Family Alpine Activity Holiday In Chamonix

Arriving at Geneva Airport we transfer in just over an hour to our Chalet, a few minutes drive from Chamonix town. There are spectacular views of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc range.

Overnight Standard Chalet Included meals: Dinner

We collect our bikes and spend a leisurely morning exploring and getting to know the Chamonix Valley. We follow easy trails through the forests and occasionally cross quiet roads. We end the ride at the chalet in time for a picnic lunch. The afternoon is free to relax at the chalet or take part in an optional activity, such as rock climbing or going to the local swimming pool which has 2 indoor pools, an outdoor lake and a ‘death slide’.

Overnight Standard Chalet Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Driving 45 minutes brings us to Les Contamines – a small village surrounded by big hills and mountains and located on the Tour du Mont Blanc – one of the most famous trekking routes in the world. We spend the day at the Adventure Park which has lake swimming, pedalos, tennis and an aerial ropeway with tree slides. There is plenty of open space to make ourselves comfortable and ample opportunity for your children to meet French children in a relaxed environment. Parasols are provided at the lake side and there is a small restaurant selling drinks, ice creams and snacks. If you are feeling energetic the leader will organise a walk on a section of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Overnight Standard Chalet Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Swimming available

A 5-minute drive brings us to the start point for our trek to see a glacier. We walk on a well-maintained path through a pretty fir and larch forest with classic views of Chamonix and the great Alpine peaks. The highlight is the mighty Mer de Glace (sea of ice) – a huge, gleaming-white glacier with crevasses and steep sides. We will take lunch at a mountain hut. We will walk at a comfortable pace spending time looking at Alpine plants and trying to spot wildlife. The walk will take around 2.5–3 hours in total and climbs approximately 350m. If everyone is feeling energetic, we can extend the walk.

Please note: The teen departure will have a slightly longer walk of 4-5 hours. Ropes and ladders will be used for the steeper sections.

Overnight Standard Chalet Included meals: Breakfast

A free day for everyone. There are innumerable activities to take part in, such as a ride up the spectacular cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3842m for arguably the finest view in the Alps. At this height you are among the great Alpine peaks and glaciers with unimpeded views from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn almost 100km away. There are lots of walks in the valley that start from the chalet or are just a small cable-car ride away. Other adventurous pursuits include rafting or rock climbing. You may also like to go to Chamonix’s Alpine museum or spend time window shopping.

Please note: The teen departure will have a slightly longer walk of 4-5 hours.

Overnight Standard Chalet Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A short drive from the chalet is the Swiss/French border. From here we climb up a steep road that brings us to the impressive Emosson Dam. This is a massive structure and holds a huge lake. There are panoramic views of the high mountains and we take a walk to another lake through wild, rugged scenery where dinosaur footprints have been found. We have a picnic lunch before returning to the chalet in the afternoon.

Overnight Standard Chalet Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Traditional markets are still very much a part of French culture and the weekly event at Chamonix is no exception. Here you can find all sorts of local produce – cheeses, honey, fruit, herbs and spices and weird sausages. Next to the market is Chamonix’s Adventure Park which has rope swings, aerial rope-ways and a bungee trampoline. Most of the afternoon is free, until about 4pm when we do some basic map reading with the children followed by a treasure hunt. Assuming the weather is fine we will have a barbeque this evening.

Overnight Standard Chalet Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included meals: Breakfast