Chamonix

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (French pronunciation:; Arpitan: Chamôni-Mont-Blanc), more commonly known simply as Chamonix (Chamôni), is a commune in the Haute-Savoiedepartment in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpesregion in southeastern France. It hosted the first Winter Olympics, held in 1924.

Chamonix is situated in the French Alps just north of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Between the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges and the notable Aiguille du Midi, it borders both Switzerland and Italy. It is one of the oldest ski resorts in France, popular with alpinists and mountain enthusiasts. Via the cable car lift to the Aiguille du Midi it is possible to access the off-piste ski run of the Vallée Blanche ('white valley').