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Newly refurbished apartment in the centre of Les Contamines, just over an hour's drive from Geneva airport (85km mostly motorway). Les Contamines is set in the stunning Mont Blanc Massif area, just up the valley from Chamonix and St. Gervais. The apartment is situated on the second floor of the Chalet Chamois (originally a hotel) and is serviced by a lift. There is also a large (lockable) ski locker on the ground floor as well as a sluice room for washing off boots and skis. Private outdoor parking.
The apartment has tiled floors in the bathroom and lounge and wooden floors in the bedrooms and the walls are either tiled, wooden or white. The main bedroom has a double bed, bedside tables and lamps, a fitted wardrobe and a chair. The view from the window is of the Dome de Miage and its amazing glacier. The second bedroom is a cabine with bunk beds and a small chest of drawers and a window with the same view. The living area comprises a small but well-equipped kitchen area with fridge, dishwasher, ceramic hob and separate oven/grill, seating for 6 round a large table, sofa (which sleeps two), and a television (no UK TV), DVD/VCR and Radio/CD player. There are patio doors leading on to a small balcony with a table and four chairs. The balcony looks out onto gardens and then up to the Dome de Miage. The bathroom has a shower, toilet and basin with ample cupboard space.
It is five minutes from the ski slopes either by car or the local ski bus which stops outside. Given the proximity of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, snow is generally good and the summer walking excellent. Chalet Chamois is situated right in the middle of Les Contamines village with several shops, bars and restaurants close by catering for all tastes and budgets. Ski/snowboard gear can be hired from most of the equipments shops.
Most of the skiing is above 1800m and the ski area, which has eight mountain restaurants, has 120km of uncrowded pistes with 31 ski lifts, 44 pistes, including 3 nursery slopes in the village and 29km of cross-country skiing while for snow boarders there is a snow park. An 'Evasion' ski pass will grant you access to another 400+ kilometres in the likes of Combloux, Rochebrune, St. Gervais and Megeve among others. Lessons in English are available from the local Ecole du Ski, for all levels, if required, and can be booked online. Les Contamines also has very good off-piste for the more adventurous skier and English-speaking ski guides are available for hire. None of the 14 resorts of the Chamonix ski domain are more than 45 minutes drive away including Les Grands Montets at Argentiere. Local ski guides can take you on a descent of the world famous Vallee Blanche.
The skiing is generally excellent and could not be classified as difficult but of an excellent intermediate standard with 10 black, 17 red, 10 blue and 7 green runs. In the summer months, the mountains provide all types of walking, including parts of the Tour of Mont Blanc within easy distance.
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