What to do in Chamonix?
Chamonix is a world-renowned ski resort in Haute-Savoie, and Europe’s capital of extreme sports. Located in the French Alps, on the border with Switzerland and Italy, Chamonix is best known for being home to one of Europe’s highest peaks: Mont Blanc.
And while skiing is the main activity when you come to Chamonix, it’s not the only one, and you’ll find plenty to do in both summer and winter. So, what to do in Chamonix?
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the things you can do in Chamonix. To help you plan your trip as effectively as possible, we’ll also look at the practical aspects, including the best time to visit, the ideal length of time to stay and some advice on where to stay.
Must-see things to do in Chamonix
Ideal for thrill-seekers and families alike, Chamonix has plenty to offer. Discover the main activities not to be missed during your stay.
Skiing and snowboarding
With over 400km of pistes, the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc ski area is ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. A ski pass is a must. For a day or a week, the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass, available from €60, gives you access to 10 ski areas, 4 excursion sites and skiing in 3 countries.
There are also many offers for private ski lessons of varying durations, to suit your needs.
For ski enthusiasts and off-piste experts, it's also possible to ski down the Vallée Blanche with a guide. Over a 20-kilometer descent, you'll enjoy some of the finest scenery on Mont Blanc. But be warned: with the technical difficulties it presents, this outing already requires a certain level of skiing.
And while ski passes are not included in these packages, you'll still have all the safety equipment you need for off-piste skiing.
Finally, for those who prefer cross-country skiing, you have access to 50km of Nordic ski trails.
Taking the Aiguille du Midi cable car
At 3777 meters above sea level, the Aiguille du Midi is one of the best things to do during a trip to Chamonix, both in winter and summer.
Accessible in 20 minutes via a cable car that departs from the town center, Chamonix's highest Aiguille has several areas not to be missed.
For the more courageous, there's a glass box called “Pas dans le vide”. Located above the void, it's a 5-sided glass box, over 1000 metres high. This attraction also offers a breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
At the departure station of the Midi cable car, you'll find a 4D cinema dedicated to the mountains. Please note that advance reservations are not possible; payment is by credit card only.
There are several options for taking the Aiguille du Midi cable car. You can either opt for the Mont Blanc Unlimited day pass, which also gives you access to the Mer de Glace gondola and the Montenvers train, or buy a one-way ticket for the Aiguille. Winter conditions permitting, you can choose to ski back down.
Finally, once there, if it's open, take the Mont Blanc cable car over the Giant's Glacier to Italy's Pointe Helbronner.
Hoping on the Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace
Inaugurated in 1910, the Montenvers train is now one of the region's most famous features. One of only 5 rack-and-pinion trains in France, it welcomed over a million passengers in the 1990s.
As well as offering a pleasant ride, this little red train takes just 20 minutes to reach the Montenvers site, at an altitude of 1913m. From here, you'll enjoy amazing views of the Mer de Glace, the Drues, the Grands Joraz and Grand Charmoz.
There's also a museum, a restaurant and, above all, the Ice Grotto, where you can enter the glacier, and the Glaciorium, dedicated to the history of the Mer de Glace.
It costs around €40 per person to reach the Mer de Glace. Once at the top, it takes around 3 hours to do the essentials activities there.
It is possible to sleep in a refuge only accessible by the Montenvers train. The Refuge du Montenvers is located at an altitude of over 1900 metres, in the middle of the Mont-Blanc mountains range.
You'll sleep in typical wooden accommodations, in a cosy setting with mountain views. The restaurant, Le Panoramique, offers a panoramic view of the Mer de Glace from its terrace.
Go snowshoeing
Snowshoe hikes are a great way to discover the resort's natural environment, and can be done for a full or half day.
Equipped with snowshoes, they allow you to explore itineraries that would be inaccessible without equipment. Ideal for discovering the valley from a different angle, these walks don't require any more effort than conventional hikes.
While it's possible to do them on your own, a guided hike allows you to get to places that are farther off the beaten track, and above all to enrich your knowledge of Savoyard flora and fauna. You may even be lucky enough to spot chamois or deer.
For a snowshoe hike accompanied by a guide, you'll often need to spend around €50 to €60 per person for a half-day. Full-day outings are more expensive, and can run up to around €90 per person.
Taking a helicopter flight over Mont Blanc
Flying over Mont Blanc in a helicopter is a unique activity during a stay in Chamonix, and if you have the budget this flight will leave you with unforgettable memories. Chamonix offers unique panoramic views from almost 5,000 meters above sea level.
The duration of the activity indicated includes a safety briefing, boarding, flight time and finally disembarkation from the helicopter. You'll find different companies offering helicopter flights, but most of the time you'll be faced with the same possibilities regarding flight duration, which are as follows:
- 15 minutes: the Grandes Jorasses
- 20 minutes: Mont Blanc via the 3 Monts
- 30 minutes: Le Pays du Mont Blanc
Obviously, the longer the visit, the higher the price, but if your budget allows, we strongly recommend that you opt for the longer option, to make the most of this magical moment.
