Activity Reviews in Chamonix

The weather in Chamonix has been amazing with brilliant blue skies, crazy hot temperatures and lots and lots of people flocking to the valley. This weekend saw the Fetes Des Guides in Argentiere and Chamonix, with great shows performed at both ends of the valley and parties lasting till dawn at each event. It's been a great weekend for those who came to Chamonix, but the fun never stops and there is always a great party or BBQ to go to and of course the many outdoor activities possible in this wonderful valley.

We have had a little more mixed weather this week here in Chamonix, but it’s the right mix; sunny in the mornings and at least dry for the best part of the day while clouds roll in and some epic thunder storms crash and bang through the night, before the morning sun comes along to dry it all off again. At other times in the year all this evening rain would mean that climbing isn’t possible the next day, but it doesn’t take long at all for the walls to dry in the heat that we have been having while the sun is out.

The pleasure of walking in the mountains is something that becomes closer to me as I get older. Maybe it's the time of year, when Chamonix town centre becomes unbearably busy; maybe it's the soothing escape that altitude offers from the more stifling heat lower down. Whatever it is, it's got me out and about this week enjoying sensational trail conditions in beautiful weather.

Chamonix is well known for it's hard core mountaineers, who think nothing of spending the night attached to a rock face as they attempt the summits that surround the valley. But for those of us who, for any number of reasons (kids, injury, self preservation), prefer a more accessible way to enjoy a night away from civilisation, then you will be pleased to know that Chamonix's version of Glamping has arrived!

The last few days in Chamonix have been super hot with humidity rising, causing thunder storms in the afternoons, meaning it's a bit cooler at altitude and most activities need to start early and finish up before the storms come in.

We have had what seems a little more like inter-season weather conditions, with a little bit of everything passing through the valley. Right now its crazy hot weather reminding us of the height of summer, although there has been some heavy rain storms in the afternoon/early evening which have been cooling down the air temperature so you realise it's not quite mid-summer yet.

We missed last week's update - the 15th of August is a national holiday in France, and is also La Fete des Guides (a large music and fireworks party in the open air organised by the mountain guides) in Chamonix. We felt obliged to fully take part, thus suffering for our commitment to the cause the day after. So apologies for our laziness!

Some very hot weather here in Chamonix with temperatures above 30 degrees centigrade for a good portion of the day, making shorts, nudity, or being emerged in some form of liquid an absolute must during the hottest part of the day! Some weather has been coming through in the afternoon, with large cumulous cloud growth creating some spectacular thunder storms in the evening with slightly cooler conditions, allowing for some early evening tennis opportunities or other such pleasurable activities to be partaken.

We've been back on the trails this week, making the most of the limited sunshine. This week's been a mix of evening storms and typical May showers...hopefully just the skies getting the humidity out of their system and setting us up a long, hot summer in Chamonix.

After spending the summer based in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, I could hardly feel hard done by in terms of Alpine adventures. However, most of these revolved around the ski lift system emanating from Morzine and onwards to the further reaches of the ski area into Switzerland. Now the season was at an end it was time to access the abundance of trails a little further a field...

Ahhh...the dreaded interseason. The time when there's not a restaurant open in town, when the rain drums down, when chalets close their doors and board their windows and when teary waves see off the last bus of the winter to leave the resort.

Well we had another large downpour on Friday with an amazing thunderstorm, and I would recommend coming out to Chamonix just to see one of these storms; much more dramatic when you see bolts of lightning hit the top of the mountain and roar of thunder echo endlessly down the valley, truly outstanding!