Can't ski, won't ski? It's not all downhill you know
When your family and friends want to go skiing, but it really isn't your cup of tea, don't panic.
You don't have to ski or snowboard to enjoy a memorable holiday in a ski resort.
Whilst Chamonix is a great place to come skiing, it's so much more than just a ski resort. In fact, you can really have a great time here without setting foot on a lift.
Snowshoeing and ski-touring
You can really get away from it all and disappear into nature on some snowshoes (raquettes). Either under your own steam with a printed guide from the tourist office or book a snowshoe excursion with an activity company to see a side of the mountains that most skiers will never see. Full-day, half-day and night-time options are available to take you into the heart of the mountains – from the highest peaks to the wildest valleys. Equipment and transport are usually included, check when you book.
For some at altitude hiking there marked and groomed walking trails dotted throughout the valley floor, they are well signed and criss-cross with snowshoeing and cross-country trails. Always dress for the weather - layers are the key, sunglasses and sun cream are vital even on a cloudy day. Stick to the trails, respect the environment and be aware of changing conditions.
If you've decided the days of skiing up the mountain all-day, every-day, are well behind you, those with previous skiing / snowboarding experience could try ski touring. There are marked ski touring routes across the valley's ski areas, and it's a great way to work up a sweat, earning your burger whilst the rest of the world takes the lifts. Hire a guide and pull on some skins for an adventure away from the madding crowd.
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
Chamonix Mont Blanc Guides specialises in high mountain guiding, skiing and alpinism. Based in the Chamonix Valley, at the foot of the Mont Blanc range, they have all the experience and expertise to make your dream adventure become a reality.
This school offers off-piste and backcountry guided skiing and snowboarding in the Chamonix Valley, Courmayeur (Italy) and Verbier (Switzerland).
Your holiday time in the Chamonix valley is valuable. Every day counts. Every moment should be a special one.
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of expert mountain guides is available at all meeting points in Chamonix.
Chamonix offers a surprising range of museums and cultural attractions for a small mountain town. Highlights include the Musée Alpin, the Espace Tairraz Crystal Museum, and the Maison de la Mémoire et du Patrimoine, which showcases historic photos and valley heritage, along with talks and guided tours. Visitors can also enjoy English-language cinema screenings marked VOST/VO.
Non-skiers can explore the mountains with a pedestrian lift pass, access high-altitude restaurants, or ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car for panoramic Mont Blanc views. The Montenvers train also takes visitors to the Mer de Glace glacier and its ice caves.
At the edge of the Franco-Swiss border lies the 'VerticAlp' experience, which is made up of a steep funicular, a panoramic train and a smaller funicular taking you up to the Emosson Dam.
The Aiguille du Midi is the highest point that can be accessed by cable car in the Chamonix valley. The station stands at 3,842m and is situated directly across from Mont Blanc.
The Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve was created in 1974 and is a bio-diverse area of around 16,000 hectares with spectacular views of the Col des Montets. There is an information centre where you can find out about the animals and plants of the area and buy a drink or snack.
Discover the minerals from the Mont Blanc Valley, famous throughout the world, and learn more about the art of mountaineering.
The museum is currently closed for renovations
This little museum is housed in the same building as the post office and library in the village centre of Servoz.
Or if all of that sounds far too active and you really just want to pamper yourself and read your book, or stare at the view, there are numerous spas and treatment rooms you can enjoy. Many hotels have exclusive luxury spas which are open to non-guests for a fee, and mobile massage companies will arrange to visit you at your chalet or apartment.
This chic modern spa is situated in the centre of chamonix in the Place de l'Eglise. It's part of the boutique Faucigny Hotel.
Why not spend a morning or afternoon relaxing at the spa in La Folie Douce. Unwind and allow yourself to be pampered.
Situated in Vallorcine just minutes away from the train station and local bus stop, this spa is easily accessible to all in the Chamonix valley and includes everything you need to unwind.
Within Le Refuge des Aiglons hotel, this spa is easily situated for everyone to access after an active day on the mountain.
Located in the centre of Chamonix, the Grand Hotel des Alpes wellness centre offers a peaceful atmosphere.
Spa Serenity is located in the Park Hotel Suisse, with beautiful panoramic views of Mont Blanc and Chamonix. It is a great place to unwind and relax.
You don't have to ski when you go up the mountain. There are a number of piste-side restaurants that offer some slap up French cuisine with a glass of fine local wine. Many restaurants have well priced lunchtime set menus offering the same cuisine as their main menus, but often with considerable discounts. Some offer wine tasting sessions also.
Le Spot, the mountain sandwich shop, is the perfect place for a break between runs. The Spot team now welcomes you below the Bochard gondola beside the drag ski lift station. Their “Maison des Drus” menu includes a large choice of snacks, sandwiches and burgers. Enjoy a snack to takeaway or just a drink to quench your thirst.
Located underneath the Autannes chairlift at Le Tour, this restaurant is one of the best mountain restaurants in the resort.
An à la carte menu, sandwiches (hot or cold), regional dishes and snacks or simply grab a drink.
You will find a takeaway bar and a self-service restaurant in this magnificent wooden chalet at the bottom of the Tabé chairlift. Find “Maison des Drus” products and takeaway pizzas in the snack bar, to be enjoyed on the terrace facing the ski slopes. At the self-service restaurant, enjoy a hot and filling meal without wasting your skiing time. The large room with exposed timbers offers a space to warm up and the terrace offers a place to relax.
