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Copyright 2007, SKI BUMS.
Friday, February 15 to Saturday, February 23
Direct round-trip airfare from Newark to Geneva, Swizerland
Ground transfer on a private coach to / from Chamonix, France
Unlimited use of local shuttle bus service
Seven nights double-occupancy accommodations
Daily delicious breakfast buffet
Six days of all-access lift tickets
Ground transfer on a private coach to / from Chamonix, France
Unlimited use of local shuttle bus service
Seven nights double-occupancy accommodations
Daily delicious breakfast buffet
Six days of all-access lift tickets
$2399
$500 initial deposit
$1000 due December 4
$899 due January 4
$1000 due December 4
$899 due January 4
If you're interested in a single occupancy, or upgrading to first class, contact us.
Why is Chamonix the world's most famous ski resort?
Perhaps it's because it was the site of the world's first Olympic Winter Games in 1924. Or, maybe it's
because it sits in the valley of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain peak in Western Europe at 15,771 feet.
Or, because the gargantuan area features over 30,000 acres of skiable terrain (compared to... about
5,000 at Vail, the largest resort in the USA).
Any way you look at it, Chamonix is one of the world's most impressive winter vacation destinations, and
SKI BUMS invites you to discover it for yourself this February.
Perhaps it's because it was the site of the world's first Olympic Winter Games in 1924. Or, maybe it's
because it sits in the valley of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain peak in Western Europe at 15,771 feet.
Or, because the gargantuan area features over 30,000 acres of skiable terrain (compared to... about
5,000 at Vail, the largest resort in the USA).
Any way you look at it, Chamonix is one of the world's most impressive winter vacation destinations, and
SKI BUMS invites you to discover it for yourself this February.
CHAMONIX: an overview
First, you need to know that Chamonix is not one
ski resort, but seven distinct ski areas, of which
two are inter-connected. Three towns spread
through the valley below: Argentière, Les Praz,
and Chamonix.
The charming village of Argentière provides the
nearest access to the finest terrain in the area,
Les Grands Montets. From here, a cable car
whisks you up 10,000 feet to a stunning observation
deck -- with one of the most unforgettable views in
Europe. From there, the slopes unfold into undulating
intermediate and advanced terrain -- and world famous steeps -- much of it ungroomed. While families
and beginners tend to crowd the areas at Le Brevent, you may want to explore the more relaxed and
uncrowded slopes of Le Tour, which is the next area beyond Les Grands Montets. With wide open runs,
sunny cruisers, and the chance to cross the border into Switzerland, it's a haven for skiers and
boarders who want to relax and take in the gorgeous views of the Alps.
Perhaps the most well-known mountaintop adventure in the Alps is the 13-mile Vallee Blanche glacier
run -- a must for many of Chamonix's visitors. Read all about one snowboarder's adventure in this
entertaining article. One of the world's longest ski runs, it carries you beside death-defying glacier
crevasses on a vertical drop of 9,238 feet into the village below. (Just to compare: the vertical drop at
Whistler / Blackcomb, the largest in North America, is 5,280 feet. This is nearly an additional 4,000 feet.
Whoa.) It's not the most challenging terrain -- a solid intermediate skier or boarder could handle it -- but
you don't want to do it without a local guide. SKI BUMS will help arrange guides for those of you who want
to experience this unforgettable thrill. :)
Our trip includes six days of all-access lifts, which will give you the chance to explore miles and miles of
Chamonix's terrain. SKI BUMS will be naming an "official area" each day, but you'll always have the
freedom to explore whatever strikes your fancy. Our lift pass also gives us free use of the area's shuttle
buses to travel throughout the valley. It's about a 15-minute ride from one end of the valley to the other.
First, you need to know that Chamonix is not one
ski resort, but seven distinct ski areas, of which
two are inter-connected. Three towns spread
through the valley below: Argentière, Les Praz,
and Chamonix.
