If you’re looking to skieason your way through this winter, and have decided on Chamonix (good choice!) then there is lots to look forward to; and more to prepare for. The town is a top destination for climbing, off-piste skiing, trail running, ski touring, and mounds of other extreme and adrenaline-inducing activities – but it also has real personality and charm as a French mountain town.
With free events all throughout the winter months across the slopes, and summer music festivals set upon its hills, you get culture, history, sporting extremes and Olympic gatherings; welcome to Chamonix!
When?
Employers start planning for their winter team as early as the end of summer, and accommodation gets booked faster than you can say ski pole. But read our guide and you’ll get everything just right ✔️.
The winter season runs from mid-December to early-May (depending on snowfall). Most contracts will begin just before the Christmas period, and finish by mid April.
Where?
🏔️ The yearly pilgrimage to Chamonix Mont Blanc commences! Each winter, the town welcomes ski bums from literally all over the globe, to work, play, ski & board.
Most flights land in Geneva, Switzerland, with easy bus access and transfer services shuttling to and from Chamonix. There are also reliable train services which run cross – country, if you’re coming from any of the neighbouring countries.
The valley technically runs from Servoz (bottom of the valley) to Vallorcine (top of the valley – closer to the Swiss border). Regular trains and buses keep all areas of the valley connected but the main towns are:
- Les Houches: Just beneath Chamonix, Les Houches gets a little less winter sun but has a fair amount of skiable domain; and often less bad weather! The town has a good amount of bars and eateries so that when the sun goes down, it’s not necessarily home time. Property is more available and cheaper here than in Chamonix and a regular bus service connects you to Chamonix throughout the day and after hours (if you book ahead).
- Chamonix: The best option for a seasonaire working in the town. Chamonix is a hub of life throughout the winter and the closer the better, but you’ll be paying through the nose for it! There is a huge property market in Chamonix, but it’s a competitive environment – so it’s best to start as early as possible and do lots of research to get in there early.
- Argentière: At the top of the valley, and just at the foot of the Grand Montets ski area, Argentière is a charming little village dusted with a little more snow (being closer to the skies, and all 😉). With a small bar and restaurant scene, Argentière has its own community of seasonaires who are living and working there, the rent will often be a little cheaper whilst also being well connected with the train and bus services into Chamonix.
Image by Chamonix Tourist Office
What to ski?
Choose the best season pass for your ski season in Chamonix! There are 3 main passes that are options to buy for your Season Pass:
This pass gives access to 3 countries including Switzerland, Italy (inc. Skyway Monte Bianco) and France. As well as everything the Chamonix pass gives you, this pass provides access to Les Houches and the Evasion Mont Blanc ski are which includes Mégeve, St Gervais, Combloux and Les Contamines. The Unlimited Pass also grants you free access to the Aiguille du Midi lift, the Montenvers – Mer de Glace train & the Tramway du Mont Blanc.
This pass grants you access to all the skiable domains within Chamonix village; Grands Montets Argentière, Brévent – Flégère ski area, and Balme – Le Tour – Vallorcine ski area. It also includes La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Savoie and Planards beginner ski areas.
Useful if you think you’ll be staying further in the lower side of the valley and are a beginner or casual skier. This pass only includes the Les Houches ski area which hosts a mix of slopes and some great independent restaurants. It is perfect if you’re looking to spend a little less, and are more interested in occasional skiing rather than hitting the slopes every day. This area is great on bad weather days as there are lots of trees.
The Pass
It’s best to get your season pass as early as October when the Early Bird tickets go on sale.
If you think you’ll be staying for the summer too, you can get an annual pass which includes summer lifts in the price and lasts the year (bear in mind certain lifts close in the interseason – however, the pass allows free access on the buses throughout).
Some employers also offer a ski pass as part of their proposed wage package, which includes different perks and skiable areas. However, it’s best not to rely on this as it means you can consider other job opportunities. It is beneficial for you to already have a ski pass, from an employers’ perspective, as you are more of a solid candidate and you will seem much more invested in your winter season in Chamonix.
Image by Chamonix All Year
The Accommodation
If you’re lucky, you can find a job that includes accommodation. This is becoming a little more scarce as employers either struggle to find accommodation for all of their employees in the same place, or because seasonaires aren’t always keen to take the cut out of their paycheck, and might prefer to share a big chalet organised amongst themselves.
If you’re a group, finding a house or flatshare is a great idea, or even just a room in a communal apartment if you’re travelling alone. Lots of people rent out single rooms in chalets or apartments around Chamonix and it’s a great way to find a community and make friends.
