Category: News
Where to eat on the mountain in Chamonix & beyond
Restaurants in Chamonix – Our guide to eating in Chamonix
Chamonix Mont Blanc – What’s new this winter 2024 / 2025
New Ski Lifts in Haute Savoie!
World Cup Climbing Chamonix 2022 – back to full strength!
A proper welcome back for World Cup Climbing Chamonix style!
The Chamonix leg of the World Cup Climbing tour is back in full effect for 2022 from the 8th to the 10th July! After the rather particular circumstances of the 2021 series (thanks, COVID!), this year, the doors are wide-open, giving spectators access to the all the action, animations, events and sports village – for FREE! Yay!
Chamonix World Cup Climbing – where it happens
The world’s best competition climbers will be back at the Place du Mont Blanc (the big square by the Alpina hotel) for the difficulty and speed events (or ‘lead & speed’ as it’s known in the sports climbing community!).
The Chamonix stop is one of just 12 in the 2022 World Cup series. With other stops as far afield as Jakarta and Japan, this really is a key event for the sporting calendar in Chamonix.
Official World Cup Climbing event series
Organised by Chamonix Sports and overseen by the IFSC (the International Federation of Sport Climbing), it’s an incredible event, with the majestic mountains as the backdrop. Just take a look at those super-high, super-technical climbing walls built just for this competition. There are some seriously tricky overhangs, And as for the speed climbers? Blink and you miss them, as they make that final arm stretch to hit the buzzer at the top.
The world’s best climbers…and more!
And it’s not just about climbing. There will be films on the big screen, events, entertainment for all the family and the world cup village to stroll around, with sports companies showing off their latest gear. Our highlight is the awards and closing ceremony on the Sunday night. It happens after night fall (around 22:30) and generally turns into a good old party!
When it happens
Here’s the full programme of then Chamonix World Cup Climbing competition as it stands:
Friday 8th July 2022
17:00-19:00 : Training World Cup speed climbing
19:00-21:00 : Qualifications World Cup speed climbing
21:00-21:00 : Films as featured at the Chamonix Film Festival on the big screen
Saturday 9th July 2022
10:00-17:00 : Qualifications World Cup difficulty (lead) climbing
19:30-20:00 : Films on the big scree
20:00-21:00 : Live music
21:00-22:00 : Finals of the World Cup speed climbing
Sunday 10th July 2022
10:00-12:30 : Semi-finals of the difficulty (lead) climbing
15:30-18:00 : Speed climbing wall open to all – come and have a go!
20:30-22:30 : World Cup difficulty (lead) finals
If you’re contemplating a summer trip out to Chamonix, early July is a great choice. All the lifts are open for the summer season and all the bars and restaurants are ready to welcome you, but you’ve haven’t yet got the numbers of holidaymakers Chamonix attracts once the school holidays properly kick off.
And of course, as always, we are here to get you to and from Geneva Airport to wherever you’re staying in the Chamonix valley or elsewhere, in comfort. We’re fully operational throughout the World Cup Climbing event, so book your Geneva to Chamonix shared or private transfer now!
All photos : IFSC / Chamonix Sports
Celebrating 10 years of the Arc’Teryx Alpine Academy
Yes, it’s the news you have all been waiting for… the Arc’Teryx Alpine Academy is back, and not only that its celebrating its 10th Anniversary! Mountain Drop-offs are delighted to be involved in the alpine academy that unites the international alpine community over 4 days in our beloved Chamonix.
Taking place on the 1st – 4th July 2021 the Arc’Teryx Alpine Academy is an event where keen outdoor enthusiasts can advance their mountain skills amongst like-minded individuals through good value guided clinics from some of the top guides and athletes in the world.
The Arc’Teryx Alpine Academy is an immersive and inspiring experience no matter your skill level, there is always something to learn and contribute to the community.
To find out more about the Academy and Chamonix click here.
See you in the mountains!!!
Arc’teryx Academy is back!
Summer Academy
Down, but not out! Like many of us the Arc’teryx Academy has had to adapt to the current Covid climate. Over three weekends they have a number of clinics and seminars running in the alpine capital of Chamonix to promote safe play and exploration in our beloved mountains. The selection of skill advancing clinics lead by world leading experts in disciplines of mountaineering, climbing and trail running will be running over the following weekends;
- July 24-26, 2020
- August 7-9, 2020
- September 11-13, 2020
To find out more or for booking options please visit Arc’teryx Alpine Academy or email alpineacademy@arcteryx.com
Spring Skiing & Music Festivals
Ski Music Festivals
If you like your spring ski trip to coincide with great music, then there’s no shortage of destinations to choose from for 2020. Conditions across the Alps are looking great with lots of recent snowfall and lots more on the forecast. Better yet, Mountain Drop-offs can take you there!
Plan your time well and you could ski and party from now until the end of the season…
Alpe d’Huez 14-21 March 2020
First of the spring line-up is Tomorrowland Festival in Alpe d’Huez. A firm favourite with dance fans it’s line-up this year includes Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Afrojack and Dimitri Vegas. Originally a summer event, it’s now a regular snow-based one with a range of packages available to cover concert tickets, lifts passes and accommodation.
Portes du Soleil 15-20 March 2020
Meanwhile, over in the Portes du Soleil there’s the week-long FREE open-air Rock the Pistes festival. Straddling France and Switzerland it offers a mix of rock gigs up on the slopes, DJ sets as well as lots of gifs going on around the resort too. The only thing you need to access this massive party is your lift pass!
