Tailor-made holidays in Chamonix

Skiing and snowboarding in Chamonix

Chamonix is not one linked ski area but a valley of separate ones, spread over about 20 km and connected by ski bus and train. Together they offer well over 100 km of pistes. Brévent and Flégère, linked by cable car, rise above the town on the sunny side of the valley with blues and reds and some of the finest views of Mont Blanc you will find anywhere. Les Grands Montets above Argentière is the steep, north-facing area that keeps its snow, prized by strong skiers and freeriders. Le Tour–Balme, linked to Vallorcine, is wide and open, ideal for intermediates, while Les Houches offers tree-lined runs that are a good choice in poor visibility.

Chamonix is above all a mountain for experts. The Vallée Blanche, which starts from the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 m, is a glacier descent of more than 20 km with a vertical drop of about 2,800 m. It is off-piste, crosses crevassed terrain and should only be done with a qualified mountain guide. The Grands Montets top cable car, lost to a fire in 2018, is being rebuilt: the lower Argentière–Lognan section is due to run from 2026, with summit access expected from December 2027, so check which lifts are running when you plan your trip.

Chamonix for families and beginners

Beginners are well catered for, but in dedicated areas rather than on the big mountains. Le Savoy, right in town, and Les Planards have gentle slopes, magic carpets and drag lifts; La Vormaine near Le Tour is a sunny nursery area. Once children are confident, Le Tour–Balme and Les Houches are the friendliest areas for families to ski together.

The ESF and several independent ski schools run lessons for children and adults across the valley. Families who want everything on the doorstep may prefer a more compact resort such as Les Gets, but Chamonix suits families who value the scenery, the town and the range of activities beyond skiing.

Where to stay in Chamonix

Chamonix town is the place for restaurants, shops and nightlife, with Brévent and the Aiguille du Midi within walking distance of many hotels and apartments. Argentière, further up the valley, is a quieter village at the foot of the Grands Montets, popular with keen skiers. Les Houches, at the lower end of the valley, has a gentler, family atmosphere, and Vallorcine and Le Tour are small and peaceful.

Wherever you stay, the valley’s buses and trains make it easy to reach the different ski areas, and most accommodation provides a guest card giving access to local public transport. Being close to a bus stop or station matters more here than being ski-in/ski-out, which is rarely possible in Chamonix.

Getting to Chamonix

Geneva Airport is about 88 km away, around 1h15 by road via the Autoroute Blanche, depending on traffic and snow; Saturday transfers in peak season can take longer. Lyon Airport is about 220 km away. By train, you reach Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet (served by TGV and by the Léman Express from Geneva), then take the Mont-Blanc Express to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Coaches also run from Geneva Airport, and the Mont Blanc Tunnel puts Courmayeur in Italy within easy reach.

Beyond the slopes in Chamonix

Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924 and remains a real town rather than a purpose-built resort, with a lively centre, varied restaurants and plenty to do for non-skiers. The Aiguille du Midi cable car is a highlight in its own right, and the Montenvers rack railway takes you to the Mer de Glace glacier. Snowshoeing, ice skating, paragliding and spa afternoons fill the rest of the week.

In summer the valley becomes the capital of Alpine adventure: hikes such as the Grand Balcon, via ferrata, climbing, paragliding, mountain biking and trail running at the foot of Mont Blanc, with the lifts giving easy access to high-altitude viewpoints.

When to go to Chamonix

The ski season usually runs from mid-December to April, depending on the area and snow conditions. January and early February bring cold, quiet slopes and the best value outside school holidays; March offers longer, sunnier days. The Vallée Blanche is generally possible from January to April, depending on snow and glacier conditions. For summer, June to September is the main season for hiking and mountain activities.

Your Chamonix holiday with AlpAway

We put together tailor-made Chamonix holidays in winter and summer: accommodation in the right part of the valley for your group, lift passes, equipment rental, lessons or a mountain guide, and transfers from Geneva. Tell us your dates, your level and what you would like to do, and send us a request so we can build your trip.