Chamonix Ski Resort

Chamonix offers an excellent array of shops, restaurants, bars and other activities to keep you occupied whilst you’re not skiing. With cobbled streets, medieval church towers and traditional chalets aplenty, it is attractive not only to the adrenaline-seeking experts but also to the lovers of alpine scenery. The ski resort is not one single resort but six ski areas spread along the Chamonix valley. This means that although the resort is not a ski-in-ski-out destination, there is a huge range of skiing available to explore.

What our experts say

No matter your level of experience, we are here to help you every step of the way. With resorts such as Avoriaz offering great beginners ski holidays, we can find the perfect ski holiday for you.

Emily Allen


Emily

Key Account Manager
Chamonix Transfer Time
Geneva
Map Marker 1h 30m

Best For...

  • Short breaks
  • Short transfers
  • Traditional Alpine charm

Resort Statistics

  • Resort Altitude 1,035m
  • Skiing Altitude 3,840m
  • Total Ski Area 150km
  • Lifts 65
  • Green Runs 7km
  • Blue Runs 42km
  • Red Runs 55km
  • Black Runs 41km
  • Cross Country 40 km

Ski Accommodation in Chamonix, France

Our collection of Chamonix ski accommodation has been hand-picked by our ski experts. We can help you find the perfect luxury escape, a boutique hotel or something suitable for the whole group.

Mont Blanc Hotel Chamonix

Discover Chamonix

Need to Know About Chamonix

  • Ski Areas:
    • Aiguille du Midi / Vallée Blanche — very high, glacier terrain, expert only.
    • Grands Montets — steep, glacier, off-piste favourite.
    • Brévent & La Flégère — south-facing, varied runs, great views of Mont Blanc.
    • Le Tour / Balme — more gentle, rolling terrain, good for intermediates and cruising.
    • Les Houches — tree-lined, family-friendly, classic alpine feel.
  • Typical season: Early December to late April, depending on snow.
  • Snow reliability: The high-altitude sectors and glacier areas generally provide good snow cover, though conditions vary by area and exposure.
  • Passes:
    • Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass — covers Chamonix ski areas and nearby resorts (including cross-border access)
    • Chamonix Le Pass — more limited, but good for the main Chamonix areas.

What Are the Chamonix Ski Areas Like?

The ski area provides a fabulous 150km of downhill skiing accessed by 65 lifts with some of the highest vertical drops in the alps.  Chamonix ski resort is located at 1,035m, and with skiing going as high as almost 3,840m, skiers can relax knowing that good snow cover will last all season long. This makes Chamonix one of the best for freeride terrain and glacier routes.

  • Total skiable area: 150 km of marked pistes.
  • Lift system: 65 lifts across the valley.

How Difficult Are the Ski Pistes in Chamonix?

Col de Balme, Le Tour and Vallorcine are gentle ski areas offering cruisey blues which are perfect for beginners.

Les Houches is good for intermediates with long blue runs and a few steeper more challenging runs including Chamonix’s world cup downhill course.

Advanced skiers and confident intermediates will want to check out the 20km of freeride skiing along the Vallée Blanche and the off-piste on the Grands Montets glacier.

Is Chamonix Good for Snowboarding?

Chamonix is a place of pilgrimage for the advanced snowboarder, with endless off-piste possibilities and on-piste runs which will push even the best boarders.

Head to the Grands Montets glacier for a slice of the action where you will find an impressive fun park and half-pipe which hold regular competitions.

What are the Best Restaurants in Chamonix?

  • Les Vielles Luges – this rustic 18th century barn can be found near the bottom of the Maisonneuve chairlift and is a great spot for lunch.
  • Restaurant Albert 1er – with a Michelin star, this is one of the world’s best ski resort restaurants.
  • Cap Horn – a nautically-themed chalet restaurant that (unsurprisingly) specialises in seafood.

 

“You must try the Arctic‑char at Albert 1er, a fifth generation restaurant that combines local ingredients with alpine charm.”

Sacha Peters, Marketing Director

Expert-Recommended Pistes in Chamonix

Our team keeps coming back to these runs on every visit—they deliver unforgettable experiences and showcase the best of Chamonix skiing.

