Summer Sports

Outdoors  |  Indoors

Outdoors

Once the ski season is over, the mountains quickly take on a very different character. The snow line creeps back to reveal winding trails and mountain pastures which spring to life with colourful alpine flowers and shrubs – a garden rockery to surpass all others! Shepherds move their beasts back into the hills which echo with the tinkling sound of animals’ bells. The strong sun turns the alpine meadows to deep green and frozen streams are transformed into tumbling waterfalls. Under a crystal-clear blue sky, temperatures rise steadily into the 80s.

It is not surprising therefore, that there are plenty of sporting opportunities to hand at Hotel Les Lanchers during the summer months. In fact, Chamonix is probably even more popular at this time of year. What better way to appreciate your exceptional mountain location than to participate in some of the following pursuits?
Outdoors:

• Golf Club de Chamonix (open daily from May to November depending on snow conditions) is 3 minutes’ walk away. It’s a superb 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior. In a truly majestic mountain setting you’ll find many challenges on this 6076 metres (6638 yards), par 72 course with plenty of water hazards, tricky bunkers to negotiate and testing terrain. There is a practice driving range with 26 bays, some covered, and a first-rate pro shop for club, trolley and buggy hire, plus individual or group lessons on offer. For the real enthusiast there are at least six other courses within an hour’s drive.
• Chamonix Tennis Club is just 10 minutes’ walk away and offers 15 clay and hard courts, 2 squash courts and an additional 2 indoor tennis courts. Racquets and balls for hire at the club.
• Mountain bike hire in Les Praz de Chamonix close to the hotel. Pick up a trail map and explore the valley or jump on a ski lift for an adrenalin-charged mountain descent. Guides for cycling and mountain biking are available too.
• Horse riding with trekking and courses for children.
• White-water rafting courses are run on the nearby River Arve, fast-flowing in summer, swollen by the melting snow.
• Ice climbing and rock climbing. There is an indoor practice climbing wall nearby and courses are run with instruction on the rock face at Les Gaillands. Experienced climbers will need no introduction to the limitless possibilities of the Mont Blanc Massif.
• 2 Swimming pools – indoor 25 metre pool with paddling pool, games pool and covered water slide. Outdoor 50 metre Olympic swimming pool. Saunas, steam bath and jacuzzi, all only 10 minutes’ walk away.
• Paragliding offering courses beginning with accompanied jumps and including instruction on the art of solo flying. There are a variety of take-off points for experienced hang gliders.
• Hot-air ballooning and helicopter and scenic flights to appreciate an eagle eye viewpoint.
• Mountain hikes in a surrounding area offering around 340 kilometres of marked walking trails. The variety and expanse of terrain is immense and the alpine views are stupendous - walking is surely the best way to experience such a unique natural environment. The trails are all graded and there is literally something for everyone – from a pleasant ramble through scented pine woods to stop off for drinks on the sunny terrace at the delightful Chalet Floria or a family stroll following the river valley into Le Paradis des Praz where there are pony rides for small children, to the glorious scenery of the higher alpine paths, home of marmottes and chamois, where you will discover icy mountain lakes, rushing torrents, spectacular approaches to glaciers and welcoming refuges. Remember to pack comfortable and sturdy walking boots which support the ankle plus a rucksack with water bottle, waterproofs, sunglasses and strong sunscreen. Above all, order your picnic at reception the day before!
• Mountaineering –There are innumerable opportunities for the enthusiast from the most accessible trails to the most demanding of routes. Of course if you want the ultimate challenge you can tackle Mont Blanc itself at a height of 4810 metres, but to do this you need to be very well prepared, physically fit and equipped for every eventuality. Your guide will supervise your altitude training.
• Aiguille du Midi - Ride two cable cars for a breathtaking 3,842-metre lookout point over the Alps. Early risers can continue on the Helbronner lift, flying high over the Vallee Blanche to join the Funivie Monte Bianco, in time for a lunch appointment in Courmayeur on the Italian side. The views of Mont Blanc on this adventure are simply stunning.
• Mer de Glace - From the station in town the funicular railway takes you up by rack and pinion to Montenvers at nearly 2,000 metres. Descend into the grotto tunnelled every year into the glacier and admire the ice sculptures within. You can stop by the museum of rocks and crystals on the way back up. For those with enough energy and the right footwear, follow the trail uphill for about an hour to Signal Forbes, for a panoramic view over the winding glacier - the seracs and crevasses look like rolling waves on a sea of ice.

Indoors

• Cinema with all the latest box office hits. English-speaking films are regularly shown
• Bowling – there is an 8-lane alley in Chamonix Sud with bump and bowl for children, 17 table billiard room and a video games room.
• Casino offering French and English roulette, blackjack and slot machines
• Musee Alpin with displays of mountaineering artefacts
• Massage, sauna, jacuzzi and hammam at the Richard Bozon Sports Centre or the Centre Alpina
• Slightly further away in the Swiss town of Martigny, you will find the Pierre Gianadda Foundation, which permanently houses a motor museum and hosts major art exhibitions every year
• The lakeside towns of Evian and Annecy are fascinating for a day trip, and the city of Geneva is well worth a visit too

Back to Top

Back to Top

Back to Top