Big Mountain Basecamp Restaurant & Bar
Whether you’re hungry or thirsty after a day on the mountain, Big Mountain Bar has you sorted. Settle into the relaxed bar area or soak up the sunshine from the terrace.
December in Chamonix: What's on and weather
This month sees the start of the winter season
The lifts are preparing to open and the Christmas holidays are on the horizon.
We can expect sports competitions, opening parties, and there will obviously also be lots of festive celebrations including a visit from a certain Papa Noël. As you're no doubt aware, most things in December revolve around the last two weeks of the month, schools break up and travellers from near and far descend on the valley. There are a plethora of events coming up, from parades to special Christmas menus and New Year's blowouts.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout December.
What are the weather and snow conditions like?
Whilst there will be snow up the mountains, a white Christmas is never a guarantee in the town itself. However, it's definitely cold with temperatures averaging from -3°C to 5°C, with around 10-11 days of snowfall. Make sure thermals are on your Christmas list.
School holiday skiing
The Compagnie du Mont Blanc usually schedules a partial opening of the ski areas in the Chamonix valley around the beginning to middle of the month, with full opening planned by Christmas. Of course, this absolutely depends on snow conditions, so keep an eye on our news page and social media as we'll let you know as soon as there's any new information.
Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin. Fortunately, the Chamonix valley ski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:
- Group lessons are the best option in the busy period, as private lessons are almost impossible to book - unless you got in early. Make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
- If you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15.
- Ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break.
- Avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains by pre-booking your lunch reservation - some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service.
- Seek out the peripheral areas. Try to avoid the busy main ski areas closer to Chamonix town, mainly Brévent and Flégère, and head to the edges of the valley as Le Balme / Vallorcine and Les Houches may be a bit quieter. If you have a Mont-Blanc Natural Unlimited pass, remember that you can also head across the border into Italy and ski in Courmayeur.
- Get off-piste. Competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry.
Opening parties
If, like a lot of people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, especially during the festive season, you can hit up any of a number of opening nights and local après-ski sessions. Down at the bottom of the Brévent slopes, you'll find world-famous La Folie Douce, or head to Rue du Moulin for a range of eateries and bars, or to Cham Sud where you'll find bars offering great music, delicious food and happy hours. For late-night entertainment, the clubs hold special nights on most days of the week.
New Year's Eve
Always a big night in Chamonix, the town is full of revellers who tend to congregate in Place Balmat for the countdown to midnight, some fireworks and popping of Champagne corks. The restaurants will be busy, so it would be best to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many of the bars and clubs are ticket-only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see the New Year in, make sure you've planned ahead.
Bars & Clubs in Chamonix
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Le Janssen Cocktail Club
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.
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Bighorn Bistro Bar
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.
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Brev'bar
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.
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L'Amnesia Nightclub
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!
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La Folie Douce Bar
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.
Winter Things To Do in Chamonix
Family fun
Christmas is synonymous with school holidays. As hundreds of children and their families descend on the pistes, the Chamonix valley puts on a show for them. There are lots of activities to keep the little ones entertained on and off the mountain. Les Houches, the most family-friendly of all the resorts in the valley is worth checking out for sleding and night skiing. Try your hand at cross-country skiing, there's a couple of easier tracks in the centre of Chamonix.
Wintersport Things To Do in Chamonix
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Snowshoe Guided Walks
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
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Guided Snowshoeing
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
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Guided off-piste Vallée Blanche
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.
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Helicopter tours
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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Heliskiing/boarding
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
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Mer de Glace glacier hike
Experience one of the best known glaciers in the Alps, safe in the hands of an experienced local guide.
December events in Chamonix
Christmas - markets and Santa
At this time of the year there are markets up and down the valley, and a Christmas market pops up in the centre of town with stalls in small wooden huts, selling wares of all kinds, plus food and drinks. A perfect spot to pick up a last minute gift, or something to take home. You can browse local, handmade gifts, jewellery, soaps and a lot more while you indulge in some vin chaud or a local beer. Open from mid-December until the new year.
Make sure you pop along if you want to meet Santa, as around Christmas Eve he usually makes his way around the town, be sure to get a selfie for the folks back home.
There will also be festive events for all the family to enjoy from Christmas discos for the kids to matches at the ice hockey rink.
Events in Chamonix
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Servoz Christmas market
A festive fair in the traditional village of Servoz.
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EMC2 Theatre cultural season
Take a look at the 2025 to 2026 schedule of 'spectacles', from the classical theatre of Shakespeare to hip hop dance shows.
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Chamonix Christmas market
Chamonix will become a winter wonderland with an authentic Christmas craft market.
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Christmas in Chamonix
The snow is here and the Christmas lights in Chamonix are on, and there's plenty to do in the week before Christmas day.
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Christmas parade - Les Déambul' de Noël
Depending on when you see them will depend on what festive entertainment you will enjoy.
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Ice hockey match - Chamonix Pionniers
The local Chamonix ice hockey team, the Pionniers, play in France's Ligue Magnus, the first division. See them battle against other national teams at Chamonix's ice rink.
More inspiration...
December is a magical time of year to come to Chamonix. Book your holiday now and enjoy Christmas in the snowy Alps.
