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Season dates in Chamonix

Discover the latest Chamonix lift opening and closing dates

Updated

The extensive Chamonix lift network is open winter and summer, giving you easy access to incredible scenery and epic terrain 8 months of the year.

Season dates Chamonix 2023 to 2024
Season Opening Closing
Summer 2023 10 June 17 September
Winter 2023 to 2024 16 December 2023 5 May 2024

If you're coming early or late in the season, there's a chance not all the lifts will be open. Before you book your accommodation, you might want to check out the opening and closing dates for Chamonix's individual ski areas below.

A group of people skiing down a snowy mountain

Ski season dates in Chamonix

The ski season in Chamonix typically runs from mid-December to mid-April. Next winter, first lifts open on 16 December 2023. Last lifts close on 5 May (normally at Grands Montets).

The best time to come depends on what you like to do on holiday, and what's happening with the weather.

Late February is probably the sweet spot for most people. The snow base is normally well-established by then, and temperatures are starting to rise.

The downside is that most of February is half-term, so the slopes tend to be busiest then. 

Skiing in Chamonix in November

Can you ski in November? It all depends on the weather. It's often still too warm.

If there's been exceptional snow fall, you may be able to ski Grands Montets towards the end of the month - but only at the weekends.

If you’re prepared to put in the leg work, there’s nothing to stop you going into the mountains at any time of course. But you'll normally need to skin up on touring skis or a splitboard.

Late-season skiing in Chamonix

Snow tends to stick around longest at Grands Montets because it's high and north-facing, so you might want to base yourself up that end of the valley if you're coming for some late-season skiing.

If off-piste is your thing, then it's technically possible to access good snow right into May, thanks to the Aiguille du Midi cable car (3,842m). As always, we'd recommend you hire a guide to help you find the sweetest (and safest) spots.

When the lifts are open in Chamonix's main ski areas

Opening and closing dates for Chamonix's main ski areas

Ski area Opening Closing
Grands Montets 2 December 2023 5 May 2024
Domaine de Balme (Le Tour & Vallorcine) 16 December 2023 14 April 2024
Brévent 16 December 2023 14 April 2024
Flégère 16 December 2023 14 April 2024
Les Houches

16 December 2023

23 December 2023

10 April 2023

When you can ski the Vallée Blanche and other high mountain routes

Opening and closing dates for Aiguille du Midi cable car

Ski area Opening Closing
Vallée Blanche and other routes 23 December 2023 31 May 2024

It's worth remembering that strong winds, dangerous snow conditions and other adverse weather can affect when the lifts run. If you're in resort, make sure you check our live lift status page for up-to-date information on lift closures. 

When the beginner areas open and close

Dates for the beginner ski areas in Chamonix haven't been announced yet. 

Download the timetable for Chamonix's ski lifts (PDF)  

Read more about the Chamonix ski areas

a mountain biker riding through yellow flowers near a ski lift

Summer season dates in Chamonix

Fewer on-mountain lifts are open in summer in Chamonix, but there's still fantastic mountain access for hikers, bikers and selfie-takers!

Summer 2023 lift opening times in Chamonix
Lift Opening Closing
Aiguille du Midi /
Step into the Void
1 May 5 November
Panoramic
Mont Blanc
27 May 24 September
Tramway du
Mont Blanc
10 June 1 October
Montenvers Train &
Mer de Glace / Ice Cave
1 May 2 October
Grands Montets 1 July 3 September
Le Tour 10 June 10 September
Vallorcine 10 June 10 September
Brévent 10 June
(Also open 21 October to 5 November)
17 September
 
Flégère 10 June 17 September
Bellevue (Les Houches)
 
3 June 10 September
Prarion (Les Houches) 1 July
(Also open on weekends 17 & 18 June, 24 & 25 June, 16 & 17 September, 23 & 24 September)
10 September
Glacier des Bossons 17 June 17 September

It's worth remembering that strong winds, dangerous snow conditions and other adverse weather can affect when the lifts run. If you're in resort, make sure you check our live lift status page for up-to-date information on lift closures. 

Download the timetable for Chamonix's summer lifts (PDF)

Download the timetable for the Montenvers Mer de Glace train (PDF)

Download the timetable for the Tramway du Mont Blanc train (PDF)

Read more about the many summer activities you can do in Chamonix.