Whether you’re a ski lover, food traveler or someone who loves visiting new places, if you’re planning a stop in the French Alps, these are the things to do in Chamonix, France.
We visited March 1-8, 2024 with few set plans but lots of excitement for our visit to the French Alps.
It did not disappoint.
We traveled from the west coast of the U.S. making a few stops along the way but ultimately landed in Geneva, Switzerland and then set out for the hour long ride to Chamonix.
This is the travel backpack I take with me everywhere.
Getting there:
There are a variety of ways to get to Chamonix, however, the easiest and most direct is to book your flight into Geneva, Switzerland.
The airport is just over an hour’s drive from the resort town and is well equipped to handle an influx of travelers, many of whom are lugging some oversized ski luggage with them.
There are several U.S. airports who have direct flights into Geneva, plus there dozens of connecting flights through major European hubs.
Because of it’s position as a neutral country and home to major institutions like the World Bank, United Nations, World Health Organization and International Committee of the Red Cross, the Geneva airport is well accustomed to welcoming dignitaries. This is a benefit for you because, overall, the airport is efficient, clean, easy to navigate and we found it to be a very swift customs experience.
Once you get to baggage claim, unfortunately, it’s a much different picture.
When you enter into the baggage area, the first thing you notice is the smoking. Being from the Pacific Northwest where smoking is essentially non-existent, the smell of cigarette smoke was instant.
Additionally, the space designated for baggage claim is quite small, especially for a destination where many people are traveling with skis, snowboards and other large pieces of luggage. It’s a bit chaotic feeling, much dirtier than the main terminal and kind of overwhelming.
That said, it still was a smooth and seamless way to get to Chamonix.
Geneva International Airport is in the unique position of straddling the boarders of two countries. Part of the airport is in Switzerland, while the other part is in France. You can actually walk into both countries from the airport, so make sure you follow the signs to get to the right exit.
Pro tip: If you’re planning on renting a car, exit the French side and rent from there. It is significantly cheaper to rent in France than in Switzerland.
Transferring to Chamonix
As I mentioned, the Geneva Airport is a little over an hour away from Chamonix by car.
There are many different ways to get there depending on how much you want to spend and how many people and luggage you have.
Options include bus, shared transfers and private transfers.
We took a shared transfer from Geneva to Chamonix, which had room 7 people plus all their luggage for $110(US). It was a bit tight but not uncomfortable and was a smooth and pleasant ride.
We booked with Mountain Drop-offs and they were there waiting for us when we arrived.
Our flight from London was delayed, so we weren’t sure if we’d missed our trip but they were waiting for us and loaded all our gear into the van and dropped us right outside our hotel’s front door.
We also used them for our return trip to the Geneva Airport, though this time we booked a private transfer for a bit more comfort and flexibility which cost $278(US).
There are dozens of options for travelers for every budget. It is strongly recommended though, that you book something in advance. With so many people flying in, you may be waiting for a long time for an available space.
I also did a day trip from Chamonix into Geneva and found a $40(US) roundtrip ticket on Swiss Tours.
It was incredibly convenient and well priced for exactly what I was looking for.
Things to do in Chamonix, France – Where to Stay
Before you can find things to do in Chamonix, France, you have to find where you’ll stay.
Chamonix is filled with wonderful and quaint places to make your home while on your vacation.
From Airbnb, to apartments, to hotels and hostels, there’s something for everyone in this picture perfect mountain town.
We stayed at Le Refuge des Aiglons, a quirky, fun and vibrant hotel that was perfect for us doing our seven nights. While not in the heart of the city center, it is a pleasant five minute walk along the river or neighborhood streets to get to the main strip.
The hotel had a lively lobby, restaurant and bar area which had live DJ’s playing several nights a week.
We at breakfast at the hotel most mornings, which included a buffet style offering with traditional French charcuterie meats & cheeses, pancakes, crepes, fresh bakes bread, eggs, bacon and more.
The space was intimate but not small, and conversations were flowing at the breakfast tables, as people from nearly a dozen different countries would discuss their ski plans for the day and swap highlights from the day before.
The hotel did also have a full dinner offering but we chose to venture out into the city each night to try the plethora of amazing restaurants all within a short walk.
