Chamonix, the extraordinary story - the olympic adventure

Chamonix is known as the capital of mountaineering, but it is also the capital of winter sports. 
The Chamonix Alpine Sports Club was established as early as 1905 in response to the growing number of participants in sports such as Nordic skiing, ski jumping, and ice skating.

In 1908, the International Winter Sports Competitions were held in Chamonix, but the valley truly entered history starting in 1924. On January 25, 1924, the city was ready, and despite the abundant snow that needed to be shoveled, the 16 nations present for the first Winter Olympics paraded under their flags.

A ski jump, a bobsleigh track, and a huge ice rink were built for the event, showcasing the city’s grand ambitions. In terms of competitions, alpine skiing was not yet included, but Nordic skiing, ice sports, and bobsleigh took center stage on a technical and perilous track! The spectators were treated to a spectacular show, even though the host country’s results were disappointing.

Chamonix is the only municipality that has sent an athlete to every Winter Games since 1924. 

James Couttet won silver and bronze at the St. Moritz Olympics in 1948.

Charles Bozon brought home a bronze medal at Squaw Valley in 1960. And let’s not forget François Bonlieu’s gold medal in Innsbruck in 1964!

Snowboarder Karine Ruby, with an exceptional record, brought home Chamonix's first gold medal from the Nagano Olympics. This immense champion, sadly lost in the mountains while aspiring to be a guide, remains a role model in the valley.

A land of sports and athletes, Chamonix can be proud of its legacy and its ever-growing pool of future champions. Snowboarder Merlin Surget, a competitor in the last two games, hopes to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors and bring home a medal at the 2026 Olympics in Cortina.