HEAD UP FROM THE VALLEY IN CHAMONIX , FRANCE
In 1860 , the first carriage road linked Geneva and Chamonix , followed fortyone years later by the railway . Convenience also made Chamonix the perfect location to host the inaugural Winter Olympic Games in 1924 . And , of course , the famously long runs provided the setting for arguably the best James Bond ski chase scene in The World is Not Enough . You , too , can zip down 24 square miles of skiable terrain like 007 , followed by an infinite après scene at Chambre Neuf , one of many fête-worthy nightclubs in the area .
Holiday Balloon Glow Celebration Steamboat Ski Resort , Colorado
Credit : Steamboat Ski Resort
If dancing ‘ til 4 a . m . isn ’ t your thing , you ’ ll find plenty of ways to unplug in the Vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc . Nordic skiing continues to trend globally , and cross-country ski enthusiasts will find over 30 miles of diverse ski and skate trails located across Servoz , Les Houches , Chamonix , Argentière , and Vallorcine villages . In other human-powered endeavors , the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix offers a new snowshoe tour followed by dinner and aperitif at a local farm .
Ski-wise , Chamonix-Mont Blanc is famous for Les Grand-Montets , some of the finest advanced freeride terrain and steeps on the planet . However , due to a 2018 fire at the Lognan Cable Car , this terrain is accessible only via ski touring . Cable car service will reopen in 2026 .
Diversity rules the slopes here . The Brévent and Flégère areas offer excellent intermediate terrain , while the Balme-Vallorcine areas are best for beginners and mixed-ability groups . Chamonix Tourism now offers an all-inclusive beginner package that includes a three-hour private lesson , gear , and clothing .
Skiing is only one reason to visit Chamonix in winter . Exploring authentic alpine culture among the village cafes , taking snaps of Mont Blanc , and embracing the season while sledding or being pulled by a team of huskies combine for a deep and calm experience with family , friends , or a romantic partner . Meals here stretch for hours ; nighttime strolls reveal millions of stars , and the daily pacing leaves room for thoughts uninterrupted by digital culture .
GETTING THERE
Pack your skis for Chamonix and fly nonstop from Dulles International Airport ( IAD ) to Geneva Airport ( GVA ) in Geneva , Switzerland on United Airlines . Geneva is the closest airport to Chamonix , but you could also fly nonstop to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport ( CGD ) on Air France or United Airlines , or into Nice Cote d ’ Azur Airport ( NCE ) on United Airlines . Paris and Nice are equal drives to Chamonix .
PICK A RESORT , ANY RESORT IN UTAH
Ask ten skiers or snowboarders to name their favorite Utah resort and you ’ ll likely hear ten different opinions . Romantics praise Sundance for its movie set ambiance and lowkey atmosphere . Shredders love ripping down the steeps at Snowbasin and Snowbird . Skiers adore the pampered life at Deer Valley and inhaling cold smoke at Alta . There ’ s Powder Mountain for Millennials and Park City Resort for families . ( Personally , I like slipping back and forth between Brighton and adjacent Solitude .)
Mountain Sports School Big Sky Resort , Montana
Credit : Max Lowe
David Senan , the chief technical officer at a boutique software firm , favors Sundance Mountain Resort . “ What makes it so appealing is its charm , the unpaved parking lot , the old school lodge with the actual bar from Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid , and , of course , the complete lack of lift lines .”
Sundance is slightly expanding by adding 110 new parking spots and increased wellness offerings called The Springs , an area with two soaking tubs , a large relaxation pool , and a sauna . Their charming cottages have received an update . Robert Redford sold his resort in 2020 , but the rustic charm celebrating the “ way we were ” remains .
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 6 WINTER 2024-25