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Chamonix -“Mont Blanc and the valley of Chamonix, and the sea of Ice, and all the wonders of the most wonderful place are above and beyond one's wildest expectation. I cannot imagine anything in nature more stupendous or sublime.”Love it or loathe it, everyone tends to have an opinion about Chamonix. Many argue that it's the capital of Alpine sport, with its position next to Mont Blanc, awe-inspiring scenery, a beautiful town, the Vallée Blanche, off-piste terrain to test the very best and the Grands Montets in Argentière.
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They'll tell you the nightlife rocks, there are plenty of good restaurants, things to do all year-round and it's just over an hour from Geneva airport. In short, why go anywhere else???
Sadly, there are drawbacks. Chamonix's skiing does favour more advanced skiers. Beginners might feel left out. It is also disjointed, made up of a series of smaller bus-linked resorts; getting about can be a right pain if you're without a car. It is very popular, so traffic can be terrible, while lift queues still vex the most relaxed (notably the top half of the Grands Montets cable car). It is also expensive, with shopping nearly toppling skiing as the favourite pastime, plus a lot of the skiing requires a guide (most of whom are excellent).
Even so, Chamonix is one of the great resorts, one that attracts the best skiers - people who really want to challenge themselves. It retains a special aura - one that only a few resorts in the world manage to create. If you want flattering motorway pistes by the bucketload, we suggest you head elsewhere. If you want the thrill of pushing yourself to the limits, go to Chamonix - hang out with the pros and the bums, see some of the best skiing and boarding around and, best of all, boast to your friends about skiing on 'real mountains'…
You could just go to Chamonix for the views; tucked in a steep-walled valley, the resort is flanked by Europe's highest mountains, among them the monumental slab of rock that is Mont Blanc. However, Chamonix is also the Never Never Land of "if you fall, you die" skiing. Needless to say, if you want get the best out of the area—or stay alive—hiring a mountain guide is well advised.
The resort itself has the reputation of being somewhat disjointed, forcing skiers to shuttle between mountains. However, Les Grands Montets, looming above the resort town of Argentière, offers terrain that is steep, long, and ungroomed—more than making up for any logistical headaches encountered down below. If you do ski or board the face itself—Point de Vue or Pylônes are two options—you'll probably rate the slopes fast rather than terrifying. But the access, riddled with cornices and crevasses, can be a world-class knee-knocker.
Winter Adventure High in the Alps.
Rugged beauty, winter sports, and après-ski: all three are a part of what draws visitors to Chamonix. Avid skiers, snowboarders, and partiers flock to this popular resort, and they are not disappointed. The scenic Chamonix Valley is nestled among some of the highest mountain peaks in the Alps, including the famous Mont Blanc massif (4,810 meters/15,632 feet).
There are 145 trails weaving throughout the area adding up to 140 kilometers (87.5 miles). The favorite runs in the area are Le Brevent, Vallée-Blanche, and the Grands Montets. Chamonix is known for its fantastic off-trail skiing and snowboarding opportunities, as well. Including the off-trail slopes, the area offers up to 30,000 acres of skiable terrain.
Non-skiers enjoy plenty of winter activities such as snowmobiling, ice climbing (best done with a guide), ice hiking, snowshoeing, sleigh riding, and dog sledding, among others. Those who would like to do a little sightseeing in the area may want to visit the Alpine Museum and the Mont Blanc Observatory. Take an unforgettable cable car ride to the Aiguille du Midi (which rises to the elevation of 3,482 meters/11,316 feet). A red cog-wheel train climbs from Montenvers to the scenic Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) glacier.
Après-ski is an art form in Chamonix. Restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, and even a casino fill time not spent on the slopes. Restaurants range from the Chalet le Cerro, a quaint wooden chalet serving traditional foods of the region to L'Eden which serves classic French food with a modern twist. Just a couple of the bars on a long list include Le Stone Bar, an Italian-style bar serving up fine food and wines as well as live music, and, for something different, the Cybar, an Internet café and a fun après-ski meeting place. The Casino of Chamonix is popular with both visitors and locals.
If your pre-huck vertigo gets the better of you as you're staring down the barrel of Les Grands Montets' steep face, you can always take in the views from the observation deck. The panorama of the Mont Blanc massif and surrounding glaciers is worth the 120-stair ascent and any potential loss of face with your mates.
Resort recommended for:
Intermediates, Advanced, Moguls, Snowboarding, Off piste, Luxury accommodation, Eating out, Apres-ski, Ski-and-shop, Non-skiers, Snow-sure resorts, Romantic/charming, Glacier, Cross-country
Nearest airports/stations:
Geneva - 1 hour
Resort altitude: 1035m
On the snow: top: 3842m - bottom: 1035m
Lifts in area: 46 (13 cableways, 17 chairs, 16 drags)
Lift pass: Cham'Ski adult (covers Chamonix valley except Les Houches) €186, child 4–15yrs €130–158. Ski Pass Mont Blanc (covers all local resorts including Courmayeur, Les Houches, Megève) adult €216, child 4–15yrs €173–€184, all for 6 days
Trails/pistes: 150km
Skiing/ Mountain Resort Stats:
Top Elevation/Lift: 3,842m/ 12,678'
Base Elevation: 1035m/ 3415'
Vertical Drop: 2807m/ 9263'
Longest Run: 21km/ 13mi
Total Runs: 170km/ 106mi
Beginner: 23%
Intermediate:31%
Advanced: 33%
Expert: 13%
Cross Country: 42 km
Snowboarding:
1 Terrain park
2 Halfpipes
Ski Lifts:
Total Lifts: 49 (Cham'ski pass)
Gondolas/cable cars: 13
Chair Lifts: 16
Surface Lifts: 19
Uplift capacity: 52,660 per/hour
Mont Blanc ski pass includes Chamonix plus Megève, Les Contamines and Courmeyeur, Italy.
Travel Notes:
Main Airport: Geneva (GVA), Switzerland
Distance Geneva: 62 miles (1hr 15min);
Main Train Station: Lyon, France
Distance Lyon: 130 miles (2 hours)
Easy access to Italy and Switzerland.
This is not one of the many advertisements for the resort, but Charles Dickens's advice in 1846 - advice that has been shared by all mountain lovers came in Chamonix since.
