Attractions in Chamonix

Chamonix is a legendary ski destination and contains five separate ski areas as well as an incredible amount of off-piste, steep-skiing and backcountry terrain, drawing skiers and snowboarders here from around the world. New ski-mountaineering descents are a semi-regular occurrence here for the elite, but perhaps surprisingly to some, Chamonix also offers beginner skiers and families a fair amount of choice too. There is also a vast selection of ski accommodation, a great choice of ski hire, ski schools and mountain guides.

The terrain and steepness of the Chamonix valley lends itself very well to adventure sports. Trail runners, hikers and mountain walkers make use of the vast network of pathways that criss-cross the mountain sides and the valley floor. Paragliders fill the sky in summer and winter, giving visitors a unique view of the valley. The river Arve in Chamonix, as well as just ones over the border in Italy or Switzerland, offer a multitude of watersports.

The Chamonix valley is a haven for rock climbers, with everything from bolted sport routes in the valley crags, to trad climbing at mid-mountain level, plus numerous bouldering opportunities. There are also a couple of Via Ferrata routes, where you don't necessarily need that much climbing experience. Mountaineers can tackle the mighty Mont Blanc or the many routes around the massif. Hiring a mountain guide is highly recommended.

Mountain bikers capitalise on the steep valley sides for downhill biking or the natural trails for some of the best technical and enduro riding in Europe. There are also two designated bike parks with plenty of features to test your skills on. Road cyclists can enjoy heading out of the Chamonix valley to some of the mountain cols nearby. E-bikes can also be found in most if not all of the bike hire shops, giving even more people access to the trails around the valley.

Chamonix hosts some of the biggest and best events in the sporting calendar, including the IFSC Climbing World Cup, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), the Marathon du Mont Blanc, CosmoJazz Festival, Kandahar Downhill Ski Race and the Freeride World Tour. No matter what time of year you visit there is bound to be some kind of event coming up or taking place, details of which you can find on our events calendar.

The most popular mountain experience for visitors coming to Chamonix is a trip up to the Aiguille du Midi on its spectacular two-stage cable car. At the top you can take in the views of Mont Blanc and if you dare, "Step into the Void" where you stand over a 1,000m drop in a glass box. In summer, the Panoramic Gondola takes you from the Midi across to Helbronner in Italy and from there you can take the Skyway Monte Bianco down to Courmayeur. Getting up amongst the mountains in Chamonix is really easy due to the number of lift accessed view points, trails and walking paths.

Visitors to Chamonix have been transported to some of its key sights and attractions for over 150 years by train. There are four main iconic train rides that you can experience on a visit to Chamonix, the Mer de Glace - Montenvers Train cog railway, the Tramway du Mont Blanc, the Chatelard Funiculars and Train (VerticAlp) and the Mont Blanc Express Train.