In the heart of the French Alps is the commune of Chamonix, a world-renowned ski resort and location of the first ever Winter Olympics, in 1924. Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Chamonix is bordered by Italy, Switzerland, and dominated by the Aiguilles de Chamonix mountain range in the Mont Blanc massif. From the soaring snow-capped peaks to the sweeping glacial floor, the natural beauty of the Chamonix Valley is second to none. Although the Alpine town is known for being a hub for winter sports, Chamonix is also a hotspot for outdoorsy families who enjoy summer activities such as hiking, water rafting, and mountaineering. The summer climate in Chamonix is well-suited to kids, as it’s balmy during the day and cool at night.
Whatever the time of year you choose to visit, Chamonix is a family resort for all seasons. Come rain or shine, here are my top recommendations for a family holiday to Chamonix.
A Winter Wonderland
Skiing
No trip to Chamonix would be complete without gearing up and hitting the slopes, and it’s considered by many to be the best freeride resort in the world. For advanced skiers, head to Vallée Blanche, a 20 km off-piste ski route with an adrenaline-pumping descent of 2,700m. In order to ski the Vallée Blanche comfortably, you need to be confident skiing black pistes, as you’ll be winding around bowls, seracs, and crevasses. It would also be helpful if you had experience with skiing powder and in deep snow. Although Chamonix is known for its challenging terrain and black runs, there are several designated areas that are more suitable for less experienced skiers, such as Les Houches and Le Tour. In these regions, there are a higher volume of blue runs, gentle descents, and wide, tree-lined slopes, making the terrain better suited to beginners and intermediate skiers.
For those who are less confident on the slopes, it’s worth looking for an operator that offers mountain guides who can help you navigate the more difficult terrain. Additionally, if the kids are first-time skiers, consider enrolling them in ski school. There are two main ski schools that cater to adults and young children—ESF and Evolution 2. Both of these schools offer full and half-day sessions, have English speaking guides, and will take you to a dedicated area where you can learn how to snow plough, stop, turn, and glide safely. There are several nursery slopes for you and the kids to get acclimated to skiing. The Savoy ski area at the bottom of the Brévent gondola is the best place for novices to start. With a gentle gradient, wide pistes, and a magic carpet (which is essentially a conveyor belt in the snow), you can practise turns and build confidence before heading higher up the mountain.
Snowboarding
Chamonix is something of an Alpine mecca for snowboarders, and whether it’s newbies or pro-riders, it attracts enthusiasts of every calibre. For beginners, check out Le Tour, which has 11 blue pistes, a mostly gentle terrain that’s not too steep, and wide, open runs that give you space to get to grips with the basics. With 13 red runs and eight blue runs, Les Houches is also a safe option for those who are still learning the ropes but starting to venture into more highly skilled territory. For advanced snowboarders, Les Grands Montets has some of the most demanding runs in the Chamonix Valley, allowing you to enjoy fast and icy pistes alongside steep, moguled runs. If you’re a seasoned snowboarder, it’d be remiss of you not to explore Brévent and Flégère, which are two interconnected ski areas offering a 1,500m vertical drop to the valley floor.
Dog Sledding
What better way to experience the magic of the mountains than in the company of four-legged furry friends? Under the guidance of experienced mushers, let yourself be carried away by the power of the pack as you traverse the snowy landscape and marvel at the breathtaking mountain scenery. Archaeological evidence suggests that dog sledding dates back some 4,000 years to native Arctic populations, such as the Inuit, Chukchi, and Sami communities, who used dog sleds to transport people and goods. As one of the only means of locomotion on snow and ice in the northern hemisphere, dog sledding gradually became a leisure activity perfect for an afternoon of festive fun. If you’re lucky, you might even get the chance to pet the huskies before you set off! Make memories to last a lifetime with a dog sledding experience that the kids will be raving about long after it’s over.
Ice Skating
To experience the best that Chamonix has to offer, strap on your skates and hit the ice rink. Check out Richard Bozon Ice Rink, named in memory of a mountain guide (the grandson of world champion skier, Charles Bozon) who sadly lost his life to an avalanche, in 1995. This ice rink is best known as the home of the local men’s professional ice hockey team, Pionniers de Chamonix Mont-Blanc. It was also the location of the 1972 French Figure Skating Championships and the 1986 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships. The ice rink features an indoor Olympic sized rink and an outdoor ice rink which is open for the winter season, depending on snow conditions. Ice hockey matches also take place at this venue (typically on a Saturday evening), so try to time your visit to coincide with a match. You can watch the game from La Lucarne, a cosy bar and restaurant overlooking the ice rink.
