The World Cup action in Chamonix proved to be one of the most exciting of the season. Here is my personal guide to the resort and how I feel you can get the most out of one Europe's top ski centres.
Chamonix is more of a town than a ski resort which brings both pros and cons...
You need a car as the skiing is varied and in all corners of the resort. The five main ski areas are spread along a 23 km valley. However there is a free bus service to get you around. To take advantage of all these areas purchase the Chamonix skis pass which is the best way to enjoy the lot.
Over the years Chamonix has developed an extreme hard core image attracting adrenalin junkies to its amazing off piste and mountains. Unfortunately many of these skiers and boarders think they are better than they really are, with a lot of accidents and dangerous situations occurring on a regular basis.
My advice for skiing Chamonix is clear.
ALWAYS ski with a fully qualified guide off piste and ski instructor on piste.
These professionals will make your holiday far more enjoyable, safer and will help you get the most from the amazing scenery that surrounds the resort.
Flegere, Brevent, and Les Grands Montet are all best skied with an instructor or a guide and the cable ride up to the Aguille du Midi is the longest in Europe and simply breathtaking.
My first tip is to visit Annecy on the way to Chamonix from Geneva, a beautiful town on the lake with superb markets, shops and restaurants. If you want to stay longer stay, you can at former British Ski racer and Salomon marketing manager Mike Vaugton's B&B "La Ferme du Champ Pelaz".
Mike and wife Katy run the beautiful hotel summer and winter, and is ideal to explore the whole Haute Savoie Area and of course talk ski racing!
(www.champ-pelaz.com)
In Chamonix you must ski the World Cup Downhill run in Les Houches, top to bottom if you can, 3.3 km all the way...
Feel your legs burn at 1 km and think of those racers skiing the course at 70 mph!!!!
When in the Chamonix centre at Les Houches a must visit is the British Ski Academy based in the Hotel Etoile des Neiges just off the High street.
The Academy Chief Executive is former British downhill racer Malcolm Erskine who runs a highly successful program training and watching Britain's ski stars of the future.
From 8 years old with their parents for two weeks to young teenagers dedicated to becoming the next Alain Baxter or Herman Maier, the class rooms, training and general moral gave both Konrad Bartelski and I a real feeling of a bright future for British skiing. Malcolm will welcome you with coffee or lunch.
Please leave a donation to help our rising stars £1,000 keeps a young junior in training for 2 weeks!!
(admin@britskiacad.org.uk)
Back to Chamonix and time to eat, drink and enjoy the apres ski:
My favourite hotel is Mont Blanc. However there were no rooms at the inn for us this year!! In previous World Cups this has proved best of a bad bunch. To be honest chalets are the best option in Chamonix.
My favourite restaurant for good food, brilliant value, wine list and friendly staff is Restaurant Atmosphere. Owner Robert Jensen has the best venue, staff and chef in town. Too successful is the only negative so book early (0033 4 50 55 97 97)
My second choice for local specialties is La Bengerie near the train station which offers great value food, a friendly and a truly rustic mountain experience (0033 450 53 45 04)
 Darron Rahlves and Nick in the bar Goofy |
Apres Ski Bars now. Again this year I was disappointed with some of the over-English, over-drunken bars. In town I enjoyed Goofy and celebrated there with American downhill racer Darron Rahlves.
On the mountain I have yet to find any good mountain restaurants to dine in... So any comments are welcome!
Chamionix has had some tough press lately and I agree with the locals negative feelings towards the way tourism is developing.
My advice is to ignore the hype of extreme skiing and enjoy Europe's largest mountains, one of Europe's oldest resorts and the pleasant local people. Put your faith in locals, guides, instructors to find the best bars and restaurants. Chamonix is there to be enjoyed...
Let me know your time on the downhill and enjoy!!
Nick Fellows
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