Look no further for your Christmas Chamonix holiday to remember! Chamonix is the perfect destination for the whole family, with a whole programme of festive events and a Christmas market to enjoy, and at Chamonix All Year we can even organise some Christmassy finishing touches for your accommodation to enchant everyone in your group.
Christmas Chamonix market
The little wooden chalets popped up for the first time as a Christmas market in 2015 and were such a success that they will be back this year for two weeks from 16th to 30th December. Stretching from the central Place Balmat (outside the Post Office) along the riverside (Quai de l’Arve) in the pedestrian high street, you will love exploring this little Christmas village.
Your eyes will dart from stall to stall, taking in the hand-crafted treasures for your last-minute Christmas shopping, and your mouth will start watering at the sight of all the delicious local produce and sweet treats on offer too. There’s a whole range of treats for the taste buds: from the oysters, foie gras and salmon that are staples of French Christmas dinners; to pannetone, honey, local chocolates, Mont Blanc saffron; and not forgetting the Alsacien staples of pretzels that are traditional on every Christmas market!
If you’ve forgotten to buy a present for one of your friends, then you’re sure to find something among the many artistinal stalls, from authentic local knives, to handmade jewellery, and photographs or paintings of the mountains which they can take away as a souvenir of your Christmas Chamonix holiday together.
And when you’ve shopped till you drop, you can take refuge in one of the bars and cafés along the Quai de l’Arve to enjoy a vin chaud or chocolat chaud!
The market is open 4pm-7pm for 16th-18th December, and then 10am-8pm for 19th-30th December.
Christmas Chamonix events
The Christmas Chamonix village and town centre are also brought to life by a programme of events across the festive fortnight, perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Most of the activities are free of charge, and previous highlights have included:
- Promenade theatrical performances
- Father Christmas & the Christmas train: take the Montenvers train to a specially decorated winter wonderland in the mountains where you can write letters to Father Christmas before meeting him in the flesh. If you’ve been good this year, he might even give you a present and let you have your photo taken with him! Included in your Mont Blanc Unlimited pass or with a Montenvers train ticket.
- Charity carol concert & outdoor carolling event
- Mam’zelle Pastel’s face painting: visit Mam’zelle Pastel in the heart of the Christmas village to be transformed by her face painting
- Christmas parade
- Torchlit descent: head to the ski slopes in the town centre as night falls and enjoy the spectacle of the ESF instructors snaking downhill on their skis as they carry flaming torches to light the way
Find the updated programme of events and the list of exhibitors in the Christmas Chamonix village online soon: http://www.marche-noel-chamonix.com/.
Activities for memorable Christmas Chamonix visit
Chamonix offers a wealth of activities to choose from throughout the year, and the winter is no exception – there are many winter activities to enjoy as well as skiing. Let our Resort Team suggest the best for a truly magical Christmas Chamonix trip below. (Note that some of these activities are dependent on snow conditions, so start doing your *snow dances* now!)
Husky rides are popular in the winter, but there’s nothing more special than enjoying this traditional activity at Christmas. Make sure you also book early to avoid disappointment, as this is always one of the busiest weeks for husky rides. Available on Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd, Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th December 2016. Book husky rides »
Skiing on Christmas Day feels like an extra treat, and the lifts do stay open on 25th December! Look out for the many Santa hats which you’re sure to see on the slopes.
Try something new: we are proud to have two new activities for our guests in Winter 2017, exclusive to Chamonix All Year. Choose from an igloo adventure in the forest where you’ll enjoy a fondue in the depths of the forest, or pop across the Swiss border for some sledging fun for all the family. More info coming soon to our website.
Enjoy some sight-seeing thanks to your Mont Blanc Unlimited lift pass. Make Christmas Day extraordinary by visiting one of the unmissable attractions which are included in your ski pass, choosing from the Aiguille du Midi (highest cable car in Europe for views of Mont Blanc), historic Montenvers train and the recently opened Italian 360° rotating cable car in Courmayeur.
Christmas Chamonix accommodation
We are pleased to be offering flexible dates to our guests for Christmas and New Year 2016-7. Book any 7 nights between 21st and 31st December and spend Christmas in a true winter wonderland. Find more Christmas Cracker offers.
Once you’ve booked your perfect apartment or chalet, you might want to spread some more Christmas magic for your family or friends. We exclusively offer Christmas tree packages to our guests, to add that festive touch and help your accommodation feel like a true home from home for the holidays.
Choose from real or artificial trees of various sizes to suit the property you’ve booked, and you decide if you’d like to decorate it when you arrive. If you prefer, our team of Christmas Chamonix elves can get the tree ready for your arrival so you can watch your kids’ eyes light up when they walk in the room! Book Christmas trees »
Restaurants for your Christmas Chamonix meal
If you’d like to leave the roasting and washing up to someone else, then why not book a meal out in one of Chamonix’s many restaurants? Don’t forget that the French generally celebrate Christmas with their big meal on 24th December, so if you’re planning to get in the French festive swing then make sure you book a table early. 25th December is still likely to be busy though. Many restaurants will offer a special Christmas menu, or really treat your taste buds with a trip to one of our recommended fine dining restaurants.
Whatever you choose to do, you’re sure to enjoy the atmosphere and buzz of a Christmas Chamonix break. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or special requests to make this Noël one to remember.
