No Snow – no problem! Chamonix Charms through the Seasons

These four luxury chalets – picked by Finest Holidays – Luxury Travel – in Chamonix are beautiful examples of year-round excellence, their pools switching function from post-slope recovery to sunshine chill-out zones. Chamonix too changes its coat for the warmer months, but is just as enchanting and those slopes can still be a beautiful challenge.

The four astounding properties – Des Cristaux, Elevation, Infinity, and Dalmore – are all beautifully situated to make the most of the original home of Alpine tourism as the pistes turn to meadows. 

Luxury Chalet Des Cristaux

Mont Blanc, in the shadow of which sites Chalet Des Cristaux, is snow-topped year round, but the beautiful garden at Des Cristaux – complete with mountain-view Jacuzzi and faux chateau sauna – revels its true self in the summer while the rest of the chalet’s virtues are beautiful whatever the weather. 

This 350sqm, 3-floor luxury chalet is a summer hideaway for up to 10 guests in 4 bedrooms. Spacious and reflective of the best traditions of traditional Alpine design – thick stone walls are both warming and cooling.

The pool is a one-off, with a hydraulic floor that transforms the poolside bar and lounge into a pit stop by the dance floor. Elsewhere Des Cristaux has plenty of chill-out potential for grown-ups, but is also a wonderful family venue with a four-bunk bedroom and a play room with the latest tech for kids.

There’s room enough to get together for meals and social time in the main living area and the bedrooms are placed to give terrace access and superlative views of Mont Blanc.

Luxury Chalet Elevation

Les Bois/Les Tines puts you in just the right place to get into and out of the resort quickly. This is another big summer chalet, with room for 12 guests in six beautiful bedrooms and 300sqm footprint.

A nicely sized pool (4m by 3m) is at the bottom of chalet Elevation at the heart of a big, beautiful wellness area handily placed for the neighboring cinema and bar.

In the summer, the big terrace that looks over a huge garden will be becoming. Acres of glass bring the outside inside throughout the open-plan living and dining areas. Everything is wired for the latest tech entertainment, including a Bose system that pipes sound throughout the chalet.

Luxury Chalet Infinity

Infinity is named for its pool-with-a-view rather than its size: it is a very traditional luxury chalet building that slips beautifully into the slopes under Mont Blanc. This is a great base for hikers and adventure sports fans, with easy access to the mountainsides from the Les Frasserands hamlet, under Le Tour.

Beautifully designed throughout, Infinity’s biggest attraction might be its infinity pool at the heart of a hydro facility that includes a sauna and Hamman. It’s traditional in design, but up to date in its facilities, with SONOS sound systems. There’s a cinema to entertain you after a day out in the mountains.

Ten guests can enjoy this lovely chalet in five bedrooms with a special seasonal garden to enjoy this summer.

Luxury Chalet Dalmore

The long days of an Alpine summer might have been designed to suit Chalet Dalmore, the huge windows of which open into a massive, modern living space. Chalet Dalmore is topped off with a fabulous roof terrace, which must be one of the best perches in Chamonix.

If luxury chalet Infinity leans into tradition for its interiors, Dalmore takes a more adventurous line with the classic wood and stone of the form. Five bedrooms can sleep 10 people in this massive luxury chalet (535sqm).

With a golf course on the doorstep and a rare outdoors pool this is a summer special worthy of your attention with service, facilities and style to match its setting.

Summer in Chamonix: What to Do

Hiking/Walking: The few hours’ walk to Lac Blanc are well worth the effort for the magnificent view of the Mont Blanc chain. A hike around the wilder Lacs des Chéserys – located amidst the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, below Lac Blanc – reveals a series of smaller lakes to intrepid holidaymakers with the world famous mountain range as the perfect backdrop. At altitude, Lacs des Chéserys, is less famous and more peaceful than neighboring Lac Blanc and provides a dreamlike view of the Mont Blanc. Here you will find tranquility and a unique panorama.

Golf: The Chamonix Golf Course and Chamonix Golf Club is probably the cream of the crop of Alpine courses – though all of them boast views that would shame many a championship course. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. the roots of this course go back to the 1930s, with Jones the architect for the 18-hole relaunch in 1982. You can also play a 9-hole at Golf de Courmayeur over the border in Italy, or take a trip to the Golf du Mont d’Arbois – the oldest mountain golf course – in Megève among other options.

There is much more to do in Chamonix. Mountain biking is world class of course, and adrenaline junkies can test their strength, skill and nerve with ice walking, paragliding, and climbing – perhaps before spending the night in a unique suspended bivouac!

Chamonix is at the crossroads of three countries and it has long been an important cultural and historical site. The resort is home to several museums that celebrate everything from the natural environment to Alpine sports history.

With the ski slopes largely out of bounds there is also a busy program of events to keep visitors busy during the summer. The „Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix“ celebrates their 200^th anniversary in 2021, and arts events run throughout the summer, with the „Nuits des Ours“ (Night of the Bear) a beautiful and immersive end-piece.

Dining: The day may end with a meal, and Chamonix has plenty of excellent restaurants, including the highly rated „Le Matafan“, where chef Mickey Bourdillat, a figure of the local gastronomy who started at the Hameau Albert 1er where he climbed all the steps until he obtained one, then two Michelin stars, respects the mountain tradition. His inspiration is not limited to the products of the French Alpine valleys, he even travels beyond the Aosta Valley. Under the restaurants glass roof, facing the snowy peaks of the Mont-Blanc massif, the table d’hôtes is a warm welcome, with starters such as pumpkin soup with hazelnuts and a revisited Savoy cake to finish. Located in the heart of Chamonix.

Entering „La Maison Carrier“ restaurant – an authentic farmhouse – is like travelling back in time. The furnishings are of an antique Alpine style and evoke a homely and cosy atmosphere. The Mont Blanc-facing summer  terrace makes the wait for the delicacies more than pleasant. Ideal for a romantic dinner or a relaxing evening with friends. Let yourself be seduced by grandfather Marcel Carrier’s emblematic recipes from days long gone reinterpreted by Michelin „Bib Gourmand“ head chef Stéphane Gassot. To finish off on a sweet note, choose from the mouth-watering selection of „Grandmother‘s Tarts“, homemade chocolates and biscuits accompanied by a gourmet coffee.

Alpine holidays have long been exclusive and the top names of Paris, Milan, London and more are keen to supply their regular clients while on holiday.

Shopping: A special memory newly available this year at the „Parfumerie du Mont Blanc“ is „4811“, an exclusive perfume, designed as a walk in the mountains, that conjures glacier water and pine so you can recall your 2021 summer vacation long after you’ve returned home.

You can start creating those memories now by contacting Finest Holidays – Luxury Travel, a personally curated selection of luxury properties that includes the world’s best Alpine chalets, luxury villas, yachts, private islands and more. Contact +34 661 71 80 61 or relax@finest-holidays.com to start talking to us now.