Summer activities in the Chamonix Valley
When the snow has melted, Chamonix still has plenty of activities to offer, from mountaineering to white water rafting as well as more general sports and leisure activities such as tennis and squash, horseriding, bowling, swimming and fitness.
The car-free centre of town is full of atmosphere and very cosmopolitan, with cobbled streets and squares, beautiful old buildings built around a fast-running glacial river. The atmosphere is lively and bustling with a good variety of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes.
The temperature is generally 5-6°C hotter in Chamonix than in the South of England (25-26°C May/June and Sept/Oct and 28/32°C July/Aug).
Chamonix has a wealth of mountain biking opportunities for all ages and abilities. All the cable car systems run in the summer, giving opportunities for downhilling as well as numerous cross-country trails up and down the valley.
The Valley is a mecca for climbing and mountaineering offering a large number of different possibilities to enthusiasts and beginners alike, from the training face in the town to a variety of routes of different length and difficulty. Or the ultimate - the ascent of Mont Blanc itself.
Paragliding was invented in the Chamonix area in 1974 and the sport has grown rapidly since then. Big thermals, eagles, glaciers and high peaks make the valley one of the best flying areas in the world. Take a tandem flight with an instructor or a course with a school to be flying solo within days.
For trekking and hiking, the Chamonix valley has the most comprehensive and clearly indicated network of mountain paths in the Haute-Savoie. There are over 350km of marked paths along the valley leading up to the glaciers.
There are 11 golf courses in the Savoie Mont Blanc region including the Trent Jones Sr designed course in Chamonix. This beautiful course with its spectacular views of glaciers and rugged peaks, was created in 1934 and extended to 18 holes in 1982 by Robert Trent Jones. It is around 1200 metres above sea level, mainly flat with most fairways lined with tall pines.
White water sports such as rafting, canyoning, kayaking and hydrospeed are all popular in the area, as well as windsurfing and swimming in local lakes. There are many companies in Chamonix offering full or half day trips.
