Things to Do in Chamonix

About Chamonix

Chamonix sits in a valley so dramatic it almost feels unfair to the rest of the Alps — Mont Blanc looms directly over the town at 4,808 metres, glaciers spill down toward the rooftops, and the Aiguille du Midi's needle-thin spire pierces the skyline like something drawn by a child who'd never seen a real mountain and exaggerated anyway. This is the birthplace of modern mountaineering (the first ascent of Mont Blanc was in 1786) and the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, and it wears that history with a mix of pride and grit rather than polish. Unlike some purpose-built ski resorts, Chamonix is a real town with a permanent population, a slightly chaotic main street, and a climbing-and-skiing culture that runs deeper than the tourist trade.

What makes it special is the sheer range of terrain accessible from one base. Serious alpinists come for the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route and off-piste couloirs; intermediate skiers get Les Grands Montets and Brevent-Flegere; hikers get the Tour du Mont Blanc, a 170km trek through three countries; and people who just want to look at something spectacular can ride a cable car up to 3,842 metres without breaking a sweat. Summer here is arguably as compelling as winter now, with trail running, via ferrata, and paragliding drawing a different crowd than the powder-hunters.

Chamonix suits active travelers who want their adrenaline with a side of French bakery culture, and it's forgiving of skill level — you can be a total beginner on skis or a hardened alpinist and both leave satisfied. It's less suited to people wanting a quiet, low-key mountain retreat; in peak season the town center gets crowded with gear-laden tourists, and prices reflect its status as one of Europe's premier mountain destinations. Families do well here too, thanks to gentler valley trails and gondola rides that require zero fitness.