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February in Chamonix: What's on and weather

A busy time in resort coinciding with some great skiing conditions

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By Tracy Wise, Updated

It's the school holidays and the resort is full of families, and the snow is already deep in resort.

With the school holidays in full force, on the slopes and throughout town it's buzzing with activity. Chamonix lays on plenty of entertainment, with regular events and parties going on around town.

Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout February.

What are the weather and snow conditions like?

Chamonix in February 2020 - What weather to expect & what to do

There is still regular snowfall and very much like January the average daily temperatures generally fall between a high of 4ºC and a low of -5ºC, with around just over five hours of sunshine. Still very much a time for wearing a thermal under-layer.

School holiday skiing

Chamonix in February 2020 - What weather to expect & what to do

February is a popular month for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the four-week French 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break.
  4. 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.  
  5. Seek out the peripheral areas. Try to avoid the busy main ski areas closer to Chamonix town, mainly Brรฉvent and Flรฉgรจre, 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.
  6. 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.

Nightlife in Chamonix

If, like most people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, you can hit up any of a number of local aprรจs-ski sessions. Down at the bottom of the Brรฉvent 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.

Bars & Clubs in Chamonix

See all Bars & Clubs in Chamonix

Winter Things To Do in Chamonix

Family fun in Chamonix

February 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, has various events for the children during the holidays.

For anyone and everyone there is plenty to do, there's sledging, night skiing, and you could even try your skills on the valley's cross-country skiing tracks that snake their way through the valley.

Wintersport Things To Do in Chamonix

See all Wintersport Things To Do in Chamonix

February events in Chamonix

Chamonix is a foodie's paradise. For this 14 February, take your pick of the best in town with a table at the only Michelin-starred eatery or if this is beyond the budget, worry not, Chamonix is full of great gourmet options. If you're after some entertainment while you eat, many places will put on live music, or you could head out after your dinner. Whether you're a major fan or have never seen a professional ice hockey match in your life, you should definitely head down to the local ice rink when the Chamonix Pionniers play their home games. 

Events in Chamonix

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More inspiration...

There are plenty of things to do in Chamonix on and off the slopes, from snowshoe walks to photography courses, cinema outings, relaxing at the spa or husky sledding. Take a look at what's on offer.

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Chamonix 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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