Compagnie des Guides
mountain guides, 190 place de l'ãglise, 74400 chamonix mont blanc, tel. 04 50 53 00 88, (http://www.chamonix-guide...).
Mountain Sanctuary
Provide mountain retreats and yoga holidays in chamonix (http://www.mountain-sanct...)
Chalet Academy
Run cookery courses specifically tailored to train you as a chalet chef or host. (http://www.chaletacademy.com/)
hiking
Take the telepherique to the top of a nearby peak. Hike down, it's easy!Or try hikes between two telepheriques, for example:
between the Brevent and la Flegere
between the Mer de Glace and the Plan de l'Aiguille
Get a fantastic view on both the Mont-Blanc/Aiguilles de Chamonix range, and the ribbon of the Fiz limestone range:
Take the Brevent telepherique, then walk down the crest to the Bel-Lachat mountain hut, then walk down to the Rocher des Gaillands or if slightly more courageous to the Aiguillette des Houches and down, or
Walk up the steep lane from the Gaillands to Plan-Lachat, then Bel-Lachat, then on, up along the crest to the Brevent about six hours and rather hot in summer: start early, but it is really worth the effort.
Several great glacier hikes exist. Even if you can't get right up to the glaciers and touch them, you can still get close enough to get some amazing views.
Glacier des Bossons - depart either from Les Bossons at the base of the ski jump by foot or by chair lift, or drive up to the entrance of the Mont Blanc Tunnel for a shorter, flatter hike. Warning, do not attempt to "touch" th glacier here, it is possibly the most dangerous place in the valley.
Glacier d'Tour - depart from the town of Montroc, near the ski resort "Le Tour".
Glacier de Trient - depart from the top of the Col de la Forclaz, in Switzerland before descending to Martigny. One hour, flat.
Glacier de Bionnassay- depart from the top of the Bellevue cable car.
The first three could feasibly be done in one day if you are up early and have a car, but Bionnassay will require a half-day.
Skiing
Le Tour
Is at the far end of the valley, towards martigny. it has many easier slopes for beginners, but also some out-of-bounds skiing if you are willing to hike up with your skis. the front side of le tour is also a good place to go if you don't like being cold, because most slopes are in the sun although it can still be very windy, especially on the back side down towards vallorcine.