Journey with Christina

Chamonix with its immense snow-covered peaks and alpine adventures has been on my bucket-list for quite some time. With plenty of ski lifts and hiking trails the village is a magnet for visitors year-round. Our amazement of this area began with a stunning ride on the expensive, but worth it, glassed roofed train Mont-Blanc Express. The train took us through the Swiss Alps over the mountain range directly into Chamonix with spectacular landscapes the entire ride.

View from the window of the train.

The charming village of Chamonix.

Chamonix actually has 5 ski areas all within a 30-minute shuttle ride. Unlike anything I had ever seen before the skiing starts halfway up the mountain. As we were there in April this meant that the village was warm and sunny but there was still snow and skiing at the top of the mountain. We also lucked out as it was the end of the season we were able to get an amazing deal for three days of skiing plus access to the Aiguille du Midi lift, the train and entrance to the Mer de Glace (8-mile long glacier) and a ride on the Luge for $100 each. A steal in this high-priced area.

The first thing on our list was to take the gondola 12,600 feet above sea level to the tip of a rock needle known as Aiguille du Midi. My nerves grew as we soared to the top watching the village disappear behind us. Once the gondola reached its destination at the top there was still more to go with an elevator rising through the rock to the summit of the pinnacle. The view of the Alps spread out before you was breathtaking and indescribable. I was just glad I was inside looking at the jagged peaks and not one of the mountain climbers outside attempting to concur it.

The lift up to the top. See the tiny speak on top of the mountain, that is where we are headed.

The station built into the rock

Rock climbers braving the elements.

Jon and I in the glass box at the top.

Once at the top there is so much more to explore. During the summer months, you are able to take another hair-raising gondola ride that stretches 3-miles over the Italian border, with no solid pylon, to Helbronner Point in Italy. In the lift station there are various terraces, tunnels, cafes and information how the station was built, crazy attempts to climb the peak and the effect of altitude on the human body. The top is even the starting point for the 11-mile Vallee Blanche ski run. After passing under an ice tunnel skiers inch their way down an icy ridge to the start of the run. Just looking over the edge was enough to scare me off.

Jon in the ice cave that leads to the ski area.

View of the mountain range and the steep ledge leading to the ski area.

Skiers braving the steep ridge.

After watching all the skiers it was time for Jon and I to hit the slopes at a few of the less intimidating slopes. We skied at both Balme Vallorcine and Flegere. Balme is in the heart of nature with two mountain sides of skiing that overlook the entire Chamonix valley. Flegere has an unrivalled panorama of the surrounding summits. Either way the views were spectacular and the skiing was fantastic!

Jon and I skiing.

Eating in Chamonix is all about savoyarde restaurants serving cheese, cheese and more cheese in the form of fondue, raclette and other cheesy concoctions. Jon and I ordered the obligatory fondue where I happily dug into the oozy deliciousness and he stared at it disappointedly wondering where the meat was.

Jon looking disappointed that his dinner consisted of a pot of cheese and bread.

Where we stayed, we rented an apartment through Tripadvisor, for approximately $48 a night including fees. It was tiny but in a great location with direct views of Mont Blanc. Even though it was tiny the space was organized well. The apartments was technically a studio but they created a folding wall in order to close off the bedroom area. The bus station as well as the ski shuttles were only a few minutes-walk and there was a lockable ski locker on the first floor.

Our tiny but functional apartment in Chamonix.