Other Winter Activities

An independent review from Marie d'Oysonville

Other Winter Activities > Overview

The great thing about Chamonix is that you don’t have to be a big downhill skiing fan to enjoy yourself. The range of activities offered is huge during both the winter and the summer seasons. Basically, you can do nearly everything you like. Tennis, squash, mountain treks, helicopter flights, paragliding, and horse riding are all viable options.

Your children will be most happy to relax at the swimming pool and will also be able to go cycling with friends. There is something new almost every year in the resorts, so go to the Tourist Office to get a list of the different activities that meet your requirements.

Other Winter Activities > Snowmobiling

Snowmobile rental is available from the store Snow Bird in Les Contamines, but if you are not familiar with the area, it is better to take a guide or sign up for an hour trip. It is quite expensive, but you will remember all your life the thrill you had while descending back to the village in the middle of the night.

Other Winter Activities > Ice Climbing

It is absolutely necessary in Chamonix to go ice climbing with a guide to ensure your safety, and you also have to be in good physical condition, as it an intense and dangerous activity. The Compagnie des Guides runs an ice climbing school and provides ice climbing courses. You will improve your rock climbing skills by enjoying a three-hour walk on the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice). Spanning seven kilometers/four miles and running 200 meters/658 feet deep, the Mer de Glace is a fantastic and thrilling glacier.

If you already have good climbing skills, the Compagnie des Guides will organize a climb adapted to your abilities. Three- or five-day trips to other glaciers are also available. All these courses usually take place during the summer (from June to September).

Of course, it’s also possible to go ice climbing during the winter when the waterfalls are deeply frozen. Along with the Compagnie des Guides, there are also freelance guides, though they’re usually a bit more expensive. It all depends on what exactly you want to do. Since the Compagnie des Guides offer both group and individual climbs, they are probably the best option. The group lessons are aimed at beginners who just want to give it a try. The advanced climber should go for the one-on-one outings for the possibility to combine ice climbing and skiing. Climbing equipment will be lent to you if you need it, but the price doesn’t include lift tickets.

Other Winter Activities > Tubing / Tobogganing

Chamonix is not the best place for tobogganing. There are two pistes of almost a kilometer in length, but you can only endeavor this during the summer. During the winter, you have no other choice than to rent a slide and try to find a nice slope.

Other Winter Activities > Ice Skating / Hockey

If your legs aren’t giving way under you after a full day of skiing, you can go skating on the ice rink in Chamonix, which is open all year round. It’s nearly a century old but don’t worry; it’s been well taken care of since then.

From the beginning of December until the beginning of March, there are two natural rinks available. One is in Les Contamines, and the second one is right in the middle of the village Les Houches.

There’s also a hockey club in Les Houches; however, if you want to enjoy a good game of ice hockey, go to Megève, which hosts an excellent team. Ask the Tourist Office for the dates of the games and their location.

Other Winter Activities > Sleigh Riding

Horse drawn sledding is available in Chamonix, and it’s best to ask the Tourist Office for the details. Regarding dog sledding, you’ll have to choose between five companies—the prices are more or less the same, as they all seem to operate together. It’s a great experience to be pulled by huskies sitting in a sled, but in the Mont Blanc valley you’ll also have the opportunity to learn to mush a team, perhaps even more interesting.

Other Winter Activities > Snow Hiking

Chamonix is probably the best place in Europe to go snow hiking—of course, this should come as no surprise when you see the village located at the foot of the Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is indeed one of the most famous itineraries, but there are many other challenging walks. Both daily and hut-to-hut hikes are available. This is a great way to escape from the crowds and to test your limits. Unless you know the valley by heart, do not go hiking alone. Hiring a guide is the best way to explore the region safely. It’s also important to be in good physical condition.

If you’re a beginner in mountaineering, it’s better that you take a training course before attempting the ascension of the Mont Blanc. Usually, guides refuse to take people under the age of 18 to the Mont Blanc, because their lack of experience in mountain climbing constitutes an additional danger to the many others already going. Practicing hikes in the neighboring mountains of the Mont Blanc is the best way to get prepared to reach its summit.

Summer is the ideal time of year to attempt hiking in Chamonix.

Other Winter Activities > Snowshoeing

If you want to go snowshoeing in the Mont Blanc valley, the best thing to do is to take a guide. Lots of outings are organized by the Compagnie des Guides; you can choose to go just for a day or embark upon a five-day trek. They also organize a nighttime “walk” going through the forest and ending with a nice dinner. The prices of the excursions are very reasonable, given the fact that they include everything from the snowshoes rental to the nights spent at the hotel if you pick up the five-day trek. Avoid traveling alone, as there’s always the slight risk of an avalanche.

Snowshoeing is a great way to discover the mountains and it is an activity than even children and seniors can enjoy. In Les Contamines, a special snowshoeing tour called Mini Aventure Igloo is organized for children aged seven to 12. The little ones will learn about the animals of the Haute Savoie region, participate in an orienting run, and learn how to build an igloo.

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