Chamonix
The birthplace of extreme skiiing, Chamonix offers the biggest and the most when it comes to skiing. Every inch of the mountain and the village has a sense of history and this is the place to visit if you are interested in steep hill skiing. Many legends have chosen to reside under Mont Blanc - the tallest mountain in the Alps.
Unfortunately, many have also lost their lives on the mountain's extreme slopes.
The resort consists of four ski systems: Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere-Le Brevent.
In 2010, the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc county had 9 054 residents, but many more people visit the area daily. Chamonix has more visitors in the summer than in the winter with around 100 000 per day during summer and 60 000 per day in the winter time.
The first Winter Olympic Games took place here in 1924.
Chamonix is located in the Southeast of France, only a 20 minute car ride from Italy going through the Month Blanc Tunnel. You are close to both Geneva and Milan and the travel time to the Geneva airport is an hour as it is located approximately 50 miles away.
Chamonix includes the ski resorts Argentière – Les Grands Montets, Le Tour-Vallorcine, Les HouchesUnfortunately, many have also lost their lives on the mountain's extreme slopes.
The resort consists of four ski systems: Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere-Le Brevent.
In 2010, the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc county had 9 054 residents, but many more people visit the area daily. Chamonix has more visitors in the summer than in the winter with around 100 000 per day during summer and 60 000 per day in the winter time.
The first Winter Olympic Games took place here in 1924.
Chamonix is located in the Southeast of France, only a 20 minute car ride from Italy going through the Month Blanc Tunnel. You are close to both Geneva and Milan and the travel time to the Geneva airport is an hour as it is located approximately 50 miles away.
Chamonix Snow forecast
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Tuesday0.1 in rain
42°F
2 mph -
Wednesday1 in snow
34°F
2 mph -
Thursday0 in snow
36°F
0 mph
Provided by
Best Off-Piste:Not a very easy question to answer, I’m afraid. There is just soooo much to do. Definitely take a guide and try Grand Montets if there’s any hope of powder. You’ll not be disappointed.
Best Black Run:
Charles Bozon at Brevent Flegere. Stunning views, accessed by a cable car only so not often crowded ... especially when you see the off-piste just past the sharp right hander on the left.
Best Red Run:
Belle Place at Tete de Balme in Le Tour. Fantastic red I never get bored of, leading onto the wonderful blue run, Les Esserts, for powder tree-skiing extraordinaire.
Best Blue/Green:
The super long Index run in Flegere that has enough challenge to keep the good skiers happy and is exciting for the not-so experienced too. A lovely run.
By: Candice Gilg former World Champion Moguls Skier, Olympian and stunt double in the James Bond film, 'The World is not Enough'
Facts about Chamonix
| Number of slopes: | 69 |
 Green slopes: | 16 |
 Blue slopes: | 18 |
 Red slopes: | 27 |
 Black slopes: | 8 |
| Longest slope: | 72178 ft |
| Total length of pistes: | 93.2 miles |
Lifts (Total: 49)
| Lift capacity: | 51200 persons/hour |
Vertical drop
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Highest Point: 12605 ft |
| Vertical drop: 9209 ft | |
| Base Point: 3396 ft |
Season
| Start: | 12 January |
| End: | 8 May |
Cross country skiing
| Tracks: | 28 miles |
| Lit tracks: | 0 miles |
| Artificial snow: | 0 miles |
Areas
| Snowparks: | 1 |
| Childrens area: | 1 |
Rhône-Alpes
Reviews for Chamonix
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Nice place. Nice village. Good skiing. But the buses to and from the systems are a big minus. Add to that the sign on the buses is poor and that the b... Read more (82 words)
I was in charge of booking our anual ski trip this year and Chamonix was a hot favourite for the group with plenty of high skiing and lots of differen... Read more (344 words)
I have to disagree with the comments made about Le Touring hotel. I've stayed there a numer of times and have found it to be quite sufficient. I't not... Read more (97 words)
As first experience in the Alps, the last week has been great (and not wonderfull only due to the bad weather conditions). Main reason of this comment... Read more (493 words)
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Went with UCPA v.14 myself
The first day before I found someone to keep up with my friend met my guide it felt boring. Difficult signpost, hard to fi... Read more (360 words)
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Been here for half a day and I never know it again. Skiing is certainly good when it is good with snow. Now we turned to one for the two open systems.... Read more (75 words)
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Chamonix has played its role as Europe's best ski resort. I have had the pleasure of tourists in Chamonix 3 times over a 25 year period. In the early ... Read more (228 words)
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Nice place. Nice village. Good skiing. But the buses to and from the systems are a big minus. Add to that the signage on the buses is poor and that th... Read more (83 words)
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Know that Chamonix is a little loaded for "real" skiers and seasons who place high demands on "real skiing" but I still think that Cham is really good... Read more (212 words)
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At home we often say that we might just be moving to the Alps, and then we aim to come to Chamonix. I have been to Cham on several occasions, both in ... Read more (293 words)
Most popular photo
Trail map
Nearby ski resorts
| Les Houches | 4.3 miles |
| Argentière – Les Grands Montets | 5 miles |
| Saint Gervais Mont-blanc | 7.5 miles |
| Le Tour-Vallorcine | 8.1 miles |
| Sixt | 9.9 miles |
| Flaine | 9.9 miles |
| Les Contamines | 10.6 miles |
| Courmayeur | 10.6 miles |
Airports near Chamonix
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Genève Aéroport Driving time: 1 hour, 11 minutes (65 miles) Distance: 42 miles |
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Chambery Airport Driving time: 1 hour, 30 minutes (90 miles) Distance: 51 miles |
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Torino Airport Driving time: 2 hours, 3 minutes (108 miles) Distance: 63 miles |
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Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport Driving time: 2 hours, 9 minutes (138 miles) Distance: 87 miles |
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Grenoble Alpes-Isère Airport Driving time: 2 hours, 13 minutes (139 miles) Distance: 84 miles |
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Milano-Malpensa Airport Driving time: 2 hours, 49 minutes (146 miles) Distance: 92 miles |
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