What's New in Chamonix winter 2016-17

There's been plenty happening in Chamonix this summer and interseason, with changes to some of our favourite bars, shops, restaurants and a bit of the ski area too. Here's a run down of what's new in Chamonix this winter.

Brand Name

Since the Compagnie du Mont Blanc, who operate Chamonix's lift systems now have majority ownership of Megeve (Evasion Mont Blanc) ski area and lifts, the combined area has now been renamed or rebranded as "Mont Blanc Natural Resort."

Ski Area

The new, faster Parsa chair lift and drag lifts have been being built all summer and should be ready for winter, making the beginner area up there a little more fluid as well as making it easier to get from Flegere to Plan Praz at the end of the day (as long as the seats are all filled!).

Not just one, but 3 new ski jumps have been built near the Grépon / Aiguille du Midi car park and they're ready to use this winter. Although they'll predominantly be used for competitions and practise, ESF will be offering you the chance to come and test them out. We'll be sending one of our team over to experience what it's like to fly like Eddie the Eagle as soon as possible so watch our activity review page for updates!

New stairs have been built up at Grands Montets, replacing the old, slightly wonky ones that led from the top station of the cable car down onto the glacier.

Bars

Chambre Neuf, one of Chamonix's most popular apres ski bars, is having a refit. As far as we know so far, they are changing the layout of the bar, making it three-sided and positioned on the left hand side as you walk in. Will it make more room for dancing and crowd surfing? We'll have to wait and see...

The Lapin Agile is no more and has been replaced with a new restaurant and winebar called Beurre Noisette. The new owners have installed some rather large front windows letting lots more light in upstairs. Outside, the pavement has been extended, making a much larger street side area which I'm sure they'll take advantage of next summer or on sunny winter days.

Buonissimo cafe and deli on the main high street has been open since summer and offers fantastic wine, great platters of Italian charcuterie and cheeses at really reasonable prices, plus you can shop from the deli inside for lots of great regional Italian products.

Restaurants & Cafés

La Moraine restaurant near the Aiguille du Midi train station is having a refit too. They are completely redesigning the bar area and potentially the restaurant too.

La Crémerie des Aiguilles in Gaillands is under new management and also having a refit. This unassuming little chalet lies at the far end of the Lac des Gaillands, near the Pelerins train stop and was well loved for its grill. We'll have to wait and see what it transforms into.

For something a little more exotic, there's a new Middle eastern & Moroccan tea room called Au Touareg in Cham Sud with lots of interesting flavours on the menu. Watch this space for a review.

La Fine Bouche (which used to be the Petite Kitchen) is now a nice, little cafe-come-deli located on the car park near the main roundabout, not far from Place Mont Blanc. This car park is also being changed to barrier / paid entry now too, so no more free parking here unless you have a Via Cham card.

Hotels

The Alpina is having a huge refit on the ground floor at the moment, this first phase of the work should be ready by 15th Dec, then phase two starts in April 2017 and will finish on time for the winter 2017-18 season. Expect a complete transformation!

Les Cretes Blanches is no more, it's now going to be called Hotel Le Genepy and has also had a big refit and remodel with smart looking new rooms and decor. It's also changing to an aparthotel, with small apartments available as opposed to individual rooms.

The brand new Rocky Pop Hotel in Les Houches is set to open on 5th December and has a really vibrant and colourful design throughout its rooms and communal spaces. Something a little different to the norm.

Hotel du Clocher has had a refit with all of the rooms getting a make over, plus an additional floor was added on top, which we believe may be a private apartment. It's looking a lot smarter from the outside too.

Le Castel in Les Praz has taken the place of the old Rhododendrons in summer this year. Goodbye to a popular old friend and hello to a rather uniquely styled new hotel.

Shops

There's a new Arc'teryx & Salomon shop (previously Cocquoz sports), as well as a Norrona shop (previously Salomon) on the opposite corners of the crossroads near the Aiguille du Midi train station. Pop in on 10th December for a chance to meet their ambassadors & enter a prize draw to win €1200 of ski gear.

Intersport Pitte sports and ski hire shop has expanded again into what was the perfume shop near Banque Populaire in the centre of Chamonix. Could the shop get any bigger? Yes...

Slash bike shop opened up this summer on Rue Joseph Vallot and, in winter, Guillaume will be stocking Burton & K2 snowboards with a limited range of Vans clothing.

Pain Fleury bakery, also on Rue Joseph Vallot, will be becoming a wine shop very shortly, work has just started. We're sad to see the back of Hervé's baking, although he will still be supplying hotels and restaurants in the area.

Evolution 2 ski & adventure specialists are setting up in a new hub on Rue des Moulins which will be open year round from 2nd week of December 2016. Pop in to say hi, it's across the street from Bard'Up.

l'Occitane are opening up a new shop on Rue Dr Paccard, on the right hand side at the very top end of the high street. The doors should be opening on 16th December, just in time to get some Christmas gifts!

Fitness

Chamonix 1 Fitness studio has recently opened with Super Circuits, Kettlercise and Ski Fit all making use of the new space (which used to be the Petit VIP) on Rue Marie Paradis. Super Circuit classes take place on Mondays at 18:30, with Kettlercise on Tuesdays.

Spa

The new QC Terme spa that's being built behind the sports centre in the centre of Chamonix was due to be opening this winter, but we've just heard that they probably won't be opening until June 2017 now... sorry, but you'll have to wait a little longer!

For the Kids

La Petite Folie has opened up in Chamonix Sud, offering a safe soft play area for kids and a cafe for adults 7 days a week.

Ice Hockey

Chamonix and Morzine Hockey teams have combined and are now called Les Pionniers. You can catch up on their Chamonix fixtures this season by heading to our events calendar to see when they're playing at home.

If you think we've missed anything out or have something new you want to tell our readers about, you can leave a comment in the box below.