January in Chamonix — the year's strongest window
Best window · 8.3/10January averages 0°C (31°F), cold enough that sightseeing works in bursts rather than in one long day on foot.
At 168 mm of water-equivalent precipitation this is a snowy month at resort level — that is snowpack, not lost days — with about 19 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 9.1 hours of daylight.
On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Chamonix at 8.3/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.
Plan for peak pricing, with this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella, goggles and a helmet if you are not renting.
February in Chamonix: mixed conditions, plan around the weather
Trade-offs · 6.7/10February averages 2°C (36°F), cold enough that sightseeing works in bursts rather than in one long day on foot.
At 85 mm of water-equivalent precipitation this is a snowy month at resort level — that is snowpack, not lost days — with about 21 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 10.4 hours of daylight.
It scores 6.7/10 here, 3rd of 12 months, against 8.3/10 in the destination's best month.
Plan for mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a packable rain layer, goggles and a helmet if you are not renting.
Flexible dates? January scores 1.6 points higher here — enough to change the trip.
March in Chamonix — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 2.6/10At 4°C (39°F) this is proper winter weather in March: layer up and split the day between outdoor highlights and indoor stops.
124 mm of water-equivalent precipitation makes this a snowy month at resort level; what falls stays as snow, with about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11.9 hours of daylight.
That is 2.6/10 on the same scale — 4th of 12 months, versus 8.3/10 for the best month here.
Budget for low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination. That combination — decent conditions at the lowest rates of the year — is the best value window on this page.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella, goggles and a helmet if you are not renting.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Chamonix — 5.7 points higher on the same scale.
April in Chamonix — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 1.7/10April averages 6°C (43°F) — jacket weather. Comfortable for walking and museums, too cool for anything water-based.
Monthly rainfall reaches 149 mm — wet for this destination — but about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.
It scores 1.7/10 here, 6th of 12 months, against 8.3/10 in the destination's best month.
Figure on low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination. That combination — decent conditions at the lowest rates of the year — is the best value window on this page.
Pack a mid-weight jacket, long sleeves and shoes you can walk 15 km in, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella.
Flexible dates? January scores 6.6 points higher here — enough to change the trip.
May in Chamonix — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 1.7/10Expect 11°C (51°F) in May. A good month for city streets, viewpoints and long meals; leave swimming for another season.
180 mm of rain makes this a wet month here, though with about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine there is still bright weather between the fronts.
That is 1.7/10 on the same scale — 7th of 12 months, versus 8.3/10 for the best month here.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack a mid-weight jacket, long sleeves and shoes you can walk 15 km in, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Chamonix — 6.6 points higher on the same scale.
June in Chamonix — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 1.7/10June averages 17°C (62°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.
Monthly rainfall reaches 137 mm — wet for this destination — but about 28 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.
It scores 1.7/10 here, 8th of 12 months, against 8.3/10 in the destination's best month.
Figure on low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.
Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella.
Flexible dates? January scores 6.6 points higher here — enough to change the trip.
July in Chamonix: expect compromises
Hardest · 1.7/10July averages 18°C (64°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.
Monthly rainfall reaches 140 mm — wet for this destination — but about 30 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.
It scores 1.7/10 here, 9th of 12 months, against 8.3/10 in the destination's best month.
Plan for low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.
Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella.
Flexible dates? January scores 6.6 points higher here — enough to change the trip.
August in Chamonix — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 1.7/10Temperatures hover around 18°C (64°F) — the kind of month where neither heat nor cold forces the schedule.
Budget for roughly 87 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 29 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 14.1 hours of daylight to work around it.
That is 1.7/10 on the same scale — 10th of 12 months, versus 8.3/10 for the best month here.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Chamonix — 6.6 points higher on the same scale.
September in Chamonix: expect compromises
Hardest · 1.7/10Temperatures hover around 14°C (56°F) — the kind of month where neither heat nor cold forces the schedule.
161 mm of rain makes this a wet month here, though with about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine there is still bright weather between the fronts.
That is 1.7/10 on the same scale — 11th of 12 months, versus 8.3/10 for the best month here.
Budget for low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Chamonix — 6.6 points higher on the same scale.
October in Chamonix — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 1.6/10October averages 10°C (51°F) — jacket weather. Comfortable for walking and museums, too cool for anything water-based.
Monthly rainfall reaches 143 mm — wet for this destination — but about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.
It scores 1.6/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 8.3/10 in the destination's best month.
Figure on low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.
Pack a mid-weight jacket, long sleeves and shoes you can walk 15 km in, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella.
Flexible dates? January scores 6.7 points higher here — enough to change the trip.
November in Chamonix — off-season conditions
Hardest · 2.3/10November averages 4°C (39°F), cold enough that sightseeing works in bursts rather than in one long day on foot.
At 189 mm of water-equivalent precipitation this is a snowy month at resort level — that is snowpack, not lost days — with about 17 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 9.5 hours of daylight.
It scores 2.3/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 8.3/10 in the destination's best month.
Plan for low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination. That combination — decent conditions at the lowest rates of the year — is the best value window on this page.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella, goggles and a helmet if you are not renting.
Flexible dates? January scores 6 points higher here — enough to change the trip.
December in Chamonix: strong conditions, 2nd of 12
Good · 7.2/10At 1°C (34°F) this is proper winter weather in December: layer up and split the day between outdoor highlights and indoor stops.
182 mm of water-equivalent precipitation makes this a snowy month at resort level; what falls stays as snow, with about 19 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 8.7 hours of daylight.
That is 7.2/10 on the same scale — 2nd of 12 months, versus 8.3/10 for the best month here.
Budget for peak pricing, and crowds are moderate. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a waterproof shell rather than an umbrella, goggles and a helmet if you are not renting.
