Main Events in Chamonix: Races, Competitions & Festivals in Chamonix
also see Events Calendar for Chamonix: Event Dates
Events in Chamonix
There are loads of events in Chamonix organised year-round. From quirky local events to large scale sporting spectacles there is always something worth a gander. In this section we bring you information about the major annual Chamonix events in resort and don't forget to check out our calender for the latest updates.
Christmas & New Year in ChamonixDecember
Wondering what to do this Christmas and New Year? The festive season in the snowy Alps is always magical and every year there is some sort of celebration in resort to mark the occasion. Christmas is a far less commercial event in France than in the UK and so you won’t find things publicised for months in advance - but you can always be sure of a glass of vin chaud (mulled wine), a few carols and perhaps the odd firework or two! Many of the restaurants will put on a special festive menu with champagne and traditional French dishes, so book in advance if you want to treat yourself to a meal out. ...more
Freeride World TourSki & snowboard freeride competition, mid January
"The Best Rider on the Best Mountains in the Ultimate Freeride Competition"
The Freeride World Tour brings male and female skiers and snowboarders from all over the globe together to allow them to crown a world champion. The competition travels to France, Russia, Switzerland, America and Austria and the stop in France takes place in Chamonix. The riders have just one run down the Hotel Face in Brevent to prove their worth. ...more
Le Kandahar - World Cup Downhill SkiingMen's Alpine Skiing World Cup, biannually in February
Les Houches in the Chamonix valley is home to the Kandahar World Downhill Ski Championships. This race has become one of the main sporting events in the Chamonix valley and showcases Chamonix's excellent skiing reputation. ...more
Winter Sessions, ChamonixWeekender snowsports party held end of March
Winter Sessions is a unique collection of events throughout the French Alps, where music, art and snow sports collide. Celebrating the spirit of the mountains and spreading the good times vibes. Towards the end of the season Winter Sessions takes over Chamonix with a festival that includes everything from snowboard comps and rail jams, to legendary DJ’s and open-air stages. Spring sunshine and good times in the most spectacular location Europe has to offer. Miss it at your peril! ...more
Piolets d'Or, ChamonixFestival of Alpinism, end of March
The Piolets d'Or is the Oscars of the Alpine world. This yearly event celebrates the greatest ascents, awarding those with Piolets d'Or (golden ice axes). Each year the event celebrates the triumphs of the toughest and most imaginative men and women mountaineers. More than just the recognition of a performance, the Piolets d'Or celebrates passion, spirit and values. ...more
Freeride Days, Les Grands MontetsEnd of the ski season party - early May
The Chamonix Freeride Days signals the end of the Chamonix ski season. The Grand Montets skiing area plays host to the event providing entertainment in the form of music, swimming pool, a waterslide, BBQ and lots of beer. The event is essentially a last gasp effort by the locals and seasonaires to really hurt themselves on the rails or the big wall that are set up at Lognon ski area. If that fails to entertain, there is still drowning by waterslide, or attempting the slide topless as has been done by brave kids in previous years! It’s not a huge problem if you do not make it across the slide as there is a hot tub waiting for you to dip into! ...more
Chamonix Fête de la MusiqueNational celebration of music, 21st June
Fête de la Musique is the celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21st June in cities, towns and villages across France – Chamonix being no exception! More than a music festival, the Fête de la Musique is a free event that spills out from the bars and restaurants onto the streets and encompasses every type of music imaginable, from local amateur teen bands to professional classical musicians, from club DJ’s to traditional folk bands. ...more
Chamonix Marathon du Mont-BlancFor hard core marathon runners, end June
If you’re a fan of distance running then the Marathon du Mont Blanc is the ultimate challenge. Covering 42kms and climbing over 1000 metres, this high-altitude race is only for the super-fit! An annual event, the Chamonix marathon takes place every June and attracts thousands of competitors and spectators. There are a number of extra events held throughout the weekend, enabling everyone to get involved in the Marathon du Mont Blanc. ...more
World Climbing ChampionshipsSpeed & technical climbing competition, mid July
Every year, Chamonix hosts the World Climbing Championships (Coupe du Monde d’Escalade) during which the world’s finest speed and technical climbers descend on the resort for three days of astonishing articial climbing wall action. ...more
Cosmo Jazz FestivalFree Chamonix jazz music festival, end July
The Cosmo Jazz Festival is the latest of festival to arrive in Chamonix. This entirely free festival is the fruit of the imagination of André Manoukian. With concerts set in some of Chamonix's most amazing locations; the top of the Aiguille du Midi, Lac Blanc and Grans Montets. Back in town it’s time for the Apérojazz, where the streets will resonate to the jazzy sound of brass bands that are let loose on the town. In the evening, the musicians gather together at the Cham jam sessions until the end of the night.
Fete de Guides de ChamonixCelebration of Mountain Guides, mid August
Each year during the middle of August the Chamonix valley celebrates the history of its mountain guides and their courageous achievements. Over a 4 day period the Guide Company (La compagnie des Guides) and the event sponsors put on a variety of attractions to raise money and awareness for the guides and to award those with outstanding achievements, as well as remembering those who lost their life on the mountain. ...more
The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont BlancUTMB Endurance race around Mont Blanc, end August
Over the course of three days, participants of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc cover a total of 166kms, 3 countries, 7 valleys, 71 glaciers and 400 summits, experiencing a difference in altitude of 9400 metres. This race is a true test of endurance, a combination of pleasure/pain, highs and lows. The trail begins and ends at Chamonix but you can catch sight of the runners as they pass through Les Houches, Les Contamines, Les Chapieux, Courmayeur, La Fouly, Champex, Trient, Vallorcine, and Flegere. Each of these areas celebrates the achievement of the runners by holding a fete with concerts, barbeques and general encouragement, clapping and cheering as the runners pass by. ...more
Chamonix Hockey ClubUsually weekly matches in Winter
Get yourself down to the ice-rink and support the local team, usually on a weekly basis there is a match. The Chamonix Hockey Team actually do quite well and the matches can get quite riotous... As an alternative evening out maybe have dinner in the nearby Micro Brewery de Chamonix (aka 'The MBC') and then head over to the rink with a group of friends. There is a bar so you can get a few beers in whilst you watch the game. Remember to take some warm clothes and shoes, hats and gloves - you are going to be sitting in a large freezer in a ski resort, believe us - it's doubly cold!
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