Saturday

4) 8 a.m. A local breakfast

Join the hungry crowds at Aux Petits Gourmands, a popular, central bakery, to enjoy a cappuccino (€3.90) and a bite to eat before you head for the slopes. Indulge in the local specialty, the Croix de Savoie (€3.10, or €2.10 to take away), a cross-shaped brioche bun smothered in cream and topped with a generous sprinkling of vanilla-flavored sugar. Or linger over the classic French petit déjeuner (€13) — an array of breads and pastries served with chocolate spread and homemade jams.

5) 9 a.m. Saturday on the slopes

The Grands Montets may be Chamonix’s most famous skiing area, but if you have just a single day to spend on the pistes, then Brévent may be your best bet (€53 for an adult day pass; €45.10 for children under 15 and adults over 64). Here, on the south-facing slope that sits across the valley from Mont Blanc, you can enjoy the sunshine — and a dazzling vista of snow-covered summits — as you whiz down the hill. Brévent is excellent for intermediate skiers, but its steeper slopes have plenty to offer the more advanced. Thrillseekers can practice their jumps in the snow park, which is equipped with a massive “airbag” to soften landings.