Be aware of scams on social media like Facebook and fake agency websites – don’t ever send money to anyone without having physically seen the apartment first and having some sort of written agreement or confirmation. The winter can see a flurry of scammers screenshotting photos of actual rental apartments and putting them up for super-low prices, asking for the deposit & first couple of month’s rent to be wired immediately, and then disappearing off the page. As a rule, don’t ever send money to an individual if you haven’t set foot in the property! Any legitimate landlord would always let you see the place before demanding payment, even if there is high demand.
Check out the local estate agents and call around, join the facebook groups and get meeting and talking to people (if you are already out here) to make connections and hear what is going via word of mouth. Sign up to the Chamonix local web page Cham Social to see what is being rented, and you can also check the Mairie de Chamonix logement page, where people post property rentals weekly.
A new law will come into effect in May 2025 that seeks to minimise the amount of holiday rentals on the property market, which will hopefully raise the amount of long-term properties available for seasonal rentals. Click here to read more about what our Managing Director, Kerry said about the change and how we hope it will affect the valley.
The Job
It’s all about the job! Chamonix opens up to thousands of seasonaires in the winter, and there is never a shortage of jobs. Whether you’re into high-end cocktail making or fine-dining restaurant work, artistic latte skills or you just want to flip burgers after a long day on the sunny slopes, you’ll find everything here.
Employers will want to start looking as early as the end of August, so contact everyone, get a solidly spell-checked CV going and make sure you tailor it to the job you are applying for. September is the best time to start looking.
Again, if you are already in Chamonix, this is a huge plus as people can tell you are serious about looking for work for the season. November is quite quiet with lots of the locals and employers taking their well-earned holiday, so aim to get this done before interseason hits. Checkout Chamonix.net and facebook groups, too. Chamonix needs you! Don’t hesitate to get out there and get in touch directly with the employers after doing your research into their business.
Fluency in French isn’t always required in all jobs; however a little bonjour and merci never hurt anyone. Download a couple of apps to learn the basics as it will help. Experience in hotellerie, hospitality, cleaning and driving are the most sought-after skills in the valley.
At Chamonix All Year, both at the beginning of winter and the start of summer, we look for cleaning managers to work with us, and sometimes office staff too. Check out our Job Opportunities page to see what’s going on, and follow our socials to stay updated.
Prepare: what to bring
As you might have guessed – it’s going to be very, very, chilly! You’ll need layers and layers upon layers, and lots of hats.
To pack:
Woolly hats, balaclava for when the snow is sleeting down the front of your jacket, scarves, roll-neck thermals and jumpers, thermal leggings too & trousers – corduroy is sure to keep you warm (no ankle swingers unless you want frost-bitten calves!) extra thick socks, waterproof or leather gloves as well as skiing gloves & coat- a ski jacket will be very useful too, of course!
High boots are a must for when the snow is ankle-deep, and waterproof is best for when the snow slushes up.
Obviously ski wear is necessary; there are second-hand sales here in November where you can pick up things you need, and a Bourse Aux Skis in Chamonix where you can buy ski and board equipment, too. You’ll probably end up buying more gear whilst here so don’t overpack your bag!
Follow our Ultimate Packing Guide for a Ski Holiday so you don’t miss a trick😉.
Not to pack:
There’s no need to pack too many light clothes – except for something nice for a night out – and maybe a smart shirt or two for when you’re feeling fancy.
You can definitely leave your heels at home!
Hair gel: there is a 90% chance that you will be wearing a hat 90% of the time.
Image by BrevBar; Chamonix Tourist Office
Winter Events
Chamonix in the winter is WILD. There are constant events and nights put on, and always a lot to do to entertain the hordes that descend into Chamonix between Christmas and April.
Our blogs have loads of info on events going on, and no doubt you’ll see posters and adverts all around reminding you. There are also lots of posts on Chamonix facebook groups so make sure to join a few of those, too.
Some of the regular classics include the Farmer’s market every Saturday morning in the Place du Mont Blanc square; weekly Ice Hockey matches to get your team spirits kicking in, the Kandahar Alpine World Cup for downhill skiing, and all the fun shenanigans gearing up towards and during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Also, the Chamonix Unlimited Festival celebrates the end of the season (usually held at the end of March, beginning of April), and starts at the top of the ski lifts with live music, DJ’s and parties, and continues down in the valley late into the evenings… Watch this space to see what’s coming!
OAK – The Getoak app is a new platform designed to help you find adventure partners, launched in Chamonix.
It was created to address the challenge of meeting like-minded people for climbing, ski touring, mountaineering, trail running, and other outdoor activities. After setting up your profile, you can explore various community activities available on the platform. If nothing fits your needs, you can easily create your own.
