Chamonix Luxury Chalets

Chamonix is a sprawling resort. Even if you’re staying in the centre you’ll want to branch out to other neighbourhoods. The ski areas are plentiful, but not lift-linked. With so much to explore, it’s easier to make use of the excellent public transport systems.

Free buses run throughout the valley, with the main terminal based in Chamonix Sud. There’s also a smaller shuttle service running across Chamonix town. If you want to speed things up, you can also take the train. But these aren’t always in the most convenient locations.

Travelling by car

Since Chamonix is so spread out, you might want the convenience of your own car. You’ll find it easy to get a parking space by the major lifts but this is more of a struggle in Chamonix town centre. Chamonix is one of the easiest resorts to get to by car. The dual carriageway and clear roads make getting up the mountain a straightforward experience.

Travelling by train

Since Chamonix has its own train station, this is a comfortable and eco-friendly way to get into resort. It will take longer and there will be some changes along the way. You’ll need to change at Saint Gervais Le Fayet or Martigny.

Airports

The best airport to fly into is Geneva. This has the biggest choice of international flights and offers easy transfer times.

Geneva (GVA) – 86.6km
By car –  1 hour 2 minutes
By train – 4 hours 13 minutes

Sion (SIR) – 71.4km
By car – 2 hours 26 minutes
By train – 1 hour

Lyon (LYS) – 215km
By car – 2 hours 10 minutes

Chambery (CMF) – 135km
By car – 1 hour 30 minutes

Private transfer

There is a range of transfer options into Chamonix from major airports, including shuttle buses and private cars.

Whether you love lively bars or laid-back cocktails, you’ll find something to suit you in Chamonix. With the slopes spreading across the valley, you won’t find the busy mountain parties like in neighbouring resorts. Instead, the party kicks off back in town around 5 pm. This gives you lots of time to ski down and recover before the music starts pumping. If you want to wander and see where the night takes you, start at Docteur Paccard and hop from bar to bar.

Looking for laid-back drinks and conversations? You’re in luck. Chamonix has a wonderful choice of relaxed wine and cocktail bars:

•   Élévation 1904 is a Chamonix favourite. Their large heated terrace is the perfect place for an evening vin chaud while you mingle with the locals.
•   Descend into the quirky décor of Les Caves for mellow jazz and a high-end wine and cocktail menu. As the evening wears on, the music becomes more upbeat, tempting you to extend your night.
•   Le Vert offers classic sports bar fun. Catch the match on the projector with UK Sky TV or get competitive with table football or a game of pool.

Would you rather start the night with something more energetic? The party starts early with live music and lots of après ski classics:

•   Chambre Neuf is the most popular place to begin your night. Packed to the brim with Brits and Scandis, expect live music, happy hours, and lots of table dancing.
•   A staple in the French Alps’ après scene, this branch of Folie Douce takes things up a notch. While not on the slopes, its opulent hotel location features extravagant live shows with DJs, sparkle, and aerial acrobatics.
•   MOÖ is a Swedish bar and restaurant where the only requirement for entry is that you’re up for a good time. Regular events, friendly staff, and a self-service beer tap will keep you coming back every night.

If you’re looking to extend your night, there are a few options to get you up and dancing:

•   L’Amnesia is the biggest club in Chamonix. Not opening until 1 am, you can expect international DJs and a great mix of club music.
•   For a stylish atmosphere and uber-cool house music, hang out at Le Privilege. They have a large wine and cocktail menu in a rustic-chic setting.
•   If you’re looking for a unique apres-ski experience, you’ll find it at La Maison des Artistes. The distinctive 1926 villa plays high-quality jazz until 2 am.

With a sprawling ski area, 173km of piste, and endless backcountry, you’ll never get bored in Chamonix. Both North and South facing slopes allow you to adjust your plans according to the weather. Although hailed as a paradise for expert skiers, beginners and intermediates will find more than enough to keep them entertained.

The ski area

Since many of the ski zones aren’t lift-linked, you can make the most of your time by selecting a different destination for each day. If you’re planning on doing some serious exploring, it’s recommended to get the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass. The main places to ski in Chamonix are:

•   Grand Montets is one of the largest ski zones in the area and has some of the best backcountry in the Alps.
•   Brévent/Flégèrer has sunny south-facing slopes and a varied choice of terrain for all levels.
•   Le Tour/ Vallorcine are top choices for beginners. But these small villages have some fun reds and off-piste for the more adventurous skier.
•   Vallee Blanche is the spot to be for confident intermediates and advanced skiers.
•   The picturesque Les Houches area has lovely tree-lined slopes and a charming selection of mountain restaurants. This quiet and family-friendly area is ideal on a bad weather day.
•   Accessed through a mountain tunnel, the Italian resort of Courmayeur offers a slow pace and a variety of piste.

