The train ride (from Martigny in Switzerland to Chamonix in France) is spectacular. Coming from Zurich you would probably also take the wonderful "Glacier Express" from Andermatt to Brig. This means several changes of train, but the Swiss have it all so well coordinated that it's pretty easy to do - and well worth the trouble for the scenery! The connections from Geneva, by the way, are easier, but why take the easy way out?