Our Geneva Airport to Chamonix route is our most popular transfer by far, with many of you as enchanted by the magic of the mountains as we are! Here’s what’s new and happening in the Chamonix valley for this winter season…

New shops, bars & restaurants
A lot has changed in Chamonix town centre over the recent months. The former Terrasse bar right in the heart of Place Balmat opened as Rose du Pont to much acclaim. The amazing renovation has classic French bistro at its heart and it is truly lovely. A must visit.

After Mr Ancey’s well deserved retirement (known as Quiche Man to those who have been in Chamonix longer than they care to admit!), his beautiful little boutique chocolate shop opposite the Hotel Croix Blanche has been taken over by Sallanches chocolatiers Gateau & Cacao. And we have to say, the hand-made chocolate goodies are incredible…

Not far from our Mountain Drop-offs Chamonix HQ, you’ll find Bureau Services in the Galerie Alpina. This is the go-to place for all your stationery needs. They’ve now opened a cool little shop opposite where you can get all sorts of things printed – perfect for getting those instagrammable Chamonix skiing snaps made into a wall hanging or even a mug!

Chamonix hotels
The Hotel Mercure next to the train station is having a total makeover, with a revamped reception, bar and restaurant area, as well a whole new Spa are being built for relaxing those tired ski legs.

Work continues on transforming the former Hotel Couttet into a five star hotel and resort. It won’t be open for this winter, but it is sure to make an impact when it does!

There’s a change of name and a new look for the big hotel on the main road between Chamonix and Les Houches. Now called the Bigsky Hotel, it’s all about a funky retro styling with an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi!

Mountain restaurants – all change?
We keep out ear well and truly to the ground in Chamonix and we hear that a trio of mountain restaurants are changing this winter. We’re excited to see what is going to happen at the Bergerie in Brevent at the eateries on the snow front at Flegere! Watch this space!

Getting around Chamonix
This winter there’s a whole new perspective on transport in the Chamonix valley, with dedicated Ski Buses and Urban Buses covering everywhere from Servoz to Vallorcine. In essence, special express ski buses pick up from Place Mont Blanc, Chamonix Sud bus station, Chamonix Tourist Office and Grepon Parking to then take skiers directly to the slopes.

There’s a new Chamonix Mobilite website and a new App too, so make sure you download it before you arrive in Chamonix!

Has all this talk of places to shop, eat and stay in Chamonix whet your appetite? Make plans and get your transfers booked online with Mountain Drop-offs now! We’re here for you.

A proper welcome back for World Cup Climbing Chamonix style!

The Chamonix leg of the World Cup Climbing tour is back in full effect for 2022 from the 8th to the 10th July! After the rather particular circumstances of the 2021 series (thanks, COVID!), this year, the doors are wide-open, giving spectators access to the all the action, animations, events and sports village – for FREE! Yay!

Chamonix World Cup Climbing – where it happens

The world’s best competition climbers will be back at the Place du Mont Blanc (the big square by the Alpina hotel) for the difficulty and speed events (or ‘lead & speed’ as it’s known in the sports climbing community!).

The Chamonix stop is one of just 12 in the 2022 World Cup series. With other stops as far afield as Jakarta and Japan, this really is a key event for the sporting calendar in Chamonix.

Official World Cup Climbing event series

Organised by Chamonix Sports and overseen by the IFSC (the International Federation of Sport Climbing), it’s an incredible event, with the majestic mountains as the backdrop. Just take a look at those super-high, super-technical climbing walls built just for this competition. There are some seriously tricky overhangs, And as for the speed climbers? Blink and you miss them, as they make that final arm stretch to hit the buzzer at the top.

The world’s best climbers…and more!

And it’s not just about climbing. There will be films on the big screen, events, entertainment for all the family and the world cup village to stroll around, with sports companies showing off their latest gear. Our highlight is the awards and closing ceremony on the Sunday night. It happens after night fall (around 22:30) and generally turns into a good old party!

When it happens

Here’s the full programme of then Chamonix World Cup Climbing competition as it stands:

Friday 8th July 2022

17:00-19:00 : Training World Cup speed climbing
19:00-21:00 : Qualifications World Cup speed climbing
21:00-21:00 : Films as featured at the Chamonix Film Festival on the big screen

Saturday 9th July 2022

10:00-17:00 : Qualifications World Cup difficulty (lead) climbing
19:30-20:00 : Films on the big scree
20:00-21:00 : Live music
21:00-22:00 : Finals of the World Cup speed climbing

Sunday 10th July 2022

10:00-12:30 : Semi-finals of the difficulty (lead) climbing
15:30-18:00 : Speed climbing wall open to all – come and have a go!
20:30-22:30 : World Cup difficulty (lead) finals

If you’re contemplating a summer trip out to Chamonix, early July is a great choice. All the lifts are open for the summer season and all the bars and restaurants are ready to welcome you, but you’ve haven’t yet got the numbers of holidaymakers Chamonix attracts once the school holidays properly kick off.

