Month guide · Chamonix · France
Chamonix in October
What October is really like in Chamonix: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Garrondo, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
October is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 13°C (55°F), lows of 3°C (37°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 10.8 hours of daylight. Larches turn gold on the slopes; most lifts close for the season, so this is a month for valley walks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 13°C (55°F) / 3°C (37°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Chamonix: days average 13°C (55°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about 3°C (37°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with September (18°C (64°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 7°C (45°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:49
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:47
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
Autumn (September–November). Clear, settled September days and golden larches in October, with most lifts closing during the autumn and a grey, quiet November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 2 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in February). That makes October one of the better-value months to book.
Events in October
October has no major recurring festival in Chamonix, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · Le Tour and Montroc
Domaine de Balme
At the head of the valley above Le Tour, this broad area of open slopes rises to the Col de Balme on the Swiss border.
- Time needed
- Half a day or full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- Views
Nature · Argentière
Grands Montets ski area
Hire a mountain guide for off-piste terrain; glaciers and avalanche risk make the area serious once you leave the marked runs.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Outdoors
- Views
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
What to pack
For highs near 13°C, lows near 3°C and 10 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Chamonix?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, January, March and July–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Chamonix in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Chamonix?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Larches turn gold on the slopes; most lifts close for the season, so this is a month for valley walks.
+How warm is Chamonix in October?
Average highs are around 13°C (55°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chamonix in October?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.