Most of Whistler/Blackcomb is covered with trees so it’s a pretty good place to be on days when the weather closes in, but Crystal chairlift on Blackcomb is particularly entertaining. It’s a good long run and there’s plenty to keep you amused whether you’re into skiing nicely groomed pistes or jibbing on a snowboard. Avoid the higher up chairlifts – as soon as you get above the treeline then you won’t be able to see a thing.

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The Wizard chair is a great place to take to the hill for the first time. The slopes are the ideal gradient for learner skiers and snowboarders, and the pistes are well groomed so there are no nasty surprises in store!

Right at the bottom of Blackcomb.

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No trip to Whistler is complete without a visit to Shakespeare’s pie shop
– it’s hands down the best spot for a snack in town.

They offer a mouthwatering selection of freshly made pies, and it’s great value for money. It’s very popular locally, and you’ll often spot some of Whistler’s many resident top pro skiers and snowboarders in there.

201-4000 Whistler Way
Tel: +1 604 935 1743

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If you’re keen to do some serious shopping for snowboarding kit (and with the pound being relatively strong against the dollar, why not?), The Circle is the place. It stocks a wide range of brands and the staff are very helpful. Also check out Evolution.

The Circle
108 4369 Main Street
Tel: +1 604 905 4422

Evolution
8- 4122 Village Green
Tel: +1 604 932 2967

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Showcase is the best spot in town to have your snowboard serviced. The staff are friendly and do a good job, and they’ll take on anything from a quick wax to a more involved repair. It’s right next door to the all-girls Burton shop.

Telephone: +1 604 905 2022

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The Blackcomb park gets very busy, mostly with skiers and snowboarders of a very high standard.

This can be very intimidating for newcomers, so the Whistler park (known officially as the ‘Habitat Terrain Park’) is a great lower key alternative – it has a large assortment of rails and jumps to please all but the experts, and it’s a lot quieter allowing you to find your feet in peace.

As with all of Whistler it’s extremely convenient – you can do quick and easy laps on the Emerald Express chair.

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Whistler is famed for having one of the best snowparks in the world, but the park is actually at Blackcomb!
There’s a beginner/intermediate one that’s great for most people, or for more experienced skiers and
snowboarders, there’s the advanced park just to the left of it. Helmets are compulsory in the advanced park.

Both parks are very long and very well maintained by European standards, and doing circuits on them is easy thanks to the nearby chairlift.

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This gargantuan hanging wall of ice is one of the visually defining features of Chamonix. It's often lit up at night when it takes on a very surreal air, but the best time to see it is by day, from close up. A pleasant stroll through the woods above Les Bossons takes you to the edge of the ravine, from where you can often see huge chunks ofice falling off. Don't get too close!

Les Bossons, Chamonix

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Take the draglift up to the top of the nature reserve, from where you get an unusual perspective on the valley. From here it's plain to see just how enormous Mt Blanc really is, as it dwarfs l'Aiguille du Midi in a way you don't notice from elsewhere in the valley.

Le Tour, Chamonix

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This little restaurant and tapas bar in Les Houches has been open scarcely a year, but has already built up a great reputation amongst the locals. The food is excellent and they cater well for vegetarians, but it's popular so you'd best book in advance.

Les Houches, Chamonix. Tel: +33(0)450915206
www.ledelice-leshouches.com/

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Located slap bang in the centre of Chamonix, this popular riverside cafe/bar has great views and often puts on live music. Make sure you stay for a drink or two in its sumptuous upstairs lounge bar.

Tel: +33(0)450530995

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This Canadian run microbrewery produces several of its own excellent beers and lagers, and has a great menu of bar snacks (cross-cut fries, nachos, etc) and more substantial evening meals. It attracts a lively apres-ski crowd who flock there to enjoy 'giraffes' of beer, and there's live music several times a week. It's very popular so you'll need to book a table for dinner.

Tel: +33(0)450536159

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Chamonix has an excellent sports centre, with a range of activities including an indoor climbing wall. There's also a very good swimming pool, which - somewhat eccentrically - doesn't open until 3pm. If outdoor climbing is more your thing, try the climbing wall down at Les Gaillands, one minute's drive south of Chamonix on the back road.

214 Avenue de la Plage, Chamonix. Tel: +33(0)450530907

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A 10-minute drive down the valley from Chamonix, the resort’s more sheltered location means it often stays open when the rest of the valley's resorts are closed due to high winds. It's also mostly within the tree line, making it the perfect choice for flat light days.

Les Houches, Chamonix

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Based in Argentiere, a stone's throw from the Grand Montets, McNab provides accommodation, various levels of coaching and back country tours. The programme is run by qualified high mountain guide and pro freerider Neil McNab (he's also an ex British Snowboarding champion and ski racer!), and the chalet has a hot tub with a great view of the mountains.

Argentiere, Chamonix. Tel: 01546 830243 www.mcnab.co.uk

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A small and popular UK owned company providing catered and self-catered snowboarding holidays. They'll chauffeur you around the valley in minibuses and their knowledgeable guides will help you get the best the mountain has to offer. They're also hosting the Animal Rider Camps (26th March - 9th April 2006) where you can hang out and ride with Animal's UK pro team.

Argentiere, Chamonix. Tel: 020 7419 0722 www.boardnlodge.com

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Tucked away just on the edge of town, this recently opened boutique hotel and member's bar has a great lounge bar that boasts the best cocktails in Chamonix. There's wireless broadband internet access and free tea and coffee for guests, and resident Chamonix DJ Scott Nixon plays a relaxed evening set once weekly.

Tel: +33(0)450909656

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You'll find this delightfully eccentric restaurant in the sleepy hamlet of Les Bois, just next to Flègere. The decor is odd and the lighting a touch bright, but if you're after authentic French cuisine it's the best bar none. It's also excellent value for money (particularly the set menus) and the wine list is excellent.

Les Bois, Chamonix. Tel: +33(0)450532931

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A Swedish-run snack bar situated right by the river on the Rue des Moulins. It serves delicious freshly made sandwiches, bagels, cakes, and a wide range of freshly squeezed fruit juices and smoothies. It also knocks out some of the best coffee in town.

165 Avenue Michel Croz, in central Chamonix at the edge of the square, facing McDonalds.
tel: +33(0)450535609

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With delicious food, cosy atmosphere and great service, this small Swedish-run restaurant is justifiably popular. It has a well thought out Thai-inspired menu, and the best vegetarian food in Chamonix.

Rue des Moulins, Chamonix. Tel: +33(0)450534541

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