There are few ski resorts in the Alps more popular than Bellevue-Chamonix. Situated at the foot of Mont Blanc and easily accessible from both France and Italy, Bellevue-Chamonix is the perfect family ski destination.
The town was originally built to serve a Benedictine Priory, with the local economy based on farming and agriculture. It wasn’t until the town played host to the first Winter Olympics in 1924 that it became a popular ski destination. Today it is one of the most visited resorts in the Alps, with an estimated 5 million visitors a year.
The resort boasts nearly 55km of mixed ski slopes suitable for skiers of all abilities. Beginners can explore 25km of easy slopes, while more experienced skiers can enjoy 25km of intermediate slopes. For advanced skiers, there are 5km of difficult graded slopes which are some of the most challenging in Europe.
Living in Bellevue (Chamonix) and things to do
Bellevue Chamonix is a small town with a population of around 8900 permanent residents. The population can double in size during the peak of the ski season. As a result, there are many hotels, restaurants and cafes built to serve tourists who arrive from all corners of the world.
Often referred to as the adventure capital of Europe, the resort boasts 55km of ski slopes to suit skiers of all abilities. But even when the snow melts there are still plenty of things to do in Bellevue Chamonix.
Mont-Blanc itself is a popular rock-climbing destination, while the town is located close to the stunning Alpine Lakes which are a popular hill walking attraction. Walkers are advised to check local weather conditions before setting off. You can check the latest weather report in Bellevue (Chamonix) here.
As a modern ski resort, the town boasts a range of municipal facilities including a hospital, Hopitaux du Pays du Mont-Blanc, which provides emergency care during the peak of the ski season. There are also a collection of dentists and opticians located in the town which serve both residents and tourists.
In the centre of town, there is a wide range of bars, restaurants and boutique shops. The town also contains plenty of mountain bike and rock-climbing specialists along with the obligatory ski equipment sellers to cater for the adventure sports enthusiast.
The peak of the ski season in Chamonix runs from mid-December to March. The resort often receives heavy snowfall in early December which prepares the slopes for the busy season ahead. Skiers can check the latest snow report in Chamonix Bellevue here.
Bellevue (Chamonix) and culture
As a small historic provincial French town, Chamonix is rich in Gallic history and culture. The settlement was originally built to serve a 12-century Benedictine Priory. Today a small 17-century church stands on the site of the Priory which is open to the public all year round. The unusual architecture of the church is typical of the Savoy region and reflects Germanic influences.
The town's location deep in the Alps means life here is focused on the outdoors. Local people are active skiers, mountain bikers and rock climbers. There is a strong community spirit in the region which manifests itself with a range of local fairs and traditions. A farmer’s market takes place every Tuesday where locals and tourists alike can purchase goats cheese, vegetables and fruits.
The town's theatre shows a wide range of performances from theatre troupes across France. There is also a small museum, Place du Triangle de l'Amitié, which holds regular exhibitions exploring local Gallic cultural heritage. Art lovers will also find a range of local artists exhibiting at some of the town's restaurants and brasseries.
Investment potential In Bellevue (Chamonix)
With a thriving local economy and world-renowned reputation as a leading ski-resort. Chamonix offers a great opportunity for investment. Investors looking at buying a property in Bellevue (Chamonix) will find a wide range of properties available from one-bedroomed apartments to large luxurious villas.
The town benefits from continued investment in its infrastructure with new ski-lifts being added next year to replace the old Marmottons & Tabé chairlifts. Work also begins on a new beginner’s slope next year after the completion of enhancements to the resorts main ‘HOME’ run.
A new gondola is also scheduled to be installed for the 2019/2020 season which will transport people to the top of the slopes at 6 metres per second. This will allow 3000 people per hour to be transported as opposed to the current 300 people per hour. New car parking facilities are also being explored as part of the project.
As a result of this investment, Chamonix is seen as the best equipped year-round resort in the Alps. It is no surprise therefore that property prices in Chamonix have risen faster than any other resort in the Alpine region during the last three years, outstripping property hotspots such as Val D’isere, Courchevel and Meribel.
Transport to Bellevue (Chamonix)
One of the key attractions to Bellevue (Chamonix) is the ease of which the town is accessible by the road network from both Italy and France. The town is situated at the Northern end of the Mont-blanc tunnel which connects Geneva in Switzerland to Turin in Italy via the A40 and A5 motorway.
The town is also located 80km away from Geneva airport which provides connections around Europe and the world. Flight time from London is around 1h 40mins with the airport served by EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways. Transfer from the airport is provided by a shuttle bus with the journey taking approximately 2h 10 mins.
The town is also served by a railway station which connects Chamonix to Geneva. The journey time is slow, however, due to the twisting nature of the mountain track and a large number of stops. Typical journey times vary between 2h 51 mins and 3h 25 mins, depending on the time of day and the number of stops.
With an excellent range of year-round facilities and great connections along with a continual program of investment. It is easy to see why Bellevue (Chamonix) provides an excellent opportunity for astute investors.
Jan 02, 2024
