Chamonix is a place that the whole family can enjoy, no matter their interests, and is unbeatable when it comes offering variety on your holiday.
If you are thinking of bringing your family here for your ski holiday the short transfer time from the airport (an hour's drive from Geneva) is a real bonus. There are five individual ski areas in the Chamonix valley, each providing good nursery slopes and excellent children's ski schools. It can be helpful to have a car at your disposal if you would like to explore more than one ski area during your stay. Whilst there are regular buses and trains that run from each village to the ski areas, these can be busy at peak times which can be unnerving for small children. Even better, look to stay in a hotel or chalet that provides free minibus transfers to the ski slopes and back, by far the easiest option!
The town of Les Houches (a few kilometres down from Chamonix) is a very popular choice with families and has its own ski area with nursery slopes, dedicated family play areas and some ski-in/ski-out accommodation.
Wherever you stay in the Chamonix valley, it's useful to ensure that your accommodation, ski hire and ski school meet-up points are all in the same locality so that getting to your ski school or the ski lifts is not too arduous - important when you are carrying more than one set of skis! Have a look at a Map of Chamonix. Chamonix sits in a valley at an altitude of 1,035m so it doesn't get as cold as some other high mountain resorts - it's a bit easier for babies and toddlers to deal with. That's not to say the ski area is low lying, with most slopes above 2,000m it is not unusual to still be skiing in Chamonix in May.
Chamonix is a great option for a summer holiday as well. The Alps are very beautiful in summer with hot sunny days and cool nights, and plenty of activities and events to keep you occupied.
Situated just over an hour from Geneva airport, Chamonix lies in the shadow of Mont Blanc, at the border of France, Switzerland and Italy. There is a real international feel to the place, not just from tourists but from individuals and families who have decided to settle here from all over the world. Come and find out why.