Argentière Centre
Ski hire shop located in the heart of the village of Argentière. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
Winter is gradually settling over the Chamonix valley and the high mountains are beginning to look properly wintry. Snow has continued to build at altitude and the forecast over the coming days is hinting at a little more to come. It is still early season here, but for anyone considering a December visit, the upper slopes are starting to offer some encouraging signs.
Recent data shows that the upper mountain snow depth is sitting at around 140 centimetres. Coverage at valley level remains very limited, which is normal for this stage of the season in Chamonix. A small top up of fresh snow is expected this week, mostly falling on the higher slopes, and temperatures are set to remain cold at altitude. This should help preserve the existing snow and slowly build the base across the upper ski areas.
On the ground this means that the best skiing options are found higher up above the valley floor. Prepared pistes on the upper mountains should ski reasonably well, especially in the mornings when overnight freezing firms up the surface. Lower slopes will continue to rely heavily on artificial snow and may not offer consistent coverage yet, so it is best to plan to stay high for now.
Chamonix often takes a little longer than some other resorts to build valley level cover, and this year appears to be following that familiar pattern. The good news is that the upper areas are progressing steadily, with cold weather helping the snow to settle. If the small snowfall forecast arrives, it should provide a useful refresh ahead of the weekend.
Events are beginning to appear on the calendar as the festive season approaches. Early December usually brings guided mountain outings, Christmas markets around the villages, and a handful of evening events in the town centre. As more lifts open over the coming days the atmosphere is expected to grow livelier, so it is worth keeping an eye on local listings if you are visiting soon.
Chamonix is not offering full winter coverage yet, but the upper areas are moving in the right direction. With a decent base already in place at altitude and another light snowfall expected this week, there is potential for enjoyable early season turns if you focus on the higher lifts and prepared pistes. For travellers planning a mid-December visit, conditions look set to continue improving.
Scroll down to see live forecasts, lift status, links to webcams and above for real-time photos from the Chamonix Valley. We update this snow report every Thursday, so check back next week to see how the pistes are shaping up and what to expect from the forecast.
We need you!!
If you're in Chamonix this week, we would love to see your photos and especially your videos. When you post on Facebook or Instagram, tag @SeeChamonix #SeeChamonix. Each week we share our favourite clips and images here and across our social media along with the resort snow report.
See you on the pistes very soon.
Ski hire shop located in the heart of the village of Argentière. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Chamonix? Just visit the Skiset Excelsior store!
Jerome and his professional, friendly and dynamic team welcome you every day to the most competitively priced ski hire in town! This Skimium ski rental shop is situated just down from the Aiguille du Midi cable car in the Quechua shop just next to the Aiguille du Midi train station.
One of several Cham'sport shops, Cham'sport Mummery is located in the Mummery building, between the Folie Douce Hotel and the Alpina Hotel. Save time and money by booking all your ski and snowboard gear online, and collect easily before hitting the slopes.
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your first skiing day.
This ski hire shop is situated in the centre of Chamonix right on the corner of the Place du Mont Blanc where all the ski shuttle buses run to.
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.
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
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 company provides private transfers in fully electric vehicles around the Chamonix valley, operating from airports and train stations to the ski resorts.
From the airport to the slopes, they handle the rest. Geneva's most trusted private ski transfers.
The Loyal Transfers team has been organising airport transfers to ski resorts around France since 2012. Their aim has always been to make independent travel to ski resorts cheaper and easier for everyone.
This company offers private and shared transfers from Geneva Airport to Chamonix, nearby areas, and resorts across the Alps. With great value fares on all journeys, it’s an easy way to save money.
This company offers two great value shuttle services as well as a private service from Geneva and Lyon Airports to the Chamonix Valley. Established and efficient - you can rely on them.
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
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.
Experience one of the best known glaciers in the Alps, safe in the hands of an experienced local guide.
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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.
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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