Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Where mountaineeringwas born
Discover Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley
One of nine destinations, one shared standard.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the birthplace of skiing and mountaineering, where pioneering tourism meets adventure. Experience breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, from the valley floor to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, reaching 3,842 metres above sea level. The first Winter Olympic Games were held here in 1924. Excellence, in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, is not a claim. It is a practice, renewed at first light, season after season. © Aerial photo of Les Houches - Hensli Sage
Where It All Began
Since 1741, with Windham and Pococke, then 1786, when Balmat and Paccard reached the summit, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has measured itself by the mountain alone. Peaks, glaciers, a community that never stopped climbing.
- 1786
- Mont Blanc's first ascent, and mountaineering's birth.
- 3,842 m
- Aiguille du Midi: world's highest cable car ascent.
- 1924
- Host of the first Olympic Winter Games.
- 4,806 m
- The summit of Mont Blanc, roof of Western Europe.
- 155 km
- Off-ski slopes, from novice runs to Vallée Blanche.
- 47 lifts
- Carrying skiers into a Mecca for freeriders.
- 46+ sports
- Practiced across the valley each summer season.
- Mer de Glace & ice cave
- A glacier reached by a century-old cogwheel train.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car
3,842 metres, at first light.
Before the first cable car departs, guides are already on the ridge. From the Aiguille du Midi, the panorama opens onto France, Italy and Switzerland at once, 3,842 metres above the valley floor.
One of ninedestinations, one standard.
Part of a collective 30 years in the making.
The nine destinations of Best of the Alps share one standard, tested here since 1786. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc carries its part of that legacy forward, season after season.
Life in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
The people who carry the discipline forward.
Getting toChamonix-Mont-Blanc
Geneva connects the valley to the world. From there, the mountain does the rest.
Airports
- Geneva Airport (CH)
- 1h
- Lyon Airport
- 2h
- Chambéry Airport
- 1h45
- Grenoble Airport
- 2h15
- Turin Airport (IT)
- 2h15
Train Station
- St-Gervais-Le Fayet
- 40min
- Martigny (CH)
- 1h30
- Geneva (CH)
- 2h24
Frequently Asked Questions
Geneva Airport is the closest, about 1 hour by road. By train, Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet connects to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in around 40 minutes on the Mont-Blanc Express, which continues on to Martigny, Switzerland. By bus, numerous transport companies operate services from Annecy, Geneva, and other major cities, providing easy access to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.
Winter delivers 155 km of ski slopes and legendary off-piste terrain, including the Vallée Blanche. Summer opens more than 350 km of hiking trails and over 46 different sports, from paragliding to mountaineering.
Chamonix is where mountaineering began: Mont Blanc was first climbed from here in 1786, and the first Winter Olympic Games were held here in 1924. The Aiguille du Midi still carries visitors 2,807 metres above the valley, a world record in vertical ascent.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car, the Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace glacier, and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, a 170 km foot race first run in 2003, define a valley built around the mountain in every season.Come and experience paragliding, mountaineering and climbing in the Mont Blanc Massif!
Chamonix events : Christmas Village
The Chamonix Valley offers a wide range of cultural and sporting events throughout the year: modern or traditional, outdoor or indoor...
Ski and Snow
Experience the essence of Alpine winter through world-class skiing, exceptional snow conditions, and unforgettable mountain moments.
Outdoor Adventure
From scenic trails to high-altitude challenges, discover unforgettable outdoor adventures in the breathtaking mountains of our destinations.
Beyond Skiing
Beyond Skiing reveals another side of the Alps, where wellness, culture, gastronomy and outdoor adventures create memorable mountain experiences.
Photo credits
Sunset - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Tourist Office /Aerial photo of Les Houches - Hensli Sage / Paragliding from Planpraz - Alexandre Juillet / Skiing at La Flégère - Corentin Leray / Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Tourist Office - Morgane Raylat / Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Cie des Guides - V.Lameyre