After a hard day on the mountain (no matter what season) coming back to some relaxation is quite nice. Le Refuge does have an outdoor pool, (small) hot tub, sauna and Hammam (Turkish sauna) all available as part of your stay.
Should you need a bit more to recover, the hotel has a full spa in the basement.
Le Refuge is just one of many options in town, there are no shortage of places to stay in Chamonix. All come with a variety of price points depending on the amount of space and other needs. And it is more reasonable than you may think, especially coming from the States.
Because Chamonix sits in the valley, the ski runs are much high in elevation on the mountain which means there is no true ski in, ski out lodging but there are many picturesque places that will no doubt be an enjoyable place to stay
This Mexican mountain resort town will take your breath away.
Restaurants
Whether you’re a foodie or just someone who’s looking for a good meal, the food in Chamonix, is excellent.
The city boasts a large multi-cultural selection of restaurants for every palate. In fact, I was surprised to find such a heavy Italian culinary influence when we first arrived, but considering how close we were to Italy, I shouldn’t have been.
Throughout our stay we ate at the following restaurants
- La Potiniére – Traditional brasserie cuisine with several local favorites and French classics
- Atelier Café Chamonix – Great for all meals or an afternoon snack, try the Avocado Toast!
- Big Mountain Brewing Company – Typical brewery experience and popular Aprés ski destination
- Poco Loco Burger – Small and VERY popular. Order in or to-go burgers, usually a must see at least once during your trip
- Restaurant Le Caveau – Pizza restaurant in a cave. Yes, you read that right. Quiet and cozy, it’s a unique dining experience and one you should try
- Restaurant Josephine – Old school French experience and classic French dishes done with style
- Le Bistrot des Sports – Needs a sports fix while in Chamonix, this place will do it. Lively and lots of beverages to choose from
- La Maison des Burgers – quick and easy burgers and sandos that you can eat on the go or at the ski lift inspired seating out front
- ChaChaCha – Looking for a specific wine or spirit, this place will do it for you. The local grocery stores don’t have a wide variety, so this store can fill in the gaps
- Chamon’Ice – Gelato every day! Sizable scoops for a decent price, you can walk on up and get your treat on the go
As much as we tried, we couldn’t eat everywhere, so below are some other well-known restaurants that we didn’t get the chance to visit.
- L’Hydromel
- Restaurant La Moraine
- Rose du Pont
- Irish Coffee
- patisseries, coffee shops, and much more
Shopping
Like many resort towns, the shopping in Chamonix is ranges from luxury to left at home.
There are many high-end brands that shoppers around the globe will recognize, in addition to several local brands that you may not know.
Being an active, outdoor environment full of year-round mountain activities, American brands like Columbia Sportswear, Patagonia, Volcom and others mix well with European brands like Mammut, Haglofs, Kujten and more.
Depending on the exchange rate and what you’re looking for, it may not be a prime opportunity to splurge but there is no shortage of places to shop and browse after Aprés ski.
Additionally, since this is a tourist destination, the souvenir shops are aplenty. No matter who you are shopping for, you can find something to bring home.
Ski rentals
Chamonix, is known as a winter playground and host of the first Winter Olympics in 1924.
That means during the winter, the town is hopping with skiers looking to cut fresh tracks at nearly a dozen different ski resorts. It is not uncommon to see people walking through town in their full snow gear and still wearing boots and carrying skies well past dinnertime.
Since most people don’t want to travel with heavy ski gear, ski rentals is big business in Chamonix. We rented our boots, poles, skis and helmets through SkiSet, a popular rental chain found in six countries. For two complete sets it cost us about $100(US), including discount.
One of the main reasons we rented with them is because there was a SkiSet outpost in the basement of our hotel and we received a 15% discount on rentals as hotel guests.
Even without the discount and convenience, I would recommend them as they were very attentive, had all the gear we wanted and had us in and out in a very short amount of time.
There are plenty of other options as well found all over town. Another very popular rental location is Intersport, with five locations just in Chamonix.
For those considering bringing their skies, I would recommend it as long as you’re willing to travel with the oversized luggage. If convenience is more important than you should be able to find high-quality ski gear for any level of skier.
Things to do in Chamonix, France – Skiing Mont Blanc
When it came time to ski, I was blown away at the price. Not how expensive, but how cheap skiing is in Europe.
