Wintersports in Chamonix

Discover the top Chamonix wintersports

Updated 6 July 2021

Whatever you choose to do on your winter holiday you are sure to find a huge range of activities across the Chamonix area. From relaxing to full on adrenaline there is something for everyone, every ability and every age in Chamonix. Check out the selection of things to do below for some holiday inspiration!

The main draw for people coming to Chamonix in winter is, of course, the skiing and snowboarding. With 5 different parts of the valley to ski in, as well as a wealth of off-piste areas, the valley has something for every level of experience. There are around 150km of pistes accessed by a total of 65 ski lifts split between the main ski areas and the low mountain beginner zones. There are 6 green pistes, 30 blue pistes, 31 red pistes, 10 black pistes and two snowparks. The pisted ski terrain ranges in altitude from 950m to 3300m. The backcountry skiing offers much more in terms of altitude, vertical descent and of course, difficulty, including the world-famous Vallée Blanche descent, a 20km long route that takes you from the Aiguille du Midi down 2700m to the bottom of the valley.

Activities Guest Card
The Chamonix Guest Card ('carte d'hote') is valid throughout the year (for the duration of your stay) and entitles you to various discounts throughout the valley, such as reductions at all the sports and cultural facilities including the swimming pool, ice rink, museums and covered parking. If you do not receive one when you check into your accommodation, you can buy one from any of the tourist offices in the valley at a cost of €10 per person per week.

It also entitles you to free travel on the buses and trains between the valley's resorts from Vallorcine to Servoz (with the exception of the Chamo’nuit night bus). If you wish to take the train all the way through to Martigny in Switzerland or down to Le Fayet and St Gervais, you just need to pay the difference from Vallorcine or Servoz.

Biathlon

Modern Winter Biathlon is the combination of cross country skiing and rifle shooting and tests not only fitness but also patience and control. In Chamonix you can try your hand at this Olympic Sport. If you like cross-country skiing but want to add another challenge then Biathlon is the perfect way to escape into the natural, quiet surrounding mountains and then shoot stuff, mainly with laser guns. Most of the biathlon lessons take place at Chamonix's cross-country skiing area by the Bois de Bouchet

See all Ski Lessons

Canyoning

Canyoning

Located in Chamonix

An exhillerating mountain water experience travelling down rivers or streams within a canyon by a variety of means including walking, scrambling, climbing, abseiling and swimming.
Challenging Canyoning

An exhillerating mountain water experience travelling down rivers or streams within a canyon by a variety of means including walking, scrambling, climbing, abseiling and swimming.

Climbing in Chamonix

Private guided rock climbing

Located in Chamonix

Improve your climbing skills with instruction from a professional guide.

See our Climbing Guide

Cycling in Chamonix

Road bike hire

Located in Chamonix

Located close to the Aiguille du Midi lift in the centre of Chamonix, Legend'Chx is a large shop of 250m2 dedicated to renting and selling bikes. They also have a workshop for repairs.

See our Cycling Guide

Fitness and swimming in Chamonix

A public gym and fitness classes can be found at the main sports centre in Chamonix. Pop-up instructors and classes also take place in Les Houches (look out for Studio 128) and most places around the valley.

Outdoor Ice Rink

Located in Les Houches

This open air ice rink is open throughout the winter months from late December to the end of March. It is situated on the main road just opposite the exit toward the train station and the motorway.
Chamonix Sports Centre

Located in Chamonix

The Richard Bozon Chamonix Sports Centre has a gym (salle de musculation), with a selection of body building and cardio equipment.
Indoor Climbing Wall

Located in Les Houches

The Chamonix valley is home to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. The Mont Blanc Escalade is located in Les Houches and is open all year.
Progression Fit Exercise Solutions

Progression fit offer a range of services including: Personal Training, Group Exercise, Sports and Massage Therapies, Corporate and One to One Fitness Assessments, Fitness Holidays and Cardiac Rehabilitation.
La Clinique du Sport

Located in Chamonix

La Clinique du Sport offer a range of services including: Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Injury Rehabilitation, Sports Massage, Training Camps, Fitness & Yoga Classes.
Tennis de Chamonix Mont Blanc

Located in Chamonix

With 8 clay courts, 5 hard and 1 practice wall this outdoor tennis club is a fantastic facility for all the family to enjoy.

Golf in Chamonix

Chamonix Mont Blanc Golf Course, Les Praz

Chamonix has one of the most beautiful 18 hole golf courses in the Alps.

Heli-ski

Unfortunately, heli-skiing is not permitted in France. However, thanks to Chamonix's location just on the border with Switzerland and Italy, some of the ski schools, adventure companies, local flight companies and mountain guide companies offer a pick-up/drop-off heli-skiing service for you where you will be taken over the border and ski down (even back across into France again). It is expensive, but definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

Horse riding in Chamonix

Centre Equestre Du Mont-Blanc

Located in Les Houches

This horse riding centre is situated in just up the hill from the train station in Les Houches. The centre is open all year round and has both an indoor and outdoor arena.
Mini Ranch Horse Riding, Les Praz

Located in Chamonix

This mini ranch welcomes children of all ages to take short trip on their ponies. It is situated behind the golf course in Les Praz following a short walk along the river.

