Mad Dog Ski: Ski Resort guidebooks for Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland

Chamonix - France

Chamonix is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world with its legendary off-piste and its location on the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc. A fully-functional town, Chamonix has more history and soul than many purpose-built resorts. A magnet for serious skiers and snowboarders worldwide, Chamonix is one of the best known resorts in the world.


The ski areas, whilst known for their extremity (such as the massive Aiguille du Midi cable car that ascends from Chamonix up to a breathless 3840m), are very diverse. With plenty for advanced and intermediates, beginners will find some respite in the gentler runs of Les Planards and Le Savoy.

The downside is that these areas are not easy to travel between, with only Flegere and Brevant being linked. To access the others, you will need to take public transport. Despite the reputation as an advanced skiing mecca, surprisingly there are a number of areas well-suited to beginners and intermediates such as Les Planards, popular with ski school beginners. It has an introductory button and chair lift and gentle slopes (though watch out for end of the day surge of Vallee Blanche descendees) and La Vormaine next to Le Tour, the sunny and very wide runs that are perfect for practising your technique before ascending in the gondala to the loftier heights of the main snow area and the next level.

Summer season here is as busy and lively as the winter so shops, bars and restaurants are open year round and there is a wide diversity of activities, challenges, and entertainment to be enjoyed by all ages. The British community is strong here with more than enough bars selling Guinness and showing the football. And whilst Chamonix isn't a cheap resort, it is no way as expensive as some in the area.
Resort altitude1035m - 1035m
Highest lift3840m
Lowest lift1035m
Kms of piste147kms
No of lifts47
Black pistes18%
Red pistes32%
Blue pistes36%
Green pistes16%
Snow parks1
GlacierYes
Snowmaking125

Map of Chamonix - Open

What do you want to do?

Where to stay
Where to stay in Chamonix as well as the low down on the different villages of the ski resort.
Planning your trip
Helping you to plan your trip with information on how to get to Chamonix.
On the piste
Getting you on the piste and around the ski area as quickly as possible including our favourite runs, where to get your ski hire from and which ski school to book with.
Food and drink
The inside view on where to find the best food and drink in Chamonix from the best apres-ski bars to the cosiest restaurants and where to eat when you’re skiing
Families
Skiing with children… dream or nightmare? With a little planning, it can be your best ski holiday ever.
Other activities
Can’t ski? Won’t ski? Too much snow or not enough? Find our about other activities in Chamonix.
Resort Directory
Sounds boring but here is all the important information from as doctors to dentists, internet to the tourist office.
Resort blog
Chamonix blogger, Tom Wilson-North keeps you up to date on Chamonix.
Webcams and weather
Webcams and weather information

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Snow Report:
Chamonix
Report date:8 Jan 2009
Last snowed:1 Jan 2009
Fresh snow:10cm
Lifts open:39 out of 43
Snow depth:
Lower slopes:70cm
Upper slopes:190cm
Piste information:
On-piste:Excellent
Off-piste:Varied
Resort runs:Good
Snow conditions:
Great skiing thanks to the recent snowfalls
Weather:
Overcast skies