Ski & Snowboard Touring in Chamonix.

Chamonix sits at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif, the highest in the Alps. Its lifts give direct access to high glacier terrain, which is what makes the valley unique — and what makes it serious.

The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs to 3,842m and is the gateway to the Vallée Blanche: about 20km of glacier descent along the Mer de Glace, plus steeper variants and couloirs. The Grands Montets above Argentière is the valley's best-known freeride area. Brévent, Flégère and Les Houches add more lift-served terrain and trees for storm days.

For touring, Chamonix is the start of the Haute Route to Zermatt and of countless day tours into the surrounding glaciers. Crevasses, seracs and avalanche terrain are everywhere off-piste — this is guided terrain.

Lifts usually run from December to April or May. January to March is the main freeride season; March to May is best for glacier touring and the Haute Route, with longer days and a more settled snowpack.

We don't publish snow depths or forecasts on this page — they go out of date within hours. These are the sources we check ourselves: Windy for wind, freezing levels and storm tracking, and the resort or regional forecast for snow detail. On a guided trip your guide checks them, plus the snow on the ground, every morning before any plan is set.

Windy — Chamonix
Snow-Forecast — Chamonix
Chamonix-Météo — local mountain forecast

Off-piste in Chamonix combines avalanche terrain with crevasses and seracs. The official avalanche bulletin for this area is published by Météo-France (the Mont-Blanc avalanche bulletin) — read it every day you go out, and read the whole thing, not just the danger level.

⚠ Conditions change fast — this is for planning only. Always check the live bulletin and consult a certified local guide before heading out.

Every day with us is led by a UIAGM guide who reads the bulletin and the snow before choosing the line. Beacon, shovel and probe are mandatory; glacier days add harness and rope.

Mountain rescue in the Chamonix valley is run by the PGHM, the gendarmerie's high-mountain rescue unit, and called through the European emergency number 112. Make sure your insurance covers helicopter rescue.

Travel and medical insurance with mountain rescue and helicopter cover is essential and is not included in our trips. We recommend Austrian Alpine Club (Alpenverein) membership, which includes mountain rescue cover.

Geneva (GVA) is the nearest airport, about an hour and a quarter by road, with frequent shared transfers. Within the valley, buses and the Mont-Blanc Express train link Les Houches, Chamonix and Argentière.

Chamonix, Argentière and Les Houches have everything from hostels and chalets to big hotels. Argentière is closest to the Grands Montets; Chamonix town is best for the Aiguille du Midi.

Chamonix has some of the best rental shops in the Alps, including touring and splitboard gear.

Bring or rent: freeride or touring setup, beacon, shovel, probe, harness, helmet (mandatory on our trips), goggles, layered clothing, spare gloves; ski crampons and glacier kit for touring days.

Savoyard food is built for cold days: tartiflette, fondue, raclette and diots. The town has everything from cheap crêperies to serious restaurants, and the après is legendary.

Ride the Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace, take the Aiguille du Midi just for the view, or cross the tunnel to Courmayeur for Italian coffee and a different side of Mont Blanc.