Kids activities
With so many kids activites both summer and winter, there is no excuse for being bored in Chamonix!
- Walking/Hiking
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Mountain biking (VTT)
- Multi activity courses
- Paragliding/Parapenting
Skiing
What is better than introducing your child or children to the magnificent world of skiing - annoyingly these little ducklings seem to pick it up far quicker than the adults, often leaving you with mixed feelings of pride and envy! Whatever you do, for your own sanity, leave the teaching of your kids to ski up to the professionals, at least for half the day!! Ski school is available for kids 3 years +, the younger kids can do half days skiing and spend the rest of the day playing in the crèche or kids snow park. Big kids can ski all day if wished, getting great instruction and leaving you free to go wild on the slopes! ½ days are also available. Chamonix is well geared up for English speaking visitors and every effort is made by the childcare staff and instructors to help you and your children feel comfortable and involved.
Take a look at our kids ski school page for more information, the lesson and guides page for pricing guides, the kids ski and snowboard checklist page for help on what you need and why or contact us with your requirements to book your ski or snowboard lessons.
Snowboarding
For the mini dudes and dudettes specialist kids snowboarding lessons are available, from 8 to 12 years.
Tobogganing
Kids and adults love tobogganing and it's a great activity to spend quality fun time with your kids. There is no specific place set out for tobogganing but the nursery slopes are a good place to head. Take a look at our beginners/nursery slopes page for their locations. Be sensible though! These things can go super fast so always ensure you stay off the main slopes, that you don't cut across each other and that they are not headed towards something hard! Local sport shops often rent out toboggans but they are also available to buy locally at a reasonable cost.
Snowshoeing
Introduce your child to nature by taking them on a snowshoe trail walk. Discover a magical winter adventure through the valley with free access to 17km of prepared pedestrian trails which are indicated by yellow signs. Search for woodland creatures and create your own winter wonderland story! Snowshoes are easily rented from your local sport shop.
Alternatively, book a ½ or full day snowshoe outing with a guide. See our mountain activities page for price guides or contact us for further information or to book.
Cross country skiing
Cross country skiing (ski de fond) is a great activity for kids and surprisingly active! Enjoy the quiet and beauty along groomed flat trails. Great for working the body and the mind. You can rent skis and boots easily at most rental stores and make sure you buy your passes before heading off!
For more details see our mountain activities page.
Husky dog sledding
Kids from 8 years can learn about the sport, the dogs, how to "mush" and drive their very own husky dog sled - with guidance of course! Under 8's can ride in the back! Great fun!
See our mountain activities page for guide prices, or contact us for further information or to book.
Horse sleigh rides
A trip to the Chamonix valley would not be the same without a horse sleigh ride in town! Chamonix centre offers horse sleigh rides with a very big, but very friendly and well dressed horse. The sleigh stop is just outside the Irish Coffee bar/restaurant, so just approach it and wait while you are in town.
Ice skating
Located near the Richard Bozon Sports Centre is the town's ice rink for skating, ice hockey and other sports. With a 30x60m rink, skate hire and its own restaurant and bar.
Centre de Patinage
Route de la Patinoire
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 12 36
Fax : +33 (0)450 53 71 70
There is also an outdoor ice rink in the centre of town in Les Houches, which for winter 2008/2009 has free entry and skate rental!
Walking and hiking
Chamonix has 350km of superbly maintained and well signposted walking and hiking trails, with 160 different itineraries offering many trails that allow avid hikers as well as beginners and families to enjoy the alpine scenery at its best. Explore the lower valley trails or gain altitude and trek higher through alpine pastures or in the rocky mountains. Hiking in and around Chamonix will give you everything the Alps have to offer with stunning, spectacular views, a charming, vibrant mountain town and fast access to trails in Switzerland and Italy.
See our family hikes and mountain activities pages for more hike ideas and prices for guides.
Climbing
Climbing is a great sport for kids to learn, apart from it being great fun it offers a combination of mental agility, psychological balance and a great physical work out, without them even knowing it!
There is a climbing school at the Gaillands Rock in Les Gaillands, just outside Chamonix centre, where they offer 3 hour rock climbing sessions for kids from 5 years upwards from late spring to early autumn. All safety equipment is included in the lesson prices and you can rent climbing shoes there or at local sport shops.
