Auberge de Jeunesse HI Chamonix – Mont-Blanc

A hostel for spending little in the valley

The HI France hostel in Chamonix is in Les Pèlerins d'en Haut, on the south slope of the valley, between the town and Les Houches, 200 m from the forest. It is the choice for sleeping cheaply in an expensive valley, with an atmosphere of mountaineers, cyclists and skiers. It holds the Clef verte label, for its environmental management, and Accueil Vélo, for those travelling by bike.

Rooms and facilities

There are 120 beds in 33 rooms for 2, 4 and 6 people, so it also suits a couple or a family who want a room of their own. You can have breakfast, order a picnic for your day in the mountains and have dinner at the hostel. It has a bar, laundry, left-luggage, library, games room and TV room, a rest area, a garden and a bike garage, and wifi. Groups have three meeting rooms.

The hostel is not adapted for people with reduced mobility. Rates are not published on the listing: you see them when booking on the HI France website. It is open from 1 December to 30 September, with reception from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 16:30 to 20:00; if you will arrive outside those hours, let them know.

Getting there

Without a car it is easy: from Chamonix station, bus 2 drops you at the Auberge de Jeunesse stop, 50 m from the door. By car, take the RN205, Les Pèlerins exit. Geneva airport is 90 km away. At 600 m there is a supermarket and shopping centre, at 700 m restaurants and bars, and the nearest ski slopes are 2.5 km away.

What kind of trip it suits

For a car-free, low-budget trip, in summer or winter. In summer, the hostel is a base for walking, mountain biking or paragliding; in winter, for skiing or snowshoeing. If you sleep in the valley, your accommodation gives you the Carte d'hôte, with which the train between Servoz and Vallorcine is free.