Chamonix sits at the base of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak at 4,807 metres (15,771 feet), and offers some of the most dramatic mountain access in the world. The town hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and remains a global capital for skiing, mountaineering, and alpine adventure. Most attractions revolve around cable cars and mountain railways that lift you from the valley floor at 1,035 metres to viewpoints above 3,800 metres in under half an hour. Here are the best things to do in Chamonix, grouped by type of activity. Chamonix travel tips
Things to Do in Chamonix: Cable Cars and Mountain Access
Aiguille du Midi Cable Car
The Aiguille du Midi cable car is Chamonix’s flagship attraction, lifting you from 1,035 metres to 3,842 metres (12,605 feet) in two stages over 20 minutes. At the top, you stand on a series of terraces and viewing platforms with a direct face-to-face view of Mont Blanc, just 1,000 metres above you. The “Step into the Void” glass box lets you stand suspended over a 1,000-metre drop. The cable car operates year-round but closes for maintenance for about 4-6 weeks in November and sometimes late April. A standard round-trip ticket costs 67 euros (adult, 2024 rates). Book online 2-3 days in advance during peak summer weeks; morning slots sell out. Dress warmly: the summit temperature is typically 15-20°C colder than in the valley, and wind chill can make it feel even colder. where to stay in Chamonix
Montenvers Railway and Mer de Glace Glacier
The Montenvers cog railway has been carrying visitors to the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) glacier since 1908. The train departs from Chamonix town centre and climbs to 1,913 metres in about 20 minutes. At the top, you can view France’s largest glacier, though it has retreated significantly in recent decades. The Ice Cave (Grotte de Glace) is carved into the glacier each year and accessed via a gondola and about 400 steps. The Glaciorium museum at the station explains glacier science. A round-trip ticket costs 36 euros. The railway runs daily from late May through September, with reduced winter service. In winter, the gondola down to the glacier does not operate, but the train still runs for mountain views and the restaurant. Chamonix neighbourhoods guide
Brévent Cable Car
The Brévent cable car takes you to 2,525 metres on the south-facing side of the valley, directly opposite Mont Blanc. It offers the best panoramic view of the entire Mont Blanc massif, and unlike the Aiguille du Midi, there are hiking trails from the top. In summer, you can hike down through alpine meadows. In winter, Brévent is a ski area with challenging red and black runs. The cable car operates late May through September for summer, and December through April for winter skiing. A summer round-trip costs 36 euros. The Planpraz intermediate station at 2,000 metres is a launch point for paragliders. Chamonix events and festivals
Things to Do in Chamonix: Hiking and Trail Routes
Lac Blanc Hike
The Lac Blanc hike is Chamonix’s most famous day walk, leading to a turquoise alpine lake at 2,352 metres with a postcard reflection of Mont Blanc. The trail starts from the Flégère cable car top station (1,877 metres), which you reach via a 5-minute ride from Les Praz (2km east of Chamonix). From the top station, it is a 1.5 to 2-hour hike to the lake with about 475 metres of climbing. The trail is rocky and exposed, requiring good footwear. The lake is frozen until late June and the best months are July through September. The Flégère cable car costs 17 euros one-way or 27 euros round-trip. Arrive early (before 9 AM) in summer to avoid crowds on the trail and at the lake. best time to visit Chamonix
Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)
The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the world’s classic long-distance hiking trails, a 170km circuit around the Mont Blanc massif crossing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. The full circuit takes 7-11 days with about 10,000 metres of cumulative elevation gain. The Chamonix section typically covers two stages: from Les Houches to Les Contamines (stage 1) and from Argentière to Champex (Switzerland) via the Col de Balme. Most hikers start the TMB from Les Houches in late June through early September. You can hike sections independently as day walks using the lift system and buses. Accommodation is in mountain refuges (dormitories, 40-60 euros per night with half-board) that must be booked months in advance for July and August. Chamonix weather by month
Grand Balcon Sud
The Grand Balcon Sud is a scenic balcony trail traversing the north side of the Chamonix valley from the Aiguille du Midi intermediate station (Plan de l’Aiguille, 2,317 metres) to Montenvers (1,913 metres). The 6km trail takes about 2.5 hours one-way and offers continuous views of the Chamonix Aiguilles and glaciers. It is a moderate walk with about 200 metres of elevation change, suitable for fit beginners. The trail is typically snow-free from late June through September. Combine it with the Aiguille du Midi cable car up and the Montenvers train down for a one-way traverse. Check with the tourist office for trail conditions: the route crosses several active glacier-fed streams early in the season. Chamonix travel guide
Things to Do in Chamonix: Winter and Snow Activities
Vallée Blanche Off-Piste Descent
The Vallée Blanche is one of the most famous off-piste ski runs in the world, a 20km glacier descent from the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 metres) to Chamonix (1,035 metres). It is not a groomed run: there are no marked trails, no avalanche control, and crevasses are a real danger. You must hire a certified mountain guide (300-400 euros for a group of 4-6, book through the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix). The descent takes 4-6 hours including the walk along the exposed ridge from the cable car station to the glacier entry point. The season typically runs from February through May. The best months are March and April when the snow bridges over crevasses are still solid but the weather is warmer. This is an advanced activity and is not suitable for beginners or intermediates alone.
