Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Augustandduringwinterholidays,butit'splentypeaceful atothertimes. Chamonix'ssis-
ter city is Aspen, Colorado. Perfect.
Planning Your Time
Summers bring huge crowds and long lift lines. You won't regret planning your trip to
avoid the summer school break
(vacances scolaires),
usually early July to late August.
Ride the lifts early (crowds and clouds roll in later in the morning) and save your after-
noons for lower altitudes.
If you have one sunny day, spend it this way: Start with the Aiguille du Midi lift (go
early,reservations possible and recommended July-Aug), take it all the way to Helbronner
(linger around the rock needle longer if you can't get to Helbronner), double back to Plan
de l'Aiguille, hike to Montenvers and its Mer de Glace (only with good shoes and snow
level permitting), explore there, then take the train down to Chamonix. End your day with
a well-deserved drink at a view café in town. If the weather disappoints or the snow line's
too low, hike the Petit Balcon Sud or Arve River trails.
EternallywhiteMontBlancisChamonix'ssoutheasternlimit;theAiguillesRougesmoun-
tains form the northwestern border and the frothy Arve River splits linear Chamonix in
two.Thethrivingpedestrianzone,aboveandwestoftheriveralongRuesduDocteurPac-
card and Joseph Vallot, forms Chamonix's core. The TI is just above the pedestrian zone,
and the train station is two long blocks below and east of the river. To get your mountain
bearings,headtotheTIandfindthebigphotoinfront.WithSwitzerlandandItalyasnext-
doorneighbors,thistownhasalwaysdrawnaninternationalcrowd.Todayabouthalfofits
foreign visitors are British—many have stayed and found jobs in hotels and restaurants.
Tourist Information
VisittheTItoprepareyourattack.Gettheweatherforecast,pickupthefreetownandval-
ley map and the “panorama” map of all the valley lifts, and maybe the €4.50 hiking map
called
Carte des Sentiers
(see “Chamonix Area Hikes” on
here
). Ask about snow levels,
hours of lifts and trains (critical), the Multipass for lifts, which is described later under
“Getting Around (and Up and Down) the Valley,” biking information (the TI rents elec-
tric bikes for cheap), and help with hotel reservations. Their helpful website has updated
sightseeinginfo,weatherforecasts,andmore(July-Augdaily9:00-19:00;Sept-JuneMon-
Sat 9:00-12:30 & 14:00-18:00, Sun 9:00-12:30; tel. 04 50 53 00 24,
www.chamonix.com
,
