Location
Car is not necessary
About Chamonix
Hotel Les Lanchers boasts a sunny position overlooking the awe-inspiring scenery of the Mont Blanc Massif with its eerie glaciers and towering peaks.
It’s a convenient location too. There are local shops and a post office right on your doorstep and all the facilities and nightlife of the town centre are close at hand, about 20 minutes walk away along a footpath beside the River Arve, or via one of the frequent bus services which run the entire length of the Chamonix valley.
Easy access to the ski slopes in winter and to the mountain paths in summer via the Flegere cable car (2 minutes on foot ). Close to Chamonix golf course and mountain biking trails.
Free bus stops right outside the hotel
Les Praz de Chamonix Train station at 300 metres
In a nutshell, at Hotel Les Lanchers you can enjoy the delightful village ambience of Les Praz de Chamonix while benefiting from all the amenities of Chamonix.
Hotel Les Lanchers is well-placed within the “triangle of friendship” centred on the Chamonix valley in France; it’s only a few kilometres from the Italian border and just 15 kilometres from the Swiss frontier. Chamonix is not only well served by an excellent road and rail network within France, connecting through the Channel Tunnel or the ferry ports, but also from Italy via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. What’s more, with the introduction of cheap flights to Geneva, Grenoble and Lyon, the resort has become one of the most easily accessible in the Alps. It’s less than an hours’ drive from Geneva Airport and easily within two from Grenoble and Lyon.
Skiing & snowboarding...
Come to Chamonix and enter one of the most spectacular mountain valleys in the world. Every ski area offers you a different perspective of Mont Blanc, presiding over snow-capped peaks, turquoise glaciers and rocky “aiguilles”.
Whether you are pausing piste-side, sitting on a chairlift or relaxing on the terrace of a mountain restaurant, the surrounding views are quite literally breathtaking.
The skiing is a bit special too! Just two minutes from the back of the hotel past the ski hire shops is the Flegere cable car which gives access to the whole Flegere/Brevent ski area. Skiers and boarders alike will find a variety of cruising terrain of an intermediate standard on sunny, south-facing slopes. The Charles Bozon piste from the top of Le Brevent is a must for any self-respecting skier, while beginners and the less experienced will find a number of gentler slopes to tackle during or after ski school.
Le Tour/Col de Balme at the head of the valley, skirting the Swiss border provides an excellent area for beginners at La Vormaine. Its natural bowl is a snowboarders’ paradise, offering wide-open blue and red runs and some north-facing tree skiing down towards Vallorcine.
What can be added to what has already been said about Les Grands Montets, high above the nearby village of Argentiere. Set beneath the 4,000 metre Aiguille Verte, the top cable car takes you all the way to 3,275 metres (nearly 11,000 feet high) onto the Pointe de Vue piste, amid one of Europe’s most dramatic glaciers. Renowned for offering some of the most thrilling off-piste skiing anywhere in the Alps, the powder hounds will find bumps and jumps galore and the snow-park with half-pipe is heaven for boarders. In this sensational setting, perfectly groomed pistes with snow cannons all the way back down to the bottom at 1200 metres virtually guarantee you day after day of total hedonism.
Skiing...
Les Houches, home to La Verte de Kandahar, the World Cup Downhill run, although only available on the “Unlimited” lift pass, offers great opportunities for tree skiing with good snow-making facilities.
Last but not least, the jewel in the crown! Book a guide to take you to the top of the Aiguille du Midi and from the awesome height of 3,842 metres (over 12,500 feet up), ski the legendary Vallee Blanche, some 23 kilometres of glacial skiing for confident intermediates all the way down to the valley floor when snow conditions permit.
Off piste...
A pre-dinner meeting in our bar with your guide from the world renowned Compagnie des Guides marks the beginning of your mountain adventure. Whether you fancy carving the first tracks in fresh powder on the Pas de Chevre or exploring parts of the Mont Blanc Massif on both the French and Italian side, the camaraderie of the challenge will quickly bond your small group together. Take a picnic in your rucksack (the hotel will prepare these to order), and get ready to enjoy an unforgettable ski experience.
You may prefer to enroll on a ski mountaineering tour using special “skis de randonnee”, enabling you to discover high mountain solitude amid perfect snow conditions with a maximum emphasis on safety. Prices depend on the length of course, size of group and equipment required; whatever you choose, you are sure to want to come back for more. Snowshoeing, heli-skiing in Switzerland and paragliding can also be arranged.
