When
on an Icicle course in Chamonix where accommodation
is included, your course itinerary will detail where
you stay. For most Chamonix based Alpine courses you
are based in one of four types of accommodation; a self-catering
apartment, a chalet, a hotel, or a mountain hut. Accommodation
is on a self-catered basis, and all
bedding and any tourist taxes are included. There is
a choice of self-catered (always included) or half board
(upgrade) in valley accommodation, and in huts you always
stay on a half board basis. All bedding, linen and towels
are provided in the valley accommodation. Some more
detail on each of the options is provided below...
We
use these on many week long courses. Apartments have mountain views, a bathroom, good storage,
WiFi, washing machine, and a self-catering kitchenette with tea and coffee making
facilities and a fridge. Close by are
several shops and bakeries where you can purchase food
for any meals you wish to prepare, and supplies for packed lunches.
On
some courses, such as those which are only in town for
a night at one or each end of there trip, we use a variety
of quality chalets (or hotels). These are all in Chamonix, rather
than one of the outlying villages, so you have easy access
to town. Chalet rooms are all in twin or double beds,
unless you have asked us for a treble room, and most rooms
are en suite.
For
some weekend trips, you are based in a hotel in the centre
of Chamonix. We use a variety of hotels, and some clients
opt to upgrade to a higher quality hotel for their course.
If you would like us to quote on a hotel upgrade for you,
just let us know what standard and facilities you require,
and we will contact our hotel partners, to get you a preferential
quote.
Mountain
Huts are run by a 'Guardian' who cooks, cleans and is
on hand for your assistance. On most courses, the itineraries
detail a specific number of nights in mountain huts. Clients
share rooms, which often are on tiered bunks. Each person
is allocated a mattress with its own pillow and blankets,
but you should take a sleeping bag liner for comfort.
Apartments are supplied by a local agency, and are ideally located in the town centre and close to cable cars etc. Clients generally stay in these apartments of two or three sharing. Apartments are single sex, and most beds are singles, so if you are a couple requiring
a double, or a single person not wishing to share,
consider an upgrade. Ask us for a discount if you don't require our accommodation.
Some
of the chalets have self-catering kitchens that you can
use in the evening, but if you choose not to cook for
yourself in the evenings, we can advise you on where to
eat out for whatever budget. If you have not visited Chamonix
before, there is a huge variety of restaurants to choose
from. If you need to book extra nights before or after
a course, we can get you a quote for staying in one of
these chalets.
If
you would like to add a little luxury to a stay after
a course, or would like to upgrade your course accommodation,
we recommend staying at our upgrade partner, the 4 star
Hotel Le Morgane. This recently renovated hotel is a two
minute walk from the town centre, and also has a pool
and spa treatments available, not to mention a Michelin
starred restaurant. http://www.morgane-hotel-chamonix.com
There
are normally storage / drying rooms. Meals are on a half
board basis, with a basic continental breakfast and a
three course cooked evening meal. Any extras you order,
such as bottled water, beer or wine, packed lunch, or
chocolate, must be paid for by you. If you opt for or
need, any extra nights in addition to those in the itinerary,
you pay the extra half board night(s) for you and the
guide.
Further
details about the self-catering apartments
It's really important to many clients to know exactly what sort of accommodation you are staying in, so below you'll find the details, photos, and even videos of what to expect. They're a great permanent base for you for the duration of your stay in Chamonix, and they remain yours even on the nights that you are away staying in mountain huts, so you have somewhere to store your belongings.
These
apartments are used for the majority of our summer climbing and winter
courses which are Chamonix based, unless your itinerary
states otherwise, such as staying in a chalet or
hotel.
From Summer 2023 we exclusively use apartments supplied by local agencies, to raise the quality of our course accommodation, whilst still striving to keep our prices the most competitive.
All of the apartments are in or close to the town centre, within a 5 minute walk from the high street. We carefully selected the agencies for providing apartments in good quality buildings.
Each of the apartments that we use is fully equipped with all the key facilities provided to make your stay confortable; WiFi, kitchen, washing machine, and smart TV.
Below is
a gallery of photos from the flats, so you see exactly what
you get. The video on the right, gives you a sneeky peek into two of these apartments.
For those wanting more luxury, we provide upgrade options. These include single rooms in shared flats, a private apartment, or a hotel tool of whatever star rating you require.
We offer discounts for those who source their own accommodation from the the time of booking, whether they stay in their own place, a hotel, tent, or motorhome / van. Get in contact for details.
Whatever accommodation you are
staying in, for Chamonix based week long courses, you will be able to store all your clothes, equipment,
and belongings there for the duration of your course.
This is
a key selling point as many course providers make you check
out for the nights you spend in mountain huts, but for any change of plans, you need a base and a place to store your
kit.
You can check into your accommodation from 16:00 on the
first day of the course (usually Sunday), and must check out
by 10:00 on the departure day (usually Saturday).
If you are planning to drive out to Chamonix, there is some free parking available (see map in Course Info Booklet) showing the locations. Note this isn't always at the accommodation.
Summary
of meals on a course
Breakfast
Lunch
Evening
When
you are in town and accommodation is included on a self-catering basis, no breakfast supplies are provided, but there are some great bakeries and coffee shops nearby, as well as a few cafes that offer cooked breakfasts. In mountain huts, a light continental breakfast is provided.
Everyone
has their own idea of what they would like for lunch whilst
in the mountains, varying from a stack of Mars bars to
a large ham sandwich. For this reason we let you choose
your own lunches, which may be easily purchased locally
from shops and supermarkets. You will be advised in the
briefings as to how many days lunches you should plan
ahead and purchase. There is never time to cook hot lunches
while on a course, but you could take a thermos.
In
town clients normally take advantage of the excellent
variety of local restaurants, and also the town's bars
to celebrate week's achievements. We are also happy to
book places in restaurants for you, should you wish an
evening on your own. Some clients want an early night
or to budget, so opt to cook for themselves in the self
catering flats. In guardianned huts, the cooked evening
meal is normally three courses.