Boarders

Chamonix is heaven on earth for experienced snowboarders. If you’re looking to up your game, steep terrain and some of the best freeriding in the world offer serious challenges. Head to the top of Grand Montets for two black runs and miles of off-piste opportunities. Adrenaline junkies will want to sample the famous Vallee Blanche. For something more relaxed, play around in the tree runs around Le Tour.

Le Tour is also a good spot for natural hits. But if you want to build on your freestyle skills, there are snowparks at Grand Montets, Le Tour, and Les Houches. The largest is at Le Tour, which features grades for all levels, boardercross, and a chill-out zone.

Chamonix can be an intimidating choice for the first-time boarder. Spread out green runs make it difficult to find easy places to practice your turns. But all hope is not lost. Vormaine in Le Tour is a quiet area with two greens and a blue when you’re ready to progress. Wide pistes for turning and slow drag lifts will help you get the hang of things. There are also green options with easy access in Les Houches and Brevant.

Beginners

While not the best resort to learn in, Chamonix has several options for those first steps on the snow. A popular choice is Les Houches for its gentle slopes at the top of the cable cars. It’s in the tree line so you’ll be sheltered from the elements and the large plateau at the top has flat and easy slopes. Although it’s a little further from town, you’ll have a quiet environment to master your first snow plough.

Other options for first-time skiers include La Tour and Vallorcine. The Savoy area is an easy option close to the town centre, with two drag lifts and a magic carpet. When you want to progress, try the greens from the Trappe chair lift in Flégère, and the greens in La Vormaine. The mini funicular, Funi 2000, will take you to the greens in Brevent. This includes the highest green run in Chamonix, Verte 2000.

When booking lessons, remember to check where the ski school is based so you don’t have a mad dash to the meeting point every morning.

Our recommended ski schools:

•   Sensations is part of the International Ski School. They have private and group lessons for multiple levels and ages. They also do mountain guiding and paragliding.
•   Eco Rider is a sustainable ski school with lessons across multiple disciplines for all ages.
•   BASS are established across France with private and group lessons for a variety of skills. Master Chamonix’s backcountry or learn how changing your mindset can transform your skiing.

Intermediates

Intermediates will have a fantastic time in the majority of the ski areas. Whether you’re after a cruisy blue or a technical red, you’ll find plenty to excite and challenge you. Start in Les Houches if you’re finding your snow feet again. The runs here are quiet so you can take your time as you transition from blue to red. Or, head over to Courmayeur. The pace here is so relaxed that any tumble can be fixed by a quick laze on a sun lounger.

Brevent and Flegere are the most popular spots for intermediate skiers. With 11km of blues, 25km of reds, and 20km of blacks, there’s lots of terrain with a few challenges mixed in. Perfect for a mixed group looking to learn from each other. Bask on the south-facing slopes while cruising the well-groomed piste. This is also a dreamy area for taking in some of Chamonix’s best views.

Advanced

Advanced skiers will be in their element in Chamonix, with terrain difficult enough to challenge even the most seasoned expert. Head to Grand Montets for some of the steepest slopes and stunning views of the glacier. The two black runs from the top station provide several challenges. Les Houches is a popular option for beginners and intermediates. But it’s also home to the famous La Verte, a groomed run used for the World Cup descent.

Backcountry in Chamonix is easy to access, making it a popular choice around the world. Les Grands Montets is on the list as having some of the best off-piste skiing in the Alps. Three bowls, 2,000m of verticle skiing and the Argentiere glacier make this a vast winter playground.

The Vallee Blanche ski area is an alpine icon, with glacial skiing and a 2,700m verticle descent. With stunning scenery, even confident intermediates might want to give this one a try. You should attempt Vallee Blanche with a guide. But to get the best out of everything Chamonix’s backcountry has to offer, it’s recommended to take a guide for at least one day.

Chamonix has ski areas at a variety of altitudes, with microclimates and tree-lined offerings when the weather is less favourable. The best snow is often at Grand Montets, whose North facing slopes reach heights of 3,200m.

December
The lifts are open and anticipation builds for a new winter season. Snow in lower parts of the valley may be patchy but it’s nothing the snow machines can’t fix.
Average snowfall: 61cm
Snow days: 5

January
January is very cold but has the highest chance of good snow. You’ll also get quieter slopes after the festive rush has died down.
Average snowfall: 109cm
Snow days: 8

February
Temperatures are a little warmer and there’s still plenty of snow on the ground. Expect this time to be busy with many schools on half term break.
Average snowfall: 72cm
Snow days: 8

March
March brings longer days and an extra dose of sunshine. Despite the warmer weather, snow depths often stay high until the end of the month.
Average snowfall: 85cm
Snow days: 8