Vallée Blanche
An unmarked, unmaintained, unpatrolled off-piste route that runs down through the glaciers to Chamonix. It is recommended to hire a guide


Le Tour/Vallorcine
A delightful sector, with gentle open slopes and reliable snow

Ski Schools in Chamonix

  • Multiple ski schools operate across Chamonix (such as ESF, Evolution 2), providing lessons for all levels — from complete beginners to advanced freeride and off-piste coaching.
  • For off-piste or glacier skiing (like Vallée Blanche), hiring a guide is strongly recommended for safety and will give you an unforgettable experience
Find ski schools & guides

Crèches in Chamonix

The main Chamonix nurseries are called the Panda Club and the Piou-Piou Club, both run by the ESF ski school. There are also several private nanny services in Chamonix ski resort that can offer additional services such as evening babysitting for families.

Map of Chamonix

Chamonix Ski Holiday FAQs

Chamonix is at the heart of Haute-Savoie, halfway down the East side of France. Chamonix sits at the foot of Mont Blanc and is just over one hour’s drive from Geneva.

One of the great ancient Alpine capitals, Chamonix ski resort boasts some of the best skiing and scenery in the Alps, situated at an altitude of 1,035m and the skiing reaches an incredible 3,275m at Les Grands Montets.

There are a few nursery slopes scattered around for beginners – the best is Le Savoy at the bottom of the Brévent lift. However, Chamonix has a brilliant skiing area that is well suited to intermediate and advanced skiers. It should be noted that Chamonix is not a ski-in ski-out destination offering slopeside accommodation. The ski resort is comprised of six separate ski areas, which means that a bus service is required to travel between them. However, this is a small price to pay for the huge range of skiing that is then provided to explore, making the resort such a coveted destination for discerning skiers.

Chamonix really is a fantastic resort to visit all season round. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, December and January are good months to visit Chamonix. Due to it being so well-loved by families, school holidays tend to be a busier time. From March through to April, you can enjoy longer, warmer days.

Chamonix is a magical place for families. There are plenty of reputable ski schools and experienced instructors as well as special children’s areas on the slopes. Chamonix is filled with family-friendly restaurants and child-friendly menus.

Dog sled rides are a popular choice for families in Chamonix. The valley ice rink in Les Houches is a great off-piste activity, surrounded by beautiful snowy peaks it is for people of all ages to enjoy.

If you have your preferred departure date in mind for your Chamonix ski holiday, you can leave the rest to us. Our experts will be on hand to help you with everything from travel arrangements and accommodation to activities and unique experiences, creating an itinerary that is entirely bespoke based on your wishes.

All you need to do to get started is get in touch with our team today or fill in our online enquiry form and one of our ski experts will contact you at a convenient time to help you plan the skiing adventure you’ve always dreamt of.

The overall cost of your tailor-made ski holiday to Chamonix will depend on where you’d like to stay, how long you’d like your trip to last, the size of your travelling party, and what sort of activities you’d like to include. We’ll take all of this into account when providing you with a quote, so you can have peace of mind knowing everything is in hand ahead of your departure.

Before embarking on your Chamonix ski holiday, there are some essentials that you’ll need to make sure you’ve packed for your trip

  • Ski jacket
  • Ski trousers
  • Ski socks
  • Ski gloves
  • Ski helmet
  • Goggles
  • Neck warmer or balaclava
  • Sunglasses
  • Long-sleeved layers and thermals
  • Comfortable walking boots
  • Casual clothing for evenings or days away from the slopes
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Hat and scarf
  • Toiletries
  • Essential travel documents
  • Phone and charger
  • Cash and debit or credit cards
  • Sun protection
  • SPF lip balm
  • After sun lotion
  • First-aid kit
  • Small rucksack
  • European plug adapter

For more tips on what to pack, check out our ski holiday packing list blog.

Mont Blanc Unlimited gives the most access (all Chamonix areas + neighboring resorts), while the Chamonix Le Pass is cheaper but more limited.

Paragliding, speed-riding, snowshoeing, ice climbing, scenic lifts, Mer de Glace train, spa days lots for non-skiers too.

Absolutely recommended. The descent is glacier terrain and involves crevasses; a guide offers safety, route knowledge, and local expertise.

You can reach Chamonix via Geneva Airport (about 1–1.5 hours by car or shuttle), Lyon Airport (3–4 hours), or by train/bus from major French cities. Driving gives flexibility, but shuttle services are convenient and reliable.

We Can Tailor-Make a Holiday to Suit You...

We have a team of experts on hand to help you choose the perfect holiday. From a luxury ski weekend in Val d’Isère to a big adventure in the Rockies, we’re whatever you want your holiday to be.

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