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Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a town and
commune in eastern France, in the Haute-Savoie département, at
the foot of Mont Blanc. At the census of 1999 it had a
population of 9,830 inhabitants and a land area of 116.53 km²
(44.99 sq mi). The town lies at an altitude of 1,035 metres. The
1924 Winter Olympics were held at Chamonix.
Mountain sports
Chamonix is a popular
winter sports resort in France. The 1924 Winter Olympics
were held here. As the highest European mountain west of Russia,
Mont Blanc holds a special allure for mountain climbers, and Jon
Krakauer, in an essay in his collection Eiger Dreams, described
the town as "the death-sport capital of the world" because
Chamonix serves as an ideal playground for almost all types of
outdoor activity, especially in their more extreme variants,
such as ice climbing, rock climbing, extreme skiing,
paragliding, rafting, canyoning.
Chamonix is famous for its spectacular cable car up to the
Aiguille du Midi (3842m). Constructed in 1955 it was then the
highest cable car in the world. Together with a cable car system
going up to the Point Helbronner (3462m) from Entréves in the
Aosta Valley (Italy) it is possible to cross the entire Mont
Blanc Massif by cable car.
In the summer months Chamonix is a mecca for alpine
mountaineers, drawn to the area by challenges like the north
face of the Dru, the Frendo Spur on the Aiguille du Midi,
traversing the Alps on the legendary GR 5 footpath or more
accessible challenges like summiting Mont Blanc (by a number of
possible routes).
Apart from high-mountain summer sports, Chamonix is also a
destination for the hardcore mountain biker. As well as the
obvious lift-assisted areas for Freeriders there are hundreds of
kilometres of challenging hidden singletrack trails - often only
found with the help of guides.
Chamonix is also a haven for advanced skiing and snowboarding.
The Vallée Blanche glacier runs down from below Mont Blanc du
Tacul and the Aiguille du Midi to the valley. This spectacular
route can be skied or snowboarded, though care should be
exercised due to crevasses. Aside from that, the valley has
about six separate ski areas, including Le Brévent (a short but
steep walk from the town centre), La Flégère (at Les Praz), Les
Planards (ski area for beginners and early intermediates), Les
Grands Montets (at Argentière) and Domaine de Balme (at Le
Tours). Many of these provide challenging terrain, especially
off-piste, with runs down to Switzerland.
There is also a ski resort at Les Houches.
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