Once a very quiet hunting and crystal hunting town, Chamonix opened it’s first inn in 1770 making it one of the oldest resorts in the Alps. The main attraction which brought visitors there is still one of the strong drawing points for the town today: the Mer de Glace. Rich men and women would come to marvel at its magnificence, guided by the crystal finders who knew the terrain and some of its dangers too.
Despite the wonderful landscape, tourism to Chamonix was slow due to it being hard to reach. This problem was partly cured with the rising of the local railway and building road access. In 1901, the first arrival of a horse drawn coach arrived into the town square. In 1906, completion of the cogged Montenvers railway allowed easy access to the Mer de Glace. By this point there was now 36 hotels in Chamonix with the small town expanding rapidly.
Chamonix is now a very popular tourist destination in both summer and winter time. Some tourists are just attracted to the scenic views of Mont Blanc and are happy to gaze at Chamonix’s wonders. Whereas other people are attracted to the more adventurous side of the town, with it being a hotspot for many extreme sports. Now summer is nearly here, we invited Chamonix accommodation experts, Chamonix All Year, to list the top 4 activities to do in Chamonix during the warmer months.
The Sea of Ice and Ice Caves
Sightseeing at the Aguille du Midi and Mer de Glace is a must and best done within the same day as they can both be accessed using the Mont Blanc unlimited day pass. The Aguille du Midi will take you up to 3800m which is higher that most people will have ever been and certainly high enough for you to feel the affect of altitude. From here you can gain fantastic views of Mont Blanc, the Chamonix valley and the surrounding peaks.
After you come back down you can get straight onto the Montenvers cogged railway where you can experience a majestic view of the Mer de Glace. It is a very novel experience on a hot day to visit the ice caves that are carved into the glacier.
Something More Daring
If you fancy a little adventure with great views then powerponting is a must. With France’s high safety and instructor regulations there is no safer place to do such an activity. Plus the views you will experience are unmatched by anywhere else in the world.
Hike High Up
There are many walking trails that are easily accessible from Chamonix town, however some of the shorter walks (above 2000m) can be accessed easily by using telecabines. By catching the cable cart up you can save your self the long tiring walk to the top and get straight to some wonderful ridge lines. Often these fabulous walks take less than 1hr 30 but will pass over some of the best views of the valley.
Biking For Everyone
If you enjoy the faster paced things in life then the mountain biking in Chamonix is a must. There are trails to suit every riders level: from gentle rides on flat trails to viscous adrenaline-pumping downhill tracks. All of which are regularly maintained and easily accessible by the lift. Renting a bike is no issue ether with plenty of shops renting top of the range bikes of every style.
For more information on Chamonix in the summer, do check out Chamonix All Year for a wide range of activities.
