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Chamonix Activities - Summer
| Summer Activities in Chamonix |
The majority of things to do in Chamonix relate to being outdoors, and whilst there are many organised activities, getting out there is mainly what it is about - at a leisurely pace or at warp speed, it's up to you.
Some of the main activities we could think of are: golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, walking, nature parks, themed trails, animal farms, fishing, canyoning, mountain-hiking, children’s clubs, several adventure parks, paint-balling, horse-riding, paragliding, mountain-biking, rafting and hydro-glisse, paragliding lessons, bowling, climbing, mountain and ice-climbing with a guide, taking the lifts to the summits... |
| Arbre Aventure |
Swing through the trees high above the mountains on a circuit of zip lines, monkey bridges , ladders and ropes. You can travel through the forest without touching the floor, safely strapped into a harness and attached to a secure safety line. These eco-friendly adventure parks are created around the trees without damaging them in any way and can be dismantled if necessary, leaving the forest as though untouched.
The park can be found at Les Houches and is open throughout the summer. Both adults and children can enjoy this activity with different circuits for different ages and abilities. See here for details. |
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last updated 24-Jun-2008 |
| Archery |
Practice your Robin of Sherwood skills in a tranquil alpine setting. Beginners can learn from scratch and those with more experience can put their skills to the test with a variety of courses.
The Coupeau area of Les Houches has a trail running through it equipped with archery courses of varying difficulty. Access is free to anyone registered with the FFTA. |
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last updated 8-Apr-2008 |
| Canyoning |
A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning! Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day! You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course.
Not suitable for very young children, but anyone over the age of about 8 can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the river rapids. You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous.
Hydrospeed is an alternative to rafting where you shoot down the river on a kind of inflatable body-board. Half-in half-out of the water you are closer to the action and guaranteed a soaking!
Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually, unless they are booked onto a children's activity course, anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons.
There are a number of local companies that offer guided descents down the many nearby canyons.
Chamonix Watersports Video
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last updated 28-Apr-2008 |
| Children's Entertainments |
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Chamonix offers a number of organised entertainments for children throughout the summer. Highlights include a changing programme of activities, events and festivals. Regular nature walks, craft classes and sports competitions take place throughout the summer for children of all ages. There is also a playground near to the sport centre and an outdoor play area with safe swimming lake and pony rides called 'Paradis des Praz' behind the golf course. The Les Planards ski area becomes a children's play park in the summer with numerous rides, trampolines and a summer toboggan run. Enquire at the Tourist Office for details or check our What’s On Calendar to see what is happening when. |
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last updated 26-Jun-2008 |
| Fishing |
Within a 20 minute drive from Chamonix you can reach 2 groups of lakes, both of which you can fish in certain areas.
Lac Passy is a popular picnic and sunbathing spot with a children’s play area, so you may not find the tranquillity you are looking for by the main lake. If you carry on though there are smaller, less frequented lakes where fishing is permitted. Enquire at the main lake for details. To reach Lac Passy you drive towards Geneva, turning off at Le Fayet. Turn left at the traffic lights towards Sallanches. Look out for the Intermarche, 2km later there is a signposted right hand turn for Lac Passy.
Lac des Ilettes is a quieter group of 3 lakes, where fishing is permitted. You can find it by beginning the same journey as above, but continuing on to Sallanches. Once you reach the traffic lights in the town centre, turn right and continiue until you cross the River Arve. You then turn left and follow signs for ‘St Martin’ and ‘Lacs des Ilettes’.
Remember that before fishing any area you must ensure that you have the correct permits and are aware of the local regulations. |
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last updated 10-Apr-2008 |
| Glacier Walking |
Glacier walking in Chamonix
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For a truly unique experience, clamp on your crampons and go hiking up the stunning Mer de Glace, Argentiere or Le Tour glaciers. The Mer de Glace is one of the longest and deepest glaciers in the Alps, moving at a comparatively rapid 120 metres a year. To get onto the glacier you'll have to clamber down long steel ladders which are scary enough in themselves but you'll quickly forget about that once you start admiring the breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses below. (If you're quiet you can even hear the ice shifting.) To read more about glaciers and the environment please go to our Glacier Meltdown article.