Avoriaz 21-28 March 2020
Andy C, Annie Mac and DJ Ez are topping the bill at this firm favourite in the Avoriaz calendar – Snowboxx. There’s Apres, there’s the secret igloo the XX Club and the Downtown to choose from. Check out the full line up of DJ sets, terrace parties and club nights.
Chamonix 31 March – 5 April 2020
With an enduring promise to ski, party, repeat! Unlimited Festival is next up. A week-long extravaganza of electronica, it boasts gigs in iconic locations that include: the top station of the Aiguille du Midi lift, sunset at Plan Praz and the Skyway Monte Bianco in Courmayeur to name just three.
The A-Z of artists starts with Agoria and runs to Volvox via Laurent Garnier in a line-up too long to list. So, check out the full programme. You can book everything you need for Unlimited Festival via their website – passes, accommodation and even your Mountain Drop-offs airport transfer complete with promo code.
Val Thorens – 10-13 April 2020
If jazz is more your style, then Jazz à Val Thorens is the festival for you. From midday until midnight this event includes live concerts, Apéro jazz sessions and Après-ski options too. Here are all the details.
Zermatt – 14-19 April 2020
If acoustic is your thing, then Zermatt Unplugged is the place to go. There’s music in Zermatt village as well as on the slopes and this year’s line up includes Dido, Ronnie Scott’s All Stars with Curtis Stigers and Gerard Depardieu. Music and the Matterhorn as a backdrop, what more could you want.
Tignes 21-23 April 2020
Three days of artists and DJs are promised for this year’s Live in Tignes event by Francofolies. Sun, ski and music in Tignes and what’s more it’s also completely FREE. This end of season special also comes complete with great offers on everything from accommodation to lift passes.
Related pages you may be interested in: Chamonix Transfers – Chamonix Restaurants On The Mountain – Geneva Transfers
Chamonix Restaurants On The Mountain
Chamonix Restaurants On The Mountain
So, which end of the Chamonix valley shall we start for our round-up of our favourite places to eat when up in the mountains? We thought we’d work our way from the furthest point on the Mont Blanc Unlimited piste map so that takes us to Vallorcine.
We’ve also included some unmissable options close to the bottom of ski runs. But, don’t worry, you won’t have far to walk in your ski boots!
Vallorcine
This tiny village is almost at the Swiss border in the valley of L’Eau Noire. But, don’t worry, access is easy using the train and it’s often a great way to get into the Le Tour/Balme ski area. What’s more, it boasts not one, but two great places to eat.
The Café Comptoir is open winter and summer. In the winter it offers fantastic lunchtime fare that will fuel even the hungriest of skiers. The ambience is as wonderful as the food in this beautiful building nestled at the foot of the mountain pastures. Delights include the house speciality, the “Mystère” made with melted reblochon and morels or a delicious rib of beef served with fresh, crunchy vegetables.
Home for L’Arrêt Bougnête is in the station building itself. Another great favourite with skiers, it and the Comptoir are neck-a-neck on near faultless 5* TripAdvisor ratings.
When the sun is out both cafés have outside seating so you can enjoy the views of Mont Buet – or Mont Blanc des Dames as it’s known. They are both incredibly busy at lunchtime, so booking is recommended.
Le Tour
Back in the Chamonix valley, our favourite stop on the mountain is L’Alpage de Balme. You can ski to the door of this old mountain refuge and enjoy delicious home-made food. In the summer, you can even spend the night in its tiny dormitory.
Grands Montets
A huge area of skiing, but sometimes it’s a challenge to find a peaceful place to eat. For those who like to get off-piste and off the beaten track, then the Refuge du Lognan is the place to be. Although high on the mountain, it’s a simple ski in. Keep in mind you may need to work off your lunch by tackling the moguls that often appear below it to get out again…
At the bottom of the Pierre a Ric, you’ll find La Cremerie du Glacier. This is a hidden gem. You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled to spot the signs for the track that takes you to it – or better yet pin it to your map and follow that. But, watch out for the trees. On offer are many classic Savoyard specials including croutes, fondues and gratins.
You can find our top pick of Savoyarde restaurants here.
Brevent
Our pick for Brevent is La Panoramic. If you want a meal with an unrivalled view of Mont Blanc, then this is the spot. Quite literally, perched on the side of the mountain it boasts a semi-circular sun deck which is the perfect place for a well-earned lunch. What’s more, on blustery winter days, there’s a snug dining room, complete with rugs where you can warm up with a vin chaud.
Les Houches
Last, but by no means least, in our Chamonix Restaurants On The Mountain round-up is les Houches. The family favourite of the valley’s ski areas, it also comes with some of the best piste-side food stops too.
Top of our list is, without doubt, les Vieilles Luge. Sadly, you’ll have to wait for winter 20/21 to try it out as it’s currently closed for renovations. That means, there are lots of opportunities to try some of the other great options on the mountain.
La Cha is a firm favourite and offers delicious home-cooked food every day in the restaurant. It also has an impressive sun deck which operates winter and summer. A great spot to enjoy a vin chaud, a glass of fizz or a beer from your deck chair.
Hidden away on the far side of the mountain you’ll find Restaurant la Tanière and its Argentinian “asados” – the stuff of local legend. It’s not always easily accessible, but it’s always worth the effort of getting there! Be sure to reserve by phone first.
At the foot of the Bellevue lift, there’s the Kitsch Inn to be enjoyed. Open from 9 am you can enjoy breakfast before heading up, lunch and some great Après ski too. It has a great live music line-up and you can find all the details on their Facebook page.
Related pages you may be interested in: Chamonix Transfers – Fantastic Food in Chamonix – Geneva transfers