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January in Chamonix: What's on and weather

Quiet slopes, great atmosphere and some special events

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By Tracy Wise, Updated

It's very cold and the days are short, but the skies are blue and the pistes are quiet.

After the Christmas holidays are over, January is the quietest part of the main winter season in Chamonix. This means you have the slopes to yourselves, rarely have to queue for a lift and can enjoy pistes in great condition. So wrap up warm and get outside to find new year adventures.

The quiet conditions on the mountain don’t translate to quiet nights in the town. There are fewer families and more adult visitors, meaning it can be easier to get a table at a restaurant, and the bars are buzzing with plenty of live music and party nights to keep you entertained whilst you warm your hands on a glass of vin chaud.

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

What are the weather and snow conditions like?

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

There is regular snowfall - on average 13 days - and subzero temperatures keep it nice and fresh. In January the average daytime temperatures generally fall between a high of 4°C and a low of -4ºC, getting around five hours of sunshine. Definitely pack those thermals!

Skiing

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

With all those empty pistes, no lift queues and perfect conditions, we like to get out into the mountains on our skis and snowboards as much as possible.

If you visit the resort in January you can buy a lift pass and join one of the local ski schools' many ski or snowboard lessons taking place around the resort.

Nightlife in Chamonix

At this time of the season we are looking forward to some live music sessions, whether from local bands or even one of the open mike nights and jam sessions that the local bars often hold. So, whether you fancy yourself an Adele, Bob Dylan or a Satriani, there's definitely somewhere you can 'entertain' the crowds.

Of course, that's if we've made it home from one of the many après-ski events taking place. In addition to the regular afternoon on-pistes parties, there are some big events that light up the resort throughout the month.

Bars & Clubs in Chamonix

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Winter Things To Do in Chamonix

With December out of the way, there's plenty of fun to be had in Chamonix in January. There's cross-country skiing, plus ski-touring, split-boarding - all of which have gained in popularity, especially so since lockdown. If there's a whiteout, pull on some raquettes (snowshoes) and venture forth into the wilderness - there are many snowshoe routes around the valley where you can still ‘earn your burger’. 

Wintersport Things To Do in Chamonix

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January events in Chamonix

Chamonix has been hosting winter sporting events since the very beginning, starting with the first winter Olympics way back in 1924. This tradition continues today, and every month during the winter season there are a number of world-class events happening here.

Events in Chamonix

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More inspiration...

This is only a small selection of the events taking place in Chamonix during the first month of the year. Take a look at our events calendar for a full rundown and to find some accommodation for your stay.

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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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