At the foot of the Mont Blanc, the loftier peak of the Alps (4807 meters/15,770 feet), Chamonix offers one of the best high-mountain cocktails of the world. The mighty mount is a huge attraction in and of itself; its spectacular sceneries, some of the most extreme sites ever viewed, and last but never least, its challenging ski areas. Altogether, the resort of Chamonix is a great place to get away for an intensive ski trip, especially for off-piste and expert skiers. No wonder it so graciously welcomed the Winter Olympic Games of 1924.
Chamonix is a village on the center of a 16kilometers valley from the small resort of Les Houches to the authentic village of Argentière. The whole region is composed of 13 resorts linked together, with slopes almost careening right into the hamlets. Most impressive of the runs are the famous 22-kilometer/13-mile Vallée Blanche and the excellent Grands-Montets.
Chamonix has the distinct honor of being one of the first ski resorts with already 200 years of history, bringing with it a very French and traditional high-mountain atmosphere, full of charm. As such a worldly and well-known resort, Chamonix attracts no specific type of crowd: from the French families to the sportive Americans or British, all types of mountain-lovers meet and make the town bustling during all the winter season. Foreigners are numerous, especially English speaking ones, discovering the joy of the fondue savoyarde (melted cheese with bread), and meeting at the Wild Wallabies bar when they feel homesick.
With such a natural frame, ski possibilities and atmosphere in town, you can't go wrong here…
Ski Snowboard Skiing Overview
Since Dr. Payot introduced skiing in Chamonix at the end of the 19th century, this resort is one of the most famous meeting-point for ski-lovers in France and even in the world.
The domain is about 145 trails, with a total of 140 kilometers (87-½ miles) The skiing in the valley is spread over nine separate hamlets and villages and 13 ski areas: the legendary Grands-Montets, Le Brevent and Vallée-Blanche are some of the best skiing trails you can ever dream of. If you add off-pistes possibilities, the domain is more than 30,000 acres of ski-able terrain. It's not far from other villages and you can escape in Argentière, Les Houches or in the Italian village of Courmayeur, which can satisfy all types of skiers. You won't be obliged to descend the same piste again and again: variety is one of the best assets of this resort. There are 49 lifts both north and south exposed—and with 9,000 feet of vertical at your disposal, you'll have quite a time seeing the views.
Chamonix is a very challenging area in mountain sports. It's not a quiet and monotonous place: it attracts the best skiers, people who really want to challenge themselves, and a lot of foreigners, due to its international renown. It doesn't appeal only to experts, though, as there are nice beginners pistes (Le Tour, La Flégère). Overall however, the atmosphere is more sportive and competitive than family and quiet. It's not the place to stroll on trails looking for chamois or marmots…
The composition of the resort also implies its drawbacks: without a car, it can be painful to go from one little resort to the other even if they're linked by bus, since the traffic can be terrible. Because of its popularity, you'll have to train your patience in the lift queues, especially on the Grand Montets cable car. The last drawback is the price: it's quite expensive and you have to pay a guide for several skiing areas (the Vallée-Blanche for example). But you know what? After the breathtaking scenery, ambience, and skiing quality, it's all utterly worth it.
The pistes are mostly above the tree line, which permits a splendid view over all the Mont-Blanc massif, makes the pistes wild and the ski much more free. Above all, it makes a fabulous off-piste (guides advised).
Ski Snowboarding
Chamonix is a paradise for snowboarders—board culture is very present and increasing every year.
There's a funpark and half pipe sponsored by Salomon on the Grands-Montets. If you're ready for thrilling challenges, it stages numerous competitions. On the tour, there's a long and perfect terrain for free-riding: a natural half-pipe of one kilometer long (0.625 miles). There are quite a few drags at le Tour and the rest is cable cars, gondolas or chairs, which makes a great lift system for boarders. Watch out on the Vallée Blanche, it's flat in places and very long. And for serious boarders, possibilities for free-riding are endless. Chamonix is a free-riding heaven, with outstanding boarding and off-piste possibilities, but perhaps a bit worse during the spring season because of the quality of the snow.
Special courses are available, in every ski schools of the town. You can dispose for example of snowboard and free-ride stages during three half days for €84 per person ($74). If you’re here in February, you can catch the special Red Bull Snowthrill, an extreme free-ride race.
Ski Snowboard Snow Conditions
Because of its elevation, Chamonix has always a good snow average on the top of the mountain. The problem is often on the lowest trails, and more frequently, bad weather forbids utilization of the top lifts. At 2,000 meters/6,578 feet, the snowfall average is around 100 centimeters (33 feet) in December, 160 centimeters (52 feet) in January, 185 centimeters (61 feet) in February, 220 centimeters (72 feet) in March, 170 centimeters (56 feet) in April.
On Argentière, the north-facing slopes have good snow until May; the Col de Balme above Le Tour sports a snowy location even in the late season. On Le Brevent or La Flégère, the south-facing slopes often suffer for warmth, and runs to the resort are then closed. Chamonix uses 54 snowmakers on smaller areas (Planards, Glacier du Mont-Blanc) and on the Bochard piste on Les Grands-Montets. Many of the beginner areas need snow cover to be operational.
The trails can be icy when they are based on glaciers (Grands-Montets, Vallée-Blanche) during the early season, but the average snowfall allows a delicious powder most of the time. It's important to be careful of avalanche risks, though the radio will always be spouting off information and advisories. Be sure to be with somebody who knows where and when to go, and don't attempt foolish and dangerous adventures.
Ski Snowboard Lifts
The Chamonix lifts are mostly organized in seven lift areas that correspond to the ski areas: Aiguille du Midi, Les Grands Montets, La Flégère, Le Brevent, Les Houches, and Le Tour with a total of 49 lifts. With 19 draglifts, 16 chairs and 13 cable cars, among others, the system has a capacity of 51,262 people per hour. Since Chamonix is one of the first and oldest resorts of the Alps, the system isn't really that ultra modern or high-tech, but it is safe and quick enough.
Due to the resort's popularity, you'll have to be prepared for the French queues, which typically consist of disorganized crowds shoving each other around with little to no patience.
The cable car of the Aiguille du Midi may be 20 minutes long, but it's really worth the trip, since you have a wonderful view at 3,842 meters (12,605 feet) of Mont Blanc and then descend the 22 kilometers (14 miles) of Vallée Blanche. The tram of Montenvers can bring you down to the village if there isn't enough snow at the bottom of the piste, which allows it to be descended during the whole winter season.
