Don’t be put off by the relatively low altitude of the resort itself because 90% of the pistes in the Chamonix valley have an altitude over 2, 000m, providing skiable terrain from December through to May. Because of the varied terrain facing N, S, E & W, you can find good conditions whatever the weather or time of day. If it’s very windy or there’s lots of snow, Les Houches has some lovely sheltered tree-lined runs as well as over 120 snow cannons if a little extra coverage is needed. If its warm and wet, the Grands Montets is north-facing and high, so it holds the snow well into May most years. When’s best to visit largely depends on what you want from your Chamonix ski holiday. We love it during Christmas, New Year and school holidays where the atmosphere is lively and infectious, but those prefering peace, quiet and less traffic on the piste might prefer quieter (and cheaper) dates in January or March. Browse all Chamonix ski deals or read about holidays in December, January, February, March or April. Peak Dates You can enjoy a traditional white Christmas in Chamonix , where Father Christmas visits on ‘Le Train du Pere Noel’ as well as making a magical torch-lit appearance. Children will love the Christmas workshops and tasty treats while performances from the Chambelles choir, gospel choir and carol singers add to the festive atmosphere. Browse Chamonix Christmas ski holidays ‣ Chamonix appears in lots of ‘top ten’ lists as a New Years Eve destination - and it’s no surprise why. New Years Eve in Chamonix is amazing thanks to the fantastic range of après ski venues. The atmosphere is buzzing and it’s hard to think of a better way to see in the New Year than in the presence of the Mont Blanc massif! Browse Chamonix New Year ski holidays ‣ A child-friendly ski destination, February half term in Chamonix will keep all ages entertained. With fantastic childcare services for little ones, craft workshops and snow-fun for all the family, it’s a great way to spend your week off. Browse Chamonix Half Term ski holidays ‣ Because of its high altitude terrain, a ski holiday in Chamonix at Easter combines great skiing and fun activities for all ages and abilities. Browse Chamonix Easter ski holidays ‣

Looking for a massage in Chamonix? After a long day skiing, walking, or sat in the office your muscles can pick up aches and niggles. These pressure points or trigger points build up in certain areas of the muscles dependant upon your genetics and the activities you are doing. The truth is we often learn to live with an achy calf, a heavy thigh or an uncomfortable back. Its only when we get a great massage from a professional who knows how to reset these trigger points and put your body back into its natural released position, that we realise how the body should feel! A great massage will flush out toxins, reduce stress and remove tension, leaving your body and mind refreshed relaxed and ready to go again! Our professional massage therapists offer lots of different types of massage Deep Tissue Massage Also known as a sports massage, a deep tissue massage will rejuvenate physical strains you have picked up. Our therapist will use myofascial release techniques to break down problematic scar tissue which will allow your muscles fibres to heal effectively. Deep tissue massages are also recommended as a maintenance massage for those with a physical lifestyle as it will help reset any niggles you are picking up which may result in problems further down the line. This will ensure your muscle performance is optimum and you can concentrate on being your best! Our deep tissue massages are deeper than other massages. Our massage therapist can asses your muscles and apply deep tissue techniques where necessary along with a lighter Swedish massage style on muscles that are less in need of a deep focus. Because a deep tissue massage goes so deep into the muscles, its important that you drink lots of water afterwards to help flush out the toxins our therapist has removed from the muscles. Swedish Massage There is nothing quite like a refreshing, rejuvenating Swedish massage. Not as deep as a sports massage, a Swedish massage, also known as a spa massage is the most relaxing massage imaginable. We recommend this rejuvenating massage for those who maybe are just feeling a little run down and fatigued. After the therapeutic massage you will find yourself totally relaxed, you may even fall asleep during the massage! Foot and Leg Massage Our foot and leg massage concentrates on the often problematic muscles of the lower body. Aches can build up in the calves, hamstrings, hips and thigh muscles. Our massage therapist will asses the muscles as they massage and choose the relevant pressure and technique help restore the holistic balance of the muscles. Head and Neck Massage Also known as an Indian head massage, this massage will address aches and pains in your upper back and neck which can lead to tension headaches, stress headaches, pressure headaches and sinus pressure. Our masseuse will asses the tension in the various muscles and work to ease them, leaving you feeling fresher, calmer and with a clearer head.

