 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
Now considering Chamonix for March as cost wise its coming out quite cheap for flights to Geneve, transfers and to rent an appartment for 4 of us.
BUT is it really expensive when we get there to eat and drink out? We are all early 40s so like to eat out and go to a bar for a few late drinks and maybe a few early ones stright from the slopes  We wouldn't be looking for fine dining so are there cheaper options if you want them and know where to look?
Have been to Morzine the last 2 years and Chatel the year before so are used to those resort prices.
Thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ah there was a bit of a discussion about this a while back!
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=1595370
I wouldn't let the price of bars put you off. Obviously the pound could do with putting on a bit of weight, but I reckon there are plenty of fun places in Chamonix that are not that expensive...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Hi
You needn't break the bank if you know where to look. Happy hours can be found in the Cham sud end of town at the Monkey Bar, The Munster and The Jekyll. All have early evening offers and many continue with other promotions as the evening progresses. Chambre Neuf near the gare SNCF is always busy for apres piste too.
In terms of food, of course there are many fine restaurants, but you'll find take away pizza and burgers etc. both in the centre and Cham sud (and probably the otherside but we're not so familar with it).
In terms of reasonably priced restaurants with good food, check out Alan Peru on Avenue Aiguille du Midi, http://alanperuchamonix.com/, good fusion food.
Enjoy your trip
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George06, it's not any more expensive than any other French resort (or indeed, city). You just need to pick and choose. Like anywhere else, there are rip offs to be had.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I found Chamonix to be the most over-priced and over-rated resort I've ever been to.
Most mountain restaurants charging 9 euros for a 500ml beer and nearly 20 Euros for a Spag Bol, where as you could be in a top/trendy Austrian/Swiss resort (say Ischgl or Zermatt) and pay half that.
Restaurants and bars in the town were less expensive, but you still felt exploited every time you ordered a drink. Sure you can shop around and try and find a happy hour or the odd 'cheap' bar, but do you want to spend your ski holiday scouting around for places where you only feel slightly ripped off.
I really don't see the attraction of the place. It has a collection of small fragmented ski areas connected by a poor bus-service, has dated lift infrastructure, and a complete lack alpine charm. Despite having Europe's second highest lift, there's no pistes that come off that lift, the most pistes aren't that high, and the ground beneath them rocky, so the coverage isn't always great and the piste maintenance leaves something to be desired. It does offer what is arguably some of Europe's best off-piste but 95% of the people that head there never use it.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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kamikaze, if you allow yourself to be ripped off, who's fault is that?
In town, drinks no more expensive than, say, Morzine or Samoens. Restaurants likewise.
Your single example of ridiculous pricing is, I expect, based on the cost in the Restaurant 2000 at Brevent. Even the CMB restaurants are reasonably priced (if basic) e.g. @Plan Joran - Panini, 25cl, beer, choc bar, €8.90). You don't ski Cham for the on mountain fine dining anyway.
Brevent-Flegere is not "small". Grands Montets is not "small". Infrastructure hardly "dated" (for a start, it's not legal to have lifts over a certain age, etc.) Skiing is almost all above 1,900, which is why the snow's not on alpine meadows. "2nd highest lift but no piste" - are you mad? Have you any idea what you're on about?
You ski Chamonix because it has possibly the best lift served off piste in Europe. End of story. Even comfortable "intermediates" can handle the Vallee Blanche, one of the alps great excursions. If you're not good enough to handle that, well it sort of really doesn't matter where you ski, maybe more chocolate stops are an advantage.
Badly advised and bad advice given by you I'd have to say.
(Yes, I am biased, I run a business there but have 100% evidence of 5 years guests (maybe 800 people by now?) who have all, unreservedly, loved the place.)
Reasonable eats in town:
- Boccalatte
- Lapin Agile (excellent home made pastas)
- MBC (microbrewery)
- Casa Valeria (pizza)
- Bartavel
- Alan Peru (Asian Fusion)
- Bistro des Sports (very, very French)
- Chambre Neuf
- Elevation 1904
- Petit Kitchen
Avoid however, Taverne du Chamounix.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Sun 24-10-10 11:57; edited 1 time in total
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| kamikaze wrote: |
| I really don't see the attraction of the place. It has a collection of small fragmented ski areas connected by a poor bus-service, has dated lift infrastructure, and a complete lack alpine charm. Despite having Europe's second highest lift, there's no pistes that come off that lift, the most pistes aren't that high, and the ground beneath them rocky, so the coverage isn't always great and the piste maintenance leaves something to be desired. It does offer what is arguably some of Europe's best off-piste but 95% of the people that head there never use it. |
Not just me then....
