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Chamonix end of May

Posted by (TX) on

We have been to the Berner Oberland area, but never to the French Alps.

I realize that I will probably be comparing my stay in areas like Wengen and Lauterbrunnen with wherever else I might visit.,,

That being said, anyone who has experienced both areas able to
Give me some advice?

Planning a two week trip to France and thinking of Chamomix or surrounding areas for a week, possibly at the end of May. Any hiking possibilities around that time, or too much snow still? Routes closed? We were in Wengen at first week in June and some areas weren't opened until our last couple of days.

Are there any villages near Chamonix that might give the feeling of being in Murren or Wengen? We will have a car.

I'm only now looking into this trip, so haven't done much research.

Posted by
3391 posts

I have visited Chamonix several times and hiked quite a lot in the surrounding area, mostly during June - August. On several trips there hiking has been no problem, with clear trails. The most recent trip, July 2013, there was quite a lot of snow still up on the trails and we couldn't take some of our usual routes. You could get to Lac Blanc but had to hike from below, up. Other years we have been able to hike from the lift above the lake and then down but there was so much snow last time that we weren't able to. I hope someone who has been there recently can comment on the snow pack this year who might have a better prediction of how much will be left in May. May is quite early so I would imagine that the odds of clear trails are slim.
As far as the feeling of being in Murren and Wengen - the French Alps have a very different feel (IMHO) from the Swiss Alps. The towns in the Swiss Alps, at least the Berner Oberland, have a much more "quaint" feeling with lovely chalets, cows, and green alpine meadows. The French Alps are more rocky. The towns are much more continental-European feeling to me. Chamonix in particular is very French in style. It is at the bottom of a valley and surrounded on both sides by stunning peaks. Hiking up either side of the valley gives incredible, dramatic views of the peaks on the other side. That's why we like the Lac Blanc hike so much...the views over to Mont Blanc, the Mer du Glace, and the Argentiere Glacier are unmatched.
I don't know if any villages nearby that will give you a similar feel to Murren and Wengen - the area around Chamonix is primarily a ski resort but the fact that it has been a touristed area for 150 years gives more of a classic quality, not like some of the newer ski areas in the French Alps.
I encourage you to give Chamonix a try. We have spent lots of time in all parts of the Alps and continue to visit Chamonix because it's beautiful and very unique in Europe.

Posted by
16893 posts

Similarly, Chamonix is where Rick chooses to stay in the French Alps, right under the highest peak in Europe. He also covers the lake town of Annecy in the book, and our tours have stopped there for lunch, but that's much further from the action and no less developed.

Posted by
497 posts

Merci, Anita and Laura.

I will get his book, and maybe look for a DVD as well. Trying to figure out where to fly into and out. Also what part of Switzerland to spend a week.

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