When To Go

Ski season in Chamonix lasts from November to April, and February and March tend to have the best snow. Peak summer is between July and September, although rain during this time is common. Generally, Chamonix’s temperature is not as chilly as its North American counterparts.

Top 5 Places To Stay

• Hotel Chris-tal

  This traditional Alpine chalet in the mountain village of Les Houches is 900 meters from the Bellevue lift. The 18 guestrooms have rustic furniture and balconies with mountain views. Amenities include a heated swimming pool, bar, satellite TV and wi-fi access.

• Mercure Chamonix Centre 3

  The hotel is located at the foot of Mont Blanc, right in the heart of Chamonix and only a few steps from the railway station. The hotel offers a restaurant and bar, as well as evening entertainment and undercover parking.

• Résidence MGM Les Hauts de Chavants

  At the foot of Aiguille du Goûter, with direct access to slopes, this family resort consists of eight Savoie-style chalets. Facades of each of the 66 apartments are enlivened by hand-painted frescoes, and all feature fully equipped kitchens.

• Eurogroup Résidence Hotelière Le Grand Balcon

  Just 800 meters from the centre of Les Houches, the hotel is housed in the Le Grand Balcon tourist complex and consists of eight traditional, wooden chalets with views of Mont Blanc. The chalets feature their own kitchen and bathroom facilities.

• Hotel Du Bois

  Hotel Du Bois offers 43 guestrooms located on three floors, all of which feature alpine chalet-style decor and extend to balconies overlooking Mont Blanc or Le Brevent mountains. There is also an indoor pool, a seasonal outdoor pool, two saunas, massage and shiatsu treatments and a restaurant.

Top 5 Things To Do On Your Visit

• Skiing

  It may sound obvious, but most people come to Chamonix to ski. There are hundreds of instructors here, who cater for all levels of experience, and the facilities for children are also among the best in the world. Chamonix also has a huge variety in terms of runs and snow.

• Aiguille du Midi

  At over 3800m, this huge granite rock offers the best views of Mont Blanc you are likely to find. Accessible via cable car, from here you can see right across the French and Italian Alps, as well as ice capped glaciers and the spectacular valley down below. An unsteady looking (!) restaurant is balanced at Midi’s peak, although anyone who goes just for the food is surely mad?!

• Après-ski

  What skiing holiday would be complete without some après-ski fun? Chamonix’s popularity ensures that nothing is out of bounds here – from ice skating to sleigh riding, mountaineering, snowshoeing, curling…the list goes on.

• Hiking

  In July, Chamonix is as busy with walkers as it is with skiers in wintertime. Popular hikes between Le Brevent and La Flegere, and Mer de Glace and Plan de l'Aguille take in the glaciers, which are stunning all year round.

• Mer de Glace

  The ‘Sea of Ice’, as it’s known, is Europe’s second-longest glacier. Spread over nine miles, it simply has to be seen. The famous Grotte is also a short distance away (take the ancient rack-and-pinion railway). This ice cave is freshly carved every year – unsurprisingly, temperatures inside are below freezing!