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bertie bassett, hmmm, you are remarkably well informed for someone who's never stayed there. 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Chamonix isn't everybody's cup of tea. There are some resorts which offer a kind of bland all over product - neatly packaged, maximum convenience. And some which don't. Depends what you're after. In terms of prices, on and off the mountain, obviously some resorts (including Chamonix, Megeve, Courchevel 1850) have some very good and very expensive restaurants which you wouldn't want to wander into in ignorance. Some of the big ski factory resorts have mostly restaurants which charge a lot of money for very ordinary food (pizza and a beer). I would have thought that anyone who felt "ripped off" in the run of the mill Chamonix places would feel at least as ripped off anywhere in the 3 Valleys and the Espace Killy, which is what some people who've never been anywhere else insist on calling "France". A bit like having a meal in Watford Gap services and saying "Britain is a rip off".
Chamonix is a resort on which you do need to do some research. There's no excuse for turning up there thinking you can cruise around all week on a series of differently-named (if actually somewhat similar) pistes without ever having to get on a bus, or into a car, and that all the terrain is within the grasp of the average holiday skier.
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| kamikaze wrote: |
I really don't see the attraction of the place. It has a collection of small fragmented ski areas connected by a poor bus-service, has dated lift infrastructure, and a complete lack alpine charm. Despite having Europe's second highest lift, there's no pistes that come off that lift, the most pistes aren't that high, and the ground beneath them rocky, so the coverage isn't always great and the piste maintenance leaves something to be desired. It does offer what is arguably some of Europe's best off-piste but 95% of the people that head there never use it. |
Chamonix in "not Austrian meadow skipping" shocker. Horses, courses etc
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And I would go so far as to say that Chamonix is not a resort. Rather, it is an Alpine town with access to fantastic skiing and mountaineering (and mountain biking in the summer).
I keep returning to Chamonix because I love the place and find it no more expensive than the handful of ski resorts I have been to. The mountain restaurants can, however, do with some improvement to the food quality to make it worth the price (if you like to stop for a restaurant lunch on the mountain).
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Chamonix can be an expensive place to eat if you have not eaten in a Swiss resort on the other side of the border. It is a dump if you compare with Zermatt, St Moritz, Aspen....
It is no more expensive than any French resort and being a major thoroughfare to Switzerland and Italy instead of trapped at the dead end of a valley there are many cheap places to have dinner. Most truck drivers can't afford expensive dinners enjoyed by the average skiers here.
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You know it makes sense.
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Zero-G, even we will confess that we typically take sandwiches, unless we're having a blow out at the Bergerie (or have remembered to reserve at the Bistro at the bottom of the Aiguillete drag (I can't recall the name) at Le Tour, which is charming and good v.f.m.
But that's on the mountain, when we're skiing CHX as opposed to, say, Les Houches, we're not generally going up the hill for lunch, we're going up to ski.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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under a new name, agreed. We very seldom stop for a restaurant lunch - whether in Chamonix or not - because we prefer to be able to eat when and where we want. Nothing like finding a quiet spot away from the pistes and crowds where you can picnic with a stunning view  I eat in restaurants in London all the time. When I go skiing, I'm there for the mountains.
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Poster: A snowHead
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under a new name, Zero-G, SSSShhhhh, don't defend the 'DUMP' love Stig. XX
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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SMALLZOOKEEPER, you're right, I deserve a slap. I'll shuffle off now.... 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Simply put, Chamonix is not like any ski resort in the world. As already stated it is a town based in the alps with several huge mountains all of which have a lift to serve them. Overtime, the town of Chamonix has opted to make pistes on them, therefore alowing the public to experience Chamonix on Skis. The food up there is an after thought, and perhaps is best tackled by taking a picnic, however, if the weather shits out, then yes will will have to go to an alpine resturant, which in my opinion are all shite the world over.