Use the buttons below to tell us… James Hughes Very hot and sunny today +5C making the pistes much softer. Off piste avalanche risk is very high, the warm weather is causing the snow pack to move spontaneously. from Bansko The above table gives the weather forecast for Bansko at the specific elevation of 2100 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Bansko. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Bulgaria. Visitor Reviews of Bansko Amanda from United Kingdom writes: 33 of us spent the February half-term in Bansko; our 6th year! We are a party with various levels of ski ability. Pirin 2000 looked after our hire, lessons and bus up the mountain every day. We had another fantastic holiday, eating in Victoria, Motikita, Penguin and Queens. Stayed in Pirin Heights which is a great location, near to the gondola and ski shop and easy walk on a night out. Looking at the snow falling at the moment we are trying to justify another visit at Easter!

Upon arrival at the ski area base, you have the choice of the main cable car or the new gondola. During busy times it is often faster to take the gondola lift to get to the mid-station as lines for the cable car can get really long! The mid station on Les Grands Montets has seen some huge improvements in the past few years. The Bochard telecabine system replaced those 'old eggs' and a new Herse high speed 6-pack chair lift replaced the old two man chair. The new Herse lift starts lower down and closer to the téléphérique making access very easy. There are two restaurants, with snack bars and covered areas for picnics (Hors Sac) plus two ski-test centres. Bochard and Herse Lifts At the top of the Bochard and Herse lifts the ski terrain is steep and glaciated. It is advisable to stay on the marked and controlled pistes. The vast area served by these two lifts offers some fantastic skiing although the top sectors are just on glacier. Avalanche risk will be a moderate to high after fresh snow. The whole area is "skied out" quickly after a snow fall but due to its size there is plenty of exhilarating and challenging skiing. The Bochard lift gives access to the Lavancher Bowl on the left side of the ski area; an extensive bowl; escape the crowds and ski 1000m of descent. Use the Pendant lift at the bottom to return to Lognon (or continue descending the track through the forest to Lavancher village and 1600m of descent). The Summit of the Grands Montets Skiing from the top of the Grands Montets (3300m) is a skiers dream. With a 2000m vertical drop to Argentière, on a good powder day, who needs heli-skiing ?! Two black pistes, Les Pylônes and Point de Vue , run out of the 3300m top station. The possibilities are huge. There is a small snack bar and terrace. Take a short climb up metal steps to the observation platform. The sheer size of the mountains can be deceptive. Over to the south west is the Aiguille du Midi which is in fact over half a kilometre higher! Beyond that is Mont Blanc, another kilometre higher than the Midi.

The driver will be waiting at arrivals on the Swiss side of Geneva airport next to the right hand side of the visitors center (information desk) with a name board with the group leaders name on it. What time should we leave the resort for our outbound transfer? We usually leave three to four hours before the flight takes off however on very busy transfer days or bad driving conditions we may leave earlier. What happens if our flight is delayed will you still pick us up? Yes we will, if the flight is delayed you must call the My Chamonix shuttles number 0033 (0) 642708144 and we will then arrange seating on the next available transfer. Is My Chamonix Shuttles a fully registered and insured business for transporting people? Yes, we hold a full international transport license in all our vehicles and are fully insured for hire and reward. How long would we be waiting at the airport? We aim to depart the airport 1 hour after meeting the driver but we will endeavor to minimize waiting time. If you would like to ensure that you depart the airport as soon as you meet the driver, you could always book a private transfer. Do you work with other companies to get me away quickly from the airport or on time from the resort for my flight? Yes to minimize your waiting time we may transfer you on to one of our partner companies services at no extra cost. Do I need to reconfirm my booking? You will receive a text message the evening before you are due to travel. If you haven't received any message by 18.30hrs please contact the office on 0033 (0) 642 708 144 as we may have an incorrect mobile number for you.

