Chamonix is located at the centre of the French Alps and on the border of France, Italy and Switzerland. It is situated at the foot of MONT BLANC with its vast glaciers descending Western Europe's highest mountain (15,770 feet). The town lies below these pinnacles of ice and rock standing out against the blue skies of the Alps. Chamonix has long been considered the birthplace of skiing and mountaineering and is proud of its past. From the moment in 1786 when Paccard and Balmat first reached the summit of Mont Blanc the town has never looked back. Today the town attracts alpinists in search of conquest from around the world. Chamonix served as host to the first Winter Olympics back in 1924. In winter a Mecca for skiers and snowboarders from beginners to the most demanding champions, Chamonix offers high altitude ski areas (90% are above 6000 feet) and up to 600km/375miles of trails in addition to the famous Vallée Blanche - the longest glacial run in the world. In summer Chamonix becomes a lush green sports paradise with everything from walking, golf, and tennis to climbing paragliding and biking.