Vallée Blanche private guide
At the summit of the Aiguille du Midi you will find the Vallée Blanche!

© Rifugio Bonatti
Very plush refuge with stunning views back over the Mont Blanc massif
Situated in the Val Ferret valley in Italy at the mouth of the vallée de Malatra, the Rifugio Bonatti has stunning views on all sides and is relatively easy to access at all times of year.
The refuge can be reached from Courmayeur.
Once in Entrèves take the Val Ferret, continuing to Lavachey. The refuge is located on the orographic left side of this valley, at 2,025m. Its location is a good vantage point of the Mont Blanc massif.
In addition to being an ideal starting point for tours of varying difficulty and length, it’s a rest stop of the TMB (Tour Mont Blanc), the T.G.B. (Tour the Great St. Bernard) and Alta Via # 1.
Accommodation can be booked bed only, or including breakfast and/or dinner. Beds are provided with blankets and pillows but for hygiene reasons you must provide your own sheet or sleeping bag liner (they can also be rented at the refuge depending on availability).
Please contact the refuge directly for this season's prices and its opening and closing dates.
In the winter time you leave your car at Entréves (take a shuttle) or Planpincieux.
Walk along the trail and reach the location Lavachey.
Before the wooden bridge, the trail 28 that goes through the woods.
At the junction for Sécheron / Val Arminaz, you turn left on the path and climb until you reach the open area in sight of the refuge.
At the summit of the Aiguille du Midi you will find the Vallée Blanche!
Your holiday time in the Chamonix valley is valuable. Every day counts. Every moment should be a special one.
Mont Blanc on skis is the ultimate way to reach the highest peak in western Europe. This is an epic end of ski-season challenge!
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
As heliskiing is not permitted in France, this company offers trips from a number of different resorts in Italy and Switzerland. Each trip departs from Chamonix.
Chamonix's own Cinema VOX is situated right in the centre of town, slightly tucked back on the Place Balmat (main square in the centre). There are three recently refurbished screens equipped with digital 3D projectors show the latest French and International films, as well as a number of premieres and specialist mountain-sports films.
Situated in La Folie Douce Hotel, it's the perfect place for traditional alpine cuisine with a modern twist.
This tastefully refurbished restaurant and bar are right in the heart of Chamonix on the popular Avenue Michel Croz, close to the train station.
You will find a takeaway bar and a self-service restaurant in this magnificent wooden chalet at the bottom of the Tabé chairlift.
Located underneath the Autannes chairlift at Le Tour, this restaurant is one of the best mountain restaurants in the resort.
This elegant restaurant is situated in La Folie Douce Hotel.
Great quality ingredients lovingly prepared.
Step into the Void is a visitor attraction on the Aiguille du Midi, a reinforced glass box suspended 1,000m above the void.
The Aiguille du Midi is the highest point that can be accessed by cable car in the Chamonix valley. The station stands at 3,842m and is situated directly across from Mont Blanc.
The Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola operates during the summer months, connecting the Aiguille du Midi with the Skyway Monte Bianco lift at Helbronner, on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
No trip to Chamonix should be complete without a visit to the legendary Mer de Glace, the longest and arguably the most impressive glacier in the Chamonix valley. It is also the largest glacier in France.
The main central library for Chamonix which houses the occasional exhibition and lectures.
The museum is currently closed for renovations
Les Planards is very much a family and beginner area, with nursery slopes and other fun activities on offer. Situated just beside the Montenvers Train station it's easily accessible.
This ticket office not only sells tickets for the Montenvers train but also all other lift passes for the area that Compagnie du Mont Blanc cover.
The Aiguille du Midi summits at a height of 3,842m and is the starting point for the famous Vallée Blanche off-piste route. There is a dedicated lift pass office here which can sell you tickets not only for the Midi but also any of the other lifts in the valley.
The Chamonix cross-country ski trails are easily accessed from the centre of town and are located near to the sports centre.
La Flégère is a large south-facing ski area accessed by a cable car from the village of Les Praz; you can reach this lift pass office at the bottom of the cable care in just 10 minutes by bus, train or car from Chamonix town.
The Brévent gondola delivers efficient high-speed access to the ski area, from the centre of Chamonix town - almost.
Chamonix is a lively market town known as both a world-class ski resort and mountaineering destination. Consequently, it is bustling with activity, in both the winter and summer seasons. Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Chamonix is bordered by Switzerland and Italy and dominated by the incredible Aiguilles de Chamonix mountain chain which peaks at the top of Mont Blanc (4,810m) - the highest in Western Europe.
Les Praz is a small picturesque village on the outskirts of Chamonix. The village is surrounded by forests and streams making it an idyllic mountain hideaway and a popular place to live. You will find many chalet-style properties in this area. It is also home to a number of good bars and restaurants.
Les Bossons is a sleepy little village just a five-minute drive from the centre Chamonix on the road to Les Houches. It is fairly spread out and consists mainly of chalet-style properties and is popular with families due to its school.
Argentière is a picturesque village within the Chamonix Valley and is just a short 10-minute car journey from Chamonix town. This charming village has been less affected by wealthy tourists and ex-patriots from various countries who have chosen to make their living in the mountains. It therefore retains a lot of authentic French charm and has a beautiful unspoilt high street with patisseries, boulangeries and wine bars.
Le Tour is a small, quaint little village at the far end of the Chamonix Valley in the Domaine de la Balme area. Take a stroll around the back streets to see some of the classically Alpine-style houses and the church dome. Look up to see the glaciers reaching down towards you, which are really impressive even in the height of summer.
Les Houches is one of the largest towns in the Chamonix Valley, spreading over 8km from Vaudagne and the Col de Voza at one end, towards the bottom of the Taconnaz glacier and the Merlet Animal park at the other.
Find out all about what is happening in the Chamonix valley and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsChamonix hosts a wide range of sporting events throughout the year. The biggest ones include the Mont Blanc Marathon in June and the UTMB trail running race in August. In March, the Unlimited Festival brings ravers to the mountains while Musilac Mont Blanc takes place a month later. At the end of July, the Cosmo Jazz Festival hosts concerts all around the valley.
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