I have not found a single hotel on the mountain for skiing in Chamonix. Is this just a US phenomenon? Help.

No, not to my knowledge. You'll want to stay in the town itself anyway. It's very charming & has great restaurants and nightlife. <BR>There is gondola access basically starts in town & depending on the time of year, you'll be able to ski right back into town.

What is a ski in/out hotel ??? Sorry, but for Europeans it seems like Chinese.

Sorry for the chinese. Ski in/out refers to being able to leave your hotel and be on the slopes and not have to take a bus to the mountain. It is a great convenience but not necessary. Any Chamonix hotel recommendations?

Sharon,<BR><BR>I don't think you will find this in older, more traditional resort villages like Chamonix or Megeve. However, the purpose built resorts such as Courchevel or Val d'Isere have many such hotels (but also less charm...).<BR><BR>FYI the French term for this is: "d&eacute;part skis aux pieds" (leave with your skis on).<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Andre

Chamonix is located in the valley at relatively low altitude (only 1042m). For the better skiing you will need to take a cable-car. The famous 'Aiguille du Midi' cable-car, which will bring you to an alt. of 3842m, has its starting point in the city centre, only a few minutes walk from the hotels/appartments.

Great information. Thanks so much for all of the help.

Andre is right, for the ski aux pieds hotels, go to the "new generation" (ie built in the 60s) of ski resorts, such as the ones where the 92 WInter Olympics took place. Granted, some are quite ugly (Les Menuires), or lacking in charm (Val Thorens, Corbier, La Plagne, Tignes), but some combine quick slope access and nice, sometimes car free, architecture: Les Arcs, Valmorel, Courchevel, Avoriaz, Serre-Chevalier. Skifrance is quite a helpful site on these matters

We skied in Chamonix and in Flane. Flane (or Flaine) had better snow for the time we were there and had ski in/out. It was excellent. Use the suggested sites or links suggested above. Loved the whole atmosphere of both.