Month guide · Chamonix · France
Chamonix in April
What April is really like in Chamonix: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Franck Langlois, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
April is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 12°C (54°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 13.5 hours of daylight. Spring skiing high up while the valley turns green; some ski areas close mid to late April.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 12°C (54°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in April
April is the 7th-warmest month in Chamonix: days average 12°C (54°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 30 days. Compared with March (8°C (46°F)), April is warmer; by May highs climb to around 16°C (61°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:46
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 20:19
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
Spring (March–May). Sunny spring skiing at altitude through March and April, then a quiet May when many lifts and businesses close and trails are still snowbound.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in February). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in April
- Easter holiday skiing (dates vary)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in April
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · Argentière
Petit Balcon Sud trail
A gentle trail that runs along the lower slopes on the sunny side of the valley between Argentière and Les Houches, mostly through forest and meadows, with regular views of Mont Blanc and the glaciers.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Religious site · Chamonix centre
Église Saint-Michel
Photograph the bell tower from the bridge over the Arve with the Aiguilles behind it.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Chamonix Sud
Aiguille du Midi
Two cable car stages climb from the edge of town to the summit station at 3,842 metres in about 20 minutes, one of the highest vertical ascents of any cable car in the world.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
Nature · Chamonix centre
Montenvers railway and Mer de Glace
Allow time for the stairs to the ice cave and back, and look out for the signs that mark where the glacier surface stood in past decades.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Views
- History
What to pack
For highs near 12°C, lows near 0°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Chamonix?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, January, March and July–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Chamonix in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Chamonix?
It is a shoulder-season month. Spring skiing high up while the valley turns green; some ski areas close mid to late April.
+How warm is Chamonix in April?
Average highs are around 12°C (54°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chamonix in April?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.