Chamonix, France

Chamonix is the jewel of the European alps. The birth place of high-alpine adventure sports and a mecca for big mountain skiers and powder hounds. Chamonix’s charm lies in its authenticity. This is real town – busy throughout the year – certainly not a purpose-built ski resort!

Property in Chamonix is some of the most sought after in France and prices can be high. Current averages are about EUR 7,000m2 (2019) although this varies widely depending on the age of the property and the exact location etc.

Prices for Chamonix ski apartments and chalets for sale are about double the average price for the wider Haute Savoie area but you can still find reasonably priced properties. If you look in the right place or are prepared to take on a renovation project it is still possible to find some good value French ski chalets and apartments for sale.

Chamonix centre has plenty of luxury apartments – often created out of the grand old buildings overlooking the river. For more affordable property look at Chamonix Sud where apartments have better rental yields due to lower entry prices.

As the Chamonix valley opens up towards Les Praz and Les Bois and you’ll find some of the most desirable chalets in the French Alps with prices to match. The further uphill you go on the north side of the valley the more sun your French ski property is likely to get.

Argentiere is closer to the skiing at Grand Montets and Les Houches is good for families. Servoz and Le Tour are nice unspoilt traditional villages with a growing interest from savvy investors looking for lower value areas with potential for strong capital growth.

Chamonix is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world and attracts skiers and snowboarders who are keen to get off the beaten track, go ski touring, and enjoy some of the best off-piste skiing in Europe.

Home to the very first winter Olympics in 1924, Chamonix sits at the base of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain at 4810.

The famous Aiguille du midi cable car takes you all the way up to 3,845m from where the world-renown ‘Valley Blanche’ route begins its 20km decent to the valley floor – a ‘bucket list’ route for many skiers and snowboarders around the world.

The skiing is split over four main ski regions with a total of 68 lifts and offers some of the most snow-sure skiing in Europe.

The ‘Grands Montets’ ski area is famous for mountaineering and big mountain skiing but has plenty of beginner and intermediate skiing too. Head here on a Spring powder day for some of the best late-season skiing in the French Alps.

Les Houches, Le Tour and Flegere / Brevent are more family friendly and good all-round ski areas with plenty of pistes to keep the whole family happy.

The joy of skiing Chamonix is exploring these distinct ski areas. Depending on the conditions and time of year, each area has its pros and cons but you will never get bored!

Unlike many ski resorts, Chamonix is as busy in the summer months as it is during the winter.

The restaurants and bars spill out onto the tree-lined payments of Chamonix centre and the atmosphere can more resemble the south of France rather than a ski resort.

People come from all over Europe to enjoy the stunning scenery, endless activities and vibrant cultural life.

Understandably, hiking is one of the most popular past-times. Beginners make for the lush alpine meadows that spring into life once the snows have cleared and you will find hundreds of kms of well-marked trails.

More experienced hikers and well catered with several via ferrata routes. Indeed, the whole Chamonix valley attracts top-level mountaineers from across the globe.

Other summer activities include mountain biking, 18-hole golf course, climbing, white-water rafting of just enjoying the spectacular alpine scenery on the numerous scenic cable cars, trains and chairlifts that remain running during the summer.

Families with children are similarly well catered for with adventure parks, tennis, luge and some beautiful outdoor swimming lakes.