Month guide · Chamonix · France
Chamonix in August
What August 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
August is one of the best months to visit Chamonix. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 14.1 hours of daylight. The busiest month, with French holiday crowds and the UTMB trail race at the end; book lifts and huts ahead.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 14.1 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Chamonix: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with July (23°C (73°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 18°C (64°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:32
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:42
- Daylight
- About 14.1 hours
Summer (June–August). All lifts and trails open, long days and warm valley weather; afternoon storms are common, and July and August are crowded and expensive.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Fête des Guides — mountain guides' festival (usually around 15 August)
- Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) week (usually late August to early September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Chamonix Sud
Vallée Blanche descent
The famous off-piste ski route from the Aiguille du Midi descends about 20 km across glaciers to the Mer de Glace and back towards Montenvers.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Iconic
- Views
Experience · Chamonix Sud
Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola
Ride it in the morning, as the line is often stopped by afternoon wind and cloud.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours return from the Aiguille
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
Viewpoint · Chamonix centre
Le Brévent
A gondola from the top of town to Planpraz and a cable car on to the summit at 2,525 metres face Mont Blanc head-on across the valley, so this is the best place to see the whole massif.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Kids
Nature · Les Praz
Lac Blanc
Start early in July and August; the trail and the hut terrace fill up by midday.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Outdoors
- Active
- Nature
- Views
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 22°C, lows near 9°C and 11 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Chamonix?
One of the best months to visit Chamonix, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are January, March, July and September. Compare every month.
Chamonix in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Chamonix?
It is one of the best months to visit Chamonix. The busiest month, with French holiday crowds and the UTMB trail race at the end; book lifts and huts ahead.
+How warm is Chamonix in August?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chamonix in August?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.