Chamonix Ski Areas
Chamonix has five separate ski areas, not one interconnected resort. The Mont Blanc Unlimited pass covers all of them plus Courmayeur (Italy) and Verbier (Switzerland), costing 75 euros per day or 370 euros for 6 days (2024/25 rates). Grands Montets (Argentière, 1,235-3,300 metres) has the best expert terrain and glacier skiing. Brévent-Flégère (1,030-2,525 metres) offers south-facing slopes and the best views of Mont Blanc. Le Tour-Vallorcine (1,453-2,270 metres) has gentle beginner and intermediate slopes at the head of the valley. Les Houches (1,008-1,900 metres) is tree-lined and best on poor-visibility days. A free ski bus connects all areas along the valley. The ski season runs from mid-December through late April, with Grands Montets often open into early May.
Things to Do in Chamonix: Museums, Dining, and Activities
Musée Alpin (Alpine Museum)
The Alpine Museum in central Chamonix traces the history of mountaineering in the valley from the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786 to the present day. Exhibits include vintage climbing equipment, photographs, maps, and a collection of crystals and minerals from the Mont Blanc massif. The museum is housed in a historic building on the main pedestrian street (place de l’Église). Entry costs 6 euros and it is open daily except Tuesdays, from 2 PM to 7 PM. It takes about 60-90 minutes to visit. The museum is an excellent rainy-day activity and provides context for everything you see in the mountains around you.
Paragliding
Chamonix is one of Europe’s premier paragliding destinations with stunning alpine scenery. Tandem flights launch from Planpraz (2,000 metres, accessible via the Brévent cable car) and land in the centre of Chamonix after 15-25 minutes in the air. Flights cost 110-130 euros per person and operate from April through October, weather permitting. No experience is needed for tandem flights. Book through one of a dozen operators in town: Summits, Air Sports Chamonix, and Fly Chamonix are the largest. Morning flights (9-11 AM) typically have the smoothest air. Evening flights offer golden-hour light on Mont Blanc. Weight limits apply (generally 100kg maximum).
Tramway du Mont-Blanc
The Tramway du Mont-Blanc is a cog railway that climbs from Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (20km from Chamonix) to the Nid d’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest) at 2,372 metres. It is the starting point for the standard Mont Blanc ascent route (Goûter route). For non-climbers, the train offers spectacular glacier views and alpine scenery. The round trip takes about 3.5 hours and costs 39 euros. The tramway operates from late May through September. At the top, the Refuge du Nid d’Aigle serves simple meals. This is one of the highest railways in France and a less-crowded alternative to the Chamonix-based attractions.
Chamonix Luge (Summer Toboggan)
The Chamonix Luge (also called the Alpine Coaster) is a 1,300-metre rail toboggan run at the Planards leisure area, a 5-minute walk from Chamonix Sud bus station. You control your own speed on a rail-mounted sled that reaches up to 40km/h. It operates from late May through September and during winter school holidays. A single ride costs 7 euros, with discounted multi-ride tickets available. The site also has a children’s adventure park, mini-golf, and a restaurant. This is a good family activity and does not require advance booking.