The charming village of Argentière provides the
nearest access to the finest terrain in the area,
Les Grands Montets. From here, a cable car
whisks you up 10,000 feet to a stunning observation
deck -- with one of the most unforgettable views in
Europe. From there, the slopes unfold into undulating
intermediate and advanced terrain -- and world famous steeps -- much of it ungroomed. While families
and beginners tend to crowd the areas at Le Brevent, you may want to explore the more relaxed and
uncrowded slopes of Le Tour, which is the next area beyond Les Grands Montets. With wide open runs,
sunny cruisers, and the chance to cross the border into Switzerland, it's a haven for skiers and
boarders who want to relax and take in the gorgeous views of the Alps.
Perhaps the most well-known mountaintop adventure in the Alps is the 13-mile Vallee Blanche glacier
run -- a must for many of Chamonix's visitors. Read all about one snowboarder's adventure in this
entertaining article. One of the world's longest ski runs, it carries you beside death-defying glacier
crevasses on a vertical drop of 9,238 feet into the village below. (Just to compare: the vertical drop at
Whistler / Blackcomb, the largest in North America, is 5,280 feet. This is nearly an additional 4,000 feet.
Whoa.) It's not the most challenging terrain -- a solid intermediate skier or boarder could handle it -- but
you don't want to do it without a local guide. SKI BUMS will help arrange guides for those of you who want
to experience this unforgettable thrill. :)
Our trip includes six days of all-access lifts, which will give you the chance to explore miles and miles of
Chamonix's terrain. SKI BUMS will be naming an "official area" each day, but you'll always have the
freedom to explore whatever strikes your fancy. Our lift pass also gives us free use of the area's shuttle
buses to travel throughout the valley. It's about a 15-minute ride from one end of the valley to the other.
If you've never taken a look at a European trail map, you might get
a kick out of this one.
As you can see, European resorts tend not to mark "trails" as much as
general "areas." This is partially because so much terrain lies above the
tree line, and partially because so many skiers and boarders in the Alps
tend to explore the areas "off-piste." (When skill levels are marked, green
is beginner, blue is beginner-intermediate, red is advanced-intermediate,
and black is advanced / expert.)
a kick out of this one.
As you can see, European resorts tend not to mark "trails" as much as
general "areas." This is partially because so much terrain lies above the
tree line, and partially because so many skiers and boarders in the Alps
tend to explore the areas "off-piste." (When skill levels are marked, green
is beginner, blue is beginner-intermediate, red is advanced-intermediate,
and black is advanced / expert.)
And, you might enjoy poking around the official Chamonix - Mont Blanc resort website, which has a
cool interactive trail map that allows you to view each area in detail:
View the official Chamonix - Mont Blanc website >
cool interactive trail map that allows you to view each area in detail:
View the official Chamonix - Mont Blanc website >
Relax in style at the foot of Les Grands
Montets
We'll be staying a mere two-minute walk from
the cable car to Les Grands Montets, at the
hotel that TripAdvisor.com rated the best hotel
in the Chamonix area: the Hotel Les Grands
Montets. This charming, alpine retreat features
warm and cozy rustic decor, a fireplace lounge,
indoor pool with a gym and sauna, and a
delicious complimentary breakfast buffet each
morning. The hotel also features
complimentary WiFi in its lounge and lobby.
It's nestled in Argentière, a lovely village that
features its own shops, hotels and distinct
French flair. We'll be taking the free shuttle
buses to explore the other towns in the
Chamonix valley, but you'll be able to find
everything you need in Argentière, including
skiing and boarding rental shops, authentic
French Savoyarde restaurants, and souvenir
stands. They're all a quick walk from our hotel.
Montets
We'll be staying a mere two-minute walk from
the cable car to Les Grands Montets, at the
hotel that TripAdvisor.com rated the best hotel
in the Chamonix area: the Hotel Les Grands
Montets. This charming, alpine retreat features
warm and cozy rustic decor, a fireplace lounge,
indoor pool with a gym and sauna, and a
delicious complimentary breakfast buffet each
morning. The hotel also features
complimentary WiFi in its lounge and lobby.
