SnowCarbon was set up by Daniel Elkan, a journalist who writes regularly about rail travel to the Alps and who aims to facilitate this mode of transport by providing a maximum amount of information, prices, timetables etc. The site highlights 30 resorts which can be reached by train and Chamonix is, of course, one of them.

SnowCarbon works closely with Rail Europe and Eurostar and the tourist office is supporting this initiative in the hope that this could result in an improved service the the Arve Valley i.e better links for Chamonix. Whilst the train will never replace flight options, it currently represents only 4% of market share for UK skiers travelling to the Alps.

snowcarbon.co.uk

Many researchers have set up in the Chamonix Valley, perpetuating the scientific history of the investigation of the massif, initiated in the 18th century.
Since then, there has been a long and uninterrupted chain of experimentation, discovery and research. Anticipating needs or reacting to changes in mountain activities, a collection of organisations has developed at the foot of Mont Blanc whose aim is to research, train, understand the surroundings and to make the most of the natural and cultural heritage.

At the instigation of the commune of Chamonix, these organisations today constitute an innovating and promotional "network", whose aim is to popularise scientific work and make the public, local and tourist alike, more aware of questions related to our environment.
You will find the different people who make up this network ....on a dedicated website very soon.

Bernard Prud'homme.

Source: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc council bulletin n°2- July 2009.

The association was created in 1972 to support the inter-communal reserve at the Col de Montets. The Col de Montets chalet is open to the public and offers a botanical walk, exhibition rooms, laboratories, and audio room where films are shown on fauna, etc.

The Association has around 40 trainees (university students) in the summer, who explain the site to the public, take them on the botanical tour, show them the plants, lichens, insects, and stones in the laboratories. There are teaching aids available specifically for children.

Every summer a dozen seminars and around ten themed outings are organised.

For more info: www.rnaiguillesrouges.org