And of course, as always, we are here to get you to and from Geneva Airport to wherever you’re staying in the Chamonix valley or elsewhere, in comfort. We’re fully operational throughout the World Cup Climbing event, so book your Geneva to Chamonix shared or private transfer now!

All photos : IFSC / Chamonix Sports

Yes, it’s the news you have all been waiting for… the Arc’Teryx Alpine Academy is back, and not only that its celebrating its 10th Anniversary! Mountain Drop-offs are delighted to be involved in the alpine academy that unites the international alpine community over 4 days in our beloved Chamonix.

Taking place on the 1st – 4th July 2021 the Arc’Teryx Alpine Academy is an event where keen outdoor enthusiasts can advance their mountain skills amongst like-minded individuals through  good value guided clinics from some of the top guides and athletes in the world.

The Arc’Teryx Alpine Academy is an immersive and inspiring experience no matter your skill level, there is always something to learn and contribute to the community.

To find out more about the Academy and Chamonix click here.

See you in the mountains!!!

Summer Academy

Down, but not out! Like many of us the Arc’teryx Academy has had to adapt to the current Covid climate. Over three weekends they have a number of clinics and seminars running in the alpine capital of Chamonix to promote safe play and exploration in our beloved mountains. The selection of skill advancing clinics lead by world leading experts in disciplines of mountaineering, climbing and trail running will be running over the following weekends;

• July 24-26, 2020
• August 7-9, 2020
• September 11-13, 2020

To find out more or for booking options please visit Arc’teryx Alpine Academy or email alpineacademy@arcteryx.com

Ski Music Festivals

If you like your spring ski trip to coincide with great music, then there’s no shortage of destinations to choose from for 2020. Conditions across the Alps are looking great with lots of recent snowfall and lots more on the forecast. Better yet, Mountain Drop-offs can take you there!

Plan your time well and you could ski and party from now until the end of the season…

Alpe d’Huez 14-21 March 2020

First of the spring line-up is Tomorrowland Festival in Alpe d’Huez. A firm favourite with dance fans it’s line-up this year includes Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Afrojack and Dimitri Vegas. Originally a summer event, it’s now a regular snow-based one with a range of packages available to cover concert tickets, lifts passes and accommodation.

Portes du Soleil 15-20 March 2020

Meanwhile, over in the Portes du Soleil there’s the week-long FREE open-air Rock the Pistes festival.  Straddling France and Switzerland it offers a mix of rock gigs up on the slopes, DJ sets as well as lots of gifs going on around the resort too. The only thing you need to access this massive party is your lift pass!

Avoriaz 21-28 March 2020

Andy C, Annie Mac and DJ Ez are topping the bill at this firm favourite in the Avoriaz calendar – Snowboxx.  There’s Apres, there’s the secret igloo the XX Club and the Downtown to choose from. Check out the full line up of DJ sets, terrace parties and club nights.

Chamonix 31 March – 5 April 2020

With an enduring promise to ski, party, repeat! Unlimited Festival is next up. A week-long extravaganza of electronica, it boasts gigs in iconic locations that include: the top station of the Aiguille du Midi lift, sunset at Plan Praz and the Skyway Monte Bianco in Courmayeur to name just three.

The A-Z of artists starts with Agoria and runs to Volvox via Laurent Garnier in a line-up too long to list. So, check out the full programme.  You can book everything you need for Unlimited Festival via their website – passes, accommodation and even your Mountain Drop-offs airport transfer complete with promo code.

Val Thorens – 10-13 April 2020

If jazz is more your style, then Jazz à Val Thorens is the festival for you. From midday until midnight this event includes live concerts, Apéro jazz sessions and Après-ski options too. Here are all the details.

Zermatt – 14-19 April 2020

If acoustic is your thing, then Zermatt Unplugged is the place to go. There’s music in Zermatt village as well as on the slopes and this year’s line up includes Dido, Ronnie Scott’s All Stars with Curtis Stigers and Gerard Depardieu. Music and the Matterhorn as a backdrop, what more could you want.

Tignes 21-23 April 2020

Three days of artists and DJs are promised for this year’s Live in Tignes event by Francofolies. Sun, ski and music in Tignes and what’s more it’s also completely FREE. This end of season special also comes complete with great offers on everything from accommodation to lift passes.

Related pages you may be interested in: Chamonix Transfers – Chamonix Restaurants On The Mountain – Geneva Transfers