Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
The mecca of extreme skiing and mountaineering, with the greatest vertical drop in the Alps and the legendary Vallée Blanche.
Key Stats
Terrain Breakdown
The percentage of marked trails in each difficulty level. A higher beginner percentage means more terrain suitable for novices and families; a higher advanced percentage means more challenge for experts.
Best For
When to go
Average monthly snowfall and snowpack depth, with the typical operating window shaded.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc's heaviest snowfall lands in January; the snowpack peaks in April.
- Snowfall
- peaks Jan
- Snowpack
- peaks Apr
- Typical season
- Nov – May
Snowfall: Météo-France, monthly normals (1994–2023).
Snow depth: Météo-France, monthly normals (1994–2023).
Location
Chamonix sits in a deep valley in the French Alps near the Swiss and Italian borders, directly below Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the range. This is serious high-alpine terrain, with glaciers and rock walls rising steeply above town.
Getting there
Fly into Geneva (GVA), about 1.5 hours from the resort by road. The train is a practical alternative.
- Geneva (GVA)1.5 hoursDirections
- Lyon (LYS)2 hoursDirections
- Sion (SIR)1.5 hoursDirections
Direct rail also runs to Chamonix via St-Gervais.
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