snowingplaces

Ski resort in Haute-Savoie, France

Chamonix

A historic mountain town beneath Mont Blanc, with steep, high skiing spread across several separate areas.

Forecast updated , when it was 11:00 in Chamonix (GMT+1).

Chamonix snow forecast at 3,842 m (top lift)

Next 24 hours on the upper mountain

No snow in the next 24 hours.

Snow arrives on Sunday, with 35–85 cm over the next 7 days.

High confidence, all three forecast models agree

No snow is forecast for Chamonix at the top lift (3,842 m / 12,600 ft) in the next 24 hours, but 35–85 cm (15–33 in) is forecast over the next 7 days, starting on Sunday. All three weather models we compare forecast snow this week. Expect temperatures from −16 to −9 °C (3 to 16 °F) and the freezing level near 2,100 m (6,900 ft) over the next day. A bluebird day is likely on Saturday, with clear skies and no snow forecast.

Temperature now
−11 °C (12 °F)
Freezing level
2,100 m (6,900 ft)
Wind
6 km/h (4 mph), gusts 19 km/h (12 mph)
Sky now
Overcast, 76% cloud

Chamonix hour by hour, on the upper mountain

Hourly snowfall

No rain or snow on the upper mountain in Chamonix in the next 24 hours.

Chamonix 7-day snow forecast, on the upper mountain

Best day to ski in Chamonix this week: Saturday. No fresh snow, bluebird, light wind. How we grade a ski day.

DayWeatherSnowfall
TodaySome sunFair ski day−16 to −11 °C (3 to 12 °F) · freezing level 2,000 m (6,600 ft)No snow
SatBluebirdBest day−16 to −9 °C (3 to 16 °F) · freezing level 2,400 m (7,900 ft)No snow
SunSnowPoor ski day−14 to −8 °C (7 to 18 °F) · gusts 44 km/h (27 mph) · freezing level 2,600 m (8,500 ft)0–10 cm (0–4 in)
MonSnowPoor ski day−14 to −10 °C (7 to 14 °F) · gusts 60 km/h (37 mph) · freezing level 2,300 m (7,500 ft)1–20 cm (0–8 in)
TueRain and snowPoor ski day−13 to −8 °C (9 to 18 °F) · gusts 79 km/h (49 mph) · freezing level 2,650 m (8,700 ft)3–20 cm (1–7 in)
WedSnowFair ski day−15 to −12 °C (5 to 10 °F) · gusts 75 km/h (47 mph) · freezing level 2,050 m (6,700 ft)15–35 cm (6–13 in)
ThuRain and snowFair ski day−14 to −12 °C (7 to 10 °F) · gusts 57 km/h (35 mph) · freezing level 1,950 m (6,400 ft)5–20 cm (3–8 in)

Sky is graded over the ski day, 9am to 4pm. Bluebird means at least two of the three models show clear skies all day, none shows overcast, and no snow or rain is forecast. Models are weaker on cloud than on snow, and none of them can see valley fog, so treat it as a good sign rather than a promise.

Chamonix 14-day snow outlook, on the upper mountain

Days 8 to 14. Only two of our three models run this far ahead, and forecasts at this range often change, so read this as a guide to the pattern rather than a plan.

DayWeatherSnowfall
Fri 20 NovChance of snow−17 to −13 °C (1 to 9 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow0–15 cm (0–6 in)
Sat 21 NovChance of snow−21 to −11 °C (−6 to 12 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow0–2 cm (under 1 in)
Sun 22 NovChance of snow−18 to −9 °C (0 to 16 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow0–25 cm (0–9 in)
Mon 23 NovSnow−20 to −10 °C (−4 to 14 °F) · 2 of 2 models show snow3–6 cm (1–3 in)
Tue 24 NovSnow−20 to −14 °C (−4 to 7 °F) · 2 of 2 models show snow2–4 cm (0–2 in)
Wed 25 NovChance of snow−21 to −12 °C (−6 to 10 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow0–3 cm (0–2 in)
Thu 26 NovChance of snow−20 to −11 °C (−4 to 12 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow0–6 cm (0–3 in)

How much snow is there in Chamonix on the upper mountain?

About 10 cm (4 in)

This is an estimate from weather models, not a measurement, so it can differ from the depth a resort reports on its pistes. Check the official snow report before you travel.

Where is Chamonix?

Department
Haute-Savoie
Country
France
Village
1,035 m
Top lift
3,842 m
Vertical
2,807 m
Season
Mid-December to Early May
Airports
Geneva (GVA)

About Chamonix

Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and remains one of the best-known mountain towns in the world. It is known more for steep and off-piste terrain than for long cruising runs.

The skiing

The valley’s ski areas are not all linked, so most visitors travel between them by bus or car. The Vallée Blanche, reached from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, is a famous glacier descent that should only be skied with a guide.

Getting there

Geneva is the nearest major airport.

