Going to Chamonix for a day or so

[London Calling]

In late August / September, can anyone recommend some lodgings for a family and recommended things to do

Cheers

 

[REDLAND]

Hire ya self a bike and hit the slopes, and if ya brave enough Chamonix has a proper World Cup down hill course, so get on it.

http://www.chamonix.net/english/mtb/mountain_biking.htm

Also get ya self up Mont Blanc its the highest mountain in Europe, and has a wickered glazier !!..

 

[Rusthall Seagull]

In late August / September, can anyone recommend some lodgings for a family and recommended things to do

Cheers

Chamonix is fantastic in the summer....

check out the ice caves at the top of Aguile du Midi, go bowling in Chamonix Sud, eat at the Chamonix Tavern in the centre (fantastic food and great service).

As for accomodation, this company is really good and very well priced for a family

www.chamonixweekends.com

All in all should be wonderful!

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

We had one of the best days we have had as a family in Chamonix. I don't know how old your kids are but it went like this. Up the Aguile de Midi - this is a scary cable car up next to Mont Blanc. The views were outstanding.

On the way back we got off half-way up and walked to the Mer de Glace - the glacier not too far away. It was a hike - but not too arduous.

We didn't climb down onto the glacier - but they cut a "house" into it each year.

From the Mer de Glace you can catch a train back down to Chamonix - but we walked, and for the last part went down on the luge. You can break it up into two days easily.

The luge is great fun for the kids anyway. There is a ski lift to the top and then the luge down (two different speeds).

There are also climbing classes for kids (and adults). You can see the wall as you drive into Chamonix.

We camped below Mont Blanc - what a view. We were there for about four days - but could easily have spent a week there.

 

[Dave the OAP]

One piece of advice is when you go up the cable car, get off at the first level to acclimatise yourself with the height! Walk around for 5 minutes and then get the next one up.

The Aire De Aguille is very high ( 12,000 feet) and the air is very thin.

I got to the top and felt very sick. We had a walk around and eventually we had to come back down on the next cabin ( although in high summer they now do timed tickets!)

The views are astounding. I have mahy pictures on my camera and I will post one to give you a flavour.

Dave

 

[London Calling]

Cheers everyone, I am even more excited now.

OUr main base will be Annecy and I am allowing for a couple of nights in Chamonix to really chill out and try to make the most of it. Though it looks like a week at least would not be enough!

Unfortunately our little ones will be 3 and 1 years old. Plus I am taking my Dad of 80 +. I reckon the one year old will love the luge! It be a sight to see my Dad go down it.

Any Pictures Dave will be great.

LC

 

[chip]

Before we had children, we used to spend a month each summer climbing around Chamonix - a friend owns a challet in Argentiere just up the valley.

Try all the different telepheriques/telecabines etc. A good walk is from Aguille de l'index to lac rouge and there is even a little place where you can stay up there. There is nothing quite like watching the morning mist rise from the valley and then above you. Also, if you spend the night up in the mountains you should get a good view of the leonids at this time of year. The Midi telepherique goes all the way to Italy over the tops and is worth a go (around £40 each).

There is a man made cave in the Mer de Glace and a little railway. You can have a good days walk by getting the telecabine half way up midi and walking along about 5 miles to the Mer de Glace and then getting the train back to Chamonix. In the Museum, look out for the pictures of the local "cretins".

I can recomend some good climbing and there is even ice at this time of year. If you are really brave, try climbing the Drus. You can also take small inflatables down the river but you will need a wet suit.

 

[Mtoto]

An afternoon at the Summer Luge was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done with my son, who was rising four at the time. It's just fast and scary enough that your heart's beating all the way to the bottom, and you'll never find anything like it here. Again, again, he kept shouting at the bottom, just a bit faster this time.

It's not just for kids though - there's a slow run and a fast one (or was when I was there) and there are some really serious sorts on the fast one, checking their stopwatches at the top and then flinging themselves through the corners like the world was about to end. God help any "Sunday lugers" who get in their way.

My wife went down the fast one "just to see what it's like", and did so at a pace to suit a 90-year-old. For half-a-dozen of the serious local speed freaks, it was like being stuck behind a caravan all the way to Cornwall.

 

[Mtoto]

The day after that I jumped off a mountain while strapped to a Frenchman, which I can also recommend if you're that way inclined...

 

[London Calling]

An afternoon at the Summer Luge was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done with my son, who was rising four at the time. It's just fast and scary enough that your heart's beating all the way to the bottom, and you'll never find anything like it here. Again, again, he kept shouting at the bottom, just a bit faster this time.

It's not just for kids though - there's a slow run and a fast one (or was when I was there) and there are some really serious sorts on the fast one, checking their stopwatches at the top and then flinging themselves through the corners like the world was about to end. God help any "Sunday lugers" who get in their way.

My wife went down the fast one "just to see what it's like", and did so at a pace to suit a 90-year-old. For half-a-dozen of the serious local speed freaks, it was like being stuck behind a caravan all the way to Cornwall.

dO THEY LET YOU TO YOUR OWN DEVICES?

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Looking down on Chamonix you can also see a really nice outdoor swimming pool.

 

[Mtoto]

You either pay for a certain number of rides, or a set amount of time ie. as many as you can fit in in an hour/two hours/all day.

You ride to the top of the hill on a ski-lift type thing, which is quite fun in itself, then at the top you get on your luge (a bit like a milk crate with runners), pick your run, give yourself a heave-ho and off you go.

Young children have to go with parents - they sit between your legs and hang on for dear life - they can't ride on their own until they are six or seven if memory serves.

Apart from that, you can be as daredevil or pedestrian as you like (and you may well see a few people come off when they push it a bit too far).

 

[Dave the OAP]

Cheers everyone, I am even more excited now.

OUr main base will be Annecy and I am allowing for a couple of nights in Chamonix to really chill out and try to make the most of it. Though it looks like a week at least would not be enough!

Unfortunately our little ones will be 3 and 1 years old. Plus I am taking my Dad of 80 +. I reckon the one year old will love the luge! It be a sight to see my Dad go down it.

Any Pictures Dave will be great.

LC

Annecy is possibly the most beautiful spot in France.

drive around the top of the lake ( away from the town), take the first on the left and drive up the road that leads to the mountain opposite the town. If you have the balls, pay 60 Euro's and go on one of the Paragliders ( they have twin seats) . Its about 6000 feet up when you jump off, but it is the most beatiful sight you will ever see in your life.

We have camped there with Eurocamp a few times....enjoy mate. Its fabulous

 

[Dave the OAP]

.

Apart from that, you can be as daredevil or pedestrian as you like (and you may well see a few people come off when they push it a bit too far).

I fell off and landed on some rocks I was covered in iodine by the first aider and felt very foolish, trying to go down without applying the brake