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Chamonix
Ski resort or town with skiing?
It’s both that and more, offering a summer wonderland as well. Did you know that there are more visitors to Chamonix in the summer months (June - September), despite being a world-famous ski destination?
Chamonix Highstreet,
towards Mont Blanc
Chamonix is a snow-sure ski resort in the French Alps, very near the borders with Switzerland and Italy.
Chamonix - Mont Blanc, as it is often called, sits at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps, a top destination for mountaineers and skiers. Some of the best skiing in the world is found here in the valley. A good reason why it's included on the Icon international ski pass with other famous resorts such as Jackson Hole in the US and Kitzbühel in Austria.
The town is a historic hub, welcoming visitors for well over a century. It offers a wonderful mixture of traditional Alpine charm and a lively après-ski scene, with plenty of great restaurants and a high street bursting with mountain brands.
The valley has four main ski areas, five if you include Les Planards, close to Chamonix centre. It’s popular with beginners because skiers can progress to several longer runs via the chairlift.
Chamonix has skiing for every skill level.
Grands Montets (1,235m - 3,295m), close to the small town of Argentière, is a challenging area for more advanced skiers with extensive off-piste terrain. With less direct winter sun, skiing is often excellent at Easter and lasts well into May.
Brévent-Flégère (1,035m - 2,525m), the two separate ski areas, were joined together via a cable car in 2000. Starting just above Chamonix centre, the combined area now stretches up to the village of Les Praz, offering the largest number of pistes in the valley.
There is an excellent range of skiing here, including an excellent beginners’ area on the Brévent side, plus plenty of intermediate and advanced runs. A big family favourite.
Outside the Flégère lift, looking up at the red Pylônes piste
Above the clouds at the Balme ski area
Balme (1,450 m—2,328 m), accessed from the villages of Le Tour and Vallorcine, is ideal for beginners at Vormaine (next to the car park). A new gondola was recently installed nearby to provide fast access to the great on- and off-piste options for intermediate skiers. On the Vallorcine side, there are lovely pistes in the forest.
Les Houches (1,000m—1,900m) and Saint Gervais (850m—2,350m) are at the lower end of the Chamonix valley. They have 55 km of slopes meandering through pine forests. Well-known for their beginner-friendly slopes, they also feature La Verte, better known as the Kandahar, a famous World Cup downhill run. However, it is anything but green.
Chamonix’s summer season
A mecca for mountaineers all year round, the summer makes the mountains more accessible for everyone. Mont Blanc attracts serious climbers, but there are hundreds of other peaks and routes to explore.
There are a spectacular number of hiking trails, from easy walks to week-long treks like the 170-kilometer Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland.
It’s a perfect adventure playground for families, with mountain biking, paragliding, whitewater rafting, or relaxing at one of the many alpine lakes. Chamonix boasts a challenging 18-hole golf course near the Flégère lift and car park. It’s hard to focus on the golf due to the distractions from the breathtaking surrounding scenery.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car is one of Chamonix’s iconic attractions. Rising to a height of 3,842m, it features some of the most famous and picturesque landscapes in the French Alps. Don’t miss out on the 'step into the void' experience either when you’re there.
Tour du Mont Blanc trail
Relaxing at the Chamonix spa
On the way to the Aiguille du Midi
UTMB start and finish in Chamonix
Chamonix hosts many exciting events throughout the summer, including the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), a series of ultramarathons that attract thousands of runners and spectators. Combined with other outdoor concerts and mountain festivals, it creates a lively atmosphere throughout the summer.
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