It's worth the queue for the Grands Montets (3,275 meters/10,722 feet) and Le Brevent (modern six-seater gondola), because they offer the best ski trails of the valley. Fortunately, there's a new lift system on Les Bochards (you won't have to wait more than 10 minutes, not as in the old days…), and a new 50-person cable car from the Brevent to the Flégère.
The summer is a bit more mellow; there are only two lifts open for skiing and one kilometer of slope on the Mer de Glace. However, other lifts are open for summer activities (hiking, walking, tanning…).
Ski Snowboard Rentals
Chamonix has an old mountaineering and alpine tradition, so you can find all the professionals you need with a large range of high-tech equipment here. Because of the ski level and all the possibilities offered by the valley, all sports shops have to prepare themselves with brand new, modern equipment. Competition is serious between the more than 20 principal mountain shops, and it won’t be a problem to find places where lines aren’t too long. All ski levels can find what you need, from the beginners’ to the carving and freeride skis. Bindings are set with a professional system and safety is always guaranteed.
Rental places are definitely friendly to foreigners (a lot of them work in the resort); Chamonix lives partly from international tourism, and people here are generally gracious, and appreciating cultures of all kinds.
Prices don’t fluctuate throughout the season and discounts are available for groups, families, or faithful clients. All stores accept credit cards. For more information, you can contact the tourist office. Some rental places are open for summer skiing.
The Snell Sport shop typically has the best in high-tech and modern equipment, sporting quality and quantity in their wares. Advanced skiers and boarders can’t go wrong here, and sellers are all very friendly and competent.
Ski Snowboard Lessons Schools
There are 10 principal guide companies and ski schools in Chamonix, offering all types of courses and activities you can imagine. Here you can find the best guides, many of whom were born and raised under the shadow of the Mont Blanc. They’ll know how, when, and where to go, which mountain restaurants are worthy, and where the chamois are hidden. The two main ski schools are the ESF (École du Ski Français) and Ski Sensations (especially for English language natives). Prices are competitive at both schools.
Private courses are available for one to five people for one or two hours for novices at any hour of the day, half or full day, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There are also adult and junior group courses (13 years or older) for skiing and snowboarding for four hours a day (at about €130/$121 per week), adapted to every level. Additional classes are available during mid-term French school holidays (February through early March) because of the crowd during this period.
For people who want good skiing and lots of fun there are little groups called Ski-Passion, comprised of a handful of people, which are very homogeneous and only for higher levels. For those who want to challenge themselves, racing and competition courses are offered in elite courses of 10 people, as well as for slalom training and “godille clinic.”
Instructors cover every discipline here—ski, snowboard, telemark, parabolic, snowshoeing, and so on; while French is the language of choice, most of them will be fluent in English as well.
Apart from these ski schools, the guide companies can also propose a lot of exciting mountain cocktails: ski trips of five to six days, raids to go to summits or undiscovered lands, snowboarding or skiing off-piste, heliskiing from Switzerland or Italy, special tours in the Vallée Blanche—all to be consumed with or without moderation.
Finally, there is a special tour des pistes for English speaking guests, which can show you around the valley and help you find the best snow. Foreigners are definitely welcome.
Ski Snowboard Trails Beginner
Don’t worry: Chamonix doesn’t consist only on impossible walls of snow. Beginners won’t be neglected: 49 percent of the trails are suitable for them, and there are some nice bunny slopes to boot. (Greens are the easiest trails, followed by blues.) For the very first timers, the nursery slopes at La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Les Planards and Le Savoy are perfect: no dangerous teenagers or speed addicts.
Le Tour, at the top end of the valley, is an ideal place for novice snow surfers with its long blue and green runs, it’s the easiest resort Chamonix has to offer, with only one chair lift (the other being “tire-fesses”). The only problem is that it’s always exposed to the sun, which can make the snow very slushy. Fortunately, this area benefits of a high snow fall during all winter. In Argentière, beginners usually start on the Chosalets, conveniently situated near the Panda ski kindergarden. The Planards and Glacier du Mont-Blanc lifts both have snowmaking, so you can ski on the bottom of the mountain even when the snow comes to lack, but it’s only a two runs resort, just good enough for beginners. Les Houches offers very easy trails too, but the snow is often icy due to the exposure of the mountain. The Brevent has a good number of easy runs for beginners, and the snow is good, even in late season.
One of the drawbacks is that beginner slopes are separated from the rest: it can disturb the transition to real runs and make lunch meetings quite hard. You’d better learn ski in a more quiet and adapted resort and come in Chamonix when you’ll be able to appreciate its high-mountain marvels.
Ski Snowboard Trails Intermediate
Chamonix is a paradise for intermediate skiers: quality, quantity, and variety, divided into five ski areas, with 500 kilometers (312½ miles) of pistes available on the full lift pass, all with an excellent range of high altitude blue and red runs. The total makes 39 percent of trails suitable for intermediate skiers.
For the less bold, the two areas at the extremities of the valley (Les Houches and Le Tour) offer cruising blues and reds. In Les Houches, the slopes of Prarion and Bellevue are gentle tree-lined blue and red runs, without any traps or bad surprises, ideal to warm your legs and improve your style.
For the boldest skiers, the three main areas are: Les Grands-Montets, Le Brevent and La Flégère. Le Brevent offers easy trails, except perhaps the famous red “Mur du Brevent” (“Brevent’s wall”), but there’s now a blue trail swiveling around it. La Flégère consists in a mix of blue and red, with long pistes that can be tiring. Les Grands-Montets attracts a lot of people and is often crowded because of its quality, it lies at the limit between intermediates and experts.
Last but not least: if the weather is good, take a guide and try the descent of the Vallée-Blanche; the slope is accessible for good intermediates, and it’s quite worth the outing. The scenery is breathtaking, but don’t be too adventurous, it can be dangerous…
Ski Snowboard Trails Advanced
Chamonix offers undoubtedly some of the most impressive challenges to be found for expert skiers, with 12 percent of the pistes. This is really the place to be for experienced skiers, above all those who are keen on off-piste. Expert pistes are red and black ones.
