Chamonix Mont-Blanc

Chamonix is situated in the heart of the French Alps on the border of France, Switzerland and Italy. Surrounded by high peaks and vast glaciers this picturesque town is the doorstep to the highest mountain in the Alps. Its central location makes it the perfect starting point from which to explore all of Europe.

Many visitors choose the simple mountain lifestyle personified by hiking and biking tours for all ability levels. For skiers, Chamonix’s well-deserved reputation as the extreme skiing capital of the world attracts the best freeskiers to test their skills against these legendary mountains as well as being a great place for skiers of all levels to improve their technique on the mountain terrain.

Chamonix is famous for its Haute Savoie cuisine - a culinary delight made from a hearty mountain menu of cheese, potatoes and ham. This is complimented in the summer months by light tasty French cuisine. Food options are abundant in Chamonix and you will be delighted with the cosmopolitan menu options including Italian and Indian cuisine.

As for the nightlife, Chamonix will not disappoint with a never-ending array of options from live bands to drumming DJs spinning up an ecletic mix of music from reggae to jazz on most nights of the week.

Weather conditions in the high mountains change quickly. Therefore, it is very important to have the latest updated weather forecast and alpine safety/avalanche report - especially if you plan to do any kind of off-piste skiing or mountaineering.

Weather forecasts can be found at the Tourist Office, in the window of the pharmacy at place Jaques Balmat and outside/inside the “Maison de la Montagne”.  Alpine safety information is found outside/inside the “Maison de la Montagne”.  In the latter, situated on the top floor, is the “Espace Météo Site” which will answer to your questions.

You may also call Méteo France, Tel. 08 92 68 02 74, or visit the website http://meteo.chamonix.com for five or six day forecasts in French and English.

• The Maison de la Montagne, an old building situated next to the church in Chamonix, contains four organisations involved in skiing and alpinism:
• La Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix (ground floor) is an association of mountain guides that offers a wide range of activities (La Vallée blanche, ice-climbing, off-piste skiing, Mont-Blanc excursions, ski mountaineering, etc). Tel. 04 50 53 00 88.
• Chamonix Experience, Argentiere is another association of mountain guides that offers a wide range of activities (La Vallée blanche, ice-climbing, off-piste skiing, Mont-Blanc excursions, ski mountaineering, etc). You find Chamonix Experience in the village of Argentiere (close to Le Grands Montets ski areas) at Alpcenter, 141 rue Charlet Straton.
• The Chamonix Ski School, ESF, (first floor) offers all kinds of courses - Ph. 04 50 53 22 57.
• Office de Haute Montagne, (second floor) provides information on the high mountains. They will help you to organise longer excursions, etc.
• Extensive weather information can be found at Espace Météo Site (second floor). Here up-to-date weather and alpine information can be received.
• Pelle “Bagarn” Bagewitz (06 08 94 61 73) and Johan “Jossi” Lindblom (06 77 09 45 03) are two Swedish and English speaking mountain guides.

Most of the banks in Chamonix have cash machines, distribueurs automatiques de billets, where you may use VISA, American Express, and MasterCard etc for cash advances. Enter your pin as you would normally.

The cash machines normally have a limited amount of withdrawal. If you want to make a more important withdrawal you can go to Banque de Savoie at 1, place Jaques Balmat. Bring your credit card and your passport.

The post office is situated on the square called Place Balmat in the very middle of Chamonix. Business hours are Monday-Friday 8.30-12, 14-18 and Saturday 8.30-12. You can also send and receive faxes, make photocopies and buy refill cards for your mobile phone at the post office.

At the library, la biblioteque, which is situated in the building complex known as Cité Scolaire, you may read and borrow books, CDs, newspapers and magazines. It is open every afternoon from Tuesday to Saturday 14.30-18.30 and Wednesday mornings 10.00-12.00. The library also offers a calm environment suitable for studying.

There are a number of launderettes in Chamonix. For instance on avenue de l’Aiguille du Midi, in Galerie Alpina, at place du Poilu (next to Interhome) and on Av. de Courmayeur. There are also two launderettes in Chamonix Sud.

The following places have computer and/or wifi if you bring your own laptop:

• Mojo’s sandwich café, place Jaques Balmat, opposite the post office (stationary computers)
• McDonalds, av. Michel Croz (free internet if you have your own laptop)
• Le Podium, opposite the library
• Le Lapin, opposite Mac Donalds (free wifi if you buy a drink)
• Insted. Free wifi during course hours.

Phone cards, telecartes, which can be used with public pay phones, are for sale in a tabac - a tobacconist’s shop. They are available in two different values, 50 and 120 units.

You can also buy SIM cards for mobile phones (GSM). Insted recommend “Orange” refill mobile cards. Cards can be bought at Mobistore  av. Michel Croz. When you buy the card you pay an entrance fee and will receive a phone number and a certain amount of calling time. You may then buy refill cards (different rates available) at tabacs, etc. When you buy the initial SIM card you should try it with your mobile to make sure that it functions correctly.