The Club Med Chamonix : all inclusive skiing in a unique setting |
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The Club Med Chamonix Mont-Blanc |
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| The Club Med is located in the ex-SAVOY hotel (at the foot of the piste with the same name), to which a wing was added in 1980 for a total capacity of 530 G.M. (Gentils Members - which loosely translates in Nice Members - for those not familiar with the Club's terminology...). The village was entirely redone in 2000. |
| < The front of the Club (picture courtesy of the Club Med) |
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| The Club Med is run by approximately 140 G.O.(Gentils Organisateurs - Nice Organisers) and G. E (Gentils Employés - Nice employees)... who will do everything in their power to make sure you enjoy your holidays. The Club Med Chamonix is rated "3 tridents" on a scale from 2 to 4.The club is, on the whole, quite comfortable, even if the hotel is a little too dark (probably due to its historical heritage) and the rugs could be changed.... The restaurants, true to the Club's standards, are of excellent quality (except when it comes to the wine....). |
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A unique setting |
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| Chamonix's international reputation is based on the exceptional quality of its setting. The panorama is truly amazing and you might find it hard to ski without stopping every so often to admire it. The view from the Brévent or the Flégère on the Mont-Blanc, the Grandes Jorasses, the Drus, the Dent du Géant is unforgettable... If the weather allows it, do plan a descent of the Vallee Blanche (a guide from the Companie des Guides is always present at the Club) and make sure to take your camera...
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| < View from Flégère on the Grandes Jorasses |
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| Not looking forward to having to run around to get the keys for your flat, rent your ski equipment, buy your ski pass, go grocery shopping and cook, take your kids to the ESF or to the day care centre ?? Well, you won't have to. This the whole point of the Club's formula : everything you'll need is readily available in the village (there is even a small shop). All you have to do is put on your ski shoes and focus on your carving... You won't even need to go back down to the valley for lunch, there are high-altitude chalets where you can have lunch (the Club rents two and has special agreements with the others). We recommend you try the Flégère's chalet 's mulled wine... It's good and will most certainly improve your sculling abilities. During the winter, the Club mostly offers mountain hiking related activities (either on foot or snow-shoeing) and skiing activities. |
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Very good skiing conditions |
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| For a while now, the ESF has been in charge of the ski lessons at the Club Med (which guarantees quality lessons). Each group is made up of about 10 people, according to your ski level, which may range from beginner to excellent skier.
However, as of now, there are no snowboarding lessons - it's a shame and hard to understand why there aren't any ... We hear there might be some next season however (what a relief..). |
| The ski lessons are given by very nice and competent ESF monitors : this is Seb, posing for us...> |
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Chamonix's skiing domain is very varied and accessible to all ski levels. It boasts an exceptional incline - the resort is 3280 ft high and the top of the Grands Montets is 10740 ft above ground, and that's not even including the Aiguille du Midi which is 3842m (12604 ft) high -. The domain is made up of several skiing areas (Le Tour, Brévent/Flégère, Lognan/Les grands Montets) which are all connected by a system of shuttles (with the exception of the departure from the Club to go to Brévent/Flégère, which is only by ski). A shuttle might connect the Chamonix skiing domain and the Flaine domain in the near future.
One word on the off-piste domain (in particular on the Grands Montets) : it has a worldwide reputation....
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| < The (impressive) view from the Brévent on the Mont-Blanc, dominating the Chamonix Valley |
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A laid-back and homely atmosphere |
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| The Club's atmosphere is very informal. Just like the ski resort, the clientèle is international: Canadians, Russians, English, Israelis all contribute to the good spirit and exoticism of the place...
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| A meal taken in one of the Club's high-altitude chalet with Toronto's High Park Ski Club's team (to whom we send our regards). |
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| The atmosphere, being very homely, might not be the best if you are looking for a crazy night life (true party goers might want to go to other villages) but it's still very convivial at night.
The traditional and congenial Evening Show is sold out every night for instance... |
| The GOs and GOettes doing what they do best > |
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Heaven for the children |
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| Yup... those who'll benefit the most from this club are the children. The Petit Club (for 2/4 yrs old) and the MiniClub (for the 4/13 yrs old) will take care of them during the day and early evening. The children (too) will a busy schedule : the older children will go skiing, closely supervised by the ESF and the youngsters will participate in many creative and manual activities. Holidays are for everyone, and the kids take full advantage of that fact....
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Our opinion |
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| Very good skiing conditions, many services, a congenial atmosphere, a wonderful panorama: the Club Med Chamonix is an excellent choice for those who are looking for all inclusive holidays in a unique setting. |
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