Les Grands-Montets offers all types of skiing, like moguls with La Herse, a red-black run of five kilometers (3,125 miles) of moguls, or La Pendant, a big mix of rock cliffs and powder. The off-piste is wonderful: try the mythical Pas de Chevre that leads to the Mer de Glace. The black pistes Point de Vue and Pylones are long and delightful for people who need to be stimulated. The most part being made on a glacier, pistes are large but can be dangerous or icy, be sure to have a reliable guide. The off-piste seems also endless, with so many ways to take from the summit.
At Le Brevent, the off-piste is pretty limited, but nice behind the Cornu lift. Or you can also make a show under the lifts where there are some off-pistes corridors, but very narrow and steep. At La Flégère there are several good off-pistes routes like the Combe Lachenal. From the higher point of Le Tour, you can escape over the back towards Vallorcine or into Switzerland.
As for the Vallée-Blanche, there are a myriad of ways to conquer it. Watch your step, though: three quarters are on the glacier of the Mer de Glace, so mind the 150-meter (492-foot) crevices. Don’t attend it with a bad weather.
Ski Snowboard Trails Competition
There are two racing trails in Chamonix. First on the Brevent is Le Stade (slalom), and on the Tour you’ll find La Piste du Stade (slalom and giant).
Every day during holiday periods you can have a great challenge on the slalom training stadium with timed runs. Test yourself at slalom (chamois) or Giant Slalom (Fleche). They aren’t excellent trails, but are challenging enough for a good skier.
Night Skiing
If you want to ski under the floodlights and discover the huge mountain by night, go to the Bossons massif, one of the valley-floor areas. Night skiing is possible here on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights for €9 ($8), but with only one red piste to descend. And remember: no more sun equals no more warmth, just you the snow and the night, so be prepared for new sensations.
Skiing Heliskiing
Are you a really aggressive skier? Looking for serious excitement? Helicopters can drop you on a summit in Italy or Switerland and let you go down deep, untouched snow areas. Since helicopters are forbidden on the French massifs, you can go to the valley of Valgrisenche in Italy (one hour from Chamonix), which is 28 kilometers (17.5 miles) long, and enjoy 20 other points of deposit with about 100 itineraries—one of the best areas for such adventure in the world. There are also a lot of possibilities in Switzerland, just on the other side of the mountain.
The Mont Blanc area is famous for its fabulous off-pistes: Massif of Trient and Tour, Glacier du Midi and des Grands, Petit Combin, Dolent, Mont Rose…renowned pistes or hidden ones, every guide and company has its own secrets. No queues, no crowds—just immaculate slopes and excellent skiing to enjoy.
It’s about €183 ($171) per person for one deposit and €274 ($257) for two deposits. Available from January to May depending on the weather and snow conditions, heliskiing is always a little less appealing during spring.
Skiing Cross-Country
Chamonix-Mont Blanc is one of the best places in France to practice cross-country skiing at. This is due to the excellent snow conditions and the beauty of the landscapes. Cross-country skiing actually became an Olympic discipline during the games that took place in Chamonix in 1924.
There are 11 resorts in the valley that offer cross-country trails: Vallorcine, Chamonix-Argentière, Les Houches, Les Contamines Montjoie, Megève, Combloux, Cordon, St. Gervais, Praz sur Arly, Plassy-Plaine Joux, and Servoz. Most of these offer both traditional and skating trails that are accessible for all levels. Access to the resorts for one day is not expensive, but if you are planning on going every day then you’ll save money by buying a weekly ticket. Young people usually get a discounted price and in Les Houches those under 16 ski free.
The closest resort is Chamonix/Argentière. There are green, blue, red, and black loops, and with 42 kilometers (26 miles) of trails, skiers from beginners to experts can escape from the crowded downhill skiing resorts here. All the trails are very well prepared but by the end of the season (in the spring), the snow coverage is poor. Don’t forget to bring some bread and a healthy serving of Tomme de Savoie” (one of the several local cheeses) to have a picnic in one of the many wonderful places you’ll find on your way. Allow yourself a bit of a rest, either sunbathing on a rock or sitting by the shade of one of the many pine trees.
It is better to use a car to go to the other resorts, even though there are buses running from Chamonix to the cross-country skiing tracks. Intermediate and advanced skiers will probably have a great time in Les Houches, where 34-½ of the 35 kilometers (21 miles) are blue and red loops. Others might prefer the variety offered at Vallorcine or at Les Contamines-Montjoie.
If you’re an expert, then you should consider driving to the neighboring resort of Megève (just a few miles from Chamonix), where you will enjoy 15 kilometers (10 miles) of black trails.
There are several ski schools in the Mont-Blanc valley that offer cross-country skiing lessons for both adults and children. Discover new trails and make friends by participating in one of the outings that take place throughout the season. In December, a big night outing is organized in Chamonix.
Ski Snowboard For Children Ski Winter Activities
The Mont Blanc valley is a great area for families, as there are plenty of ski schools and private instructors that provide ski lessons for children at reasonable prices. Among the ski schools of the valley, the Ecole du Ski Français (ESF) is the most famous as well as one of the most reliable.
There are discounts for children on lift tickets in most of the resorts, and those under four years ski for free. There is also a wide range of activities other than skiing that are offered in the resorts around Chamonix, as well as in the town itself. The vast majority of the resorts have daycare centers near the pistes. Moreover, almost all of these nurseries have English-speaking staff, since they cater a lot of British tourists.
The already well-known Panda Club located in the lovely little village of Argentière (about eight kilometers (five miles) further along the valley from Chamonix) welcomes children from six months to 12 years old. Qualified and experienced nannies that are never short of ideas for non-skiing activities and games will take care of the little ones between six months and three years of age.
There is a skiing kindergarten for those from three to 12 years old, located about five minutes from the beginners’ slope Le Savoy. Children can go to the Panda Club on a half- or full day basis. Lunch is included in the price for full days. The only drawback is that the location of the center is not very convenient for parents who go skiing in the other resorts around Chamonix. During the summer, the Panda Ski Club becomes a pony club.
There is also a municipal day nursery in Chamonix open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. It’s quite cheap but absolutely necessary to book in advance. The library lends board games and your children are free to come here to play with friends or borrow books. There is always someone present to keep an eye on the little ones and answer their questions.
It’s also possible to have a nanny or baby-sitter come to your accommodation to mind your children; ask either the Tourism Office, the staff at the Panda Club, or at one of the day nurseries, as they will be able to tell you who to contact.
The Tourism Office will also be happy to tell you what kind of excursions to go on with your children when you don't feel like skiing.
