Chamonix 2023

17th March to 20th March 2023

Edinburgh Airport

There are 11 of us are travelling to Edinburgh on the Friday morning, so we have 3 cars booked into the multi storey. 

Aim to be at Edinburgh Airport for 5am. Flight is a 6:30am departure. Our experience of this flight on a Friday has been generally good, in terms of getting through security etc. 

Suggest leaving Troon at 3:45am latest.  Everyone is responsible for their own Check-in, and Boarding Passes!

Geneva Airport and Transfers

Flight arrival  is expected around 09:40 French time (+1 hour).

To date it has taken us about 1 hour to get through Passport checks, and collect luggage.

Transfer bus (private) is aiming for a 10:45 departure, with the desk in the main arrivals hall and a short walk to the bus. 

The transfer depending on traffic takes about 1:15hr, so if we make the Hotel for say 12:00 we are doing well. The roads leaving the airport, and around Chamonix can throw up some challenges. Good plan is to bring some food with you to keep you going if you want to head straight out skiing when you arrive at the hotel. 

Hotel

Heliopic Spa and Hotel (https://www.heliopic-hotel-spa.com) is booked for us all,  with breakfast included.

Text from the hotel concierge - The hotel do not have a private shuttle as you may take public transport (train and buses) to reach the different ski sectors. The closest bus stop is located at only 100 meters away from the hotel. All the lines are available at the Chamonix Sud bus stop. You can  book a taxi. We suggest you to book it in advance as well.

You can go to :

- Le Brévent area by bus with the line 14 in a 10 minutes ride

- La Flégère area by bus with the line 1, 2 or 19 in 15 minutes ride

- Le Balme area by bus with the line 2 in 20 minutes ride

- Les Grands Montets area by bus with the line 2 in 15 minutes ride

- Les Houches area by bus with the line 1 or 15 in 15 minutes ride

The buses and trains are free of charge  with a guest card which will be given at the check-in.

We invite you to click on the link down below for more information. To access to the resort's website you just need to click on the title of the chosen area. To call them, just click on the phone number. 

https://nc.heliopic.com/index.php/s/gNe3bQ8yLbn7AMk

Ski Equipment, Lessons and Passes

Ski Equipment

All equipment is available to hire at the hotel, which is probably the simplest due to short time in resort. Everyone is responsible for booking their own gear!

https://www.heliopic-hotel-spa.com/skishop/


Lessons

TBC - need to see what conditions are like, and what options people want. 


Passes

These are available to purchase at reception in the Hotel. Reading the following the suggestion would be the Chamonix Le Pass, which covers the major areas (inc. all beginner areas).

https://www.chamonix.net/english/lift-systems/lift-passes

Ski Maps

Evening Meals

So, suggestions are as follows:

Friday night - Le Monchu.  https://lemonchu-chamonix.fr/en/ 

Saturday night - L'Akashon (at the hotel).  https://restaurant-akashon.com/en/   - we have been asked to pre-order a couple of days in advance. 

Sunday night - Bighorn Restaurant  https://www.bighornbistro.com/    - we have been asked to pre-order a couple of days in advance.

Apres Ski

Suggestions welcome!

Friday night is obviously St Patricks day so the beer maybe green apparently. 

https://www.seechamonix.com/events/st-patrick-s-day-in-701411



Hometime Arrangements

Hopefully we will be out early and skiing on the Monday morning. Will need to be packed early, and leave luggage in the hotel. 

Pickup at the hotel will be at 14:35, so you need to be back, skis handed back, and ready to jump in the bus.

Transfer back is again around 1:20hr, so 16:00 at the airport. 

Geneva is generally good at getting through checkin and security, so fingers crossed by 16:30 we are having a beer awaiting the flight.

Departure is 18:05, with arrival at Edinburgh at 19:25 UK time (-1hr), then home.


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