Website design By BotEap.comI have been coming to Chamonix Mont Blanc in the French Alps for over 10 years. During that time I have witnessed a complete change of direction in the spirit of the City. Chamonix was once labeled the Ibiza of slopes in a Times magazine report. It was pretty creepy, this report was almost like one of our gang was an undercover reporter for the Times as he chronicled our exact night. The ChamJam was in full force, based on the old Bosse de Bosse mogul competition between the local valleys which turned to an epic completion to include a huge aerial contest, Boarder Cross and Half Pipe display. That, along with a huge sound system reverberating Hip-Hop tunes throughout the valley, a barbecue, and excessive alcohol, made for some really good times on the slopes.

Website design By BotEap.comAs the report reads, the night started with a wild après-ski party at a crazy South African bar (I think I might find it was Australian, Mr. Times reporter!) the bottle on the upturned heads of thirsty customers. A brief stop at Choucas bar to grab some nasty green shots found us in a seedy underground club, which without knowledge, you wouldn’t know existed. This club excretes coldness. A good balance of French and other nationalities, workers and gamblers, low ceiling, loud tunes and a real vibe about it and if you’re not sweating you’re not having fun!

Website design By BotEap.comThe wide-eyed, beer-fueled revelers weren’t happy with the lights on at 2am—not fun enough yet—so they traveled across town, to the neon-lit, mirror-lined garage (locally called GayRage) to sway his hips a bit more. A cheesy club but where some of the best nights are spent!

Website design By BotEap.comThose times are changing. The bars are closing and the bistros are opening. The Arbate no longer exists: you don’t have to let off steam twice a month with scandalous costumes and dancing on the podiums. The Wallabies, now an “exclusive” bar and with ridiculous prices. Goofy’s is no more, now a fancy (albeit very good) Indian bar/restaurant. The Expedition no longer exists. Dicks T-bar, Cybar, Bar de Moulins, Queen Vic – have gone up in smoke – literally!)

Website design By BotEap.comSo with what one would think of as a massive gap in the bar market, Chamonix has only seen more upscale bistros opening. The ski bum is being kicked out by the money spenders. With that being said, Grands Montets hosted a snow park for the first time in many years. Maybe we’ll see the half-pipe “cutter” finally come out of its wrapping where it rusted at the base of Le Tour.

Website design By BotEap.comMy biggest nightmare is not having bought a property at that time. A one-bedroom apartment would have cost me about 60,000 euros. I just bought one for more than triple that! However, I still think it’s a good investment. Chamonix is ​​changing its ethos to a more exclusive resort and there is the obvious attraction of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. Also, with a particularly warm winter, all eyes are on global warming and with Chamonix offering some of the highest routes in Europe, it becomes an even more attractive place to shop.