperate next time we are there!

Mer de Glace:

If you find yourself not wanting to shell out the cash for the Midi, or if the cable car ride gives you the willies, a fun adventure is going to the Mer de Glace glacier ice caves. The Mer de Glace (sea of ice) and Montenvers train is a perfect trip if you only have a few hours and want to learn about the area and see a glacier from the inside. Hop on the train right in Chamonix and head up the mountain to the glacier. Once you get off the train you will find a little gift shop and cafe. There is a cool little museum that teaches you all about glaciology and how the glacier is constantly changing and moving. After learning about the glacier, hop on the small cable car and travel down to the Mer de Glace where you can explore a man made grotto (ice cave) that has been dug into the glacier (fun fact, they dig a new grotto each year since the glacier moves about 70m yearly).  If you are wanting to visit the ice cave please be advised that you will need to descend and then climb 430 stairs from the cable car lift.

Ice Cave, Chamonix France

Where to eat:

It might be true that my family thinks the only reason I love to travel so much is because of all the amazing food that the world has to offer. This is for sure one of the reasons, and is part of why I love Chamonix so much! There are TONS of  places to eat here. Yes Chamonix may be the playground of many of the world’s rich and famous, but there really is something for everyone here! From Michelin-starred to hole in the wall, Chamonix has it all! Looking for something a little different? Try Le Cap Horn. This former two story chalet is a great place to sit and watch people while experiencing French Asian fusion. They offer many vegetarian options as well.

If you are looking for amazing views with delicious food, there is a restaurant at the top of the cable car on the Midi. You will be eating traditional French food while enjoying views from 3842m!

Looking for something easy on the wallet and a local favorite? Head down the main drag to Poco Loco the local sandwich and burger spot. While they specialize in burgers, keep in mind that these are not the same kind of burgers you would get at a fast food joint in the states. With a variety of toppings and options it’s no wonder why this place typically has a line of people waiting to order out the door. There is very limited seating upstairs, but if you are lucky enough to get a spot, enjoy the communal eating style and meet some new people!

Poco Loco in Chamonix

In short, Chamonix has it all! It’s a nature lover’s paradise and an adventure seeker’s mecca! We would recommend Chamonix to anyone who likes anything, it’s just that cool!