Also, there are indoor climbing walls open all year round at the Richard Bozon Sports Centre in Chamonix centre and also at the Mont Blanc Escalade in Les Houches which features a specialist children's climbing wall, a beginners wall and kids lessons.
Contact us to book your child's climbing lessons or for further information.
Mont Blanc Escalade
Les Trabets - 74310 Les Houches
Tel : +33 (0)450 54 76 48
Fax : +33 (0)450 54 76 49
E-mail : mbescalade@orange.fr
Website : http://www.montblancescalade.com
Mountaineering
Introduce your young teen to the ways of the mountain! 5 day mountaineering courses are available for kids aged 12 to 17 years and offer mountain activities for beginners and more experienced climbers. The courses begin every Monday throughout the summer and activities include rock climbing, ice climbing and applied mountaineering.
Contact us to book your child's mountaineering course or for further information.
Mountain Biking (VTT)
Get the kids on their bikes and explore this beautiful valley! With many easy trails on the valley level with spectacular views and woodland rides. Go as a family, with a mountain bike guide who can take you to all the best places, or enrol your child in a day course and let them enjoy the mountain with a group of other kids. Available late spring through summer.
See our mountain activities page for prices for mountain bike guides, or contact us for further information on kids VTT courses.
Multi activity courses
Daily and weekly programmes in the summer offer children aged 6 to 15 years the opportunity to discover a range of sports and nature activities under the supervision of professional guides and leaders. Each day is split into 3 sessions; 1 sport activity, 1 game activity and 1 survival activity. Each day is also given a different alpine theme; water, rock, forest, wildlife and animals. Age groups for these activities are 6 - 8yrs, 9 - 12yrs and 13 - 15yrs and activities are selected for each age group. Kids activities may include; adventure hikes, rock climbing, canyoning, rafting, mountain biking (VTT), horse riding, fishing, tree house building, trampolining and more.
Prices
- 1 day - €69
- 3 days - €175
- 5 days - €275
Requirements: Picnic lunch, sports shoes, hat, sunglasses, waterproof clothing, swimming suits (for water day)
The price also includes a shuttle bus from your accommodation to the kids base camp in Argentière.
Contact us to book your child's multi activity course, or for further information.
Paragliding/Parapenting
Children from the age of 8 and weighing minimum 30kg can enjoy the thrill of flight in tandem with a fully qualified instructor.
See our mountain activities page for more information and prices.
Rafting
Rafting on the river Arve is available for kids from the age of 10 (minimum height 140cm). Great fun as a family trip or on one of the kids activity courses.
See our mountain activities page for more information and prices.
Hydrospeed
Introduce confident swimmers from 12 years old (minimum height 145cm) to the thrill of white water swimming in the river Arve.
See our mountain activities page for more information and prices.
Canyoning
Have great fun swimming, flying down water slides and abseiling in mountain rivers! Canyoning is available to kids from 10 years up as a family trip or on an activity day.
See our mountain activities page for more information and prices.
Fishing
Fishing with your kids in the valley's mountain rivers and lakes. Day and fortnightly permits available.
Horseriding
A dedicated equestrian centre in Argentière offers riding lessons or horse and pony treks in the summer for all levels of adults and children. Enjoy the beauty of the mountains - on horseback!
- Horse riding lessons in the morning : 2 hours lessons for advanced riders from 9am to 11am or 1 hour lesson for beginners from 11am to 12pm.
- Rides in the afternoon from 3pm: 1 hour for beginners at 3 or 4pm, 2 hours for advanced from 5 to 7pm.
Contact us to book your pony trek or horse riding lesson.
Also in the summer, the Paradis des Praz activity park offers pony rides, a play area, a snack shop and food at lunchtime.
Paradis des Praz
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)661 73 23 00
Tel : +33 (0)450 54 34 66
Fax : +33 (0)450 54 34 66
Email : contact@paradis-des-praz.com
Website : http://www.paradis-des-praz.com
Activity parks
In the heart of nature, just 3 minutes from the centre of town, the Parc de Loisirs offers summer sledging, forest adventure course, children's games from 3 years up. A great day outdoors for all the family - fun and thrills guaranteed!
- Summer sledging: 2 runs of 910 m, 200m altitude difference.
