Chamonix
Slope Breakdown
Chamonix at a glance
Chamonix is a ski resort in France, part of the Chamonix Mont-Blanc area. It offers 152 km of slopes served by 49 lifts, with skiing between 1,035 m and 3,842 m (2,807 m vertical). That makes it the 30th largest of the 40 ski resorts in France listed on Intski. The season usually runs from December to May. Chamonix leans towards strong skiers, with around 33% of the slopes rated expert (black). Freestylers get 2 snow parks.
Top features of this resort
Snow forecast
About 39 cm of new snow at the top (3,842 m) in the next 3 days, 4 cm at the base.
New snow and temperature at the top station. Estimated by Intski from the MET Norway forecast, updated every few hours. Where it snows most this week
Email me when it snows
An alert when 15 cm or more is on the way at Chamonix, and a heads-up before it opens.
Getting there & lift pass
Nearest airport
Geneva (GVA) — about 68 km from the resort, straight-line distance, allow more by road.
Lift pass
Adult day pass around 47 EUR (2025/26 season). Chamonix Le Pass, dynamic pricing, usually cheaper booked online in advance. Valid across a wider pass network, not only this resort.
Compare lift pass prices at all resortsPrice source, checked 2026-09-14
Driving to Chamonix
Rules for a car in France, checked 30 September 2026 against official sources.
Road charge
Motorway tolls by distance. A43 (AREA) Saint-Quentin-Fallavier barrier (Lyon) to Chambéry Nord, 88 km, class 1 €13.40, A43 (AREA) Chignin barrier to Aiton, 31 km, class 1 (towards Albertville and Maurienne) €4.20
Winter tyres
Winter tyres or chains on board, 1 Nov to 31 Mar, in the signed mountain zones
Studded tyres
Allowed 1 Nov to 31 Mar (90 km/h, rear disc)
Mont Blanc Tunnel (France to Italy): EUR 55.50 one way / 69.20 return
Chamonix, Courmayeur Class 1 (height up to 2 m, up to 3.5 t). Return valid until 23:59 on the 7th day after issue. Class 2 (2–3 m, up to 3.5 t): 73.40 / 92.30. Class 3 (2 axles, height 3 m or more OR over 3.5 t, so heavy motorhomes): 201.50 / 313.60. Swiss francs not accepted. No long closure in 2026, but regular night closures for maintenance. 2027 price not yet published as of 2026-09-30.
Chamonix resort facts
About Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, known everywhere simply as Chamonix, is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in south-eastern France.
Resort Highlights
Olympic pioneer beneath Mont Blanc
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, known everywhere simply as Chamonix, is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in south-eastern France. It lies just north of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe, between the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges and the Aiguille du Midi, and it borders both Switzerland and Italy. Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and is one of the oldest ski resorts in France, with a long-standing following among alpinists and mountain enthusiasts.
The skiing
The Chamonix Mont-Blanc ski area totals 152 km of pistes across 49 lifts, with two terrain parks. The difficulty split is 36 km easy, 66 km intermediate and 50 km expert. A third of the terrain rated expert is a high proportion and confirms the resort’s reputation as a strong skier’s mountain. Intermediates have the largest share, but easy terrain is comparatively limited, so beginners should choose their sector with care.
The vertical range is enormous. The valley floor is at 1,035 m and the highest lift reaches 3,842 m, a span of 2,807 m. The low base means the town itself cannot count on snow, but the upper mountain is another world: skiing far above 2,200 m is available throughout a season that runs from December to May, and the resort is listed as snow-sure on the strength of that altitude. The 49 lifts also cover a lot of ground for 152 km of piste, roughly one lift per 3 km, so the network is dense; the challenge in Chamonix is less finding a lift than choosing which part of a very tall mountain to spend the day on.
The signature descent is off-piste, which is one of Chamonix’s listed strengths. The cable car to the Aiguille du Midi gives access to the Vallée Blanche, the ‘white valley’, an off-piste run that for many experienced skiers is the reason to come at all. Off-piste of this kind is high-mountain terrain and belongs with a guide.
The town
Chamonix is a year-round commune rather than a purpose-built resort, and its history in mountaineering runs at least as deep as its history in skiing. That heritage, the Olympic past and the position between three countries give it a character no purpose-built station can imitate, and scenic views are, unsurprisingly, among its listed features.
Getting there
Geneva airport is roughly 68 km away as the crow flies, which makes Chamonix an easy transfer. The resort’s official website has practical information on lifts, passes and the town.
Frequently asked questions about Chamonix
Yes. Chamonix was the site of the first Winter Olympics, held in 1924.
An off-piste ski run reached via the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi. Its name means 'white valley'.
The commune borders both Switzerland and Italy, sitting just north of Mont Blanc between the Aiguilles Rouges and the Aiguille du Midi.
50 of the 152 km of pistes, about a third, are rated expert, with 66 km intermediate and 36 km easy.
2,807 m, from the valley floor at 1,035 m to the highest lift at 3,842 m.
Chamonix has 152 km of marked slopes: 36 km easy (blue), 66 km intermediate (red), 50 km expert (black), served by 49 ski lifts.
The skiing in Chamonix ranges from 1,035 m at the base to 3,842 m at the top — a vertical drop of 2,807 m.
The ski season in Chamonix typically runs from December to May. Exact opening dates vary by year and snow conditions.
Chamonix is better suited to confident skiers — only around 24% of the slopes are rated easy.
Chamonix has 50 km of expert (black) slopes — about 33% of the total. It is also known for its off-piste terrain. There are 2 snow parks for freestylers.
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