Chamonix Ski

Skiing is taken seriously at Chamonix. The slopes at the all-year round resort offers some of the most exhilarating off-piste escapades for experienced skiers, with the 20km run starting on the Géant glacier providing panoramic views of the Matterhorn, the Western Alps and across the Pont Helbronner to Italy.

Chamonix's extreme skiing reputation belies its more leisurely offerings: the town also offers a wide range of other sporting activities, a vibrant nightlight and exceptional scenery.

The lively streets of Chamonix are lined with a colourful mix of restaurants, shops, bars and cafés. Every Saturday the town hosts an outdoor market brimming with local crafts and produce.

But with so many activities on offer, choosing can be tricky. To help, we round up our top three:

The Vallee Blanche
This famous descent - an astonishing 2700 vertical metres - is the adventure of a lifetime. It starts off at the Aiguille du Midi, zipping over the crevasse-riddled Mer de Glace glacier and heads back to Chamonix through the forest. It can only be attempted with a specially trained mountain guide in tow. Arrange through your concierge.

Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice)
The world-famous Mer de Glace or Sea of Ice is 7km long and moves 70m a year. The Train du Montenvers, a quaint 5km-long cog railway opened in 1909, connects Chamonix' Gare du Montenvers with Montenvers, from where a cable car transports you down to the glacier and the Grotte de la Mer de Glace, an ice cave whose frozen tunnels and ice sculptures change colour like mood rings.

Spa Day
The Heliopic Spa features a large pool complete with fireplace and swing chairs where you can perch or doze off after a refreshing swim. There is also a tepidarium, banya, ice cave, cold water wells and a Turkish steam bath as well as a wide selection of treatments. Further information, Heliopic Sweet and Spa