Cross country skiing...
The resort offers around 60 kilometres of ski de fond trails with an excellent cross-country circuit within easy reach of the hotel. We can make the necessary arrangements for you to join other groups of enthusiasts too.
Ice skating...
There is an indoor ice rink for ice-skating nearby where ice hockey matches are regular features; Chamonix being one of the leading teams in the National League.
SnowboardingSki/snowboarding & equipment rental...
Skis, boards, telemark, snow-blades or cross-country skis, all kinds of boots and snow shoes from beginner right through to technical equipment for advanced skiers and ski tourers are all available for hire from the local sports shops.
Ski pass...
There is no need to provide a photo to obtain a pass, as the system is electronic. The "Chamonix le Pass" gives all beginners and intermediate skiers access to most areas they will require. The more expensive "Mont Blanc Unlimited" pass in addition provides access to the Grands Montets cable car, the Aiguille du Midi cable car and the neighbouring ski resorts of Les Houches, Courmayeur in Italy and Verbier in Switzerland (if purchased for one week).
Ski school...
The ski school provides half-day classes on Sunday afternoons and weekday mornings with English-speaking instructors if required. Private lessons can be arranged, generally in the afternoons. There are groups to suit every level of ability, including children's ski school and crèche facilities on a full or half-day basis.
Activities near Chamonix
Once the ski season is over, the mountains quickly take on a very different character. The snow line creeps back to reveal winding trails and mountain pastures which spring to life with colourful alpine flowers and shrubs – a garden rockery to surpass all others! Shepherds move their beasts back into the hills which echo with the tinkling sound of cow bells. The strong sun turns the alpine meadows to deep green and frozen streams are transformed into tumbling waterfalls. Under a crystal-clear blue sky, temperatures rise steadily into the 80s.
It is not surprising therefore, that there are plenty of sporting opportunities to hand at Hotel Les Lanchers during the summer months. In fact, Chamonix is probably even more popular at this time of year. What better way to appreciate your exceptional mountain location than to participate in some of the following pursuits?
Outdoors...
Golf club de Chamonix, only 3 minutes’ walk away, is a superb 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior. In a truly majestic mountain setting you’ll find many challenges on this 6076 metres (6638 yards), par 72 course with plenty of water hazards, tricky bunkers to negotiate and testing terrain. There is a practice driving range with 26 bays, some covered, and a first-rate pro shop for club, trolley and buggy hire, plus individual or group lessons on offer. We specialize in golf breaks, and for the real enthusiast there are several courses within an hour’s drive. Our golf packages include half-board accommodation, Geneva airport transfers and transport to the golf course with pre-paid green fees.
Chamonix Tennis club: offers 15 clay and hard courts, 2 squash courts and an additional 2 indoor tennis courts. Racquets and balls for hire at the club.
Horse riding: with trekking and courses for children.
White-water rafting: courses are run by Chamonix Hydroglisse on the nearby River Arve, fast-flowing in summer, swollen by the melting snow.
Ice climbing and rock climbing: There is an indoor practice climbing wall nearby and courses are run with instruction on the rock face at Les Gaillands. Experienced climbers will need no introduction to the limitless possibilities of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Swimming pools: Indoor 25 metre pool with paddling pool, games pool and covered water slide. Outdoor 50 metre Olympic swimming pool, games pool. Saunas, steam bath and jacuzzi, all only 15 minutes’ walk away.
Paragliding: Offering courses beginning with accompanied jumps and including instruction on the art of solo flying. There are a variety of take-off points for experienced hang gliders.
Hot-air ballooning and Helecopter flights and scenic flights to appreciate an eagle eye viewpoint.
Mountain biking: pick up a trail map and explore the valley or jump on a ski lift for an adrenalin-charged mountain descent. Guides for cycling and mountain biking are available too.
Mountain hikes: In a surrounding area offering around 340 kilometres of marked walking trails. The variety and expanse of terrain is immense and the alpine views are stupendous - walking
| Local sports activities |
Within 15 minutes: Mountain biking, Swimming, Horse riding, Climbing, Fishing, Cycling, Skiing, Walking, Tennis
Within 45 minutes: Golf
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| Local leisure activities |
On-site: Restaurant
Within 15 minutes: Food shop, Shopping
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| Great for |
Walking holiday, Cycling holiday, Summer holidays, Beach activity break, Ski Holidays |
