Chamonix in summer
Chamonix is one of the most famous Alpine towns in the world. Situated right under the shadow of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, Chamonix is packed with holiday-makers and tourists throughout the year. This gives the town a real vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere and makes it a great place to visit.
As well as being a top-class ski resort, Chamonix is the host to some of the best downhill and cross country mountain bike trails in the world. It is only one hour’s drive away from Geneva Airport and because it is busy right through the year the town has more to offer in the way of nightlife and entertainment than many other Alpine destinations.
Like many Alpine destinations, the tracks at Chamonix are quite challenging. If you’ve had some experience with mountain biking before there are some excellent single-track routes, but it is quite steep and technical in places. If you’re not such a fan of single-track there is also a mass of pine forestry around Chamonix with a wide range of gradients, and because of the scale of the mountains it’s possible to find routes that can take hours to traverse.
For those who prefer downhill, Chamonix has a small number of courses and Jump parks. However, due to the natural terrain it is better suited to those who like single-track and free ride routes, and there may not be enough dedicated downhill for a real downhill enthusiast.
Of course, if you’re a beginner there are plenty of routes at Chamonix that aren’t only for the experts. Nearby at Le Tour, Les Houches and down on the floor of the Valley there are plenty of routes that would suit any level. If you are a beginner, Chamonix might not be the ideal resort, but if you fancy an Alpine holiday and might want to spend the odd day cycling, there is so much to do in and around Chamonix that it’s the perfect place for you.
Even though the ski season is very much in full swing, tour operators like Alpine Elements have already begun to offer summer activity holidays, take a look at their website to pick up some great
ski deals. Booking with a tour operator is a good idea as they have a great amount of experience transferring people to and from the airports, and of course there is the extra security of ATOL protection should something go wrong.