Legendary Chamonix Family Friendly les Houches Unspoilt Servoz Argentière the legend Natural Vallorcine Chamonix tourist office : French ski resort Discover more about Chamonix, the French ski resort lying at the foot of the highest peak in Europe with the official tourist office website of the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc massif. Learn about the three ski areas around the resort, ski hire, ski schools, lift passes and book your dream accommodation online. Experienced skiers or those new to winter sports will find a vast and stunning area with slopes, cross-country tracks and snowboarding for all levels. Enjoying skiing on a romantic break or planning winter fun for all the family, we provide all the information you need to have a memorable stay in this highly popular, French ski resort . Enjoy discovering the villages of the valley such as Les Houches, Vallorcine or take the Mont Blanc Tramway, visit the Mer de Glace, glaciers of Montenvers, your choice of opens the legendary beauty spots of the Alps. Take a virtual tour of the Chamonix valley and get a view of the stunning landscapes... Plan your holidays in Chamonix Mont Blanc in the Alps (France) with the tourist office : accommodation, restaurant, activity, transportation, airport transfer, ski ... French ski resort - Chamonix « Chamonix Mont-Blanc valley, mountain resorts and villages located in the French Alps : Chamonix, Les Houches, Argentière, Servoz et Vallorcine. Prepare your summer holidays with the Chamonix tourist office : choose and book online your mountain holiday, purchase online summer pass Multipass, discover many activities and attractions, check out online webcams and weather in Chamonix, FranceChamonix valley official website © copyright 2015 : Office de Tourisme de la vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Tous droits réservés OFFICES DE TOURISME Cette marque prouve la conformité à la norme NF X 50-730 et aux règles de certification NF237. Elle garantit que les activités d’accueil, d’information, de promotion/communication, de production/commercialisation, de la boutique, de création et gestion d'événements, l’évaluation et l’amélioration de la qualité de service sont contrôlés régulièrement par AFNOR Certification – 11, rue Francis de Pressensé – 93571 LA PLAINE SAINT DENIS Cedex – France

The Chamonix Valley is very famous for its ice falls. In and around Chamonix you can find more than 200 routes for all levels and skills. The valley itself offers you more than 10 spots where you can use your crampons and ice axes. But the good thing is that in a distance of one or two hours driving you can find another two wonderful spots for vertical ice. We're talking about the Swiss Valley of Trient or the Cogne Valley in Italy. Access is easy, with 10-60 mins walk from the road. Some of the ice falls are equipped with belays and most have abseil descents. The icefalls at altitude normally start to form around December. The lower falls start forming from January onwards with the best ice fall climbing months being between January and February. The most famous beginners place is La Cremerie, in Argentiere. Here you can find some nice and easy routes, some of them only 45º steep. But there are plenty of other spots such as the right and left side of the Argentiere Glacier, the Col des Montets, Le Tour and many others. Ice climbing equipment: boots, ice axes, crampons, screws, etc. can be purchased or hired in all the sports shops in the Chamonix Valley. See our list of mountain equipment shops. There are also an abundance of high Mountain Guides and guiding organisations that run ice climbing courses, for beginners and intermediates. The weather, recent snowfall, temperature changes, ice quality and equipment condition are all factors the ice climber should consider. The level of difficulty or grade can also change depending on the ice thickness. Avalanches and falling ice may be a threat. Care should always be taken on approaches. Wear an avalanche tranceivers if in any doubt. You can always hire the services of a Mountain Guides who will take you out ice climbing and ensure your safety.