We strongly advise booking a mountain guide for this activity.
Mountain/Ski Guides Listings
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last updated 11-Apr-2008 |
| Golf |
Chamonix Golf Course 7th Hole
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Chamonix has one of the most beautiful 18 hole golf courses in the Alps. Situated in Les Praz, less than five minutes drive away from Chamonix town centre, the par 72 course is overlooked by some of the biggest peaks in the Alps - the Aiguille du Midi, Les Drus, La Verte and of course the biggest of them all, the Mont Blanc. Private lessons and week long courses in English are available for all levels of player. See here for contact details.
To see our video report of Chamonix Golf Club please click here
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last updated 27-Jun-2008 |
| Hiking & Walking Trails ('Itineraires Pietons') |
As the snow disappears after winter, the valley gradually reveals its 600kms (400 miles) of well-maintained, well-sign-posted hiking trails. Whether you prefer gentle walking along the valley floor or making a day of it, scaling some of the high altitude routes; Chamonix has something for you to enjoy. You can pick up a free map of local walks from the Tourist Office, or more detailed walking guides and maps are available from bookshops and newsagents in town. The valley also has an excellent transport and lift network to help you make the most of the stunning surroundings, and pedestrian passes are available summer and winter.
Adrenalin factor: 4/10
Read about Hiking Routes in Chamonix
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last updated 7-Feb-2008 |
| Horse Riding |
The Chamonix Valley has a multitude of trails that can be explored on horseback; you can cover more ground than on foot, get an elevated view of the scenery and hopefully get a closer peek at the wildlife! Evolution 2 organise a variety of treks for all ages and abilities.
The Paradis des Praz play area has a 'mini-ranch' where children can go on short accompanied treks through the woods on small ponies. |
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last updated 21-Apr-2008 |
| Hot Air Ballooning (Vol en Montgolfiere) |
Hot air ballooning looks serene, but there are moments of excitement; once the creaking wicker basket rises off the ground you are uncomfortably reminded that you are suspended hundreds of metres above the ground in a small twig structure! The views are stunning, and as you glide over the forests you may see deer and other animals normally hidden from view. The pilot controls the height but the wind determines which direction you take, so the flight can take anything from one to two hours, depending on when a suitable landing site comes into view.
The take-off point is in nearby Praz-sur-Arly, less than an hour's drive from Chamonix. There are a number of local companies that can arrange your ballooning trip. |
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last updated 21-Apr-2008 |
| Hydrospeeding |
Hydrospeeding is one of the newer 'extreme' water sports to hit the market. Using a large float, which bares resemblance to a bodyboard, be ready to cling on for dear life as you send yourself hurtling down the rapids! There's plenty of protection from the icy water elements as you'll be given a wetsuit, safety helmet and flippers. Guides will brief you with a safety demonstration at the beginning and there’s a vehicle to meet you at the end of the rapids that will shuttle you back to your starting destination.
Adrenaline rating: 9/10 - hold on for dear life!
Action, Fun & Sports Listings
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last updated 5-Oct-2007 |
| Indoor Climbing Walls |
Indoor Climbing, Chamonix ¦ Photo Credit - Mark Vader
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The Chamonix valley is home to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. The Mont Blanc Escalade is located in Les Houches and is open all year, with 1250m sq. of climbing surfaces, and more than 100 routes to the roof, ranging from 16 to 21 metres in height. There is a beginners wall, a kid's wall, and even a cafeteria. All necessary equipment is available for hire. Complete beginners can make a first ascent of the indoor climbing wall with instruction from local guides from 35€ - book in advance. Open to adults and children 5 or over.
