Cyber Cafe CLOSED
by firechick
SORRY BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE CYBAR BURNT IN A FIRE IN 2007 AND HAS NOT BEEN REBUILT AS OF 2009.
The CyBar is a cyber cafe with lots of computers (price is about €1/10 min) as well as a bar (and they serve coffee or hot chocolate too). Book computer time downstairs at the bar. Lots of 'hang out' room upstairs during the day, with couches and coffee tables letting you gather with friends. Notice boards listing stuff for sale and roommate ads. New this year is restaurant service - I haven't tried the food yet so can't comment. They have redone some of the decor and everything looks pretty spiffy.
Great outdoor terrace in summer (upstairs) with good mountain views. A bit smokey in winter (could use a better ventilation system).
Definitely a 'must see' for those doing a season in Chamonix - good message boards to find gear for sale, old cars, even sometimes roommate wanted ads. You can even arrange to plug in your laptop to the network here and do some work on the road if you get on nicely with the techies who work there.
At night, especially in 'high season' during the winter, the Cybar turns into a real party bar with DJs and dancing.
Located on Rue des Moulins - hard to miss once you find the street itself, which is a pedestrian zone along the Arve river. Entrance to the street from next to Irish coffee, or at the opposite end across the street from the Galeries Alpina/Saturday market area. 80 Rue des Moulins is the exact address - phone +33 (0)4 50 53 64 80
Mountaineering and climbing
by Martinewezel
Lots of different possibilities: hire a guide for one or more days, or have a basic training first.
"Getting acclimatised before starting" is also here a golden rule. All info at the "Maison de la Montagne", just next to the Tourism Office.
Trip to Aosta (Italy)
by Martinewezel
Honestly, compared to the Chamonix region, the Aosta region is totally different.
The back side of the Mont Blanc chain was a bit dissapointing to me. No snow at all...
Aosta is a nice and cosy town (taste the famous Aosta ham), but don't expect special discoveries.
Compared to other famous Italian or Fench cities, this one has few Roman remains.
Still, for whom never saw any Roman city before, Aosta will certainly be a fantastic experience to begin with.
Sushi in the Alps!
by firechick about Satsuki
This Japanese restaurant is run by a local Japanese family. They serve a small variety of excellent sushi, miso soup, tempura and other traditional Japanese dishes. Menus are in Japanese, French and English.
Very friendly staff and delicious food. Wakame Soba noodles are a delicious giant bowl of hot noodle soup that will warm you up on a cold day, without weighing you down!
Musee Alpin de Chamonix
by mplessers
History about Chamonix (the groth of the town, the Winter Olympics, ...), the Alpes in general and climbing the Mont Blanc.
If you're not interrested in history it's still a nice thing to do on a rainy day.
Opening hours: 14h-19h (10h-12h during school holidays).