I don’t know how many times we have commented to each other as to how beautiful the views are of the mountains surrounding Chamonix but it would be every time we gaze up either out of our windows or when we are walking around town, it really is spectacular. It certainly does help your opinion of a place if you find it so appealing to look at.
Chamonix itself is a massive place and while we are in the main centre there are smaller villages all part of the Chamonix valley spreading for about 10km in each direction up and down the valley. The size of the place means that even though we are going to be here for a few months we will only be able to scratch the surface of all there is to do!
On one of our first wanders around the town we came across an Irish bar which has free pool, shows the sport and has some lovely bar staff. The free pool meant that after even our first night we had met quite a few locals and I can see we might be spending a few nights there over the season!!! The locals we have met have all been super friendly and encouraging which has been very welcoming for us.
It hasn’t been all drinking though we have also gone to watch the local ice hockey team the Chamonix Pioneers which was a great night! The venue was packed and the atmosphere quite good too. I have no idea what the standard of the ice hockey was but it was a win for the Pioneers and a great night out. I think we are going to have a great time exploring Chamonix and all there is to do whilst not on the slopes.
The mood in any ski resort is always somewhat dependent on the amount of snowfall and so when Santa gave us all the present of over a metre of snow for Chrismas eve everyone in the resort was smiling. We certainly were and while it was obviously a great couple of powder days it also meant that all the ski areas opened.
Unlike other ski resorts we have been to Chamonix is different in that it is made up of lots of smaller ski areas that are only really interconnected by road in the valley. Our ski pass means we can access at least 10 different ski areas (one of which is in Italy!) So you have to decide where you want to go and then catch the bus there. Luckily we have our van so we have been loading up with all our ski gear in the morning and driving to different places. It’s been quite a different experience and so far quite exciting as we have so much to explore and the drive is certainly not too difficult. The highlight is having a flask of tea at the end of the day when we get back to the van.
All in all our first few weeks in Chamonix have been absolutely wonderful and we couldn’t be happier having decided to do a winter season here! T