The first visitors When two young English aristrocrats, William Windham et Richard Pocock, discover the Priory of Chamouni 1741, they have no idea that the recital of their visit to this small mountain village and its glaciers, will have an impact on the whole of Europe. Wealthy tourists, in particular the English, come to admire the mysterious Mer de Glace. The huntsmen and crystal-finders, with their knowledege of the mountains, act as their guides. History from Chamouni to Chamonix The first inn opens in 1770 and marks the early development of the hotel trade and the first mountaineering exploits. The conquest of mont Blanc in 1786, contributes to the demystification of the summits and seals the destiny of this mountain community. The influence of pre-romantic and romantic writers also helps to alleviate the fear of the unknown and consecrates the mountains as being an expression of nature totally preserved. The first luxury hotel was built in 1816 and the hotel industry continued to thrive through the 1800's, crowned by 3 splendid palaces built in the early 1900's. Certain dates are synonymous with the development of summer tourism : the creation of the Compagnie des Guides in 1821 and the inauguration of the Montenvers Mer de Glace cog railway in 1908. 6 years later, there are 39 hotels in the valley ! However the major turning point in Chamonix's development was the creation of road and rail access. In 1866 under the reign of Napoleon III, the first horse-drawn coaches alighted in the village square and in 1901 the railway line between St Gervais Le Fayet and Chamonix was inaugurated. The arrival of the train much improved access to Chamonix in winter and opened the way to winter-sports tourism, with Doctor Payot being the precursor in the valley. Mountains accessible to all The first Winter Olympic games were hosted by Chamonix in 1924 and consecrated the valley as a winter Mecca, with an important number of lifts being built in the ensuing years. First were the Glacier cable cars (no longer existing) and Planpraz, followed by the Brevent, the Aiguille du Midi and the Flégère. Chamonix today, is not only an important tourist destination, but it is also a strategic link with Italy via the Mont-Blanc tunnel. The town strives to maintain a healthy balance between tourist and transport demands and the preservation of an exceptional natural environment. Chamonix, a mountain town of a thousand facets Chamonix has expanded under the influence of tourism and has developed through several different architetcural periods. The town is doted with a rich and diverse architectural heritage where traditional and modern styles rub shoulders. Wander through the town and outlying villages and you will discover baroque churches and protestant chapels dating from several hundred years, hotels and palaces from the golden age, « Art Deco » facades, traditional farmhouses, colossal villas and chalets contrasting with modern constructions. It is this architectural diversity that contributes to Chamonix's unique and undefinable charm Read more Good to know A magnificent fresco dedicated to the famous people who marked the history of our valley awaits you on Rue du Docteur Paccard in Chamonix. Museums and exhibitions Small village recording the everyday life of the village in times past. The "Maison de l’Alpage" allows to discover the exhibition ITINERIO on the theme "Agriculture and landscapes, the major transformations ". Contemporary art gallery that showcases different perspectives on mountain and nature, particularly those with an offbeat and contemporary outlook. The museum’s completion is the culmination of a collaboration between the Mineralogy Club and the town of Chamonix. A house dating from 1750 is home to the museum, recording the mountain way of life via the recreation of a traditional dwelling and displaying everyday obj... In a building dating back to 1480 included in the heritage of the Valley and opened October 12, 2014, you will be transported and aware of mountain agricul... Just a short distance from the centre of Chamonix is this delightful chalet, the “Alpenrose”, which houses the studio and home of Marcel Wibault. The Chamo... Situated at the Col des Montets, the Aiguilles rouges chalet laboratory offers visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the passionate world of fauna an... A living and open place that welcomes visitors, the Maison de la Mémoire et du Patrimoine [Heritage Centre] is designed to allow everyone to familiarise th... A place of discovery designed on the basis of electronic and mechanical systems for a unique, playful experience through a long journey in the Alps from fo... Chamonix valley official website © copyright 2015 : Office de Tourisme de la vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Tous droits réservés OFFICES DE TOURISME Cette marque prouve la conformité à la norme NF X 50-730 et aux règles de certification NF237. Elle garantit que les activités d’accueil, d’information, de promotion/communication, de production/commercialisation, de la boutique, de création et gestion d'événements, l’évaluation et l’amélioration de la qualité de service sont contrôlés régulièrement par AFNOR Certification – 11, rue Francis de Pressensé – 93571 LA PLAINE SAINT DENIS Cedex – France

Find the latest ski and snow report for Chamonix Mont-Blanc, with snow conditions, recent and projected inches of snowfall before heading up to the mountain for a day of skiing. In the snowfall field, scroll left to see the most recently recorded snow totals or scroll right to see the Chamonix Mont-Blanc snow forecast for the next six days. If you're looking at today's data, be sure to note the last updated day and time, as the snow and ski conditions may have changed from the time the snow report was filed. See base depth recorded at the upper mountain, mid mountain and lower mountain stations, along with the current weather at the summit and base elevations. Also check out the Chamonix Mont-Blanc ski report, including number of lifts open, acres open and runs open, as well as the terrain park status. See ski resorts that are nearby this mountain along with projected open and close dates for Chamonix Mont-Blanc.