It's nestled in Argentière, a lovely village that
features its own shops, hotels and distinct
French flair. We'll be taking the free shuttle
buses to explore the other towns in the
Chamonix valley, but you'll be able to find
everything you need in Argentière, including
skiing and boarding rental shops, authentic
French Savoyarde restaurants, and souvenir
stands. They're all a quick walk from our hotel.
Our Itinerary and flight details
Our itinerary includes direct round-trip airfare between Newark and Geneva, and our own private bus
transfer between Geneva and Chamonix (it's about an hour-long scenic drive). We're flying in coach, on
Continental Airlines. Here are our details:
Departure: Friday, February 15th at 6:05 PM (you should plan to be at Newark no later than 3:30 PM)
Return: Saturday, February 23rd at 12:25 PM
If you're interested in a land-only package, or wish to upgrade to first class, please contact us directly to
make arrangements.
As you probably know, SKI BUMS oversees every detail of our trips, including meeting places each
morning, apres ski, and dinners each night. We'll be guiding you through a hand-picked "best of" trip in
Chamonix, making sure that you won't miss any of its highlights. On each vacation, we also set aside
opportunities for you to plan things on your own, to give you the chance to connect with new friends. And,
if you've talked to anyone who took our 2006 trip to Zermatt, you'll know that vacations like these are the
beginnings of some incredible new friendships. It's a great reason to take this trip!
Our itinerary includes direct round-trip airfare between Newark and Geneva, and our own private bus
transfer between Geneva and Chamonix (it's about an hour-long scenic drive). We're flying in coach, on
Continental Airlines. Here are our details:
Departure: Friday, February 15th at 6:05 PM (you should plan to be at Newark no later than 3:30 PM)
Return: Saturday, February 23rd at 12:25 PM
If you're interested in a land-only package, or wish to upgrade to first class, please contact us directly to
make arrangements.
As you probably know, SKI BUMS oversees every detail of our trips, including meeting places each
morning, apres ski, and dinners each night. We'll be guiding you through a hand-picked "best of" trip in
Chamonix, making sure that you won't miss any of its highlights. On each vacation, we also set aside
opportunities for you to plan things on your own, to give you the chance to connect with new friends. And,
if you've talked to anyone who took our 2006 trip to Zermatt, you'll know that vacations like these are the
beginnings of some incredible new friendships. It's a great reason to take this trip!
Cancellation policy: Before November 9: full refund. Between November 9 and
December 3: $100 fee. Between December 4 and January 3: $400 fee. After
January 4: no refund. SKI BUMS reserves the right to add a 15% late payment
charge. SKI BUMS strongly urges the purchase of traveler's insurance to protect
against unforeseen cancellations.
The Bums Rush: if you're a contestant in The Bums Rush, you could win this
vacation. If you've paid a deposit for the trip and you win, your deposit will be
refunded to you.
December 3: $100 fee. Between December 4 and January 3: $400 fee. After
January 4: no refund. SKI BUMS reserves the right to add a 15% late payment
charge. SKI BUMS strongly urges the purchase of traveler's insurance to protect
against unforeseen cancellations.
The Bums Rush: if you're a contestant in The Bums Rush, you could win this
vacation. If you've paid a deposit for the trip and you win, your deposit will be
refunded to you.
This trip is sold out, but members may add their name
to our wait list. The deadline to sign up for this trip is
Tuesday, November 13th.
to our wait list. The deadline to sign up for this trip is
Tuesday, November 13th.
This trip is sold out, but members may add their name
to our wait list. The deadline to sign up for this trip is
Tuesday, November 13th.
to our wait list. The deadline to sign up for this trip is
Tuesday, November 13th.