A Summer Paradise
Hiking
Chamonix isn’t exclusively a winter holiday destination—there are plenty of activities to get stuck into in the warmer seasons as well. With over 350 km of trails to explore in the Chamonix Valley, it’s fair to say that this neck of the woods was made for hikers. From mid-June to mid-September, hikers travel here from all over the world to meander along some of Europe’s most famous mountain ranges. In the summer, rainfall and snow are minimal, temperatures are high, and Alpine flowers are in full bloom, making it a prime location for hiking. One of the most popular trails is the loop from La Flégère to Lac Blanc in the Aiguilles Rouges, which covers 7 km of ground with a 500m ascent. This route offers gorgeous panoramic views of Mont Blanc directly across the valley. The trail takes one hour and 45 minutes each way, so make sure you bring along hiking boots and water. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some ibex and marmots along the way!
Horse Riding
Picture this: you’re on horseback riding through a lush, green forest and crossing mountain streams with dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. If this sounds like a slice of paradise, then you’d probably enjoy horse riding in Chamonix. Saddle up at the Mont Blanc Equestrian Centre located in the foothills of Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley. The centre is open to the public every day of the week and welcomes all levels from complete beginners to experienced riders. You’ll get access to both a large indoor and outdoor arena and scenic trails through the countryside. As well as trail riding, the centre also offers tuition in dressage and show jumping. It houses 40 stables and is home to around 30 ponies and horses, so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to finding the right fit for your ability, size, and age. An equestrian helmet and body protection vests are provided, but shoes aren’t, so make sure you bring along sturdy footwear suitable for riding.
Cycling
Cycling in Chamonix is not for the faint-hearted, due to the steep mountain terrain. It’s important to note that the climbs in the Alps are longer and the summits higher than most cycling routes in the UK. The air is also thinner and the summer sun more intense, which will make the journey more strenuous than what you might be used to. However, if you’re up for the challenge, try heading from Chamonix to the Col des Montets mountain pass via Argentiere. This is a fairly short bike ride that covers 25 km of ground there and back, so it shouldn’t take you more than an hour to complete. If you’re ready to take it up a notch, continue to Vallorcine, the last village in the Chamonix Valley before you cross the border to Switzerland. If you’re a cycling enthusiast but don’t fancy lugging a bike along with you on holiday, there are several bike rental stores that will kit you out with everything you need for the duration of your stay.
Wildlife Park
Perched at an altitude of 1,500m above the Chamonix Valley lies Merlet Animal Park, home to over 80 mountain animals, from mouflon to fallow deer, who live across 21 hectares of pasture, rocky outcrops, and pine forest. The park is opposite the magnificent Mont Blanc massif, which is 46 km long and covered by glaciers. There are no fences in Merlet Animal Park, so the animals are allowed to roam freely and can be approached, however it’s advisable to be respectful of their space and maintain a safe distance. If the kids start to feel peckish, you can have a bite to eat on the picnic tables by the entrance or at the on-site restaurant Balcon de Merlet, which serves hearty Savoyard fare. During the summer, several presentations take place throughout the day including a video projection about Alpine flora, an exhibition about chalets and other timber buildings from the previous century, and a talk on the antler cycle and what horns and antlers reveal about the age, sex, and health of an animal.
Whether you choose to visit in the summer or winter, Chamonix is a year-round resort that offers an abundance to see and do whatever the season. Once you’ve pinned down the itinerary, it’s time to start thinking about booking your accommodation.
Where to Stay
Appartement L’Outa 209: Located in the buzzing heart of Chamonix along the Rue du Docteur Paccard, this contemporary-style studio apartment offers free private parking and stunning mountain views from the balcony. Along with free WiFi, this apartment comes with a flat-screen TV, a modern kitchenette, and an inviting living space. You’ll also have easy access to ski lifts and a ski equipment rental service. The apartment can comfortably fit up to three people and comes with a single sofa bed, double sofa bed, and a spacious wardrobe.