Other Winter Activities
Overview
The great thing about Chamonix is that you don’t have to be a big downhill skiing fan to enjoy yourself. The range of activities offered is huge during both the winter and the summer seasons. Basically, you can do nearly everything you like. Tennis, squash, mountain treks, helicopter flights, paragliding, and horse riding are all viable options.
Your children will be most happy to relax at the swimming pool and will also be able to go cycling with friends. There is something new almost every year in the resorts, so go to the Tourist Office to get a list of the different activities that meet your requirements.
Other Winter Activities
Snowmobiling
Snowmobile rental is available from the store Snow Bird in Les Contamines, but if you are not familiar with the area, it is better to take a guide or sign up for an hour trip. It is quite expensive, but you will remember all your life the thrill you had while descending back to the village in the middle of the night.
Other Winter Activities
Ice Climbing
It is absolutely necessary in Chamonix to go ice climbing with a guide to ensure your safety, and you also have to be in good physical condition, as it an intense and dangerous activity. The Compagnie des Guides runs an ice climbing school and provides ice climbing courses. You will improve your rock climbing skills by enjoying a three-hour walk on the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice). Spanning seven kilometers/four miles and running 200 meters/658 feet deep, the Mer de Glace is a fantastic and thrilling glacier.
If you already have good climbing skills, the Compagnie des Guides will organize a climb adapted to your abilities. Three- or five-day trips to other glaciers are also available. All these courses usually take place during the summer (from June to September).
Of course, it’s also possible to go ice climbing during the winter when the waterfalls are deeply frozen. Along with the Compagnie des Guides, there are also freelance guides, though they’re usually a bit more expensive. It all depends on what exactly you want to do. Since the Compagnie des Guides offer both group and individual climbs, they are probably the best option. The group lessons are aimed at beginners who just want to give it a try. The advanced climber should go for the one-on-one outings for the possibility to combine ice climbing and skiing. Climbing equipment will be lent to you if you need it, but the price doesn’t include lift tickets.
Other Winter Activities
Tubing Tobogganing
Chamonix is not the best place for tobogganing. There are two pistes of almost a kilometer in length, but you can only endeavor this during the summer. During the winter, you have no other choice than to rent a slide and try to find a nice slope.
Other Winter Activities
Ice Skating Hockey
If your legs aren’t giving way under you after a full day of skiing, you can go skating on the ice rink in Chamonix, which is open all year round. It’s nearly a century old but don’t worry; it’s been well taken care of since then.
From the beginning of December until the beginning of March, there are two natural rinks available. One is in Les Contamines, and the second one is right in the middle of the village Les Houches.
There’s also a hockey club in Les Houches; however, if you want to enjoy a good game of ice hockey, go to Megève, which hosts an excellent team. Ask the Tourist Office for the dates of the games and their location.
Other Winter Activities
Sleigh Riding
Horse drawn sledding is available in Chamonix, and it’s best to ask the Tourist Office for the details. Regarding dog sledding, you’ll have to choose between five companies—the prices are more or less the same, as they all seem to operate together. It’s a great experience to be pulled by huskies sitting in a sled, but in the Mont Blanc valley you’ll also have the opportunity to learn to mush a team, perhaps even more interesting.
Other Winter Activities Snow Hiking
Chamonix is probably the best place in Europe to go snow hiking—of course, this should come as no surprise when you see the village located at the foot of the Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe.
The Tour du Mont Blanc is indeed one of the most famous itineraries, but there are many other challenging walks. Both daily and hut-to-hut hikes are available. This is a great way to escape from the crowds and to test your limits. Unless you know the valley by heart, do not go hiking alone. Hiring a guide is the best way to explore the region safely. It’s also important to be in good physical condition.
If you’re a beginner in mountaineering, it’s better that you take a training course before attempting the ascension of the Mont Blanc. Usually, guides refuse to take people under the age of 18 to the Mont Blanc, because their lack of experience in mountain climbing constitutes an additional danger to the many others already going. Practicing hikes in the neighboring mountains of the Mont Blanc is the best way to get prepared to reach its summit.
Summer is the ideal time of year to attempt hiking in Chamonix.
Other Winter Activities Snowshoeing
If you want to go snowshoeing in the Mont Blanc valley, the best thing to do is to take a guide. Lots of outings are organized by the Compagnie des Guides; you can choose to go just for a day or embark upon a five-day trek. They also organize a nighttime “walk” going through the forest and ending with a nice dinner. The prices of the excursions are very reasonable, given the fact that they include everything from the snowshoes rental to the nights spent at the hotel if you pick up the five-day trek. Avoid traveling alone, as there’s always the slight risk of an avalanche.
Snowshoeing is a great way to discover the mountains and it is an activity than even children and seniors can enjoy. In Les Contamines, a special snowshoeing tour called Mini Aventure Igloo is organized for children aged seven to 12. The little ones will learn about the animals of the Haute Savoie region, participate in an orienting run, and learn how to build an igloo.
Dining and Nightlife
Après Ski
If you have enough energy to go out after a day on the slopes, Chamonix will definitely suit you. From the French restaurants where eating is an adventure to the numerous bars where it’s impossible to know if you’re in Sweden, Germany, or America, you’ll be busy...
Dining out is a pleasure in France and especially in Haute-Savoie, but you can also escape in a Latin, British, or even Japanese atmosphere if you want to test all the restaurants of the town. Restaurants, cyber-cafés, bars, and clubs can keep you busy all night if you wish.
France is famous for its delicious food and there are plenty of restaurants in the valley that are open all year round, so you’ll surely find something that suits you. The cheese lovers will have the feeling that Chamonix is paradise on earth, as most of the local specialties are made with cheeses from the region. Don’t spend hours reading through the menu, however, as trying to choose between a Raclette (chunks of cheese that are exposed to heat and scraped off on a boiled potato as they melt), a Fondue Savoyarde (a pot of melted cheeses where you plunge cubes of bread), or a Tartiflette (sort of potato gratin with onions, lardoons, and reblochon cheese) will be impossible.
Enjoy your meal while admiring the wonderful landscapes of the valley and of Mont Blanc’s summit by dining at one of the seven altitude restaurants around Chamonix. The Panoramic, located at the top of the Brevent, is very popular among skiers and the view is breathtaking—but if you want to boast in front of your friends back home, tell them you had lunch at Le 3842, the highest restaurant in Europe.
Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Italian—you can find all kinds of food in Chamonix. Plus, prices are for all budgets. The Mexican restaurant La Cantina boasts some quality food and a fantastic atmosphere. Vegetarians will enjoy dining at Le Santa Fe, but so will their meat-eating friends. To savor the best sushi in town, head off to Munchie. If you want to eat in an upscale restaurant and you are ready to pay the price, go to the Hotel Albert 1er or to the Auberge du Bois. Both have traditional French meals, but the second one is cozier.
Clubs And Bars
With 14 bars, 80 restaurants, and seven discotheques, Chamonix’s a very lively town at night, and the pedestrian center gets busy once the lifts close. The international melting pot of mountain addicts have a great choice of video, cyber, or live music bars, and nightclubs and discotheques stay open until late at night.
If you want to try your luck, the world-class casino of Chamonix will give you game fever; blackjack, roulette, and more machines in the purest tradition offer a special French class.
The Pub, the Ice Rock Café, the Mill Street Bar, and the Bar du Moulin are some of the most popular meeting points to have fun. The Choucas proposes videos, and web surfers can find their fun on the Santa Fe or Cybar (next to ChamJam). The Swed/American crowd seems to go to the Wild Wallabies or the bar Chambre Neuf, where beer and rock n’ roll make for endless parties.
Cinema
The Cinema Vox in Chamonix will usually allow you to choose from three different films. All moviegoers should be satisfied, as along with French films you will also have the opportunity to watch movies in original versions, as well as American blockbusters.
In March the town hosts the Festival annuel d’Avants-premieres, and you might bump into some famous faces while going down the Vallée Blanche.
Dining and Nightlife Performing Arts
Most of the performances in Chamonix concern sport and mountain; it’s not a theatrical center. Anyway, you can find open-air concerts every evening in the Bois du Bouchet during September, as well as concerts in the Salle Olca in Les Houches. Ask the Tourist Office for up to date information.
The summer, indoor, and street concerts give a joyful atmosphere to the valley. There are also spiritual breaks and lectures on Bach in the Temple. Just don’t expect to find Figaro, Die Zauberflote, or Hamlet in town, as you’ll have to be satisfied with the cinema, and if not, you can go to Megève or Annecy.
Other Activities
Attractions
Not everybody is born to ski; if you shun the slopes or just want to take a break, Chamonix offers a wide range of activities during the day. Since the valley has an ancient history, it offers a good opportunity for you to discover one of the most beautiful and traditional parts of France. You can learn how mountain dwellers used to live in a lost countryside and harsh climate by visiting the museums or talking with locals. There are a lot of monuments, old churches, and old villages all around the town, making for a beautiful walk. And further, you can take some day trips to famous cities like Geneva or Annecy.
If you prefer to stay in town, you can go shopping in the pedestrian center or enjoy the numerous events and festivals organized all throughout the season.
Festivals And Events
There are plenty of festivals going on all year-round in Chamonix; the variety of the events is one of the town’s best assets. It’s very likely that you’ll see some stars participating in the events, but most of them will be French, so you might not even notice.
Between November and March, the town hosts a slalom race and there is also a cross-country skiing night outing that is organized. You might get to see former top model Estelle Halliday participating in the car race on ice taking place in February.
In May, the young scientists will be delighted to go to the Festival des Sciences de la Terre et de ses Hommes. In the summer months of June, July, and August sporting and musical events take center stage. On July the 14th, everybody will be rushing to see the Bastille Day fireworks. More traditional mountain events and fairs will start in August and continue through September and October.
Don’t forget to look out for all the fairs, Christmas markets, exhibitions, and sportive events organized in the villages and resorts around Chamonix.
Excursions
Want to take a break? Take a day trip to one of the famous cities of the region. You can take the Ligne de Haute-Savoie railroad, opened in 1901 to carry the tourists to Chamonix, and visit the French towns of Megève, Annecy, or St Gervais; the journey itself through the tunnels and mountains is worth it.
At only 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Chamonix, Megève is an authentic old Savoy village grown into an elegant resort (Baroness de Rotschild developed it to host royal visitors in the 1920s). Do as a lot of stars did and check out the luxury hotels (even if you’re not able to stay in them). For a bit of exercise, go for a walk on the old streets around the 14th-century church.
You should also discover Annecy, a little further (90 kilometers/56 miles from Chamonix), the lovely capital of the region on the shore of the purest lake in France. The old town is beautiful, and there’s enough shopping, theater, and cinemas to keep anyone busy.
You can also make the Italian or Swiss sun, since Chamonix is at both borders. At one hour by car, discover the charm of Italy in Courmayeur. Try a cappuccino and go around the Aoste valley to find ham and an Italian way of life.
Finally, if you really need a big town to have fun, Geneva offers you city life in the oldest and richest Swiss town: shops, monuments, famous fountains, and all the entertainment you need—only an hour-and-a-half by car from Chamonix.
A lot of tours are organized from Chamonix; just ask the Tourist Office for updated information.
Shopping
With 280 shops, Chamonix offers a wide swath of possibilities for shopping—mostly touristy and sportive, but there are also luxury and local food shops. There’s a department store on the border of the town where you can find anything you need for a good price. If you prefer, weekly markets offer traditional produces and items (wood-carved) that make good presents. In the pedestrian center, luxury and mountain gear shops alternate with bars and bakeries.
If you are a shopping addict, you can go to the very smart shops of Megève, and if it’s still not enough, Geneve should be the right place.
Spas
Unfortunately, there are no full-out spas in Chamonix, except for the ones in the luxurious hotels, and these are for guests only. But Evian is not so far (two hours by car) if you really want to relax: it’s a spa town where you can drink the world-famous mineral water.
Tourist Attractions
Most of the museums of the Vallée Blanche are dedicated to ancestral traditions and a rural lifestyle. The prices are very reasonable, and children usually pay half-price.
The Musée Montagnard et Rural in Les Houches and the Musée de Barberine in Vallorcine are both housed in structures from the 18th century. You’ll get to know how life was for the Savoyards during the 18th and 19th centuries through the exhibition of ancestral objects and agricultural tools. (Note that the Musée de Barberine is only open during the summer.)
