Chamonix - Why It Really Is Such A Special Ski / Mountain Resort

One of the things that most inhabitants of Chamonix will tell you, is that it isn't just the sport that makes this resort special (and there are plenty of sporty things to do here too). Pop into Chamonix today for example, and despite it being midweek, the bars and restaurants will be full to the brim at lunchtime with locals and a few tourists enjoying its magnificent views and the glorious autumn sunshine. By the afternoon the many shops that line this historic town will be open and the mix of window shopers and buyers will ensure the buzz carries on long after the sun goes down. I guess this is what in my opinion makes it such a special place, with the exception of November when many locals pop away to get some last R&R, prior to the ski season, it is a resort that is very much alive all year round whilst most other ski resorts are very seasonal, if you go for example to Val d'Isere today you might want to take a book and your own refreshments!