Winter Information and Activities

Chamonix in the Winter
Chamonix is one of the best known ski resorts in the Alps. However, in addition to this Chamonix is truly a winter wonderland. A heaven for skiers and boarders alike, Chamonix is home to some of the most reknowned pistes in France, and, of course, for it's off-piste opportunities! If skiing is not for you, then a Chamonix winter holiday still has so much to offer, you can simply soak up the atmosphere and join in the apres-ski, or perhaps get involved in one or more of the other Winter Activities that Chamonix has to offer.
SkiingSnowboardingTelemark SkiingCross Country SkiingSnow Shoeing

Rugged beauty, winter sports, and après-ski: all three are a part of what draw skiers to Chamonix. Chamonix is known for its fantastic off-piste skiing and taking into account the off-piste slopes, the area offers up to 30,000 acres of skiable ground. The skiing in Chamonix is spread over nine separate villages and 13 ski areas: Grands-Montets, Le Brevent and Vallée-Blanche are some of the best skiing trails on offer. You won’t have to descend the same slope time and time again as variety is one of the best assets of the Chamonix valley. There are 49 lifts in total both north and south-facing. Chamonix is not a quiet place. It attracts the best skiers, people who really want to challenge themselves. However, it doesn't just appeal to experts though, as there are nice beginners pistes (Le Tour, La Flégère). Après-ski is an art form in Chamonix. Restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, and even a casino fill time not spent on the slopes.

Chamonix is a paradise for snowboarders and board culture increasing here every year. For boarders, there is a fun park and half pipe on the Grands-Montets that stages numerous competitions, so if you're open to challenges, this is the perfect place. On le Tour, you'll find terrain perfect for free-riding and encompassing a kilometre-long natural half pipe. For serious boarders, the possibilities of free-riding are endless. Chamonix is a free-riding heaven, with outstanding boarding and off-pistes possibilities. In addition to the incredible snowboarding opportunities, you can enjoy the après-ski. Après-ski is an art form in Chamonix. Restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, and even a casino fill time not spent on the slopes.

Telemarking, also known as "free heel skiing", differs from alpine downhill skiing in that the skis used for telemarking are only connected with the boots of the skier at the toes, in a similar way to those of cross-country skiing. Chamonix has become very popular with telemarkers, catering for telemarkers of all abilities. There are plenty of off-piste runs and ski touring. Telemark has been referred to as the most beautiful and graceful form of skiing, and together with the beautiful scenery of the Chamonix valley, proves to be an unforgettable experience.

Chamonix-Mont Blanc is one of the best places in France to practise cross-country skiing due to the excellent snow conditions and the beauty of the landscape. There are 11 resorts in the valley that offer cross-country trails, most of which offer both traditional and skating trails that are accessible for all levels. The closest resort is Chamonix/Argentière. Here, you will find green, blue, red, and black loops, covering 42 kilometers (26 miles) of trails. This means that all skiers, from beginners to experts, can escape from the crowded downhill skiing resorts. You can break the trail by having a picnic in one of the many wonderful places you’ll find on your way, sunbathing on a rock or sitting in the shade of one of the many pine trees. Access to the resorts for one day is not expensive, but if you are planning on going every day then you’ll save money by buying a weekly ticket. There are several ski schools in the Mont-Blanc valley that offer cross-country skiing lessons for both adults and children.

Snowshoeing is a great way to experience all that the mountains surrounding Chamonix have to offer for people who don’t, or who no longer ski. It is a great way to get away from the crowded downhill pistes, and around Chamonix there are numerous programmes available from beginner’s level to advanced. These range from half days in the mid-mountains and the forests where you can fully appreciate the calm and beauty of winter in the Alps, to full day treks in the higher mountains where you will be able to walk on the glaciers at the heart of the Mont Blanc range. It can be a physically demanding activity, so be sure to choose a programme suited to your level. Above all, Snowshoeing can be great fun and a brilliant way to get away from the crowds during a stay in Chamonix.
Ski TouringIce SkatingParaglidingIce ClimbingDog Sledging

If you really want to explore the terrain, ski fresh tracks and get away from the massive crowds of skiers that flock to Chamonix every winter, then ski touring is for you. Ski touring relies on the ability to climb on skis, or on foot, to reach your destination, meaning that with the right equipment and guidance, no peak or hidden valley is out of reach. Chamonix is perfect for ski touring as the lift system provide easy access to the mountain wilderness. There are many well known ski touring routes. For real ski touring enthusiasts, Chamonix is also the start of the famous Chamonix to Zermatt route.

The ice-rink in Chamonix is located at the Richard Bozon Sport Centre. The rink is used for skating, ice hockey and other sports. The rink measures 30x60m and the building also has its own restaurant and bar. If you’d prefer a day off from skiing or snowboarding, this large ice rink and sports centre is definitely the best place to head for. You can spend an afternoon whizzing round the ice rink or look out for upcoming events and hockey matches.

Big thermals, eagles, glaciers and high peaks makes the Chamonix region the top choice of mountain flying and one of the best flying areas in the world. Paragliding offers a bird's eye view of some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps. Parapenting, as it is called in France, is a very popular sport in Chamonix due to the high mountains & easy cable car access to the designated launch sites for this sport - Le Brevent (Planpraz), Aiguille du Midi, Les Houches, Grands Montets, Aiguille du Plan and Plaine Joux . Chamonix is a wonderful place to learn how to free fly & with two designated landing sites almost in the town centre you'll not fail to be de drawn as a spectator if not an aspiring pilot.

During winter, waterfalls in the Alps freeze up and become spectacular ice-climbing venues. The Chamonix Valley is famous for its ice falls and can offer about 20 sites of varying length and difficulty all with stunning backdrops. Access to these ice falls is often easy, within 10-60 minutes walk from the road. The Chamonix Valley has a number of ice falls of varying length and degree of difficulty, however ice-climbing is suitable for anyone with basic climbing skills and lots of determination. The best ice fall climbing months are between January and February.

If you like dogs and want the chance to appreciate the beauty of the mountains in one of the most natural ways, then dog sledging is exciting. These dogs have been bred to pull you, and it’s becoming an increasingly popular sport in and around Chamonix. These are very affectionate animals, often Alaskan Huskies, and dog sledging can be an unforgettable experience for all ages. There is one dog sledging company operating around the Chamonix valley. They offer everything from the chance to sit in a sled to learning to mush a team (usually of 3 to 4 dogs to start with).

Chamonix in the Winter