Oak is focused on building a strong community, offering free webinars, social events at Big Mountains Bar, and convenient access to booking local mountain guides. Get online and get involved!
Bucket List
If you’re here for a ski season, you’re probably planning on being here just a short time over the winter, and not a long time. So grab the bull by the horns … these are some unmissable adventures to partake in, ‘cos you only live once:
Image by Fabian Bode
1. Vallée Blanche
One of the most famous off-piste tracks in the valley, and can be done a multitude of different ways through different routes, depending on your level. At 22 km long, the Vallée Blanche offers unrivalled views of the Mont Blanc massif, and the experience includes coming off the top of the Aiguille du Midi and through France’s largest glacier, the Mer de Glace, skiing through ice caves and over crevasses.
It’s recommended that you go with a guide, and to be a confident skier before setting off. Our partners Evolution 2 offer a package which includes the kit you’ll need to stay safe throughout the descent.
2. Parapente
Another extreme sport must-try! On a daily basis the sky between the mountain tops is peppered by the croissant-shaped wings of dare-devil paragliders popping off the edge of the mountain for a jolt of fresh air. Amazing views of the valley, as well as a birds-eye of the slopes you can’t get to on skis accompany a calm, zen-like space that you enter when that high. After lift off, obviously, and before landing (slow and safe) – the tandem instructor takes you on a few upside-down swirls, if you fancy feeling like you’re in a washing machine in the sky. Book through Evolution 2.
3. Raclette
The one and only! Nearly all of our properties have a Raclette machine handy, and if not, they can be rented from Refuge Payout – why? Because after a long hard day of skiing and expending energy, all you need is melted cheese with a baguette in one hand and a spoonful of potatoes in the other. It is sold pre-sliced in the supermarkets and épiceries in town. Careful; highly addictive.
4. Ice Hockey Match
It doesn’t sound so crazy, but it is still a must-do if you’re in Chamonix for winter. Matches are dosed full of team spirit and camaraderie. And, if you have no idea what’s going on, it’s still a fun thing to watch on an evening that you have nothing else to do; get a beer and get cheering! Local team Le Pionniers give a great show – book here.
5. Ice dip in the Lac du Passy
Something for the adrenaline seekers of the season. This is something that can be done toward the end of the winter season – March or April, so at least you have a tiny ray of sun warming the top of your head. People tend to go for a quick dip in the lake to get the blood really pumping (or completely drained depending on your state of shock if you’re unused to a cold splash) – doctors have agreed that a cold dip is excellent for your health and well-being, too! Doesn’t count if you wear a wetsuit.
Image by QC Terme Spa
6. QC Terme Spa
Plan a nice evening or late afternoon trip to the Spa to really make the most of this luxury experience. You get in free if it’s your birthday (as long as you’re bringing another paying friend along), and the best time to go is just before it gets dark, so you can enjoy the mountain scope view, followed by a dramatic sunset behind the white peaks. You’ll want to spend more than a couple of hours here for what you’re paying – but there are enough rooms and experiences to indulge in that will keep you occupied for at least 2.5 if not 3 hours, I promise. If you spring for a little extra, you’ll get a little buffet brunch / aperitif included, too. Swimsuit not included.
7. Aiguille de Midi
If you’re not up for skiing down the Vallée Blanche, you can still sidle up to the needle-named mountain in the gondola. This is included in the ‘Unlimited Pass’, but is extra if you have only ‘Le Pass’. It’s worth every penny on a good clear day; and if there is cloud cover, then you ride above the rain for a cloud-nine experience. The view, if not the altitude, is sure to take your breath away.
8. Mer de Glace
Another beauty of Chamonix, and the second longest glacier in the Alps. The Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), now 7 km long and 200m deep, has lost nearly 2 km of its length in the last 200 years due to global warming. You can take the infamous little red train up the side of the mountain, bask in the ambiance and crispy white panorama, and in 20 minutes you’ll be at the top. The Montenvers train journey is included in your Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass.
Image by Yucca Films, Chamonix Tourist Office
9. Ice climbing
This really is something for the diary. If you really want to experience something unique, then ice climbing is the way to go – and there is no better place to do it than Chamonix, with locations all over the valley, including Switzerland and Italy’s Gran Paradiso National Park less than an hour’s drive away. This can be booked with Evolution 2 also; if you get a group of 4 people together it works out cheaper.
Image by the Chamonix Tourist Office
Lastly… enjoy!
Hopefully these tips will make your trip to Chamonix a safe and unforgettable one – watch out though, as most of the team at Chamonix All Year can attest, most people come for ‘one season’ and end up staying forever!
Keep an eye on our blogs and social media for useful tips, things to do and best places to stay, eat, and sleep, too.