If you can only visit one museum, then you should go to the Musée du Haut Val d’Arly in Megève; not only will you learn about life here up until the beginning of the 20th century, but you will also get to learn more about the history of winter sports in the valley and the making of cheese and other farm products and crafts typical of the region. You will definitely want to come on a Wednesday evening to meet some of the locals. You can then take a walk to the Musée de Megève, which reveals the history and traditions of the village and houses several religious objects.
To learn more about the history of skiing, mountain climbing, and scientific research in the valley, check out the Musée Alpin in Chamonix.
FAQ Weather
In January 07 - January 31, when you are planning to travel, the average high temperature is 29.5 oF and the average low temperature is 19 oF.
FAQ Who Should Go?
Chamonix is a great destination for solos. Go hit the town on Friday and Saturday night, and you will have no difficulties finding someone to hang around with. Most of the people in Chamonix are very friendly and if your neighbors haven’t invited you to their table yet, feel free to ask. During the winter, the bars and restaurants are packed almost day and night. An easy way to meet people is to sign up for an excursion or any other kind of group activity.
Romantic partners welcome? Of course, especially if you consider an exciting off-piste trip to the Vallée Blanche or a big cheese and wine party in a mountain restaurant at 3,842 meters/12,636 feet high to be romantic adventures. But don’t look for discreet hidden corners, as you won’t find them (except perhaps on untouched off-piste). You can still have 20 minutes alone on the Aiguille du Midi cable car where the scenery is breathtaking; this definitely the place for a declaration.
If you prefer Chamonix to Venice, remember that the winter is quite cold. It’s best to enjoy the sun in the late season, unless you really want a perfect ski. The solution could also be found during the beautiful and quiet summer if you enjoy hiking and mountain climbing—but it’s not the time for skiers.
Chamonix is the place to go for group of friends. It’s at its the best during the regular and spring seasons, when you can alternate intensive skiing with discussions under the sun on mountain terraces. Winter and early season are more for people who appreciate sport and challenge than friends’ company; the days are shorter and atmosphere less exciting.
FAQ Accommodations
There are 55,000 guest beds in the Chamonix valley, with over 60 hotels to choose from. You also can find 17 gites (€18 to €23/$16 to $20 per night) and seven tourist residences. At last, you can rent apartments and chalets by the week or for the whole season (from €213/$200 per week). Even if France is an expensive country in Europe and Chamonix more expensive than other little resorts, prices are still affordable, especially for the US dollar.
Most of the visitors use the good-standing hotels that dominate in the area around the station. Fortunately, there are no narrow apartment complexes like in Tignes or in a lot of modern and popular resorts. Hotels are often old chalets or houses that have been modernized to offer all the contemporary facilities.
There are four-star hotels like the Auberge du Bois Prin, a magnificent chalet savoyard in front of the Mont Blanc massif, with a sauna, Jacuzzis, and delicious French food (from €119-203 /$110 to $190). There are 20 three-star hotels like the beautiful chalet hotel Hermitage (from €71-€120 FF/$66 to $112), or the Hotel de la Vallée Blanche, right in the center of the town (from €28 to €48/$25 to $42). The 28 two-star hotels offer a good quality/price relation, with a warm mountain atmosphere (from €23 to €38/$20 to $33).
The distance from the slopes depends on which hotel you have chosen, but there are buses everywhere. Because of the valley disposition in little resorts, there’s no real “middle of nowhere.” If you want to stay near the nightlife downtown, choose a hotel in Chamonix itself. If you prefer a peaceful and quiet place, the villages of Argentière or La Flégère are very nice.
FAQ Travel Time
Getting to Chamonix is actually easier than it seems at first glance. The town lies only 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Switzerland, the closest airport is Geneva-Cointrin, located 88 kilometers (55 miles) to the northwest.
If you’re coming with your family, then the best way to escape from the hassle of going to the resort by bus is to rent a car. It usually takes an hour to leave the airport after the plane has landed. The drive to Chamonix is between one and one-and-a-half hours, depending on the traffic. There are signs everywhere, so it shouldn’t be a problem to find your way to the AutoRoute Blanche (motorway) that will take you directly to Chamonix.
For just one extra mile, you can do the same from the French airport of Annecy-Meythet. You can also arrive at the International airport of Lyon, but then driving to Chamonix will take at least twice the time that from the other airports, as it is 225 kilometers (about 150 miles) to the southwest. Unless you really want to visit Lyon, avoid the town, because it is very easy to get lost, and at rush hours the traffic becomes really bad.
If you can’t afford to rent a car, no need to worry—there are daily bus transfers from the airports to the skiing resorts. Cab rides are available, but they can cost a fortune, so it’s probably not the best option given the distance to cover.
Coming from Paris, it will be cheaper to reach Chamonix by train than by plane. The journey is approximately five-and-a-half hours on the TGV. There are five departures per day, and on Friday evenings and weekends, you can also take the direct TGV Snow Special. The SNCF (the French railroad company) offers many discounts, so go ahead and ask the cashier about them. Also, the further in advance you book, the cheaper rate you get. Car rentals and buses are available at the railway station in Chamonix, so getting to your accommodation will be a piece of cake.
By road, you have to take the A40 or A41 motorways and from Paris; it should take between eight and nine hours to reach Chamonix. If you happen to understand French, turn on the radio on 107.7 to get traffic information. Getting there by car is probably not the best solution though, because gas is pretty pricey and tolls are costly too. If you’re driving on your own, not only will your journey be longer and more tiring than if you had taken the train, but it will be more expensive too.
Reviews
1 March 13, 2006 - 09:58 PM
Stevo from UNITED KINGDOM
Went there 8th March 2006 for four days - very little was open! Heavy snow meant they closed most of the runs and at most two lifts in each of the four main areas were open. We had to travel out to Les Houches and further to get skiing. Info in the resort was poor and we were directed to areas which we were told were open only to find them closed. "Communication is a problem" we were told by the less than helpful ticket offices.
No, I will not be going back
2 January 30, 2006 - 10:18 AM
Simon Heath from UNITED KINGDOM
Chamonix 15-22 Jan 2006. Awesome conditions following 80cm of snow on the Tuesday and Wednesday and then beautiful blue skies and sunshine.
The resort is large with a range of apres-ski activities for all. Grand Montets is definitely the best mountain with challenging pistes and excellent off-piste. Stayed at a private chalet for 8 which was excellent and affordable.