The snow

Chamonix’s town sits at 1,035 m, low for the Alps, but its lifts reach 3,842 m on the Aiguille du Midi, one of the highest lift-served points in Europe. The valley’s ski areas are separate mountains: Grands Montets above Argentière, the Brévent-Flégère on the sunny side, Le Tour at the head of the valley, and the Vallée Blanche glacier descent from the Aiguille du Midi. In our record it snows on about 14 days at mid-mountain in January and 13 in December and March, the highest figures in the northern French Alps, and snow was on the ground every Christmas Day in the last ten years. The town itself can be green in a mild winter.

Who it suits

Experts and mountaineers: Chamonix is the world capital of off-piste and ski touring, and its pistes are secondary. Intermediates get long descents but must drive or bus between areas. The town is a real town, with life beyond skiing.

Getting there

Geneva airport is about an hour and a quarter by road, the shortest transfer of any major Alpine resort. Trains reach Saint-Gervais and continue up the valley on the Mont Blanc Express.

When does it snow in Chamonix?

In Chamonix, snow falls on about 14 days in January in a typical year, the snowiest month. Snow is regular from September to May.

Average days per month with at least 1 cm of snowfall in Chamonix at mid-mountain, 2016–2025
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
14 days11 days13 days10 days10 days1 days<1 days<1 days3 days6 days12 days13 days

Average days each month with at least 1 cm of snowfall at mid-mountain, 2016–2025. Calculated from ERA5 reanalysis data.

Snow in Chamonix month by month

Averages for 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain, from ERA5 reanalysis data. A sunny day has sunshine for at least 70% of the daylight hours.

Average snow days, share of annual snowfall, temperature and sunny days by month in Chamonix, 2016 to 2025
MonthSnow daysShare of the year's snowLow to highSunny days
January1418%−12 to −5 °C (10 to 23 °F)19
February1111%−11 to −3 °C (12 to 27 °F)18
March1313%−10 to −2 °C (14 to 28 °F)21
April109%−7 to 1 °C (19 to 34 °F)22
May108%−3 to 4 °C (27 to 39 °F)20
June11%3 to 11 °C (37 to 52 °F)23
July<10%5 to 13 °C (41 to 55 °F)26
August<10%5 to 13 °C (41 to 55 °F)26
September32%1 to 9 °C (34 to 48 °F)23
October65%−2 to 5 °C (28 to 41 °F)22
November1213%−9 to −1 °C (16 to 30 °F)18
December1319%−10 to −4 °C (14 to 25 °F)19

Snow in Chamonix in September

In September, Chamonix gets snow on about 3 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 2% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from 1 to 9 °C (34 to 48 °F). About 23 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Snow in Chamonix in October

In October, Chamonix gets snow on about 6 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 5% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −2 to 5 °C (28 to 41 °F). About 22 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Snow in Chamonix in November

In November, Chamonix gets snow on about 12 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 13% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −9 to −1 °C (16 to 30 °F). About 18 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Snow in Chamonix in December

In December, Chamonix gets snow on about 13 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 19% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −10 to −4 °C (14 to 25 °F). About 19 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Snow in Chamonix in January

In January, Chamonix gets snow on about 14 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 18% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −12 to −5 °C (10 to 23 °F). About 19 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Snow in Chamonix in February

In February, Chamonix gets snow on about 11 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 11% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −11 to −3 °C (12 to 27 °F). About 18 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Snow in Chamonix in March

In March, Chamonix gets snow on about 13 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 13% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −10 to −2 °C (14 to 28 °F). About 21 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Snow in Chamonix in April

In April, Chamonix gets snow on about 10 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 9% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −7 to 1 °C (19 to 34 °F). About 22 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Snow in Chamonix in May

In May, Chamonix gets snow on about 10 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 8% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −3 to 4 °C (27 to 39 °F). About 20 days are sunny for most of the daylight hours.

Which winters were snowiest in Chamonix?

Of the last ten winters in Chamonix, 2017/18 was the snowiest, about 33% above the ten-year average at mid-mountain. The leanest was 2016/17, about 33% below average. The biggest single day of snowfall in the record was 4 January 2018.

Snowfall in Chamonix for each of the last ten winters, as a percentage of the ten-year average
WinterCompared with average
2016/1767% of average
2017/18133% of average
2018/19101% of average
2019/20112% of average
2020/21111% of average
2021/2279% of average
2022/2396% of average
2023/24126% of average
2024/2581% of average
2025/2693% of average

Winters are compared with each other rather than given in centimetres. The ERA5 record is reliable on which winters were big and which were lean, but it underestimates absolute snowfall in the mountains, so the resort's own measured totals are the ones to trust for amounts.

Questions about snow in Chamonix

Does Chamonix have snow at Christmas?

Chamonix had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on Christmas Day in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 20 to 26 December in 8 of those years.

Does Chamonix have snow at New Year?

Chamonix had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on New Year's Day in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 27 December to 2 January in 7 of those years.

Does Chamonix have snow in mid-February?

Chamonix had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on 15 February in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 10 to 20 February in 9 of those years.

