With Mont Blanc towering behind as a backdrop, skiers are attracted by the challenging terrain and breathtaking glacial scenery. Many consider Chamonix to be the centre of the skiing world as well as a year-round resort and the HQ of everything mountaineering in the summer. With the added bonus of being only a one hour transfer from Geneva, Chamonix is, to many, the perfect ski holiday weekend destination. The streets of the old town are a mix of old-world elegance with French charm and the cobbled pedestrian centre, with a river that runs through it, is compact and easily accessible. The town is busy and has a lively nightlife with shops selling everything from ski gear to high-end jewellery and watches. It is home to an excellent array of restaurants, bars and late night bars/clubs to guarantee the excitement is not just confined to the slopes. For those looking for a more relaxing apres scene on their ski holiday, there is a cinema, a bowling alley, an ice rink and a large sports centre with an indoor pool. Despite its reputation for steep runs and extreme off-piste terrain, the Chamonix Valley has 155 kms of piste with runs catering for all abilities. Beginners are well catered for at Le Tour or Les Houches, with much more gentle skiing in comparison to the other areas so it is probably the best area for less confident skiers. Intermediate skiers can enjoy the long cruising high altitude blue and red runs of La Flegere (now linked by gondola to Brevent) and Les Grands Montets. Lifts to two of the areas are within walking distance on either side of the centre of Chamonix, all the others are linked by an efficient bus service included in the cost of a lift pass. Chamonix is also home to the Vallee Blanche, probably the most famous off-piste run down over the glaciers that descend from the Mont Blanc. A mountain guide is a must but it is a truly exhilarating experience for good skiers. The classic ski station of Mont Blanc 6
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