What to do in Chamonix during summer ?

Hiking trekking in the Alps and around the Tour du Mont Blanc

Superbly maintained hiking trails that run through the valley (350 km) invite you to discover more than 160 itineraries adapted for each one. Walking from the bottom of the valley in the smells of pine, then reaching some altitude to taste wild blueberries in a grandiose setting or collecting meters of ascent... or from a day long family hike up to a trek with nights in mountain huts, even hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc accross France, Italy and Switzerland, everyone can organize according to their abilities and according to their desires.

Climbing

Either for a beginner outdoor rock climbing initiation or a long classic rock climb in the valley, Chamonix's granit attracts climbers from around the world. There is something for all levels, all ages. A multitude of rock climbing beginner school and natural sites await you in the Chamonix valley including :

• the Gaillands rock climbing wall: located 2 km below Chamonix, near the Gaillands lake. In 1936, this climbing school, initiated by a famous mountain guide, Roger Frison-Roche was officially born.
• bouldering climbing at the Col des Montets: solo climb or roped climb, get started on these beautiful blocks located in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges Natural Reserve, towards the Swiss border, just before Vallorcine
• on rainy days, the Richard Bozon sports center offers an indoor climbing wall: 180 m² climbing surface, 800 holds, height 3,60 m. Another indoor climbing wall in Les Houches as well.

Mountain Bike

Marked trails and arranged routes where mountain bikers can practice their activities to the full, their best and in total safety. Two sites are dedicated to downhill mountain-biking in the Chamonix Valley. The Balme site, accessible directly from the Walser chalet, with two traced and marked tracks have been set up:

• LES MARMOTTES: Length 2,450 m (1.5 mile) Elevation 363 m (1,107 ft, Green Track)
• LES CHEVREUIL: Length 2,540 m (1.6 mile) Elevation 348 m (1,061 ft, Blue Track)

The Houches site with its brand-new blue downhill track, which at 4km connects to Prarion in Maisonneuve offering a return route to the departure point by gondola lift. Expert mountain bikers will also be able to take the alternatives to this track…Downhill itinerary to the Brévent and Lognan areas. About twenty marked-out tracks make it possible to cycle through hamlets and villages such as Servoz, Houches, Chamonix-Mont Blanc and Vallorcine.

The map of the mountain-bike trails  with detailed tracks and itineraries for mountain-biking in the Chamonix Valley. 

Alpinism, mountaineering

Since the first conquest of Mont-Blanc by Jacques Balmat and Michel Gabriel Paccard in 1786, the countless summits of the « Massif » have been coveted by man. The first to set their hearts on the summits were the wealthy Englishmen, who employed local guides to assist them in their climbs. Mountaineering developed and evolved until all the challenging rock faces and imposing summits had been conquered. Men kept pushing the limits of the impossible in order to succeed such exploits as the north face of the Walker (1938) and the « Linceul » (1968), both in the Grandes Jorasses, the south-westerly pillar of the « Petit Dru » (1955), the northern passage of the Dru (1973) or the north face of the Fou (1963). Chamonix's history is in dissociable with the names of Terray, Rébuffat, Cassin, Bonatti, Desmaison, Hemming or Bérault and has been forged to the rythm of individual prowess and a collective passion for the mountains.

The evolution of the sport today leaves no passage, gully or ice fall unconsidered, but the great classics like the Mont-Blanc are still as appealing as ever. Mountaineering is not an exclusive sport and there are high-mountain routes to suit all levels of fitness and ability.

Let yourself be tempted by an adventure in one of the most beautiful mountain ranges on earth and contact the chalet Anatase for them to find you a mountain professional.

The Mont Blanc ascent

Often described as the roof of Europe, every year the Mont-Blanc Massif attracts millions of visitors who come to admire, this exceptional natural site. By the same token thousands of alpinists aspire to reach the summit of Mont-Blanc. To conquer Mont-Blanc is a dream shared by many passionate climbers. A dream within the realms of reality as long as one does not underestimate the hidden difficulties on this legendary mountain. Sharing its summit with the communes of Chamonix, St-Gervais and Courmayeur in Italy, the « normal » climbing route is via the Aiguille du Gouter and the « Arête des Bosses » There are other less practiced itineraries such as the "Traverse", departing from the Aiguille du Midi, via the Mont-blanc du Tacul and the Mont Maudit, or the "Royal traverse" from the Domes de Miage via the famous Bionnassay ridge.
For the most experienced alpinists, the Innominata ridge is accessed from the Italian side.

But anyhow, the Mont Blanc remain a serious high mountain route and to climb, we do recommend you to hire a mountain guide, contact us to book your guide to climb Mont Blanc

Canyoning

If the idea of leaping into mountain torrents, abseiling down waterfalls or whooshing along water slides appeals, then you'll just love this sport .

Hydrospeed

Ride the waves and eddies of the river Arve on an unforgettable trip down the Chamonix valley.
Hydroglisse entails swimming in the current of the river, with helmet, flippers and a plastic float to keep one buoyant adrenalin and fun inssured !

Rafting

A team sport that can be enjoyed by all. The raft is a large inflatable dinghy which is guided down river by an experienced water sports professional and you his crew. The Arve is a tremendous river for first timers wishing to experience the joys of rafting.

Golf

Located on the bed of a glacier valley, the golf course is surrounded by Mont Blanc mountain range prestigious summits, the Aiguilles Rouges and the Drus.
The first three holes of the Chamonix golf club were built in 1934. It was soon extended to a nine hole golf course, and in 1982 Chamonix invited world-renowned golf course architect Robert Trent-Jones to design the last nine holes.
The golf course features numerous bunkers, water holes, woodlands and streams, but is on flat ground. Only two teeing grounds are on a hill, just to remind you that it is a mountain golf course. 18 hole golf course - 6076m long course - Par 72

Trail running in the mountains

Every year, end of June Cross of Chamonix Mont Blanc Marathon and end of August Tour of Mont Blanc Ultra Trail and in September, another Chamonix' valley Aiguilles Rouges Trail