- Forest adventure park for 8 years + (1m40), accessed via the Planards chairlift. 50 activities spread over 7 sights between forest and meadows. Great fun to return to base by summer sledge!
- Small forest with a circuit adapted for children under 8 years
- Mini forest with a discovery circuit for children over 3 years
- Leisure park with sky dive, nautic jet, mechanical diggers, kids motor bike circuit, mega jump trampoline and play area.
Open daily in July and August from 10am to 7.30pm, with evening session on Thursdays until 10pm. Partially open in other months - see website for full details.
Parc de Loisirs de Chamonix
351 chemin du Pied du Grépon
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 08 97
Fax : +33 (0)450 53 61 20
Email : planards@wanadoo.fr
Website : http://www.planards.com
Located in an idyllic spot alongside a stream, the Paradis des Praz children's activity park offers aerial runway, ponies, rafting, beach in the summer and a sledge run in the winter for kids up to 12 years. With a snack bar and restaurant with midday giant barbecue and evening meals available for groups (with reservations only).Children's birthday parties can also be organised in the afternoon.
Paradis des Praz
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)661 73 23 00
Tel : +33 (0)450 54 34 66
Fax : +33 (0)450 54 34 66
Email : contact@paradis-des-praz.com
Website : http://www.paradis-des-praz.com
Swimming
A large four pool swimming complex is located at the Richard Bozon Sports Centre in Chamonix centre. With one 50m outdoor pool (usually summer only), a 25m indoor pool, an amusement pool with waterfall, river rapids and water jets, a toddler paddling pool and a superb hydroslide - great for all ages! Swimming lessons may be booked directly at the pool.
Centre Sportif Richard Bozon
214, Avenue de la Plage
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 23 70
Fax : +33 (0)450 53 71 70
Tennis and squash
With 4 tennis clubs in the valley - you have lots of choice for grabbing a game with your kids! Summer months can get pretty busy - so best to pre book.
Chamonix Tennis Club is located just behind the Richard Bozon Sports Centre and offers 15 clay and hard courts, 2 squash courts and an additional 2 indoor tennis courts. Lessons are available and racquets and balls can be hired at the club which also has a restaurant with magnificent views!!
Tennis de Chamonix
214 Avenue de la Plage
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 28 40
Fax : +33 (0)450 53 71 70
The Tennis des Iles tennis centre is located between Chamonix centre and Argentière and offers 2 covered tennis courts and 1 squash court. Lessons and racquet rentals are also available.
Centre Sportif d'Argentière
Les Iles
74400 Argentière
Tel : +33 (0)450 54 09 59
Fax : +33 (0)450 53 71 70
The Les Houches tennis centre offers court hire, adult and child lessons for all levels and private lessons.
Tennis Club des Houches
240 Allée des Diligences
74310, Les Houches
Tel : +33 (0)450 54 43 37
E mail : tc.leshouches@free.fr
Website : http://tc.leshouches.free.fr
At Servoz there are 2 courts. Information and booking at the tourist office.
Servoz tourist office
Le Bouchet
74310 Servoz
Tel : +33 (0)450 47 21 68
Fax : +33 (0)450 47 27 06
Email : info@servoz.com
Golf
Chamonix has its very own 18 hole course designed by the prestigious architect Robert Trent Jones Senior. Located in Le Praz, this 6076 meter, par 72 technical course is known for its numerous obstacles, water hazards and raised greens as well as being in a breathtaking mountain setting! With a driving range of 29 bays of which 14 are covered, 2 training greens and a first-rate pro shop for club, buggy and trolley hire.
Professional golf lessons available for children, July - August, from Monday to Friday from 5pm to 6pm.
Le Golf de Chamonix
35 Route du Golf
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 06 28
Fax : +33 (0)450 53 38 69
Email : info@golfdechamonix.com
Mini golf
Great fun for all the family! Open daily in July and August from 10.30am to 11pm
332, Montée Charles Bozon
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 55 82 56
Mob : +33 (0)670 11 60 22
Bowling
For a bad weather day or an evening's entertainment - why not try Chamonix's very own bowling centre! With 8 international bowling alleys, several pool and snooker tables, an "air hockey" table and a bar - there is plenty to keep you busy. Great for families and groups with alley bumpers for children.
