Chamonix Mt.Blanc, France

Chamonix is the undisputed ski mountaineering capital of the world and for decades has been a magnet to some of the world's best skiers and climbers. Nowhere else in the world comes even close to offering the ease of access to such seriously big mountains and when you arrive here for the first time you cannot help but be blown away by the sheer magnitude and power of the Mt Blanc Massif.

In addition to being the oldest ski resort in France, Chamonix's reputation as one of the world's premier ski destinations began early on when the village hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924. Since then skiers of all abilities from all over the world come here for the chance to ski these legendary mountains.

With six ski stations in the valley including two breathtaking cable cars - Le Grands Montets and L'Aiguille du Midi - that carry skiers above 3200 meters Chamonix boasts the world's longest lift-accessed vertical terrain with some of the best skiing found anywhere in the world.

With this kind of access it's no surprise that Chamonix is known as the birthplace of extreme skiing. Steep skiing pioneers like Jean-Marc Boivin, Patrick Vallençant, Bruno Gouvy and Sylvain Saudan completely redefined what could be descended on skis here. Their legacies continue to live on as the world's best big mountain skiers make their yearly pilgrimage to test their mettle in these notoriously challenging mountains. Unsurprisingly, Chamonix was also one of the earliest hotspots for the latest extreme sports of speed flying - a cross between skiing and paragliding - and wingsuit flying. However, the mountains surrounding Chamonix are not the sole domain of extreme-skiing lunatics. The same lifts that provide access to the well-known steeps also open up an enormous world of off-piste skiing for skiers of average ability. A lifetime's worth of unforgettable ski tours lead from the tops of the lifts back down the valley or even into Italy or Switzerland with easy return to Chamonix via cable car, train or coach.

Skiing from the top of 4810-meter Mont Blanc is also high on many skiers' list of adventures. Fortunately the network of excellent alpine huts makes this dream a total reality and on beautiful spring days it's not unusual to see skiers linking turns from the summit.

With its rich history, easy access to the high mountains and cosmopolitan atmosphere there is a good reason that Chamonix is at the top of many passionate skiers' lists. After one visit to the valley most people are hooked for a lifetime and their next trip is less a question of 'if' as it is 'when'.

Chamonix is home to some of the most beautiful winter chalets in the French Alps. You can find luxury chalets in Chamonix itself, in Les Bois, in Argentière and at the upper end of the valley in Le Tour. Argentière is home to Les Grands Montets with some fantastic ski routes off the Argentière glacier, and you can also find luxury ski chalets in the village. Chamonix is home to Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc and having a chalet in Chamonix is perfect for the first lift up the the Aiguille du Midi cable car.