Have a bite to eat in this lovely restaurant that can only be accessed on skis.
A lovely restaurant located in the Chamonix valley, the Refuge de la Flégère is a true haven for culinary delights in the heart of the mountains.
Still looking for something to occupy your time? There's always cross-country skiing to try. An extremely popular mountain sport, known as 'ski de fond' in France, there are cross-country tracks available across the valley floor, usually with skating style and classic courses running alongside each other. You can hire equipment and arrange lessons locally, and the views are to die for!
The perfect choice for private ski lessons in the Chamonix Valley if you're staying in Vallorcine, Le Tour or Montroc, or would like to discover the beautiful Balme ski area at the top end of the valley.
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
The perfect choice for group ski lessons in the Chamonix Valley if you're staying in Vallorcine, Le Tour or Montroc, or would like to discover the beautiful Balme ski area at the top end of the valley.
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of ski instructors is available at all meeting points in Chamonix.
This ski school welcomes everyone from beginners to experts in private lessons.
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
You don't have to ski to enjoy "après-ski". Meet up with the rest of your group in a local bar and share stories from your day over a beer. La Folie Douce is legendary, and the original alpine party company opened its first hotel here, bringing its table dancing, cabaret shows and live music to the foot of the Savoy piste. Alternatively you could head to one of the ice rinks for a fun evening set beneath the snow-clad Alps. If you still want more, grab a sled and go to the nearest nursery slope, sledging access is free.
L'Amnesia (formally Le Garage) is ideally located near to the Aiguille du midi cable car in Cham'Sud and is a legendary Chamonix nightclub and melting pot for all the late night (and sometimes all-night) party-goers!
At Bighorn in Chamonix, the food blends gourmet flair with comforting alpine soul. The menu offers dishes like succulent steaks grilled to perfection, smoky ribs, and hearty burgers — ideal after a day of skiing. Fresh salads, seasonal sides and crispy fries round out meals for a balanced touch. Locally sourced produce and fine cheeses enhance flavor and authenticity. For dessert, expect rich chocolate creations or creamy cheesecake. Whether you’re hungry for a filling dinner or a casual bite, Bighorn delivers.
When altitude meets relaxation, Brev’Bar is the perfect place to pause, unwind, and soak up the beauty of the mountains. Ideally located on the Brévent slopes in the Chamonix valley, this welcoming bar offers skiers and sightseers alike a well-deserved break with front-row views of Mont Blanc.
La Folie Douce in Chamonix is the ultimate destination for après-ski with a twist. Perched in the heart of the resort, its vibrant terrace provides panoramic mountain views that make every sip and every step feel unforgettable. From early afternoon onward, the lively atmosphere builds with energetic performers, live music, and DJ sets, creating a celebratory environment where guests can unwind, dance, and fully embrace the spirited, high-altitude party culture throughout the entire afternoon there.
Whether you’re hungry or thirsty after a day in the mountains, Big Mountain Basecamp has you covered. Come for fresh craft beer, a relaxed restaurant atmosphere, an on-site micro-brewery, a large sunny terrace, shady beer garden and a take-out beer shop.
Step into Le Janssen Cocktail Bar, where the glamour of the Roaring Twenties meets the charm of the Alps. With its Gatsby the Magnificent ambience, this elegant bar is the perfect spot to start a winter evening in style. Plush interiors, soft lighting, and tasteful décor create a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere that invites you to relax, sip, and savour the moment.
Take to the skies for a bird's eye view of the mountains with a helicopter tour, or book yourself a tandem paragliding flight. You'll be able to get as close to Mont Blanc as is physically possible (without actually climbing it yourself).
The Richard Bozon sports centre is home to swimming pools, spa, indoor sports courts, a bouldering room, gym and a whole host more. Guaranteed to have something to keep you entertained if swimming doesn’t tickle your fancy, perhaps a quick work out in the gym will help you feel better about over-indulging in the nearest patisserie? So don't forget to pack your gym kit and a swimsuit (speedo-style only boys).
You can also become a musher on a sledge pulled by huskies (or opt to be a passenger in the guide's sledge for a more sedate experience). Located near the golf course in Les Praz, booking in advance is recommended as this is a very popular activity. And don't forget there's also the alpine rollercoaster open all winter at the Planards slope, a 1,300m track with numerous twists and turns, the only thing you can control are the brakes.
This company's sole activity is tandem paragliding, so they are 100 % focused on you and your flight. Their fully qualified pilots have vast experience and have done 1,000s of flight in the Chamonix Valley.
Chamonix Mont Blanc Guides specialise in high mountain guiding, skiing and alpinism. Based in the Chamonix Valley, at the foot of the Mont Blanc range, they have all the experience and expertise to make your dream adventure become a reality.
At the summit of the Aiguille du Midi you will find the Vallée Blanche!
Here’s an opportunity to let a professional photographer capture the true bond between a man and his dog... cat, or otherwise!
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
At the edge of the Franco-Swiss border lies the 'VerticAlp' experience, which is made up of a steep funicular, a panoramic train and a smaller funicular taking you up to the Emosson Dam.
Find out all about what is happening in the Chamonix valley and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsChamonix hosts a wide range of sporting events throughout the year. The biggest ones include the Mont Blanc Marathon in June and the UTMB trail running race in August. In March, the Unlimited Festival brings ravers to the mountains while Musilac Mont Blanc takes place a month later. At the end of July, the Cosmo Jazz Festival hosts concerts all around the valley.
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