Skiing in Chamonix, France

Home to the magnificent Mont Blanc - at 4807m Europe’s highest mountain - means Chamonix boasts a superb snow record, a long season (Dec-late May), never ending off-piste skiing opportunities, and unmissable scenery. Chamonix really does offer some of the most exciting, challenging and adrenalin fuelled skiing in the world.

Chamonix is a highly popular ski holiday destination as it is much more than just a ski resort. The vibrant Chamonix town centre has everything to offer - beautiful historic architecture, many attractive shops and boutiques, a wonderful selection of restaurants from classic Savoyard to Michelin starred excellence and a nightlife to rival any other Ski resort. Chamonix also offers a wide selection of non ski related activities so that holiday makers of all ages and interests will enjoy their winter holiday.

With five ski areas, the Chamonix valley  has an awful lot of ski terrain on offer. The full ski pass also includes the surrounding areas such as St Gervais, Verbier and Courmayeur so there’s more than enough skiing for even the most advanced and speedy skiier. In all the pass includes terrain up to 3840m, over 200 lifts and 700km of piste - with the majority of the ski areas being above 2000m. It caters for all standards, from total  beginners right through to experts.

Tags: Chamonix Nightlife, Chamonix activites, Offpiste skiing, Skiing, skiing accommodation by Golf
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Chamonix nightlife

Today, Sunday 21st June is the longest day and it has become a tradition to celebrate music throughout the world with Fete de la Musique and this year is no exception with Chamonix bringing music to the streets.

In Chamonix centtre, there will be two outdoor stages set up. The stage in front of the Tourist Office at the Place de l’Amitie will host classical music from the town’s school of music, so if you like a bit of Bach or Strauss that’s the place to be from 16:30 to 21:30.

 Several local bands will be playing at a stage in the Place Mont Blanc if you want something a bit more modern. The fun starts at 18:00 and goes on to the early hours of Monday morning.

But the place to be is definitly rue du Moulin. Every year the tiny cobbled street is crammed with people, but the atmosphere is fun and friendly. There’s usually live music at the top end by Privilege, DJs at Soulfood, Mix Bar and Bar’d Up, so take your pick - it’s sure to be ggreat fun.

Fete de la Musique was originally an idea by Maurice Fleuret that was picked up by the then minister for culture in France, Jack Lang in 1981. Lang liked Fleuret’s idea of ‘music and concerts everywhere’. The first Fete de la Musiique was held on 21st June 1982. Since then, the idea has spread and the 21st June has become a night for music, dancing and fun on over 100 countries.

Tags: Chamonix Nightlife, Chamonix activites by Golf
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Offpiste in chamonix, France

Rugged beauty, winter sports, and après-ski: all three are a part of what draws visitors to Chamonix in the winter. 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-piste 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 many others. For people wishing to do some sightseeing in the Chamonix valley, may want to visit the Alpine Museum and the Mont Blanc Observatory. Or take an unforgettable cable car ride to the Aiguille du Midi (which rises to the elevation of 3,482 meters/11,316 feet) for some really impressive views. A red cog-wheel train climbs from Montenvers to the scenic Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) glacier where there are also ice caves to explore.

Après-ski in Chamonix is one of the best in the alps. 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.

Tags: Chamonix Nightlife, Chamonix activites, Offpiste skiing, Skiing, skiing accommodation by Golf
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Walking in Chamonix, France

The Chamonix valley offers 350 km of superbly maintained hiking trails, with 160 different itineraries offering walks adapted to all abilities.
Choose the lower valley trails for the wonderful forest scents or gain altitude and see the array of wildlife, admire the fantastic panoramas and test your stamina. All routes are well sign posted and often have an approximate walking time on them also. Its also possible to buy a walking guide and map from the tourist office in Chamonix.

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Golf in France

Golf competitions in France are very often organised on the basis of different series or divisions grouping together players of the same sex and handicap range. Prizes are then offered for the best in each series and it is fairly standard to have a prize for best gross score(s) per series as well as best net.

There is an entry fee in addition to the green fee. Most competitions are sponsored with a good set of prizes including a free prize draw. The prize ceremony usually takes place at the end of the afternoon and is a family occasion followed by a buffet – often kir and canapés.

There are numerous team competitions in France at local, regional and national level and for all ages and categories. There are often inter-club competitions where anyone can sign up to play in a friendly match against another local club.

For good players – single figure handicaps - there are Grand Prix organised at many clubs and the results of these are used as the basis for a regional and national classification of players. There are events for juniors at regional and national level. There are many events for seniors who make up a large part of the membership of many clubs.

Pro-ams are held in many French golf clubs. For the most part, the pros are club professionals whose main job is teaching the game of golf. Usually, these are one or two day events and the entry fee of a couple of hundred euros can work out as good value if it includes green fees, a practice round with the pro, halfway house snacks, a gala dinner, a gift and a good prize fund. The host club may be able to find a professional for a team or players may enter a team plus professional.

