Travel to Chamonix-Mont Blanc
August 6, 2020: First travel after Covid-19 Lockdown in Hungary. 160 days. The evening of Feb 28 I landed from a business trip in Budapest not knowing, but suspecting, the world was about to turn upside down. 160 days in 1 location. 160 days is the same bed. It’s been longer than I can remember since I’ve spent this much time in just one place. Beastie (my beloved backpack) and I are back in action. A one-way air ticket to Geneva. A one-way bus ticket to Chamonix. The Alps are calling. Let the adventure begin. @ Zürich Airport changing planes for Geneva, the closest airport to Chamonix.
For travel from Geneva Airport to Chamonix, France I chose BlaBla Bus. Great choice. You can book online ahead of time. I was unsure if I could make the bus that was scheduled 20 minutes after I landed so I purchased the bus after that one to ensure I would be guaranteed a seat. Turns out, I did make it and there was room on the bus so the driver allowed me to jump on the early one. It’s approximately 1 hour 40 minutes on the bus to get from Geneva Airport to Chamonix Sud – Bus Station. There were a number of buses running throughout the day and, at the time of this writing, the cost was $19 euro. Highly recommended. https://www.ouibus.com/destinations
Once your arrive be sure to acquire a Carte d’Hôte (Guest Card) that allows you to have FREE access to a shuttle bus service throughout the Chamonix Valley. The Guest Card should be given to you on your arrival by your accommodation provider. If you don’t receive it, be sure to ASK!!
I stayed in a lovely hotel in the city centre, right on the river, called Chamonix Les Gourmets - Chalet Hotel, 96 Rue du Lyret, Chamonix City Centre, Chamonix, 74400, France. With views of the river, Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi as well as a balcony to enjoy…it was ideal.
The Chamonix Valley stretches from Servoz to Barberine on the Swiss border. The main towns (working up the Valley from Servoz) include Les Houches, Les Bossons, Chamonix, Les Praz, Argentiere, Montroc / Le Tour and Vallorcine.
Ski areas: Chamonix is not a “ski in - ski out” purpose built resort, but rather a town which became the world capital of mountaineering and developed into a world renowned ski resort. It is actually 5 ski resorts and one famous off-piste (completely unmarked and unpatrolled) lift access (the Aiguille du Midi).
There is something amazing to do every season of the year.
The main ski lift areas (working up the Valley) are:
In Les Houches = Les Houches,
In Chamonix = Le Brevent and the Aiguille du Midi (off piste only, the Vallee Blanche)
In Les Praz = La Flégère
In Argentiere = Les Grands Montets
In Le Tour/Vallorcine = Le Tour/Balme
As I am a hiker, not a skier, I will be using several of these lifts to access high altitude trails.
