Life in Spain: Chamonix - French Alps


Chamonix is the beating heart of European skiing. The valley vibe at Christmastime matches the mountain energy that beckons travelers from every corner of the globe. It's not enough that Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympic games in 1924, but it boast access to glaciers and, on clear days, unmatched views of Mont Blanc. On a daily basis, paragliders and off-piste skiers challenge the snow-covered towers of granite and granular gneiss descending into the valley of onlookers and unforgettable history. 


We rolled into a Chamonix Valley just two days before Christmas after flying into Geneva. The breathtaking valley sits at 3000 feet and this year it has received some of the best snow in a decade. The beauty of a passing sun blooms even brighter in these mountains. Le Brevént and Mer de Glace are the backdrop of each memory we cataloged from this time.

Months ago, we decided not to go home for the holidays because it'd be more stress-filled than sweet.  Our initial goal was to find somewhere to ski and stay through our anniversary on December 31. We eventually landed on Chamonix because the tickets to Geneva were ideally priced for an unforgettable vacation exploring the mountains and much more.

The Mont-Blanc Unlimited Pass was perfect way to access all that Chamonix has to offer. There were tons of essential services that supported our trip. 

Leaving the Geneva airport was only possible with a Mountain Drop Offs Airport Shuttle. Getting around town was easy because of the free Winter Bus lines. Even the paid bus to Courmayeur leaving from the Sud station was half-priced with our unlimited pass. 

Traveling during COVID takes an extra layer of focus and a dash of luck. Our accommodations near the Sud Station not only made getting around simple, but it also made us a friend: Liz. 

We couldn't have known all of the changes that would eventually occur related to travel and safety measures, but she was not only knowledgeable about every detail, she was also patient and helpful everyday. 
We leaned on her multiple times to get the details we needed for COVID testing; skiing and seeing attractions. Our trip would be missing so many of our favorite memories if she hadn't been such a good person and so good at her job. Thanks again; for everything! Between the staff at the office of tourism and the SUD bus station we were able to navigate challenges of traveling during COVID while experiencing the beauty of Chamonix. 


Check out our digital travel guide to get a better idea of what we really loved about Chamonix. The 's.e.x.y.' essentials are pictured below to give you a sneak peek into what we've been remembering via Instagram. We only scratched the surface of things to do, but this list should give you an idea of what Chamonix has to offer.

Stays:
 
Appartements Les Jonquilles 

We stayed along the Arve River in the heart of Chamonix between three major landmarks: the Aiguille Du Midi, Chamonix Sud Bus station, and rail service. We didn't use the rail as much since most of our trip was accessible by foot or by bus. 


Eats:

Moody Coffee Roasters


Joséphine


Experiences 

Super G Mountain Club 


Your Unforgettable Favorite Moments

Light Balance on Christmas Eve (And we met Santa!!)


This amazing Christmas break inspired me to reboot the No Wrong Turns Pod.  Take a moment to check out my FIRST episode of 2022 at the office or as you're headed into work. 

Join me, Audrey Lee, for podcast episode 45 with Katie Quesada.  Katie is a Californian and a fun fact about Katie: she and her family got rid of 90% of their belongings to live in an RV for several years.  During this episode Katie walks us through how she created her current job as a speaker, storyteller and coach working for individuals and companies alike.   

Podcast Link:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-45-katie-quesada/id1488237869?i=1000547540703

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