Month guide · Chamonix · France
Chamonix in January
What January is really like in Chamonix: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Chamonix. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -7°C (19°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 9 hours of daylight. Cold, with snow in the valley and short days; good skiing, and quieter than February outside weekends.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -7°C (19°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in Chamonix: days average 3°C (37°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about -7°C (19°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with December (3°C (37°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:10
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:13
- Daylight
- About 9 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, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Chamonix, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
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
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -7°C and 10 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 January a good time to visit Chamonix?
One of the best months to visit Chamonix. The other best months are March and July–September. Compare every month.
Chamonix in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Chamonix?
It is one of the best months to visit Chamonix. Cold, with snow in the valley and short days; good skiing, and quieter than February outside weekends.
+How warm is Chamonix in January?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -7°C (19°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chamonix in January?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.