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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 apartment, 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...
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Self-catering apartment
Chamonix chalet
Chamonix hotel
High mountain hut
     
We use these on many week long courses. Apartments have mountain views, a bathroom, good storage, WiFi, washing machine, and a self-catering kitchenette with tea and coffee making facilities and a fridge. Close by are several shops and bakeries where you can purchase food for any meals you wish to prepare, and supplies for packed lunches.   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.
     
Apartments are supplied by a local agency, and are ideally located in the town centre and close to cable cars etc. Clients generally stay in these apartments of two or three sharing. Apartments are single sex, and most beds are singles, so if you are a couple requiring a double, or a single person not wishing to share, consider an upgrade. Ask us for a discount if you don't require our 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 accommodation you are staying in, for Chamonix based week long courses, 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 apartments

These apartments 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. From Summer 2023 onwards, we are exclusively using apartments supplied by a local agency, to raise the quality of our course accommodation, whilst still striving to keep our prices the most competitive in the industry.

All of the apartments are in or close to the town centre, within a 5 minute walk from the high street. We carefully selected the agency for providing apartments in good quality buildings (e.g. traditional buildings or MGM construction), and with all the key facilities provided to make your stay confortable; WiFi, kitchen, washing machine, and smart TV. Below is a gallery of photos from the flats, so you see exactly what you get...

For those wanting more luxury, we provide upgrade options. We also offer discounts for those who source their own accommodation from the the time of booking, whether they stay in their own place, a hotel, tent, or motorhome / van. Get in contact for details.

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.


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