The Chamonix Valley
- By:Patrick Altoft
To describe the Chamonix Valley as beautiful would be a lot more then
an understatement. It is, without doubt, one of the most picturesque
areas in the world.
One hour from Geneva by road, this skiing and mountaineering haven has
become popular the world over with skiers, mountaineers, climbers and
mountain lovers alike.
The valley itself is dominated by Mt Blanc, as well as other ranges
meeting in this most dramatic mountain area. Towering pillars of
granite dominate the area often bewhildering you with the very scale
that they represent. It is difficult not to be impressed once the
clouds lift, the peaks towering above you like sentinels.
Chamonix has become very popular with the British, who have now
gathered there in significant numbers, though many leave and go
somwhere else once the ski season is over.
Scandanavian peoples also appear to favour the area, and, of course,
there are the French.
Chamonix has become so multicultural in some areas that it would be
easy to say that it is not typically French. Though French is widely
spoken, you will never be far from a British accent. Most Brits have
picked up the baton, so to speak, and learnt French, but a minority
remain who expect to use English wherever they go. This has lead to
small amounts of friction between the two communities, but nothing too
serious.
If you are going to go to Chamonix, you should expect to speak some French.
As a ski area goes, Chamonix has some of the most extreme skiing
available to man. There are many resorts, all reachable via a small
bus or cable car ride from Chamonix or the surrounding area. For the
more extreme routes like the Vallee Blanche you should look to find
yourself a guide, or ski the route with people that know the way, or
you may find yourself in a crevasse.
Some skiers complain of the layout that Chamonix offers - of course
you can't please all the people all of the time - if you want extreme
skiing, come to Chamonix, and expect to take a few short journeys to
the venue of your days skiing, that's all.
As well as being a mecca for skiers and snowboarders, Chamonix offers
excellent climbing and mountaineering options, with climbs up
fantastic granite cliffs suitable for all comers, stretching to huge
extreme alpine rock routes like the Walker Spur. Pleasant woodland
walks can also be easily found!
Not far from Chamonix are the mountain villages of Argentiere and Les
Houches. Les Houches is only a 20 minute bus journey from Chamonix and
is actually a ski resort in its own right, so you don't need to be in
Chamonix itself to enjoy some of the best skiing the Alps has to offer.
About the author:
The Chamonix Valley, Online Guide
http://www.chamonix-valley.com