Does Chamonix have snow at Easter?

Chamonix had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on Easter Sunday in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during Good Friday to Easter Monday in 8 of those years.

How many days a year does it snow in Chamonix?

It snows on about 93 days a year in Chamonix at mid-mountain, counting days with at least 1 cm of snowfall, averaged over 2016 to 2025. January has the most, about 14 days.

What is the snowiest month in Chamonix?

December is the snowiest month in Chamonix, bringing about 19% of the year's snowfall at mid-mountain, based on ERA5 reanalysis data for 2016 to 2025. January has the most snowy days, about 14.

Which recent winter was the snowiest in Chamonix?

Of the last ten winters in Chamonix, 2017/18 was the snowiest, about 33% above the ten-year average. The leanest was 2016/17, about 33% below average.

How cold does Chamonix get in winter?

January is the coldest month in Chamonix at mid-mountain, with average daily lows of −12 °C (10 °F) and highs of −5 °C (23 °F).

How many bluebird days does Chamonix get in winter?

From December to March, Chamonix averages about 19 days a month with sunshine for at least 70% of the daylight hours at mid-mountain, and about 6.9 hours of sunshine a day. March is the sunniest of those months. The figures are from ERA5 reanalysis for 2016 to 2025, which sees cloud over a region well but cannot see valley fog.

How high is Chamonix?

The village or lowest lift at Chamonix is at 1,035 m (3,400 ft) and the top lift is at 3,842 m (12,600 ft), a vertical drop of 2,807 m (9,200 ft).

When does the ski season start in Chamonix?

The lifts at Chamonix usually open in mid-December and close in early May. Exact dates change each year with the snow, so check the resort's own website before you book.

Snow forecasts near Chamonix

Map of ski resorts and cities within 150 km of ChamonixCourmayeur, about 20 km away, 65–105 cm this week; Megève, about 20 km away, 45–95 cm this week; Avoriaz, about 30 km away, 10–40 cm this week; Verbier, about 30 km away, 45–70 cm this week; Les Arcs, about 40 km away, 70–90 cm this week; La Plagne, about 50 km away, 55–75 cm this week; Tignes, about 50 km away, 85–95 cm this week; Val d'Isère, about 50 km away, 55–95 cm this week; Annecy, about 60 km away, no snow this week; Courchevel, about 60 km away, 50–75 cm this week; Cervinia, about 60 km away, 30–50 cm this week; Méribel, about 60 km away, 50–75 cm this week; Geneva, about 60 km away, no snow this week; Crans-Montana, about 60 km away, 55–70 cm this week; Zermatt, about 70 km away, 25–50 cm this week; Val Thorens, about 70 km away, 55–65 cm this week; Chambéry, about 80 km away, no snow this week; Saas-Fee, about 80 km away, 15–30 cm this week; Sestriere, about 110 km away, 15–50 cm this week; Serre Chevalier, about 110 km away, 50–60 cm this week; Turin, about 110 km away, no snow this week; Alpe d'Huez, about 110 km away, 25–70 cm this week; Les Deux Alpes, about 120 km away, 25–55 cm this week; Grindelwald, about 120 km away, 30–70 cm this week; Grenoble, about 120 km away, no snow this week; Bern, about 120 km away, no snow this week.50 km100 km150 kmNCourmayeur: 65–105 cm this weekMegève: 45–95 cm this weekAvoriaz: 10–40 cm this weekVerbier: 45–70 cm this weekLes Arcs: 70–90 cm this weekLa Plagne: 55–75 cm this weekTignes: 85–95 cm this weekVal d'Isère: 55–95 cm this weekAnnecy: No snow this weekCourchevel: 50–75 cm this weekCervinia: 30–50 cm this weekMéribel: 50–75 cm this weekGeneva: No snow this weekCrans-Montana: 55–70 cm this weekZermatt: 25–50 cm this weekVal Thorens: 55–65 cm this weekChambéry: No snow this weekSaas-Fee: 15–30 cm this weekSestriere: 15–50 cm this weekSerre Chevalier: 50–60 cm this weekTurin: No snow this weekAlpe d'Huez: 25–70 cm this weekLes Deux Alpes: 25–55 cm this weekGrindelwald: 30–70 cm this weekGrenoble: No snow this weekBern: No snow this weekCourmayeurMegèveAvoriazLes ArcsLa PlagneTignesAnnecyCerviniaGenevaCrans-MontanaVal ThorensChambérySaas-FeeSestriereSerre ChevalierTurinAlpe d'HuezGrindelwaldBernChamonix
Blue dots expect snow in the next 7 days. Distances are straight lines, not driving distances.
CourmayeurSki resort, about 20 km away65–105 cm this weekMegèveSki resort, about 20 km away45–95 cm this weekAvoriazSki resort, about 30 km away10–40 cm this weekVerbierSki resort, about 30 km away45–70 cm this week

Compare Chamonix for snow

Sources: Chamonix.net lift opening dates