In Chamonix town, there is a good sized bouldering wall in the Sports Centre (Centre Sportif Richard Bozon). There is another climbing wall at the ENSA - you need to be a member of the local Club des Sports to gain access. |
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last updated 28-May-2008 |
| Language Courses in Chamonix |
Chamonix Insted Language School
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The INSTED school in Chamonix is an alpine branch of the Université Stendhal in Grenoble and offers high quality french language courses for all abilities. The school was established in the winter of 1999 with the aim of encouraging students to combine their academic studies with their passion for the mountains. This concept has proven to be a big success with the school now not only providing 2-15 week courses during the winter months; they have also launched a 2-6 week summer programme enabling students to improve their french skills whilst making the most of the plentiful hiking, mountain biking and more hardcore mountaineering opportunities that a summer in Chamonix offers.
I enrolled on a 3 week course in July having spent the last 3 years living and working in Chamonix for a UK based company. Although my level of french was not too shabby (having done GCSE many moons ago and subsequent dabblings at university and during seasons) I knew that grammatically I had a lot to re-learn and I was also guilty of making up words quite a lot of the time! This may seem fairly poor after such a time spent in France but with its enormous tourist influx and a large english speaking ex-pat community, Chamonix is not always the easiest place to learn french under your own steam. That’s why for me, undertaking a structured language course was the only way that I was ever going to blow the dust off my french books!
... see "Learning French In Chamonix" for more
Language Services Listings
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last updated 28-May-2008 |
| Les Planards |
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Right opposite the Montenvers train station you will find Les Planards – an action packed fun area that is a magnet for children and families in the summer months. During the winter Les Planards is better known as being one of the smaller pistes in the Chamonix Valley with easy green, blue and red runs for learner skiers. In summer the gentle slopes of the winter are transformed into pretty green meadows perfect for picnicking and sunbathing. ... see "Les Planards Leisure Park" for more |
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last updated 26-Jun-2008 |
| Mer de Glace & Montenvers Train |
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Ever since two English explorers, William Windham and Richard Pocock, first discovered the Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”) in 1741, it has become one of the world’s most visited natural sites and is a huge draw of visitors to the Chamonix Valley. The area became accessible by mule from 1802, but it was the opening of the Montenvers Train in 1908 that really opened the site up to the masses. ... see "Montenvers & the Mer de Glace" for more |
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last updated 29-May-2008 |
| Mountain Biking |
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Chamonix offers some of the best terrain for mountain biking in Europe. There are hundreds of kilometres of fast, smooth and rocky trails available all under the backdrop of Mont Blanc. If you’re not a fan of the uphill, then you can always take the stress out of it all by taking any of the main lifts up and enjoying the descent. Mountain biking in Chamonix has something to all riders, from beginners right up to the more technically advanced.
Adrenaline factor: 9/10 ... see "Mountain Biking in Chamonix" for more |
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last updated 12-May-2008 |
| Paintball |
This exciting activity offers fun for groups of all ages. A variety of scenarios are offered at the beginning of all games, with each game lasting approximately 2 hours; the ultimate aim is to shoot your oppenents with paint pellets and capture their flag before they get hold of yours. The site is spread over a hectare of woodland with lots of natural obstacles to dive behind, jump over and fire from!
All equipment is supplied by Paint Ball Cham, and a referee is constantly on site. The activity takes place in the Bois du Bouchet, near the main parapente landing area on the road to Le Praz. It is necessary to make reservations. Players must be 12 years and over. |
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last updated 22-Apr-2008 |
| Paragliding ('Parapente') |
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From near the top of Le Brevent you can fly above the pistes for an alternative view of the valley. Glide back to the bottom on a tandem paraglider controlled by the instructor (a vertical distance of approximately 1000m). They manoeuvre the parachute while you, the passenger, enjoy the ride and fantastic views. Taking off is the only scary moment: once equipped with a helmet and an instructor strapped behind you, in a rather intimate way, both of you simply point your skis (or board, or run on foot) downhill, and carry on getting faster and faster until the wing lifts you into the air. Peacefully ride above the pistes for ten to twenty minutes, aiming to catch thermals to keep you up for longer. Landing is very gentle and no more of an impact than jumping off a step. ... see "Paragliding in the Chamonix Valley" for more
Flying/Parapenting Listings
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last updated 3-Jul-2008 |
| Rock Climbing |
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Chamonix is quite simply the Mecca of Alpine Climbing. Whether you are a rock climber, ice climber, ski tourer, or just enjoy being in the mountains, Chamonix really is the place to be. The glaciers and icy slopes of the Mont Blanc Massif offer a massive number of climbing routes for alpinists, while the world famous Chamonix Granite is extremely popular with rock climbers.