Sweet Home Brévent: This gorgeous ground-floor apartment sleeps up to five people (bunk beds, anyone?) and is only a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Chamonix and the lifts for the Brévent skiing area. The living room is full of natural light owing to the glass sliding doors which lead out onto the front garden. At Sweet Home Brevent, the kitchen is fitted out with all mod cons including a dishwasher, coffee machine, fridge and freezer, cooker, oven, microwave, and washing machine. Storage for your ski equipment is also available too.
Au Pied Du Mont-Blanc: Overlooking Mont Blanc, this centrally located apartment is within easy reach of ski lifts and the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which will take you from the heart of Chamonix to the high mountains, reaching an altitude just short of 4,000m. The apartment is also right across from the bus station and 100m away from a Spar supermarket. The little ones will be delighted to hear that in the apartment you’ll find a games console, a TV with cable channels, and free Netflix—perfect for a cosy night spent unwinding from a day of adventure in the mountains.
How to Get There
The quickest way of getting to your accommodation in Chamonix is to fly from the UK to Geneva Airport (GVA), then pre-book a Shuttle Direct transfer. The flight is approximately one hour and 40 minutes, and flights start from as little as £41 if you choose to fly in December for a winter break. British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, and TUI, among several other airlines, service the route. As an international airport located in the second most populous city in Switzerland, there are over 1,000 flights to Geneva Airport every week, so take some time to find the best deals and start your holiday on the right foot.
Overview
UK to GVA flight time: 1 hour 42 minutes
GVA to Chamonix distance: 91 km
Shuttle Direct transfer time: 1 hour 11 minutes
Types of Transfer
Taxi: Say goodbye to long queues of passengers waiting in line for transport by pre-booking an airport taxi. Geneva to Chamonix will be a breeze, as you’ll be greeted by a friendly, local driver who will meet you at the terminal and take you straight to the door of your accommodation. Not only will you bypass the taxi queues but there are also no delays dropping off other passengers, so you’ll be able to activate holiday mode in no time!
Shuttle bus: If you’re looking for an affordable way to transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix, a shuttle bus is the option for you. Although this is not a door-to-door service, you can rest assured that you’ll be dropped off just a short distance away from your accommodation. Because you’ll be sharing the ride with other passengers, a shuttle bus is a cost-effective option that’s cheaper than a private transfer. Easy and economical!
Private transfer: For a touch of luxury, a private transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix will get you to your accommodation in no time. Although a private transfer costs a little more than other options, you’ll get to your apartment quicker as there won’t be any stops along the way and you won’t have to share the ride with other passengers. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and let your professional driver deliver you to the doorstep of your accommodation.
Minibus transfer: If you’re after a Geneva Airport transfer that can accommodate multiple people, particularly if you’re travelling with a group of friends or family, then a minibus transfer is the perfect fit for your needs. Pre-booking a minibus transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix is ideal as you’ll be travelling in a minibus with large capacity. Instead of booking multiple taxis, everyone can comfortably travel together, along with their luggage, in a single vehicle.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Travelling is never one size fits all. That’s why at Shuttle Direct we offer various types of transfers to suit the needs of different travellers. The choice rests on two main factors—cost and convenience—and which one you consider to be more important.
Cost: For travellers keeping a close eye on their holiday budget, cutting costs is imperative. If this sounds like you, then we’d recommend opting for one of our shuttle bus services, which will give you the economy you’re looking for. Because the cost is shared between passengers and you won’t be dropped at the door of your accommodation, this option is much cheaper than a private transfer.
Convenience: On the other hand, if a door-to-door service is a deciding factor and travelling alone is a priority, then consider going for a pre-booked taxi or luxury private transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix. Although you’ll be paying a little extra for the service, you won’t have to worry about the logistical nightmare of organising transport after you land, and, let’s face it, when travelling with kids in tow, that’s a major bonus!
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most trusted and reliable operators of airport transfers to and from destinations all over the world. Wherever you’re going, whatever your budget, and however you like to travel, we have an option to suit you. From budget-friendly shuttle buses to luxury private transfers, you can count on us to find the right fit for you. Holiday the right way and pre-book with Shuttle Direct today.