Other things to do in Chamonix
If you plan a longer trip to Chamonix, and you want to do more activities than the must-sees, there are other activities that you can do! Hiking, biking, paragliding, are all fun activities to do during your trip.
Hiking around the Lac Blanc
Located in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve at over 2350 meters altitude, Lac Blanc is certainly one of the most beautiful hikes to do in the Alps.
From the Chamonix valley, however, this hike requires a bit of effort, and you'll have various options to choose from, depending on your level.
For the less athletic or groups with children, the best option is to take the gondola from Les Praz de Chamonix Mont-Blanc and the Flégère gondola before reaching the lake for a two-hour hike.
Alternatively, for the more sporty, you can hike from the Col des Montets or Tré-le-Champ. Please note, however, that these sections are highly technical and not suitable for everyone.
Please note that while it's possible to hike in both summer and winter, some trails are off-limits in winter. So be sure to ask before you set off.
Mountain biking
In summer, mountain biking is a great way to discover the region and get a thrill out of it. Whether you're a beginner or an amateur, you'll discover a variety of routes to suit all levels.
And whether you opt for a flat route or a steeper one, you'll always enjoy a magnificent view of Mont Blanc in the background.
But be warned: mountain biking in the Chamonix valley is regulated. In particular, mountain biking is prohibited in the Aiguilles Rouges and Carlaveyron nature reserves.
Mountain-biking outings supervised by guides are available to explore the best trails.
Paragliding over the mountains
An ideal activity for thrill-seekers, paragliding offers unique views of the Chamonix valley, the Alps and, above all, Mont Blanc.
There are various options for this flight. Indeed, for thrill-seekers, it's even possible to take a flight during which the instructor can perform acrobatics to give you even more adrenalin.
Departures can be made from various locations, including Planpraz, Plan de l'Aiguille and Aiguille du Midi. Depending on the departure point, the duration of the activity and its price will vary.
In any case, this activity requires a substantial budget, and you should generally expect to pay at least €150 per person for a paragliding flight.
Rafting down the Arve
Rafting is a popular activity in the Chamonix valley from April to October. It's possible to descend the Arve River and discover spectacular scenery.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rafter, rafting will take you down glacier waters for guaranteed thrills. And depending on what you're looking for, you'll find plenty of options for the duration of your activity, from an hour to a full day.
In terms of budget, you should expect to pay around €50 per person for a descent. However, depending on the options you choose, budgets will vary.
Climbing an icefall
Another of the resort's typical winter activities is ice climbing. Chamonix is one of the world's top spots for this sport.
Generally only practicable between December and February due to the weather conditions involved, this sport involves climbing waterfalls and icy torrents using ice axes and crampons.
Whether you're used to climbing or not, this activity is suitable for everyone, and there are numerous routes of varying difficulty to choose from.
Practical guide
Now that we’ve covered the various must-do activities, let’s move on to the practical aspects that are essential for preparing your stay.
How to get to Chamonix?
There are two main ways of getting to Chamonix from different parts of France: by car and by train.
If you choose to travel by train, you’ll find several trains that can make the journey from Paris in around 5 hours. You’ll then arrive at Saint-Gervais les Bains. From there, all you have to do is take a shuttle to the resort. You can choose between shuttle buses, trains or cabs.
By car, all you have to do is take the Autoroute Blanche, which runs directly to Chamonix. On site, you’ll have access to a number of parking lots, making it easy to park your vehicle.
Length of stay in Chamonix
While 3 days may be enough to discover the region’s mythical sites, to really get the most out of the resort and its immense ski area, it’s ideal to spend at least a week in the ski resort, mainly in winter.
That way, you’ll have plenty of time to visit the various must-see sites, go snowshoeing, enjoy the thrill-seeking activities and, above all, cover part of the 200km ski area.
In summer, you can replace skiing with hiking or biking, which will also keep you busy for a whole week.
Where to stay?
Depending on your budget, you’ll have several options for staying in Chamonix. If your budget allows it, the best option is obviously to sleep in the center, to take advantage of its charm and proximity to the ski lifts. In that case, we suggest the following hotel:
- Heliopic Hotel & Spa Located in the town of Chamonix Mont-Blanc, close to the Aiguille du Midi cable car, this hotel offers rather luxurious rooms. The complex boasts a 500m2 spa and indoor pool. There’s also a store where you can rent ski equipment directly.
Alternatively, if you’re on a smaller budget, you can get away from it all by choosing accommodation in the valley. But beware, this solution can sometimes make it difficult to reach the center.
To find out more, read our article on the best hotels to stay in Chamonix.
Good places to eat in Chamonix
A stay in Haute-Savoie is the ideal opportunity to eat a variety of Savoyard specialties such as fondue, raclette and tartiflette.
And don’t miss La Calèche, an authentic restaurant that could be mistaken for a museum. The perfect embodiment of the resort’s history, La Calèche not only lets you taste the specialities of your choice, but also showcases old photos of the village and old winter sports equipment.
As you can see, Chamonix is a destination with plenty to do, both in summer and winter! So, no matter when you plan your trip, make sure you allow enough time to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the must-sees.
And don’t forget to book your activities and accommodation in advance, as Chamonix attracts tourists from all over the world, and many places can be fully booked.