Icicle: Chamonix courses accommodation for course clients

Celebrating 22 years!

Chamonix courses accommodation

When on an Icicle course in Chamonix where accommodation is included, your course itinerary will detail where you stay. For most Chamonix based Alpine courses you are based in one of four types of accommodation; a self-catering studio flat, a chalet, a hotel, or a mountain hut. Accommodation is on a self-catered basis, and all bedding and any tourist taxes are included. There is a choice of self-catered (always included) or half board (upgrade) in valley accommodation, and in huts you always stay on a half board basis. All bedding, linen and towels are provided in the valley accommodation. Some more detail on each of the options is provided below...

Links

Accommodation

Half board

Travel to Cham

Town tour

How to book

Self-catering flat	Chamonix chalet	Chamonix hotel	High mountain hut



We use these on many week long courses. Flats have mountain views, a bathroom, good storage facilities, and a self-catering kitchenette with tea and coffee making facilities and a fridge to keep food fresh. Close by are several shops and bakeries where you can purchase food for any meals you wish to prepare yourself, and supplies for packed lunches & snacks.	On some courses, such as those which are only in town for a night at one or each end of there trip, we use a variety of quality chalets (or hotels). These are all in Chamonix, rather than one of the outlying villages, so you have easy access to town. Chalet rooms are all in twin or double beds, unless you have asked us for a treble room, and most rooms are en suite.	For some weekend trips, you are based in a hotel in the centre of Chamonix. We use a variety of hotels, and some clients opt to upgrade to a higher quality hotel for their course. If you would like us to quote on a hotel upgrade for you, just let us know what standard and facilities you require, and we will contact our hotel partners, to get you a preferential quote.	Mountain Huts are run by a 'Guardian' who cooks, cleans and is on hand for your assistance. On most courses, the itineraries detail a specific number of nights in mountain huts. Clients share rooms, which often are on tiered bunks. Each person is allocated a mattress with its own pillow and blankets, but you should take a sleeping bag liner for comfort.



Accommodation is very functional, and ideally located close to cable cars etc. Clients are always in apartments of two or three sharing. Please note that all flats are single sex sharing, and the majority of beds are singles, so if you are a couple requiring a double, or a single person not wishing to share, consider an upgrade. Course prices are reduced by £100 per week if you source your own accommodation.	Some of the chalets have self-catering kitchens that you can use in the evening, but if you choose not to cook for yourself in the evenings, we can advise you on where to eat out for whatever budget. If you have not visited Chamonix before, there is a huge variety of restaurants to choose from. If you need to book extra nights before or after a course, we can get you a quote for staying in one of these chalets.	If you would like to add a little luxury to a stay after a course, or would like to upgrade your course accommodation, we recommend staying at our upgrade partner, the 4 star Hotel Le Morgane. This recently renovated hotel is a two minute walk from the town centre, and also has a pool and spa treatments available, not to mention a Michelin starred restaurant. http://www.morgane-hotel-chamonix.com	There are normally storage / drying rooms. Meals are on a half board basis, with a basic continental breakfast and a three course cooked evening meal. Any extras you order, such as bottled water, beer or wine, packed lunch, or chocolate, must be paid for by you. If you opt for or need, any extra nights in addition to those in the itinerary, you pay the extra half board night(s) for you and the guide.

Whatever Chamonix accommodation you are staying in, you will be able to store all your clothes, equipment, and belongings there for the duration of your course. This is a key selling point as many course providers make you check out for the nights you spend in mountain huts, but in case of any change of plans, you need a base and a place to store your kit. You can check into your accommodation from 16:00 on the first day of the course (usually Sunday), and must check out by 10:00 on the departure day (usually Saturday).

Further details about the self-catering flats

These flats are used for the majority of our summer climbing and winter ski courses which are Chamonix based, unless your itinerary specifically states otherwise, such as staying in a chalet or hotel. We always try and keep our prices the most competitive in the industry, and whilst we never cut any corners with the standards or ratios for the mountain guiding, this accommodation is climbers / skiers flats mainly in the Chamonix Sud ski village next to the Aiguille du Midi cable car station, and a 5 minute slow walk from the main town square. For those of you who have been on a French ski holiday, the flats will not come as any surprise. They were purpose built in the 70's and 80's, and their decor is retro / dated / very French, whichever way you describe it ;-) Step back in time, as many are still equipped with VHS video recorders - our younger guests may never have seen one before!

Joking aside, these flats are functional, and in a great location in the town. They are a secure base to store your stuff, and to sleep at night. You aren't on a relaxing holiday, chilling out in luxury accommodation - these are ideal pods to stash and crash. No frills, no excitements, but it's not that type of holiday. We prefer to provide what is needed, and not to waste your money unecessarily, to keep the price you pay as competitive as possible. For those with larger budgets, or wanting more luxury, we provide upgrade options. Don't get us wrong, we like these flats, and many of the guiding team have lived in this area at some stage, as the proximity to the cable cars and town is such a selling point. Below is a gallery of photos from the flats, so you see exactly what you get...

Summary of meals on a course

Breakfast	Lunch	Evening

When you are in town and accommodation is included on a self-catering basis, no breakfast supplies are provided, but there are some great bakeries and coffee shops nearby, as well as a few cafes that offer cooked breakfasts. In mountain huts, a light continental breakfast is provided.	Everyone has their own idea of what they would like for lunch whilst in the mountains, varying from a stack of Mars bars to a large ham sandwich. For this reason we let you choose your own lunches, which may be easily purchased locally from shops and supermarkets. You will be advised in the briefings as to how many days lunches you should plan ahead and purchase. There is never time to cook hot lunches while on a course, but you could take a thermos.	In town clients normally take advantage of the excellent variety of local restaurants, and also the town's bars to celebrate week's achievements. We are also happy to book places in restaurants for you, should you wish an evening on your own. Some clients want an early night or to budget, so opt to cook for themselves in the self catering flats. In guardianned huts, the cooked evening meal is normally three courses.