Not any more – the Chamonix lift company (Compagnie du Mont Blanc) have been pumping millions into new facilities! In fact there are recently installed cabins on the Flégère lift, as well as the Aiguille du Midi and the Grands Montets, and there is a brand new gondola from the base of the Grands Montets, for easier access. Isn’t it all hardcore off piste stuff? No! Sure, there’s plenty of off piste skiing to keep the hardcore skiers happy, but there is an endless supply of low intensity pistes that are clearer than you might expect for those who ski for fun! Aren’t there loads of moguls? Not unless you want them. All green & blue pistes and all but one red are groomed nightly except straight after heavy falls of snow. If you like moguls you can usually find plenty off piste and some on a few special black pistes. ZONE BOSSELLE is the sign to watch out for. There’s also ONE red piste with moguls on the Grands Montets called the Variante Hotel where I’ve seen moguls the size of VW beetles! Do many people speak English? Almost everybody speaks some degree of English! What can I do before I get there in terms of preparation? It’s definitely worth asking hotel / chalet / ski shop staff / lift offices / tourist offices if they think that some lifts might be closed on your first day. Rare, but it can happen, due to heavy snowfall or winds. They’ll advise where to ski and which pass to buy. Check out ski hire prices on line. There are some great deals to be had on packages of boots and skis. Also, most shops are used to swapping boots and skis during your stay if they are not feeling right. You just HAVE to be comfortable! Getting Around Chamonix - isn’t it complicated? Not really - but basic knowledge of the area can help as there’s an AMAZING variety of skiing, landscapes and views on offer. All you really need to do is: Ask at your accommodation for the nearest bus stop or train station. Buses are frequent and as long as you get on the right number, you can’t really go wrong. If in doubt ask the driver politely – they’re used to it. Trains go up the valley from Chamonix all day long. They take 5 mins to Les Praz, 20 to Argentiere and 36 mins to Vallorcine. Finally there’s a handy little shuttle bus called LE MULET that loops round town every 10 minutes from 8:30 to 18:30. Good for avoiding long walks in ski boots! Chamonix transport is a lot less complicated than it might appear and you soon get used to it! Which lift pass should I buy? If the weather’s OK ‘Chamonix Le Pass’ is the cheaper option unless you want to go to: the Aiguille du Midi cable car (for the Vallee Blanche) or the top cable car of Les Grands Montets or Les Houches Ski Resort The Mont Blanc Unlimited costs more (58.50€ per day) and includes some extras skiing in Courmayeur and Verbier. You can always upgrade but you pay for the whole duration of the pass, not just the remaining days. ‘Chamonix Le pass’ costs 48.00€ Euros for a day, or 42, 50€ for 4 hours of skiing. If you’re working on a budget it could be worth asking about the weather before shelling out for a whole week. If a big storm comes in and closes the main lifts, a day or two spent in Les Houches (with a different pass) could wipe out the saving. More info on Chamonix ski passes! If a really big storm comes in and shuts all the lifts for a day or two, or it’s a white out and you want to ski below the tree line, go to Les Houches ski resort (15 minutes by bus from Chamonix) and ski there. Les Houches Ski Resort is included in the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass. However, if there’s been a storm and SOME of the lifts are open and there’s powder up there, you wouldn’t want to miss that would you? Can I buy discounted ski lifts passes? Yes, the Chamonix Ski Lifts company offer some discounted prices for their Annual or Seasonal Ski Passes. From mid August to the end of November each year. More info here. How can i get a Resident Card? In French, this is called a "Carte Gens du Pays", and is for local tax payers. This card can be acquired at the Chamonix City Hall. You need to take a photo and the previous year tax declaration (declaring that you paid your taxes in the Chamonix Valley). More info here.