Mountain Sports Equipment and other Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: Various

There are several good sports stores in Chamonix - Snell Sports is quite well-known and has a website too. Coquoz, Sangelard, Alpine Land are all good as well. All stores tend to compete in prices and several are owned by the same company (different names). When you find something you want to buy, look at it's price in a few shops and get it for the best price. If one shop is out of what you are looking for, ask at the other stores. Snell is known to have employees who are very well-informed about what they are selling and have many employees who have been with them for several years and have a lot of mountain experience.

What To Buy: If you are from North America you will find good deals on skis, snow boards, crampons, ice axes, climbing ropes, hiking boots and outdoor shoes - especially European made brands. But not mountain bikes! They seem to be more expensive here than in the States or Canada. (Canadians may have a hard time beating MEC prices on anything though!!)

Price things you are interested in buying in your area before coming out to be sure you are getting a deal. The strength of the Euro has made some things no longer great deals for North Americans, but for some reason mountaineering boots and ski boots still seem to be much cheaper here than in North America. Also if you are here early or late season look for sales on last year's models of whatever gear has just gone 'out' of season (ie, skis/boards in late spring, rock climbing gear in fall etc.).

What To Pay: Obviously this kind of gear can be pricey and will add to your weight allowance when flying back - be sure to consider that or your 'deal' could cost you a fortune to take back or ship back! Don't forget to get receipts to get back the tax if you are non-EU citizen.

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Theme: Sporting Goods
Address: All over the main streets in town center
Directions: Honestly, in the town center you can barely go a 1/2 block without finding another sports store! Many on the Rue du Dr Paccard (including Snell).

Name of Shop: Intermarche or Carrefour or Satoriz

If you are staying in Chamonix for more than a few days, and are for example in a self-catered chalet situation you may find that local grocery stores are pricey. Of the 2 chains in town, the Super U (Marche U) generally has better prices. Casino has more vegetarian/organic options. For a short stay, these will be fine and convenient.

But if you have a car, drive down the valley to the town of Sallanches (get off the autoroute on the Sallanches exit once you are down the big hill) you can find an Intermarche (first) and further down, a Carrefour. These hyper markets have cheaper prices.

Across the street from Carrefour is a Satoriz shop. This has healthfoods (all veg sold here are organic) and foods for people who are lactose or wheat-intolerant. Carrefour also has a small selection of organic foods.

What To Buy: Groceries, wine, odds and ends (these are hyper markets). Lots of vegetarian options at Satoriz.

What To Pay: Intermarche and Carrefour both have competitive prices and are much cheaper than Cham stores.

Intermarche is closer to Chamonix and is before Sallanches. Carrefour and Satoriz are past the town center. Satoriz is more expensive (organic) but is cheaper for than the Carrefour is for much of it's organic produce.

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Theme: Food and Drink
Address: In/Around Town of Sallanches - 25 minutes drive
Directions: After exiting the autoroute at Sallanches, turn left at the traffic light, go through Fayet and St Gervais and stay on the main road. All 3 stores are on the same road (follow store signs).