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Weather in Chamonix
Ski and climb beneath the summit of Mont Blanc
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About Chamonix
Chamonix huddles in the Mont Blanc massif's shadow—soaring granite peaks, glaciers, and alpine meadows create a landscape of impossible beauty. Summer brings climbers and hikers; winter brings skiers and alpinists. This is mountain adventure in its purest form.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in Chamonix
Ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car above clouds
Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc (multi-day)
Climb Mont Blanc (guided, technical)
Mountain bike the Vallée Blanche glacier
Visit the Musée Alpin for mountaineering history
Eat fondue and raclette at mountain auberges
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
3C
Cold, with some rainy days.
February
6C
Cold, with some rainy days.
March
8C
Cold, with some rainy days.
April
12C
Cool, with some rainy days.
May
15C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
June
20C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
July
23C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
August
22C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
September
18C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
October
15C
Cool, with some rainy days.
November
9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
December
5C
Cold, with some rainy days.
Chamonix sits in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak, and the Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs nearly 2,800 metres in under half an hour to a viewing platform that feels suspended in the sky above glaciers and jagged rock spires. In winter it's one of the world's great ski resorts with terrain for serious off-piste skiers; in summer it transforms into a hub for hikers and mountaineers tackling the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Best areas to stay in Chamonix
Chamonix Town Centre
The lively main town, with restaurants, gear shops and access to the main cable cars and railways.
Aiguille du Midi
The dramatic cable car ascent offering some of the highest viewing platforms in Europe, with views over Mont Blanc.
Argentiere
A quieter village further up the valley, popular with serious skiers for its access to the Grands Montets ski area.
Mer de Glace
France's largest glacier, reached by a historic rack railway, with an ice grotto carved each year.
Getting to Chamonix
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Flights
Geneva Airport is the nearest, about 1-1.5 hours away by shuttle bus, train or car; Lyon is a further alternative.
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From London
~1.5-2 hours by air from London to Geneva, plus a 1-1.5 hour transfer.
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Getting around
A local bus network and the Mont-Blanc Express train connect the valley's villages; many lifts and cable cars run year-round.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Chamonix?
December to April for skiing, with terrain suited to experienced and off-piste skiers; June to September for hiking, when the Aiguille du Midi and Tour du Mont Blanc trails are at their most accessible.
Is the Aiguille du Midi cable car worth it?
Yes — it's one of the highest cable cars in the world, reaching 3,842m with a glass walkway, viewing platforms over Mont Blanc, and (in summer) a connection onward into Italy via the Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola.
Is Chamonix suitable for beginner skiers?
There's some beginner terrain, but Chamonix is best known for its challenging off-piste and high-altitude runs — beginners may find nearby resorts like Les Houches more suitable.
How do I get to Chamonix?
Geneva Airport is the nearest, about 1-1.5 hours away by shuttle bus, train or car; Lyon is a further alternative for those combining with other parts of France.
What is the Mer de Glace?
France's largest glacier, reachable by a small mountain railway from Chamonix, with an ice cave and a sobering exhibition on how much the glacier has retreated in recent decades.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
The off-piste skiing here is on another level — hired a guide for our first day which was essential. The Aiguille du Midi views on a clear morning were jaw-dropping.
Hugo F. · February 2024
★★★★★
Hiked a section of the Tour du Mont Blanc and the scenery was relentlessly spectacular. Took the Mer de Glace train on a rest day, which was sobering given how much the glacier has shrunk.
Lena P. · July 2023
★★★★☆
Visited in late summer for hiking and the cable cars were much quieter than peak season. Argentiere was a nice, quieter base away from the main town.
Marco D. · September 2024
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