For beginners, or those in need of a practise, there are the indoor climbing walls in Les Houches or the sunny rock face of the Les Gaillands outdoor wall. Argentiere is the place to head for a spot of bouldering. ... see "Mountaineering in Chamonix & the Mont Blanc Massif" for more |
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last updated 22-Apr-2008 |
| Shopping in Chamonix...an undiscovered shopping mecca? |
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Many people would not automatically think of Chamonix as a place to come shopping, however the town boasts a diverse range of stores that are guaranteed to suit all lifestyles. As you would expect from an outdoor sports Mecca, there's a plethora of sports stores and high fashion labels that offer a good range of clothing in all shapes and sizes for all tastes. ... see "Chamonix Shopping" for more
Shopping Listings
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last updated 5-Oct-2007 |
| Summer Activities in Chamonix |
The majority of things to do in Chamonix relate to being outdoors, and whilst there are many organised activities, getting out there is mainly what it is about - at a leisurely pace or at warp speed, it's up to you.
Some of the main activities we could think of are: golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, walking, nature parks, themed trails, animal farms, fishing, canyoning, mountain-hiking, children’s clubs, several adventure parks, paint-balling, horse-riding, paragliding, mountain-biking, rafting and hydro-glisse, paragliding lessons, bowling, climbing, mountain and ice-climbing with a guide, taking the lifts to the summits... |
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last updated 23-Nov-2007 |
| Tourist Train |
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One way to find your way around town in the summer is to hop aboard the miniature tourist train that trundles daily through Chamonix. From 10am to 7pm it makes its way past the sights of Chamonix with a multi-lingual commentary telling you about the history and culture of the area. It leaves every 30 minutes from outside the Post Office, the Montenvers Train Station and the Aiguille du Midi lift station. It costs 5€ for adults and 3€ for children and operates throughout the summer months from 1st May to 12th October. |
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last updated 30-Apr-2008 |
| Via Ferrata |
If climbing up sheer rock on the end of a piece of rope sounds a bit scary then Via Ferrata climbing offers an element of security that still allows beginners to enjoy the achievement of having scaled a mountain! This form of climbing was invented by Italian soldiers in the Dolomites who used it to enable them to scale vertiginous faces easily and quickly. These days it is a popular sport that makes the thrill of mountain climbing more accessible to children, beginners and those who want a bit more security when they climb.
Following marked routes through the mountains you are helped along by steps, bridges and ladders whilst being roped up for extra safety. Suitable for adults and children over the age of 8; guides
can be arranged on request.
The Mer de Glace is easily accessible from Chamonix town centre. Take the Montenvers train and, from the station, descend the ladders down on to the Mer de Glace, following the signs marked ‘Le Refuge’. Cross the glacier heading for the white square painted on the opposite rock face, from here you will find a well-marked route that consists of around 30 ladders and, if climbed to the end, finishes at the Refuge de Couvercle. One way should take around 4-5 hours, there is a shorter return route through les Egralets that takes a further 3 hours.
Further afield, there are also Via Ferrata routes on the Borderan cliffs above La Clusaz. |
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last updated 23-Apr-2008 |
| White Water Rafting |
White water rafting in Chamonix
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If you haven't experienced this before then this is a definite 'must try' on your list of activities to do! Chamonix has a number of trained guides who will let you experience some of the best white water rafting available in the Alps. From the middle of May until September, the river L'Arve flows furiously as it is fed from the melt waters running off the glaciers high above the town. There are various options available from a 3 hour adrenaline rush to a full days excursion - this activity is guaranteed not to disappoint.
Chamonix Watersports Video
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last updated 25-Apr-2008 |
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