Players entering a competition may require a medical certificate from a doctor stating that the player’s physical condition allows them to play golf safely. This is fairly easy to obtain

Tags: Chamonix activites, Golf Breaks, Golf Courses, Golfing Tips by Golf
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Golf in France

Note: Many English golf terms are the same in French, for example: bunker, green, divot, handicap, fairway, putter, driver

Tags: Chamonix activites, Golf Breaks, Golf Courses, Golfing Tips, golf accommodation by Golf
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Why not check out some of the great self catered properties Alpine Ski and Golf Ltd have on offer for you this summer? Situated throughout the Chamonix valley, great chalets and apartments that are great bases for golfing in Chamonix and the surrounding courses.

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The Alpine Ski and Golf company offer you a unique golfing holiday experience at the foot of western Europes highest Mountain.

 Whats included in your golfing break/holiday

• Minibus service to and from the Chamonix golf course
• Green fees included
• Tee off times pre booked
• Assistance and booking of hire equipment
• Tailor made trip (if requested)
• beautiful chalet accommodation 

Chamonix Golf Club in the French Alps

During the winter, Chamonix’s 35 hectares of golf course is covered in snow and ice. Situated between the Mont Blanc and the Aiguille’s Rouges Massifs, the 6076m long golf course only becomes playable from May 31st to October 1st due to its high altitude.

The first three holes of the Chamonix club were built in 1934. It was soon extended to a nine hole course, and in 1982 Chamonix invited world-renowned golf course architect Robert Trent-Jones to design the last nine holes.

The golf course features numerous bunkers, water holes, woodlands and streams, but is on flat ground. Only two teeing grounds are on a hill, just to remind you that it is a mountain golf course.

Facts and figures

• 18 hole golf course
• 6076m long course
• Par 72
• Open May 31st to October 1st
• Restaurant on course
• Pro golf shop
• Driving range
• 2 putting greens
• 1 pitch and putt course
• Over night golf bag depot
• Golf buggy hire (in advance, weather permitting)
• Golf trolley hire
• Golf club and golf bag hire
• 36 golf handicap stipulation in July and August

 Chamonix

Anyone that loves the outdoors will adore Chamonix for a holiday. For over 250 years people have been visiting Chamonix due to its wide variety of activities on offer and the spectacular scenery. Whether you want to golf, mountain bike, hike or just want to experience the view, the lifts that are open throughout the summer and the cog railway give you access to some exceptional panoramas.

A real array of architecture can be found in both the town centre and surrounding villages from Art Deco buildings to baroque Churches. This is due to Chamonix developing through several different architectural periods and is what makes it such a unique town and completely different from any other alpine resort. If its retail therapy your after, wander through the centre and there are many boutiques and shops to be found. Chamonix also has a wide gastronomic choice from traditional savoyard specialities to michilin starred excellence, so you’ll be able to find exactly what you’re after.

Chamonix is such a unique town with something to offer people of all ages and interests. Take a look at our other activities page to see just a selection of whats on offer.

 

More about golf in and around Chamonix and the French Alps

Chamonix really is the ideal place in France for an alpine golfing break, not just a ski holiday. Chamonix provides a great base for golfing holidays in the haute savoie region of France. With 6 golf courses between 5 minutes and 1.5 hours driving, Alpine Ski and Golf can provide a bespoke golf holiday package/ golf break for anyone wishing to play golf in France.

Tags: Chamonix activites, Golf Breaks, Golf Courses by Golf
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MBC is a great place for locals and visitors to the valley to enjoy great beer, good food, and entertainment, all in a friendly pub atmosphere. If you’ve never been to a micro brewery before, it’s not exactly a bar or a restaurant, but a combination of the two with a bit of a homemade feel to it.

The MBC is open 16:00 to 02:00 during the winter and summer, and 16:00 to 01:00 spring and Autumn. They have a full bar and five types of beer on tap, pilsner, weisbier, pale ale, stout, and a beer of the month. Food is served from 16:00 to 23:00.

At just a  5-minute walk from the centre of town means it attracts a discerning clientele. A good place to track down a mountain guide with a story or two! The chicken wings are legendary and the burgers are pretty good too. Watch out for the beer it sneaks up on you and look out for the local band, Gary Bigham and The Crevassholes - a Chamonix institution.

Tags: Chamonix Nightlife by Golf
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Since 2006 Cha’Cha’Cha’ has been offering wine tastings of excellent wines from different regions in France and from around the world, in their classy and modern wine bar in Chamonix.

Its one of a kind in Chamonix, a wine bar where you can just sit and have a drink or try out the differnt wine tastings of the day. Also a great place to stock up for your cave at home.

The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and speak great English, so you can be sure to get exactly what you are looking for. They have a selection of great wines at starting at some great prices, as well as many more exclusive bottles. Whatever your budget, you can be sure to find a fantastic bottle of wine.  The shop also has its own vineyards based in Burgundy.

Cha’Cha’Cha’ are also purveyors of fine spirits and they also have an excellent choice of boutique beers. They always have a selection of champagne, and beer in the fridge, perfect for that last minute purchase.

Tags: Chamonix Nightlife, Chamonix activites, Golf Breaks by Golf
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