You can and should have a rest not only in the summer, but also in the cold season. You just need to properly organize your vacation. Of course, many will prefer to go to warm countries on the seashore, but there is a much more interesting option - a ski resort.
The main center of winter recreation is the Alpine Mountains. One of the resort located on the slopes of the Alps is the French resort of Charmoney.
The Charmoney Valley is characterized by snowy winters, during which it can get very cold. However, there are no really cold months, the average temperature in winter is -15 degrees Celsius. In summer, in places of mountain slopes, it does not please with high temperatures, which is not surprising for high mountains.
The average temperature is +14 degrees. If we talk about the city, the monthly air temperature is typical for a temperate climate.
Fun fact: Chamonix is the first capital of the Winter Olympics.
Characteristics and scheme of routes
There is no single ski area, there are several areas separated from each other and differing in level of difficulty. In total, there are hundreds of trails in the valley, the total length of which is 170 kilometers. Moreover, the slopes are divided according to the level of difficulty, so this place will appeal to both professional skiers and beginners. One of the longest routes is the White Valley, which is a descent of twenty kilometers.
The trails are located far from housing, so you need to get to them by buses.
All zones are divided into two categories: high and low.
High ski areas include:
- Le Tour - Vallorcine - Col de Balme - which, in turn, include slopes of the most varied difficulty, from which it is not only convenient to go down, but also to admire the beautiful views of the Charmoney Valley.
- Grand Monte , representing an area characterized by large differences in height, this figure ranges from 1200 to 3300 meters above sea level.
- White Valley which is the most famous skiing area. Its length is twenty kilometers. Moreover, this place is a valley and is distinguished by a large difference in height. All this makes this zone one of the most difficult. So it is hardly suitable for beginners or amateurs. Experienced skiers will love this place.
- Les Houches in contrast to the previous version, it is less complicated, so it is suitable for beginners.
The list of low regions includes:
- Glacier du Mont Blanc - Le Bosson
- Le Planard
- Le Savoy
- Le Pelrain
- Le Chausale
- La Vormin
The main difference between these zones is the low difficulty of overcoming them, which makes them ideal for beginner skiers and snowboarders, as well as for children. In addition to trails suitable for skiing and snowboarding, there are also Olympic slalom trails.
The scheme of the slopes of the ski resort of Chamonix (click to enlarge):
Ski prices and ski passes
Holidays in the French valley of Charmony cannot be called cheap, but it is worth it. Most of the money will be spent on purchasing a ski pass.
- Elite card "Mont Blanc Unlimited", which will allow you to ride on all tracks. Depending on the validity period, it costs for an adult within from 56 to 716 euros... The minimum validity period is 1 day, and the maximum is 20.
- A more budget option is "Chamonix Le Pass"... This card is worth from 46 to 664 euros... There is a one-day card, a ten-day card, and a twenty-day card. However, it should be noted that, unlike the elite card, it is not valid everywhere.
There is a system of discounts for children and seniors.
Accommodation and Accommodation in Chamonix
Accommodation in hotels, based on the conditions and location provided, varies within from 100 to 270 euros per day.
Since the Charmoney Valley is a resort place, that is, all the conditions not only for ensuring the leisure of visitors, but also for their comfortable accommodation. There are many hotels and inns in this place.
Most of the hotels are not certified for the number of stars, so you need to choose from descriptions and reviews. Most of the hotels and inns offer accommodation for one or two people. Hotels in most cases are detached buildings with a small number of floors.
As a service, such hotels offer services such as:
- free Wi-Fi;
- bar and restaurant on its territory;
- TV in the room.
In hotels that can be ranked as elite, the rooms are more luxurious. There is a minibar, air conditioning and other amenities, and on the territory of such a hotel, in addition to a restaurant, there is a sauna or even a spa center and a swimming pool.
The cost of living depends not only on the conditions, but also on the location of the hotel in relation to the ski areas. The closer, the correspondingly more expensive.
The average cost of renting rooms varies within from 7 to 8 thousand rubles per day... So the resort is not budgetary, but the comfort and pleasure you get from staying in the valley are worth it.