We paid $151(US) for two lift tickets, and these tickets granted us skiing privileges at two different resorts connected by a gondola. At our home resort, tickets are about $167 each. All together, there are five ski resorts right around Chamonix and more than nine total accessible from the Chamonix valley, including crossing the border into Italy.
- Les Houches/Saint-Gervais
- Brévent – closest resort to Chamonix city center but at the top of steep hill. Don’t walk, take the free bus
- Flégere
- Grand Montets
- Balme/Les Autannes
- Aiguille du Midi
- Les Planards
- Le Tourchet
- Courmayeur (Italy)
Skiing is very affordable in many places in Europe and Chamonix is no exception.
When purchasing your ski passes there are several things to consider. How many days you’re skiing, where you want to ski, weather conditions and ski level of all those in your party.
Passes can be purchased in the lobby of several of the hotels in town or at the base of the resort. For Americans used to just purchasing a lift ticket and going on their merry way, it take a bit of education to decide what the best pass is, since some passes include access to nearby attractions.
Overall, we found it to be much cheaper and exciting than skiing in the U.S. The scenery along can take your breath away.
Also different than skiing in the states, most of the resorts are accessible only by gondola.
Chamonix has a very robust free public bus system that drops you off at the base of many of the mountains where the gondola is waiting to usher you up to the slopes. There are bus stops all over town, depending on where you stay, the ride can be 5-15 minutes from room to lift.
Don’t worry, you can get on the bus with all your ski gear.
Mont Blanc Natural Resort
An epic all-season experience that will give you a rush of adrenaline no matter what you choose.
- 8 ski resorts in France
- 1 ski resorts in Italy
- 1 ski resort in Switzerland
- Plus, four excursion sites
Excursions
Take an enchanting cogwheel train ride up the side of Mont Blanc with sights around every turn and once you get to the top, experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk inside a glacier, the famous Mer de Glace. The cave is carved into the glacier every year and allows you to witness the changes to the glacier first hand over the centuries.
Getting to Mer de Glace includes the train ride up to Montenvers station and then a gondola down to the glacier. Be aware, the trek from the gondola exit to the glacier entrance includes LOTS of steps. There is a platformed built into the side of the mountain and requires the ability to walk up and down steps.
Once you reach Mer de Glace, it is a truly special experience. You leave the rock and dirty landscape of a mountain and enter a world foreign to most of us as you become one with the mountain as you become enveloped by thick ice and cool air as you walk through the glacier. It’s a special moment and highly recommended.
Want to reach the height of your life? The Aiguille Du Midi will take you there. The highest cable car in France will take you up 12,604 feet (3842m) above the clouds to give you a feeling like no other.
This is also the start of the most famous ski run in the world, Vallée Blanche. While we visited we knew several people who skied Vallée Blanche and said it was an incredible experience. Hiring a guide is strongly encouraged.
The Aiguille du Midi can fill up quickly so it’s best to book your ticket in advance. Additionally, since it goes so high up the mountain, its operational schedule can be impacted by weather. Plan ahead, buy your tickets and book your trip up to what feels like the top of the world.
Sightseeing in Chamonix comes in all forms, and the Tramway du Mont Blanc is no exception. A cogwheel train that takes you between villages in the Chamonix valley, you can visit other small towns as you climb up and down the scenic mountain passes.
Pick the train station you want to start at and embark on your journey, or ride it end-to-end for a day’s worth of fun and beauty.
France isn’t the only place to find epic beauty when visiting Chamonix.
Right across the border in Italy the Skyway Monte Bianco an engineering feat that will take your breath away.
Featuring three stations, the Valley, the Mountain and the Sky, this experience is similar to Aiguille Du Midi but from an entire different perspective. Book your trip and visit the clouds, your senses will thank you.
Ski passes
Skiing in the States can often give you sticker shock. High lift ticket prices make skiing out of reach for many families.
Not so much in Europe.
Skiing is much more affordable, even with the exchange rate working against us. A single day lift ticket goes for around 67€ (about $75) at Mont Blanc, with packages for a family of four at about $260(US). It was quite surprising how affordable it was.
We skied at Mt. Bachelor (in Oregon) in Jan. 2024 and paid $107(US) for a single-day lift ticket per adult.
