This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Chamonix is right at the foot of Mont-Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. It is a great place for relaxing in the alps or setting out on any number of adventure sports. The town is quite small and may leave you hard pressed with things to do if you are not one to get out and explore nature. If you enjoy hiking or sightseeing, you will find yourself with enough to keep busy for weeks.
The town lies in a line of villages nestled in the valley between the mountains. There is a train line connecting all the towns, so if you find yourself in trouble finding a Chamonix hostel, it's quite easy to get in and out from a neighboring town. There are more campsites than hostels, and many are very laid back and nearly the same as a hostel (electricity, wifi, toilets) with the exception of sleeping outside instead of in a bed.
It can get quite cold in Chamonix due to its location, so make sure you have a good sweater. Don't miss the town itself in your rush to explore the Alps, it is quite a pleasant town with a very Swiss feel. Live music and outdoor bars are quite common and not overly expensive. Look for a hostel in Chamonix close to the old town so you can spend as much time there as possible. If you are looking for nightlife you will find some bars open late, but not much in the way or clubs. You will find the odd group of mountaineers celebrating their recent ascent of Mont Blanc and will be happy to stay out and share a beer.
Written by local expertz for Chamonix
Josh
