Chamonix and the surrounding area - whats it really like?

There's a large bunch of relatively small skiing areas with groomers surrounding Chamonix.

http://www.alpineweekends.com/images/chamonix-ski-map.jpg

If you go back in the valley you'll find more resorts on the same pass like Les Houches, Les Contamines, St. Gervais and Mégève (which is the Aspen of France, moviestars everywhere). Excellent treeruns in those resorts and Mégève is huuuuuge.

Then there's Chamonix Argentière / Les Grands Montents which has a gondola that goes pretty high up and has some freeriding terrain which anyone can access. Downside is, everyone accesses it, so it's basically a huge mogul mountain.

The more gnarly stuff is hike accessed or through Aiguille du Midi. Then you reach altitudes in such high alpine areas that you really shouldn't mess around without knowing what you're doing.

I'm sure there's some people who live / have lived in Chamonix on newschoolers who can give you more info.

I don't understand Chamonix's surrounding area. Are they all like, one big resort or is it like several small resorts?

I guess I'm just not used to the Euro thing.

its lots of little resorts. you need a car really.

yeah my parents will be staying in les houches

megeve is wack bro!!!! dont bother. le tour is ill the woods going down to vallorcine are dope if you find the right path its epic if you dont real pain in the ass.

Well apperantly Des Grands Montets is getting a new park designed by these European park guys, I think it is the first year it is happening.
http://www.chaletlaforet.com/news/?p=25

CAN anyone tell me that you think It will be alright?

Chamonix is very unusual for a French/Euro resort.

Instead of being 1 big lift-linked purpose-built resort..... it's more like a city with several smaller ski areas in the same valley. You need a car. It's a mess.

The park's being built by ho5 so I reckon it will be small but sick.

ho5- they built les 7 laux and silvretta nova parks too din't they?

Just Les 7 Laux. But this year ho5 are expanding to several locations in France, similar to what Snowzone (Avoriaz) did last season. Ho5 and Snowzone are no doubt the leading park builders in France (contrary to popular belief, Les 2 Alpes, La Clusaz, etc.. are faaaaar behind)

The Silvretta Nova park in Austria was started by some Spanish dudes and Sajas board shop (used to be called Sajas Nova park). Now they moved to Diedamskopf with the Sajas Forum park. Shit is getting in out hand in that corner of Austria. Every shitty little mountain is getting a ridiculous park these days. I wonder if the 2 classic big names (Laax and Avoriaz) are gonna step their game up as well to keep up.

Im going to Cham in feb!!!!!!!!! im stoked, but yeah there are 5 main resorts, there are 1-2 that have more begginer moderate style stuff, so they shouldnt be that overwelmed, but hey, the only way they will progress is by skiing steeper and harder terrain, and they are going to the best place in the world to find that