Chamonix is a real town at 1,035 metres, not a purpose-built resort, and it takes its mountains seriously. It hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924, its guides' company dates from 1821, and the Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs to 3,842 metres. Après-ski here is loud and cheerful and mostly happens in town, at the end of a day spent somewhere much steeper.
The ski areas
The valley's main areas are Brévent-Flégère above town, Grands Montets above Argentière, Balme at the top of the valley and Les Houches at the bottom. For 2026/27, Grands Montets and Flégère are due to open on 28 November and Brévent on 12 December, with Grands Montets running until 2 May 2027.
Where to go
Chambre Neuf
On the ground floor of the Hotel Gustavia, opposite the train station. A live cover band plays from about five, Monday to Saturday, and dancing in ski boots is expected. It fills by four.
La Folie Douce Hotel Chamonix
Unlike its siblings in other resorts, Chamonix's Folie Douce is in town, in the former Savoy hotel next to the Savoy nursery slope. Après starts at four with DJs, singers and dancers, and there is a club downstairs for later.
MBC
The Micro Brasserie de Chamonix was founded in 2002 by French Canadians, which explains the poutine and the ice hockey on the screens. Its own beer, ribs, live bands and DJs.
Elevation 1904
Near the station, a café by day that turns into an après pub, with a sunny terrace and sport on the screens.
Something quieter
La Terrasse has a happy hour by the river from four to six. For a piano bar and a proper cocktail, the Quartz Bar is the smart option.
Getting home
Chamonix is spread out, so plan the evening around transport. The guest card, the carte d'hôte from your accommodation, gives you the Mont-Blanc Express train free between Servoz and Vallorcine and discounts on valley buses. Taxis are scarce and often stop early, so book one before you need it.
What to wear
The Chamonix look is technical gear worn as everyday clothing. The town's own magazine sums up the local attitude to clothes as "consuming less, choosing better, keeping longer", which is how we think about it too. Midwinter temperatures in town run from below minus seven at night to a few degrees above freezing in the day, so layer: a midweight tee, a heavyweight hoodie or crewneck over it, and a shell for the walk. Leave anything precious at home. Chambre Neuf is not that kind of bar.
Chamonix, worn
Our Chamonix Tee puts a skier and a climber under the same peak, summer and winter together, the way the valley lives. It is cut from 230gsm midweight cotton in a boxy fit.
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