Month guide · Chamonix · France
Chamonix in December
What December 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
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -6°C (21°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 8.7 hours of daylight. Ski areas open, usually mid-December, depending on snow; Christmas and New Year weeks are very busy.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -6°C (21°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Chamonix: days average 3°C (37°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about -6°C (21°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with November (7°C (45°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:08
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:48
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Snow-covered valley and full ski season from mid-December; cold, with busy holiday weeks and higher prices in February.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Ski season opening (usually mid-December, snow permitting)
- New Year's Eve celebrations in the centre
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Landmark · Chamonix centre
Place Balmat and the Saussure statue
By the river in the town centre, a bronze statue shows Jacques Balmat pointing Horace-Bénédict de Saussure towards the summit of Mont Blanc, which Balmat and Michel Paccard first climbed in 1786.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Park · Chamonix Sud
Lac des Gaillands
Come at sunset and watch climbers on the crag while the peaks turn pink above the lake.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Views
Nature · Les Bossons
Cascade du Dard and Glacier des Bossons
A forest path from the southern end of town climbs to the Cascade du Dard waterfall and continues towards the Bossons glacier, whose icefall descends lower than almost any other in the Alps.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Zoo · Les Houches
Parc de Merlet
Bring proper shoes; the paths through the park are steep in places.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -6°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Chamonix?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events 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 December a good time to visit Chamonix?
It is a shoulder-season month. Ski areas open, usually mid-December, depending on snow; Christmas and New Year weeks are very busy.
+How warm is Chamonix in December?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -6°C (21°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chamonix in December?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.