Chamonix,
France

Chamonix is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world, nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc—the highest peak in Western Europe. Located in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, this historic resort hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and remains a mecca for extreme skiing, mountaineering, and alpine culture. Unlike typical ski resorts, Chamonix is a bustling town with a vibrant year-round population and five distinct ski areas spread across the valley. From the legendary off-piste Vallée Blanche to the tree-lined slopes of Les Houches, Chamonix offers terrain for every type of skier—but it’s especially revered by experts and freeriders.