A a town, any town there are all the modern day amienaties you'll need, from MacDo to Michelin Stared resturants. There are many bars, ones to suit every budget, half of the fun will be finding them, meeting new people and exploring a little, hopefully something you enjoy as Chamonix epitemises 'Explore' in all senses of the word. Value is a word that is very personal to each person, therfore suggest that you take time to scan the net and ask around when you arrive. I hate so much about Chamonix, however the parts I love and enjoy mean i don't have to deal with it, good resturants, good bars, stacks of choice. I would suggest that you buy a Privalage Card on arrival and maybe plan your entertainment around it. 10euros gets you good discounts on all things in tow, ski rental, food, drink etc. You'll get the cash back within a day if you stick to it, try that.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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jbob, my love for that mountain is surpassed only by my love for The Dru. Great pic, has the look of HDR. Is it?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Zero-G Just for you. Taken about two weeks ago, on a lift served (Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers) very easy walk for OAPs along the Grand Balcon du Sud.
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| under a new name wrote: |
| bertie bassett, hmmm, you are remarkably well informed for someone who's never stayed there. |
Went once, stayed for a week, didn't like the place, not going back...
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pam w, beautiful!
I took this one at sunrise during my first trip to Chamonix.
A guide I was skiing with has climbed it a few times. When I'm ready, I'll climb it too. He said it only takes 14 hours from the hut to the summit 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Zero-G, Yes.
Here is the beginners area of Le Tour.
It's rubbish, you won't like it, the best place to eat is the railway station for goodness sake.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Oh, I didn't know there was controversy surrounding the first ascent. But a quick google shows Wikipedia claiming the first ascent by British alpinists and the chamonix.net site claiming the first ascent by the French. I'll look for that book.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Fantastic photos. I LOVE Chamonix.
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You know it makes sense.
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Zero-G, Colonel runs one opf the photo shops. I'll try and post the outline controversy! It'll be Tuesday before I can tho.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Yes fantastic photos all I've only visited in the summer but it's very much on my to-do list.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I wouldn't recommend eating in the mountain bars and some bars in town are expensive but having said that as a ski resort it is great. The mountains are great and the there's fun to be had in town. I really enjoy the burgers from "Poco Locos'??? on the main road through town and the steak and chip sandwiches from the kiosk a few doors further along are good value. 'Chambre Neuf' is good fun with a house band straight off the mountain and last winter there was a new pasta takeaway near to it. The 'Terrace Bar' has good happy hours and the Nachos are a big tasty portion.
Make use of 'happy hours' and its not too bad. I adjust my spending mindset by thinking "I'm in a world class resort therefore it should cost a bit more". Cham is tidy.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Must admit I wasn't over impressed with the skiing and connectivity when we had our first week out there and wondered what all the fuss was about.
But after trying a few more resorts, it was Chamonix we chose to come back to. We liked it so much we even bought a place there.
Pack your sarnies and self cater if food prices are that big an issue, and enjoy the scenery!
Some fantastic phots above, thanks guys.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Cham has some good and bad points. Some of the infrasturcture is a little tired at Brevent, Flegere and Argentiere where the queues in the morning can be huge, but once up the mountain this is soon forgotten. When I was there last, a couple of summers ago on the M/B, they were installing a new system at Flegere I think, how is that by the way? Grand Montet and Valle Blanche are awesome (except for the ascent up the hill on foot at the end) Le tour is great for larking about and piste cruising if you're with your wife etc, the run down the back through the trees is spectacular. Been to Cham 6 times now and the last time stayed in a catered chalet run by a guy called Nigel who guided some of us for the day, it opened up a whole new world of possibilities, so get a guide if you're going you won't be disapointed.
Is it expensive, cannot be worse than Val, which is eyewatering, 4 beers, 4 pizzas over £100, ouch!
Getting the buses every day is a pain unless you have transport with you or is provided by your accomodtion provider. It doesn't have that resort feel like St Anton nor the apres scene like Ischgl.
People come from all over the globe to ski Cham and it's challenges, probably not the case for other resorts, however I would travel a distance to watch the gingham girls at the Madeline in Ischgl
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
larking about and piste cruising if you're with your wife etc
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not a place to take your mistress then?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yep, the new lift at Brevent is installend and up and running and speeds things up no end. 
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FAQ
