Chamonix
Huge cavern appears in Chamonix glacier

Huge cavern appears in Chamonix glacier

A huge cavern has formed in the upper part of the Glacier des Bossons in Chamonix. So large that it’s visible from the centre of Chamonix, the cave appeared last month in the upper part of the Bossons glacier. A old pocket of water or large crevasse? Located not far from the Grands Mulets refuge,...
[Case Study] London to Chamonix by train

[Case Study] London to Chamonix by train

In February 2024, Iain Martin, presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from London to Chamonix by train. “Chamonix is one of my favourite resorts and I’ve travelled there by train several times. It’s not quite as convenient as some resorts, as it typically requires two changes after Paris. However, the...
Glacier lake in Chamonix at risk of overflowing

Glacier lake in Chamonix at risk of overflowing

The ski resort of Chamonix has met again to discuss the monitoring of the lake formed in 2018 on the Bossons Glacier. Formed from increased amounts of snowmelt, the lake now carries the threat of overflowing, should there be future extended periods of warm weather. Last year, the resort used an excavator to clear rocks...
Compagnie des Alpes converts all piste bashers to biofuel

Compagnie des Alpes converts all piste bashers to biofuel

If reducing the carbon footprint of your ski holiday is important to you, the obvious first step is to choose an alternative to flying, but you can also make a difference by choosing a resort that has high sustainability standards. The Compagnie des Alpes (CdA) has taken a huge step to reducing the emissions generated...
Case Study: Chamonix by Train from the UK

Case Study: Chamonix by Train from the UK

In May 2022, Iain from Ski Flight Free travelled to Chamonix in France by train. He left London St Pancras at 08:01 BST and arrived in Chamonix at 19:02 CET (18:02 BST). This is his report of the journey. London-Paris I live in Brighton, so actually my journey started early with a direct train to...
Chamonix partners with Kia Electric Vehicles

Chamonix partners with Kia Electric Vehicles

Chamonix has started a new three-year partnership in which the car maker Kia will provide electric vehicles for the resort. The resort already has a great reputation for sustainability and is a verified ‘Flocon Vert’ resort under the Mountain Riders scheme. Marc HEDRICH, President of Kia France said: “The relationship between Kia and Chamonix is...
Chamonix targets second life for climbing ropes

Chamonix targets second life for climbing ropes

Established in Chamonix 150 years ago, the Simond factory produces more than 200 tons of dynamic climbing ropes each year with a carbon cost equivalent to a single person flying around the earth almost six hundred times! In an effort to reduce their footprint, the company has launched an operation to collect old climbing ropes,...
Warmest winter on record in Chamonix

Warmest winter on record in Chamonix

In a further sign that the Alps are being affected by global warming even more than the rest of the planet, Météo France recently announced that December 2019 and January 2020 were the second warmest in France since records began in 1900. In particular they picked out Chamonix where the average temperature during the period was...
The Léman Express: New Geneva to Chamonix train service

The Léman Express: New Geneva to Chamonix train service

The new Geneva to Chamonix train service – the Léman Express – is due to open on 15 December 2019. The service will make it easier for skiers and snowboarders who want to travel by train to Chamonix, as well as the resorts of the Grand Massif (Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens) and the Portes du...
Chamonix's glaciers from the air: 1919 v 2019

Chamonix’s glaciers from the air: 1919 v 2019

Two British academics have put together these shocking photos, showing the extent of the glacial retreat in Chamonix. Dr Kieran Baxter and Dr Alice Watterson from the University of Dundee compared photos taken a century ago in 2019. The original photos were taken by the Swiss pilot and photographer Walter Mittelholzer, who flew over the...
Global Warming in 577 steps...

Global Warming in 577 steps…

There are a lot of graphics that demonstrate global warming and climate change, but this superb and worrying image stands out. I can remember skiing the Vallée Blanche in Chamonix for the first time in 1984…it’s a very different experience today!     This photo shows the difference in the Mer de Glacier as shown...