Whatever you choose to do on your family holiday you are sure to find a huge range of activities across the Chamonix area. From relaxing to full on adrenaline there is something for everyone, every ability and every age in Chamonix. Check out the selection of things to do below for some holiday inspiration!
Tandem Paragliding
Instructors will take you on a leisurely flight! Amazing scenery and a different perspective from anything else when flying out from the Brevent or Aiguille du midi take off areas – Unforgettable! As of 4 years old.
Helicopter Flights
Short on time? A helicopter tour of the Mont Blanc Massif is the quickest way into some of the most breath-taking mountain landscapes on the planet. In the Chamonix Valley, there are several panoramic routes with flight times ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. The flights can be booked in advance but please be aware that they are weather dependant.
Climbing
The solid granite rock makes Chamonix the centre of climbing from all over the world. From big boulders sitting at the bottom of the valley and hidden in forests, to accessible and picturesque learning walls and ultimately on to sheer and very technical faces. There is something for everyone here with kids’ classes starting at the age of 5 and plenty of easy routes to learn on this is a sport for all ages and levels.
Accro Park Gaillands
The best Accro branching park in the Valley with three levels beginner for the young ones, intermediate for everyone and expert for the really brave – finishing with a great zipwire across the lake!
Horse riding
Discover the valley in a completely unique way to discover the valley. The Centre Equestre du Mont Blanc offers different rides for all levels and timescales from 1 hour up to a several days. Lessons in an excellent location with stunning views also available.
Hiking
There are over 350 km of maintained walking paths with over 170 different routes of varying difficulties. In the base of the valley, at altitude, following rivers and round lakes the Panorama is dramatic and unforgettable.
White water sports
If you love fresh water and excitement, then this must be tried.
Varied ways of going downstream from laughter and fun in eight-man rafts (great for kids) to the adrenalin fuelled excitement of hydro speed sledges The L’arve river is not the hardest or the fastest in the world but snaking all the way down the valley from Chamonix it is a great river to be enjoyed by all.
Mountain Biking
Chamonix is a paradise for bike riding from leisurely rides along the river to psycho downhill tracks. The principal areas are Le Balme with rolling hills and varied difficulty levels at the very end of the valley. And the Les Houches Prarion lift with runs across open fields, through dense forests and prepared routes… this area is great fun!
The Adventure Park of Contamines Montjoie
30 minutes from Chamonix, in the neighbouring valley this is the largest activity park in the Pays du Mont-Blanc.
Scattered all around the lake are numerous adventure activities: tennis, driving range, mini-golf, archery, biathlon, adventure parks, trampolines, stables and donkey trails, climbing and boats on the lake as well as great restaurants – A day here is never long enough and the kids will come home happy and exhausted.
Parc de Merlet
Merlet hosts all the mountain species in a natural setting with exceptional views. You will meet the locals in their natural habitat from upclose. We are naturally talking about the animals like Chamois, bouquetins, marmottes and more
The Gorges de la Diosaz
A stunning walk and adventure on a sweltering day with beautiful waterfalls carved out of the mountain.
The téléphérique de l’Aiguille du Midi
Accessible from the centre of town, the Aiguille du Midi téléphérique whisks you at speed to the very top of the Alpes.
The viewing platform offers you an uninterrupted 360° view over the full range of the Alpes. The views are stretching through France, Switzerland and Italy. There is a further lift to take you to the very top at 3842m. The highest point in Europe you can reach without a serious amount of walking!
Step into the void – Not for the faint hearted!!! This is a five sided glass cube stuck onto the mount with 1000m of nothing below!!! Very cool to walk (or crawl) on to and get the heart racing!
Montenvers cog train
This traditional cog train is in itself a wonderful experience taking you all the way up to 1913 Montenvers station. An amazing Panorama awaits you there. Overlooking the Mer de Glace, and dominated by Le Drus and les Grandes Jorasses.
The Tramway du Mont-Blanc
This is the second cog train in the valley (and separate) with spectacular views and an utterly charming ride running from the very bottom of the mountain. The train will take you from St Gervais, all the way to the Nid d’Aigle where the view dominates the whole valley, les Dômes de Miage and the Aiguilles de Chamonix. The added bonus is a high probability of seeing mountain goats, Bouqetin and Chamois deer along the way…
Chamonix adventure park
Bringing together a number of very different rides and activities including the mountain Luge roller coaster and lots more for the kids
Le plan d’eau Biotope de Combloux
Only 25 minutes from Chamonix, ‘le lac Biotope de Combloux’ is one of the wonderful places to go on a hot day. Basically, bit of genius bio engineering has created the perfect lake with a swimmable area that has a sand floor and a separate are where the plants continuously filter and clean the water – it is pure, natural and lovely with a large grass bank and a great restaurant showing off the amazing views it is a perfect spot for a day off.