Thursday September 2nd - 16:35

CHAMONIX.COM - Chamonix valley and Mont-Blanc massif official website

Cham'today

afternoon

morning

Today

min +4°C / max +22°C

Sunny - cool in the morning - mild in the afternoon

Sunrise : 6:55 - Sunset : 20:07

5 day forecast of September 02nd at 08:44

Road conditions

Fayet - Chamonix : normal traffic conditions

Chamonix - Argentière : normal traffic conditions

Col des montets : normal traffic conditions

Tunnel du Mont-Blanc : normal traffic conditions

Detailed information(access to Chamonix - Mont-Blanc Tunnel)

Webcam

webcam list

Lifts in real-time

téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi (3842 m)

Montenvers - Mer de Glace (1913 m)

Planpraz (2000 m) - Brévent (2525 m)

Flégère (1890 m) - Index (2385 m)

Tour - Charamillon (1850 m) - Autannes (2270 m)

Lognan (1975 m) - Grands Montets (3300 m)

Tramway du Mont-Blanc (2372 m)

Detailed information

Special information

Montenvers information

Works to securise the landslide area have been completed. We therefore have the pleasure to announce the reopening of the Montenvers train, as from Thursday, July 1st. The site will be fully open.

Consult the lift information chart.

Snowreport

June 03rd 2010

Ski areas : 0 /8
Slopes : 0 /68
Cross-country skiing : 0 km

Detailed information

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Office de Tourisme ****
Chamonix Mont-Blanc
85, place du Triangle de l'Amitié
BP 25
F-74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel +33 450 53 00 24
Fax +33 450 53 58 90
info@chamonix.com

Timetable
Everyday
from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Bureau d'Argentière
24, route du village
F-74400 Argentière
Tel +33 450 54 02 14
Fax +33 450 54 06 39
argentiere.info@chamonix.com

Timetable
Everyday
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
and from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

home > FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions in Chamonix

Year round questions :

1. How do I get to Chamonix from Geneva airport ?
2. How does one get around in the Chamonix Valley ?
3. Where does one obtain the guest card ?
4. Where can I obtain information on weather and safety conditions ?

Summer questions :

5. How does one reach the top of Mont-Blanc ?
6. Is there a summer lift pass ?
7. Is it necessary to pre-book the lifts ?
8. Children and altitude ?
9. Caming cars in the Chamonix Valley ?
10. Where can my dog accompany me ?

Winter questions :

11. When will the ski areas open ?
12. Where does one purchase the lift passes ?
13. How do I get to the different ski areas ?
14. Can I learn to ski in Chamonix ?
15. What child minding services are there in Chamonix ?
16. Is it necessary to take a mountain guide to ski the Valley Blanche ?
17. What else can I do in the valley besides skiing ?1. How do I get to Chamonix from Geneva airport. Chamonix Mont-Blanc is located at 88 km from Geneva airport. There is a regular bus service between Chamonix and Geneva, run by the SAT (Société Alpes Transports).
There are also a number of private transfer companies or Chamonix valley taxis. There are also several car hire companies based at the airport. The journey by train involves three changes so we do not particularly recommend this option.2. How does one get around in the Chamonix Valley? In order to contribute to preserving our exceptional natural environment, why not forget your car and take advantage of the free public transport thanks to your guest card: the Mulets, Chamonix Bus and the Mont-Blanc Express train.3. Where does one obtain the guest card ? The guest card is provided free of charge by your accommodation provider upon your arrival in the valley. It is also available from the tourist office.4. Where can I obtain information on weather and safety conditions ? The tourist office edits a daily weather forecast on chamonix.com. This same forecast is also posted at the Tourist Office and the Maison de la Montagne.
Meteo France weather bulletins are posted twice daily at the Maison de la Montagne and at the tourist office.
For all information concerning mountain security and conditions, the High Mountain Office and the Weather Centre located within the Maison de la Montagne remain at your disposition.

5. How does one reach the top of Mont-Blanc? The Mont-Blanc (4 810 m), highest summit in western Europe, thrones majestically over the Chamonix valley.
Its summit can only be reached on foot, involving a long and strenuous mountain route.
Climbing Mont-Blanc requires specific mountaineering training and a certain level of fitness. We strongly recommend you use the services of a professional mountain guide.6. Is there a summer lift pass? Yes, the Mont-Blanc Multipass . It provides you with unlimited access to the Aiguille du Midi, the Brévent, the Flégère, Montenvers, Tramway du Mont-Blanc, the Grands Montets, Balme, les Bossons and the Prarion without having to queue at any ticket desks!
An excllent solution, enabling visitors to enjoy the valley at liberty ! 7. Is it necessary to pre-book the lifts? Two excursion sites offer the facility to pre-book your trip: the Aiguille du Midi cable car and the Tramway du Mont-Blanc. We strongly recommend you reserve in July and August. Reservations may be made up to 7 days in advance up until the day before your planned excursion.

