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The ultimate luxury ski destination
Come to Chamonix on your next luxury ski trip
Experience what the VIP treatment feels like in Chamonix.
You wake up in a plush, warm bed. As you open the curtains, a breathtaking panorama opens up before your eyes: soft, powdery snow falls on Western Europe's highest peak, the mighty Mont Blanc. After tucking into a Michelin-star-worthy breakfast, a chauffeur whisks you to some of the most legendary ski slopes in the world...
Chamonix has been welcoming high-flying visitors since the 18th century when in 1741 two English aristocrats, William Windham and Richard Pococke set foot in the valley and named the glacier at Montenvers the "Mer de Glace". They opened the way for a flood of international tourists who came to see the imposing mountains and explore its mysteries.
Since then, Chamonix has received many famous visitors who have cemented its reputation as a luxury destination. Scientists like Saussure, Louis Pasteur and Marie Curie; writers like Goethe, Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, George Sand, Charles Dickens and Gustave Flaubert; painters such as Turner, or royals like Empress Josephine have all been attracted to the valley's stunning scenery.
More recently, Chamonix has hosted celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Michael Fassbender and his wife Alicia Vikander, Anthony Bourdain... the list goes on.
Caught your attention yet? If you're still unsure, here are some reasons why we think Chamonix should be your next luxury ski holiday destination.
Unbeatable location
There is just no place like Chamonix. Tucked away in a narrow valley, you never tire of looking up and staring in wonder at those magnificent giants. What's even better, you can take a cable car up to 3,842m, from where you can see all the way into the Swiss and Italian Alps and feel like an adventurous mountaineer without leaving the safety of the top of the Aiguille du Midi station. The bottom of the valley, with its chocolate-box chalets and colourful 19th-century hotels, is also picture-perfect and boasts extraordinary VIP services that are second to none.
Luxury catered chalets
The valley is dotted with high-end chalets. Staying in one is like staying in a five-star hotel, only better! Wake up to the smell of freshly-cooked breakfast made by your private chef, travel to the slopes in style with a professional chauffeur who will even pack your gear and warm up your ski boots, come back to a delicious baked treat perfect to regain your strength after a day on the pistes and enjoy a glass of fine wine with canapés whilst your host prepares a gourmet dinner. For the ultimate hassle-free holiday, a concierge service will organise it all for you, from equipment hire to instructors, guides, lift passes, summer activities and even wine tastings, massages or restaurant reservations... everything will be taken care of for you, you just need to relax and enjoy your luxury break in the mountains.
Michelin-starred restaurants
What is a luxury tourist destination in France without its Michelin-starred restaurants? And Chamonix, despite its relatively small size, boasts not only one but two stars. Plus you'll find there are a number of Michelin recommended restaurants.
One-in-a-lifetime experiences
The Chamonix Valley is famous for its challenging skiing and range of off-piste routes available. The ease with which you can access the backcountry here is unparalleled, thanks to the lifts that whizz you up to the peaks of the Mont Blanc range. Of course, the legendary Vallé Blanche should be on any skier's bucket list, so book your private mountain guide and ski down 20 stunning kilometres on a wild glacier.
VIP transfers
To get to Chamonix from the airport in style book your very own private helicopter transfer. Fly from Geneva to the heart of resort in a matter of minutes while you feel like a million bucks.
Five-star hotels
There's a handful of five-star hotels in the Chamonix valley. These mountain retreats all offer incredible services and facilities: gourmet restaurants, spas, indoor and outdoor pools, free shuttle services to the ski slopes.
Fabulous spas
It's not all outdoor adventures and adrenaline-fuelled action in Chamonix, the valley also has some of the best spas in the Alps. Offering an oasis of peace and tranquility, they offer indoor pools, jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, some even boast a tepidarium and an ice cave. All there to help you soothe your sore muscles after a day on the slopes.
The latest gear
Local equipment hire shops must cater for Chamonix's discerning visitors, usually well-versed on the latest gear innovations, so they boast an excellent selection of skis, boots and snowboards to rent out. You'll not only find Alpine skis here but also splitboards, touring skis, cross-country skis, Telemark skis and even snowscoots and snowshoes, as well as avalanche and mountaineering equipment. Many of the ski hire shops will also travel to your accommodation to tailor your rentals to your specific needs.
High class ski lessons
To get the most out of a ski lesson, nothing beats one-on-one tuition. There is a whole host of professional private instructors in the Chamonix Valley who will help you carve your first turns on the snow, improve your technique or just show you the best hidden powder stacks in the valley.
Vibrant nightlife
No ski holiday would be complete without a healthy dose of après-ski fun. La Folie Douce has become party central in Chamonix thanks to its quirky bashes at the foot of the Brévent slopes featuring live music, costumed characters and champagne showers.
More inspiration...
These are just 10 of the dozens of reasons why Chamonix is the perfect luxury ski destination. This will be a holiday you'll never forget!
