Lac Blanc, Chamonix region
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Site of a snowy showdown
Lac Blanc shimmers beneath the peaks of the Alps in France's spectacularly scenic Chamonix region. The lakeshore and surrounding hills are popular hiking spots in summer. But it's the chilly season that's truly synonymous with Chamonix: The area hosted the first Winter Olympics way back in 1924. Then branded as 'International Winter Sports Week,' the 10-day event drew athletes from only 16 countries, but set the stage for winter sports to scale up and spread across the globe. As of the 2026 games, the participating country count is up to a healthy 93.
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