Welcome to Yanaa’s Alternative Guide to Chamonix.
Some picks for the mountain goats. Some for the “I’m just here for the baguettes, thanks.” All worth knowing whether you’ve come to loop Mont Blanc, or simply soak up alpine life.
Some picks for the mountain goats. Some for the “I’m just here for the baguettes, thanks.” All worth knowing whether you’ve come to loop Mont Blanc, or simply soak up alpine life.
Yes, there’s a big ultra trail race here every summer - the race that shall not be named (because… lawyers). But Chamonix’s magic goes way beyond start lines and finishers’ medals. This guide is our cherry-picking of the epic, the edible, and the unexpected - from mountain refuges to blueberry tarts.
And because finding your way is half the fun, we’ve also pinned everything (plus a few bonus gems) on a handy Google Map for you to explore at your own pace.
Move
🌕 Walk on the Moon
The Désert de Platé is a giant limestone plateau that looks like a fossilised glacier. Marmots and ibex included. Hiking boots recommended.
© Flaine Tourism
💎 Emerald Lake
Lac Vert is a short trip to Passy: glassy green water fringed with spruces, Mont Blanc reflected on the surface. The kind of place you’ll swear was photoshopped.
© Arnaud Lesueur
🛖 Refuge de Moëde Anterne
2000m up in the Fiz massif, this refuge feels like stumbling onto a boutique hotel in the clouds. Solar power, alpine pastures, and views of Mont Blanc you’ll brag about forever.
© OT Passy
Make
🪡 From Paragliders to Purses
Lahaut Couture turns old paraglider sails into bright, one-off bags. Upcycling’s never looked so good.
© Lahaut Couture
⛷️ DIY Skis
At Ronin Skis, you can spend 2–3 days crafting your own pair of skis. Sawdust, sweat, and your very own flex pattern. Because why buy skis when you can birth them.
© Ronin Skis
🎨 Paint Outside the Lines
Skip the souvenir shops and join a Saturday watercolour class with artist Cat Kartal in Les Houches. Mountains look different when you’re holding a brush instead of poles.
© Cat Kartal
Munch
🥐 Fuel Stop
If you only take one thing away from this guide: Le Fournil Chamoniard makes the baguettes we’d happily carb-load on all year. Worth the queue.
© Le Fournil Chamoniard
☕ Fresh Kid on the Block
Couloir is Chamonix’s newest café, serving specialty coffee, cakes, and sandwiches that taste like a hug after a long morning.
© Couloir Chamonix
🥧 Blueberry Bribe
Climb the Vertical K to Buvette du Plan de l’Aiguille and reward yourself with the best tarte aux myrtilles (read blueberry pie) around.
© Jess Meniere
© Buvette du Plan de l’Aiguille
🥤 Smoothie Motivation
Run Arctic Juice’s Strava route and they’ll knock money off your smoothie. Community, cardio, and cold-pressed - in that order.
© Nouvelles Galeries Annecy
Meet
Big thanks to snowboard legend Marion Haerty and photographer-writer Jess Meniere for slipping us some local secrets.
If you’re reading this in late August and find yourself in Chamonix during the race that shall not be named, come swing by stand 125 in the Ultra-Trail® Village to say hi, grab some samples, and test our very new flavour launching this September.
And if you’re here any other time of year - well, consider this your pocket guide to exploring Chamonix the Yanaa way.
