Chamonix, France – Equipment Rental

There are several companies and stores in Chamonix that rent ice climbing, glacier climbing, mountain climbing equipment, and paragliding equipment. One note is that most of the mountaineering stores in Chamonix are open in the morning till about noon and then close until mid/late afternoon and are open till about 7 or 8pm.

By far the largest store, with the best selection and comparable prices is Snell Sports – Technicien Du Sport, located at 104 Rue Paccard 74400 in downtown Chamonix. Their TELEPHONE NUMBER is 50 53 02 17. They have one of the best selections of all around mountaineering and trekking gear.

Their store is several stories. There are many stores in Chamonix that rent ski equipment. Expect to pay about 40 French francs a day for ski rental and about the same amount for the boots. Several sport shops that rent skies are the following.

Ski Location Guy Perillat is located at 138 Rue des Moulins. They rent skis daily from 9am until noon, and then again from 2 to 7pm. They have an excellent selection of snow boards. For more information and current prices please call PHONE NUMBER 04 50 53 54 76.

A store that rents and has a good selection of cross country skis is Le Grand Bi. They are located at 240 Ave du Bois du Bouchet. In the winter they are open daily from 9am until 7pm. You can call them at PHONE NUMBER 04 50 53 14 16.

A place where you can hire mountaineering guides is the first floor of the Maison de la Montagne. This office is located near the tourist office at 109 Place de l’Eglise. To reach the Compagnie des Guides call TELEPHONE NUMBER 04 50 53 00 88. In the winter they are open daily from 8 or 9am until noon and then again from 2pm to 7pm. During July and August they are open from 6am until 5pm. The typical cost for a guide is 50 Euros per day.

You may notice that in the summer months and possibly in the winter time the sky above Chamonix is filled with colorful objects. Chances are they are paragliders soaring high above town and the mountains catching some thermals. There are several places in Chamonix that will give paragliding lessons or rent equipment. The average cost of an initiation flight is about 150 euros. A five day course in the summer costs upwards of 800 euros.

Paragliding

Centre Ecole Parapente can be contacted at PHONE NUMBER 04 50 53 50 14, at 79 Rue Whymper.
Visit: www.cepmontblanc.com

Chamonix Parapente can be contacted at PHONE NUMBER 04 50 55 99 22, at 16 Cours du bartavel.
Visit: www.chamonix-parapente.fr

Ecole Espace Sensation can be contacted at PHONE NUMBER 04 50 55 99 49.

Summits was founded in 1987 – Visit: www.summits.fr

There is also another paragliding school located at 8 Route Henriette d’Angeville. The tourist office is another good source of information about paragliding.

Mountain Bike Rentals

Le Grand Bi is located at 240 Ave du Bois du Bouchet and they are open for bike rental between April and October. Mountain bike rentals are about 25 Euros per day. They also rent road bikes for a bit less. They are open Monday through Saturday from 8:30am until noon and again from 2pm until 7pm. PHONE NUMBER 04 50 53 14 16.

Another bike rental company is the Chamonix Mountain Bike located at 138 Rue des Moulins. It is open daily from 9am until noon and then again from 2pm to 7pm. Note: they are open all day during the summer and winter holidays. PHONE NUMBER 04 50 53 54 76.

Azur Bike Rental store is located at 79 Rue Whymper. They are open daily from 9am until 7pm. They charge approximately 20-25 Euros for one day of rental for a mountain bike. PHONE NUMBER 04 50 53 50 14. Visit: www.azzure.co.uk/mountain_biking/mountain_biking.htm

Zero G is a bike, surf & skate shop. Visit: www.zerogchx.com