In March of 2024 Mont Blanc pricing was as follows:
- Chamonix Le Pass – busy season 44€ – 67€ for kids and adults
- Mont Blanc Unlimited – busy season 60€ – 83€ for kids and adults
- Pedestrian Pass – 105€ for two days, 165€ for six days
- Gondola rides (not skiing) – 22€
The Mont Blanc MultiPass
Depending on how long your stay in Chamonix is and how adventurous you’d like to be, the Mont Blanc MultiPass may be the best option.
Designed separately for the winter and summer seasons, the pass provides you unlimited visits to many of the most popular ski resorts, hikes and excursions in the valley.
Excursions include: Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers – Mer de Glace, Tramway du Mont-Blanc and Skyway Monte Bianco
In the winter it includes nearly all ski resorts in the valley and in the summer several resorts that use ski lifts for hiking and mountain biking.
You can buy a 1-day unlimited pass for 87€ – 90€ or a 2-day unlimited pass for 90€ – 105€. A U.S. exchange rate (as of July 2024) makes it just slightly more than those prices, the ability to do all those activities at that one price is exceptional.
There are family and additional day rates available.
Things to do in Chamonix, France – Apres Ski
The fun doesn’t have to stop once you leave the slopes. When planning your things to do in Chamonix, France list be sure you prepare for you after skiing experience.
As you can imagine, Apres Ski is a BIG deal here.
Nearly every hotel in Chamonix caters to it, as do all the bars and restaurants. Some have quite the scene that lasts well into the evening.
La Folie Douce Hotel has one of the biggest Aprés scenes going, with a very large outdoor patio featuring firepit tables, fresh made pizzas and DJ’s pumping music.
No matter where you choose, the Aprés ski festivities are lively and enjoyable.
Do I need Euros?
Short answer, no.
We traveled our entire weeklong trip without using a single Euro. Everywhere takes credit cards and we didn’t need cash (or coins) at all.
I read many articles before leaving to France about whether to exchange money before arriving. The easy answer is no, there is no need to that at all.
However, if you’d like to stick to a certain budget and carrying cash is preferred then wait until you arrive and then withdraw money from an ATM in the local currency. It will save you on transaction fees.
In March 2024, while we were in Chamonix, I saw about a scam in an Instagram story from Brian Kelly, better known as The Points Guy, where restaurants, shops and hotels will offer to convert the price for you into American dollars. Doing so will make it a significantly higher exchange rate, costing you more money.
Always decline the offer and have them charge in Euro’s or the local currency and have the bank do the exchange. It will always come out better for you.
Funny enough when I saw the Instagram Story about the scam, I thought to myself, interesting we haven’t experienced this at all. Then later that very same day, it did. Timing was impeccable but he was right. I declined the offer, paid for the experience in Swiss Francs and it was cheaper than what they offered.
What to wear
Chamonix is nearly 3,400 feet (1042m) in elevation. Tucked into the valley of the French Alps, the temperature can vary wildly.
We visited the first week of March and during our trip we saw beautiful sunny days, rain and even snow. The temperatures ranged between 28º and 45º which made it actually quite pleasant for the shoulder winter season.
Even though it was winter, when the sun is out, it was actually quite warm. You do a TON of walking so layers is the best way to go. You will warm up as you walk around town. At night, especially when it snows, the temps cool down considerably so be prepared.
In the summer temperatures can climb to 70º+ and cool to the upper 50’s at night. But you are much closer to the sun at those elevations, so bring sunscreen all year long.
When planning a skiing vacation, since many of the winter activities are done much further up the mountain conditions can be much different than in the valley, so be sure to bring items for both experiences.
Final Thoughts
Our trip to Chamonix (and Geneva) was picture perfect and something that we will cherish for a very long time.
Skiing the French Alps, eating incredible food, seeing endless snow covered peaks that reach the clouds, it was everything that we could have hoped for.
Should you be seeking a total ski experience or just looking for a less popular travel destination, Chamonix should be on your list.
There is ample to do for all ages and the sights will never disappoint.
Paris, Marseille, Normandy, Bordeaux, Nice and other French cities will always be popular travel destinations for American’s but if you’re not considering Chamonix, even if you’re not a skier) you are missing out.
Find your happiness in Chamonix.
