Chasing powder in Chamonix in the main season can be challenging due to lots of locals and pros wanting a to get the first tracks on the best slopes. This is why exploring the area from March to May has many advantages: still plenty of snow, endless ski touring opportunities, no crowds and long sunny days.
The essential guide to skiing in Chamonix
Why Chamonix?
Chamonix is larger than life. It is one of the places you should ski before you die. The setting alone is simply spectacular. Mighty glaciers seem to flow from towering Mont-Blanc, the Alps highest peak standing at 4.810m, directly in the heart of the city. This place is the world’s capital of alpinism and extreme skiing. It was home to the first winter Olympics in 1924. There are so many good and valid reasons to visit Chamonix, that it’s no surprise that the city can feel pretty packed in high season!
We found, that a much better time for your ski trip to Chamonix is in March, April and May:
- High elevation – Top of ski resort is the notorious “Aiguille du Midi” with 3.842m!
- Long season – Ski resorts close 2014 on May 11 only
- High alpine – The highly glaciated terrain requires some solid base layer
- Crowd free – Most of the usual “ski tourists” are gone now and leave a relaxed Chamonix for the most passionate skiers and snowboarders. Great vibes!
- Goggle Tan – No better place to get “dirty“, just imagine skiing on 3.842m in May…
What can you explore in and around Chamonix?
First of all, the practically endless off-piste terrain! Aiguille du Midi is the starting point for the most famous freeride descent of the world – the mythical “Vallée Blanche”, a 19km long and nearly 2.000 vertical-meter glacier descent. We offer guided trips that match the needs of the most demening skiers, for example this ski tour to Mount Blanc. In addition to the standard trips, you can book mountain guides who only guide snowboarders or specialized guides who will let you push the limits – steep skiing only!
Even though heliskiing is forbidden in France, Chamonix is a perfect location to venture out into some of the best heliski terrain of the Alps: the Italian Aosta Valley and Suisse Valais are just 20 minutes by car from Chamonix. Our heli trips include transfers from your hotel in Chamonix!
The late season in Chamonix offers “savoir-vivre“ at its best: Enjoy afternoon sun in the brasserie “Elevation 1904“. Sit in only a T-shirt, have a “crepe au sucre“ with a cafe au lait and watch skiers from all over the world strolling by.
Get up & ski Chamonix-Mont-Blanc!