You may reserve as follows:

by telephone +33 (0)4 50 53 22 75

locally at the lift desks

by internet(Aiguille du Midi only) on the website : www.compagniedumontblanc.fr8. Children and altitude? It is generally advised not to use the lifts with children under one year of age (risk of ear trouble) and not to take young children to very high altitudes (don't go above 2000 m with children under 3 years of age).
The train is a better means of travel as opposed to the lifts as you gain altitude more slowly, giving small children time to adapt.
Whatever the altitude or the age of your child, ensure they are adequately protected against the elements (sunblock, hats, sunglasses). Long hikes are not necessarily adapted for children: choose your routes carefully and don't over estimate their capacities. Allow for frequent refreshment stops and ensure you have sufficient drinks, food and warm clothing with you. 9. Caming cars in the Chamonix Valley? All the campsites in the Chamonix valley provide facilities for camping cars.
The town also provides a fress service area for coaches and camper vans which is equipped with water and emptying facilities. This area, located on the Grepon car park, offers you 30 minutes free parking. If you decide to spend the night here, the parking cost is 11 euros.10. Where can my dog accompany me? If you are hiking with your dog, this is what you need to know:

Nature Reserves

Dogs are not admitted in the Aiguille Rouges, Carlaveryon and Berard Nature Reserves.
The limits of these reserves are indicated on the topographic walking maps.

Lifts

Dogs are accepted in the following :

Chamonix - Planpraz gondola
Brévent cable car
Les Praz - Flégère cable car
Charamillon gondola
Montenvers - Mer de Glace train
Argentière - Croix de Lognan - Grands-Montets cables cars
The Tramway du Mont-Blanc

Dogs are not accepted in the following :

Plan de l'Aiguille and Aiguille du Midi cable cars
Aiguille du Midi - Helbronner gondola
Flégère - Index chair lift
Col de Balme chair lift
The Ice Grotto at Montenvers

Refuges

Please contact the refuges to enquire whether your four legged friend would be welcome.11. When will the ski areas open ? The total opening of Chamonix's ski areas generally takes place on the first Saturday of the Christmas holidays. Subject to weather conditions, some pistes may open at the beginning of December. The ski areas close at the end of April, with the exception on the Grands Montets, which closes around the 8th May. 12. Where does one purchase the lift passes ? Before arrival you can purchase your pass on our Chamonix.com website or on the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc website. If you are already in posession of a rechargeable badge, you can reload it by calling their call centre on +33 (0)450 532275.
On arrival you can purchase your pass at any of the major ski areas or alternatively at the central Montenvers office open from Monday to Friday 8am to 6.30pm, on Saturdays from 8am to 6:30pm and on Sundays from 7:30am to 6:30pm. 13. How do I get to the different ski areas ? There are regular buses which run the length of the valley between Les Houches and Le Tour and serve all the different ski areas. There is also a frequent train between Servoz and Vallorcine with stations close to the ski areas. Your guest card or your lift pass both provide you with free access to the public transport.14. Can I learn to ski in Chamonix ? There are several beginners ski areas on the lower valley slopes, such as Les Planards, Le Savoy, les Chosalets and the Vormaine.
The different ski schools offer group and private lessons for beginners (adults and children from the age of 3 upwards).15. What child minding services are there in Chamonix ? For children under 3 years of age, a list of babysitters is available at the tourist office.
For children over 3 years of age, the French ski schools of Chamonix and Argentière and the Evolution 2 offer full and half day facilities: ski lessons, lunch and snacks, games and supervision.
16. Is it necessary to take a mountain guide to ski the Valley Blanche ? The Valley Blanche is a high mountain itinerary that is neither marked nor patrolled and involves off-piste glacier skiing. To enjoy this exceptional descent to the full, we strongly recommend that you be accompanied by a qualified mountain guide.17. What else can I do in the valley besides skiing? Chamonix offers a wide choice of cultural and sports activities. For those who enjoy hiking, there are 17 km of marked winter trails in the valley and many delightful villages and hamlets to discover. Shoeshoeing is also a popular option, either independently or with organised groups. Other winter activities include paragliding and ice climbing.
There is an excellent sports complexe with indoor heated pools, ice rink, keep fit and spa facilities, squash, tennis and a climbing wall. Cultural activities include an alpine museum, exhibition centre, cinema and frequent concerts. The town offers numerous boutiques, traditional and gourmet restaurants, and lively evening entertainment.
Chamonix is the 3rd most visited natural site in the world and to come to Chamonix is also to contemplate the outstanding beauty of the mountains.. The Aiguille du Midi cable car and the Mer de Glace train will transport into this winter wonderland.