Why you should visit Chamonix in Autumn
Autumn in Chamonix is Amazing!
Chamonix is known for its winter sports and beautiful summer activities, but autumn is one of our favourite times to be in Chamonix. While other mountain resorts shut down for the inter-season and lifts close, Chamonix is a working town all year round with always plenty to explore.
The Climate
After the heat of the summer, autumn temperatures are perfect for outdoor sports and activities. Cool, crisp mornings ideal for a cycle up to a col are followed by hot afternoons for an open water swim in lac de Passy, then nice warm evenings are perfect for relaxing with a cool drink outside.
The Crowds
If you love being up the mountains but don’t love being surrounded by people, autumn is the best time to enjoy the tranquillity of the mountains while still benefiting from the amazing lift access Chamonix has to offer. You can’t visit Chamonix without going up the famous Aiguille du Midi lift to 3842 meters, so to experience this without having to queue offers a much more authentic experience.
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The Calmness
The bustling Chamonix town centre during the high season is an amazing atmosphere, but, let’s face it, can be a little intense. During the autumn you can really appreciate the peacefulness and beauty of this little mountain town. All of the bars and restaurants are still open, unlike most other mountain resorts, and no need to stress about getting a reservation days in advance. Grab a drink in the evening in town and get a real sense of how the cool locals live. The French have gone back to work and there are far fewer tourists around, so there are more places to park your car and accommodation is cheaper.
The Cuisine
Fresh, seasonal produce is amazing in the Alps with thousands of different delicious mushrooms popping up through the autumn months. Mushroom foraging is the perfect family activity for mild autumn days, walking slowly searching for mushrooms is great for soaking up all of the scents and colours of the forests. Mix your haul with some fine olive oil from just over the border in Italy and together with some garlic to form a mouthwatering pasta dish!
The Colours
Yes, Chamonix is glorious all year round with each season coming with its own colour palette, but Autumn really stands out with the fiery red and deep green of the leaves to the thick carpet of purple and yellow heather that cloaks the mountains. The spectacular sunset alpenglow is so rich it will take your breath away.