Hydro-speeding

Hydrospeed

Located in Chamonix

Experience the most aquatic all out activities with Evolution 2. Are you looking for the ride of your life? Because these beautiful alpine rivers will turn into exhilarating playgrounds for fun!
Yellow Rafting

Located in Chamonix

Enjoy rafting, hrdrospeeding and more in the summer time with Yellow rafting.

Paragliding / Parapenting

If you’ve never tried paragliding before then Chamonix is a great place to learn how to fly. Known as “parapenting” in France, there are a great number of clubs and organisations in the area whose sole purpose is to give you the experience of flying. From the heights of the Brevent and other mountain tops in the valley, you can glide down to the bottom of the valley on a tandem paraglider controlled by the instructor. He manoeuvres the parachute while the passenger enjoys the ride and fantastic views. The main landing place in Chamonix in the winter is behind the sports centre, by the Bois de Bouchet, so you'll find some companies offering paragliding there. Top tip: Wait until the spring and then go on a sunny, warm day when the thermals will keep your airborne for longer.

Tandem Paragliding

Located in Chamonix

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.
Introductory Tandem Paraglide, Chamonix - Le Brevent

Located in Chamonix

Realise man's oldest dream and discover the simple pleasure of a tandem paragliding-flight. The best way to discover Chamonix Valley and Mont-Blanc massif
Cross Country Tandem Paraglide

Located in Chamonix

Enjoy a longer flight than the usual tandem paraglide and experience an amazing trip above the mountains to give you an incredible feeling of flying like an eagle.
Paragliding

Located in Chamonix

Take to the skies with Evolution 2. The most exciting and beautiful way to see the breathtaking views - you are guaranteed to leave with memories of a lifetime!

See our Paragliding Guide

Winter walking

Aiguillette des Posettes, Le Tour

Located in Argentiere

This walk situated at the top of the valley offers incomparable views of the entire Mont-Blanc range, as well as the Le Tour and Argentière glaciers.
Les Gaillands to Parc Merlet

Located in Chamonix

This short hike starts at a lake and ends at an animal park, with plenty to see along the way.
Vallorcine to Refuge de Loriaz

Located in Vallorcine

This walk will take you on a complete loop bringing you back to the Vallorcine car park. You can choose to include the refuge de Loriaz as part of your loop or not. This beautiful family-friendly walk is suitable for all levels and has stunning views down towards the Swiss boarder and passes two waterfalls.
Vertical kilometre
Promenade d’Arve towards Argentière

Located in Chamonix

Getting around the Chamonix Valley and up into its high mountain terrain is made easy thanks to the extensive transportation network available. The local buses that take you to all the main gondola and cable car stations are free with a carte d’hôte (guest card). You can get your card on arrival at your accommodation.
Emosson Dam to the dinosaur footprints

Located in Vallorcine

High above the valley you can still find traces of dinosaur footprints from 250 million years ago.

See our Guides & Tours

Watersports in Chamonix

Canyoning

Located in Chamonix

An exhillerating mountain water experience travelling down rivers or streams within a canyon by a variety of means including walking, scrambling, climbing, abseiling and swimming.
Challenging Canyoning

An exhillerating mountain water experience travelling down rivers or streams within a canyon by a variety of means including walking, scrambling, climbing, abseiling and swimming.
White Water Rafting

Located in Chamonix

Experience the perfect way to see areas of the valley that are otherwise inaccessible with Evolution 2. Are you looking for the ride of your life? Because these beautiful alpine rivers will turn into exhilarating playgrounds for fun!
Hydrospeed

Located in Chamonix

Experience the most aquatic all out activities with Evolution 2. Are you looking for the ride of your life? Because these beautiful alpine rivers will turn into exhilarating playgrounds for fun!
Yellow Rafting

Located in Chamonix

Enjoy rafting, hrdrospeeding and more in the summer time with Yellow rafting.

See our Watersports Guide

Aiguillette des Houches Ski Tour

Living in Chamonix means that you become friends with the best kind of people - the kind that like to go on adventures. These adventures can be as big as summiting Mont Blanc or as small as top-roping your first climbing route; this weekend my adventure was ski touring a route that I’d never done before with a group of similarly novice “randonneurs”.

Come spring Skiing in Alpe d'Huez in 2018

Come spring skiing in Chamonix

Beautiful weather, super skiing and great après-ski - what's not to love?

Cross country skiing in Chamonix

Located in Chamonix

The long-awaited snow storm has arrived! This weekend has passed in a swirling blur of snowflakes, coating the mountains in a big thick white blanket. Until the skies clear up, weather conditions are ideal for a spot of cross country skiing.

Les Thermes Mont Blanc, Saint Gervais les Bains spa area

Ski time to me time in Chamonix

Ski holidays don’t have to be all about pushing yourself to conquer the steepest piste, or master the sharpest turns; they can also be an opportunity to treat yourself to a relaxing massage or bliss out in a bubbly jacuzzi.

Ski Touring at the Aiguille de la Gliere

Located in Chamonix

It's been a slow start to winter in Chamonix, but (finally...) things are starting to look a bit more like winter. After a couple of small but useful snowfalls on the 7th and 10th January the old existing, and pretty darn firm, snow layer has received a cover of 20 to 40cm of light fresh snow (depending on where in the mountains you are).