My only quibble with Chamonix is that it is far from a ski in - ski out resort. To reach any of the slopes it is a 20-30 minute bus ride which is frustrating both in the morning and after skiing.
Overall, 8 out of 10 for the skiing and resort.
3 January 17, 2006 - 11:09 PM
Richard from UNITED KINGDOM
As a huge fan of Chamonix and frequent visitor I have now taken to organising my skiing independently - with Geneva only an hour away and flights from just £45 why pay package holiday prices! There is plenty of self-catering accommodation available online, but for the slightly more discerning I have found chamonixaccomodation.com to be excellent. Their properties are better equipped and privately owned, and parking, TV/Video, radio/cd players are included in the price (unlike others).
True, it is not ideal for beginners although I have taken children for their introduction to skiing and have no complaints.
Chamonix remains our firm favourite destination for both winter and summer holidays.
4 January 02, 2006 - 12:04 AM
Tom Travis from UNITED STATES
Chamonix is one of my favorite global ski areas and I have skied there ten times. The scenery is just awesome, the best in Europe, other perhaps than Zermatt. The town provides a taste of France, with some lovely architecture, squares and sculptures, split by a fast flowing river, and it has a wide variety of hotels and restaurants. The skiing is varied since there are five major ski stations along the valley. The best ski station by far is Le Grand Montet, with its 6,700 foot vertical drop, although most of the skiing is on vertical drops of 2100'-4200' from the mid-station. The runs, some of them over glaciers, are endlessly interesting and challenging. The pistes there are mainly advanced intermediate and expert. The Grand Montet is my single favorite ski station in the world. In a week, I ski there five days, and the other two at the interlinked La Flejere and Le Brevent. I particularly like La Flejere for its incredible views of the entire Mont Blanc range and romantic view right up the Mer de Glace, and for its great bowls. I find the skiing at Le Tour to be too easy, although the new runs down the north side are longer and more interesting. Of course, one should ski the Vallee Blanche, with its 9200' drop and 12 mile run. Later in the season or whenever the snow is plentiful, one can follow the obvious tracks down and not use a guide. The only drawback is the access to the ski stations. If you do not have a car, you have to take the bus to most of them (one can walk from town to Le Brevent), and I have waited as long as 25 minutes at times to get the bus.
5 December 18, 2005 - 02:07 PM
Angus Roberts from UNITED KINGDOM
Ive been to Chamonix twice now, the first time was my very first time snowboarding and as a beginner I loved it. The runs aren't particularly easy but this means you progress much quicker, a definite bonus.
There’s a massive variety of runs available if you use the free bus transfers around the valley (such as tree-lined Les Tours, a bit more relaxed than the others and the big-mountain pistes of Grand Montets) – I've always found the buses to be on time and efficient (and they’re included in the lift-pass).
The off-piste is something else- be it a 10min jaunt from the top lift for something a bit different or putting in the hours to find an untracked bowl, it's just awesome.
And the lifts? Same as anywhere else, when they’re busy they take longer- that’s never gonna change anywhere. Make the effort, get up early.
As for the town, well it’s just that- a town not just a resort. I think this is a bonus as it has much more of a character and more amenities as well as all the big bars etc
Give Chamonix a go, it’s a place that needs to be visited at least once- Im hooked. Where else can u ski or board in the shadow of Mont Blanc and get a trip up the very same mountain as part of your lift-pass? And when you’re ready, where else has the Vallee Blanche?
6 November 14, 2005 - 03:26 PM
David Allen from UNITED KINGDOM
A truly great resort, the runs (although more geared towards skiers than boarders like me) were challenging and some are very steep. Black means Black in Chamonix, and even some of the reds will give you a fright. Skiers will love Grand Montets, very steep very fast. There’s a vast array of off piste, for example, round the back of Montets from the top lift there is a glacier off piste run, roped off, which many people use, boarders beware however, some parts are difficult to traverse and there are flat sections to it with many hidden crevasses, some huge. Take a guide! The lifts were generally fast moving, and the buses between the stations frequent. The town is great with good food and drink. Go there, Chamonix will not disappoint.
7 November 11, 2005 - 10:23 AM
Karlious from UNITED KINGDOM
Dont listen to any idiot that says chamo is rubbish! They only think its rubbish because they obviously can't ski or board (or maybe just trying to keep the numbers down by misleading those who don't know better? - ed.) - it is the best resort around! There is so much to do there and the apres ski is mint! Courmayeur is even included on the lift pass n its well worth a visit not only for the food and the hospitality but for the great runs (although it is quite limited) and a bit of advice don't ski in to the valley there because u end up in a constrction site with a long walk to get over the river on the only bridge around! When in chamo i well recomend taking a day off from skiing n head up aguil du midi for the amazin views! (thats if ur not skiing the vb run) just get to chamo u wont regret it!
8 January 05, 2005 - 10:08 PM
John Ricketts from UNITED KINGDOM
Chamonix was so good last February (did the VB run!) that I am going back this February with wife and daughters (12 and 14).
Will drive this time though as its a lot cheaper and opens up a lot more terrain (as if you'd need it though!) Nice thing about Cham is the variety....from high mountain to forest, and slopes N/S/E/W you can usually find a sunny spot out of the wind. My brother is heading back there the week after me for his 4th year in a row and he's never had bad conditions! If the apre-ski was cheaper it would be
perfect.....
9 November 26, 2004 - 05:28 PM
Ahmet Douas from UNITED KINGDOM
Chamonix, is a very interesting resort. Set at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the alps, it offers an endless amount of high altitude off piste skiing, and exploring. Although the lifts aren't at your doorstep, in Chamonix, the ski areas are known for their distinct variety. Each ski area, has their own unique character. Les Grands Montets, in Argentiere, allows endless exploring at a high altitude, with long pistes and off piste skiing. More suited for boarders, in Chamonix you will never get bored. Although not the largest ski areas in the world, the main word here is quantity not quality. Not extremely appealing for beginners, and an easy change of the weather at high altitudes, this resort, although extremely rewarding, is to be taken seriously..
10 October 26, 2004 - 06:26 PM
danny from UNITED KINGDOM
Having lived in Chamonix for nearly five years I can say with my hand on my heart that I would never go there again. It one saving grace are a few wonderful people who call this arse-crack in the alps their home. The one thing I wish for is that Mont Blanc would become detatched and slide into the valley. Perhaps this would improve the 'resorts' piste systems and would certainly improve the view...
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