Bowling de Chamonix
196, avenue de Courmayeur
Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 74 37
Paintball
The paintball site is located in a wooded area just north of Chamonix and offers an exciting experience for groups of all ages with a variety of scenarios and games. Open daily throughout the year on prior booking only, with 1 hour games for 7 - 11 years (approx €10) and 2 hour games for 12 years to adult (approx €16). All protective clothing and equipment provided.
Contact us to book your paintball game.
Pool and snooker
Pool and snooker is available at the Bowling alley. There is also a pool table in Monkey Bar in Chamonix Sud, the Stone Bar in Argentière and a free pool table at Le Vert Hotel in Les Gaillands. The French bars are very child friendly!
Bowling de Chamonix
196, Avenue de Courmayeur
Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 74 37
The Stone Bar
390, Rue Charlet Straton
74400 Chamonix Mont Blanc
Tel: +33 (0)450 54 13 17
Indoor climbing
The Mont Blanc Escalade in Les Houches is the Chamonix valley's premier public climbing wall. And is one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. With 1,000 sqm of climbing surface area, routes up to 16m high, 9m overhang, and corners and slabs to suit anyone's ability. This centre also features a children's climbing wall (from 5 years +) and a beginners wall. Lessons should be booked in advance. All the equipment required can be hired from the centre which also has changing room facilities, showers and a refreshment area. Children up to 14yrs old must be accompanied by an adult unless in a lesson.
Mont Blanc Escalade
Les Trabets
74310 Les Houches
Tel : +33 (0)450 54 76 48
Fax : +33 (0)450 54 76 49
E-mail : mbescalade@orange.fr
Website : http://www.montblancescalade.com
Also, in Chamonix centre, based in the Richard Bozon Sports Centre, is a good, well-designed indoor climbing wall with 800 holds. Great on poor weather days, or for taking instruction.
Centre Sportif Richard Bozon
214, Avenue de la Plage
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 23 70
Fax : +33 (0)450 53 71 70
Cinema
Chamonix's Vox Cinema and Theatre has just undergone renovation and boasts an attractive ticket hall, large screens, digital sound and new seating, all to enhance your viewing pleasure! The live theatre shows are also now enhanced with adapted lighting and scenic structures. With free parking for users and automated seat reservations, it is now easier than ever to visit the cinema in Chamonix. Watch the films in French or see one of the English spoken films on the bill. Great for a rainy day or evening treat with the kids.
Cinema le Vox
22 cour du Bartavel
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 03 39
Tel : +33 (0)450 55 89 98
Website : http://www.cinemavox-chamonix.com
Museums
Enrich your children's minds by educating them in some local history. Chamonix's Alpine Museum is situated in what was the old Chamonix Palace. This beautiful museum is dedicated to the memory of the valley with photographs, maps, crystals, ancient objects and costumes. See the development and changes that have been made to the valley between the 18th and 20th centuries from the first tourists who came to admire the glacières de Savoye to the golden age of winter sports. Take yourself back in time and see Chamonix as it was then - the changes are amazing.
Alpine Museum
89, Avenue Michel Croz
Zone piétonne
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 25 93
Email : musee-alpin@chamonix-mont-blanc.fr
Website : http://www.chamonix.fr/animationculture/museealpin.html
The Tairraz Exhibition Centre opened in 2001 and is currently showing a major exhibition on the theme 'Glaciers and Men' which shows the impact of glaciers on man and landscape. Showing the science in relation to the olden day theorys of large glaciers in the world and those of the solid mass of Mont Blanc. A truly spectacular exhibition which also demonstrates just how small we really are!
Tairraz Exhibition Centre
615 Allée du Recteur Payot
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 55 53 93
Website : http://www.chamonix.fr/animationculture/espacetairraz.html
Chamonix library
Chamonix's library is situated in the centre of Chamonix and gives access to a wide collection of books, magazines, discs, games and CD-Roms for children and adults and has a special area dedicated to skiing and mountaineering.
The Municipal Library
99, Route de la Patinoire
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 34 82
Email : bibchamonix@wanadoo.fr
Website : http://www.bibliomontblanc.com
Aiguille du Midi cable car
Take a trip on the famous Chamonix Aiguille du midi cable car to see the amazing views of the valleys of France, Switzerland and Italy. A super fast, exhilarating and spectacular cable car up to the summit of Mont Blanc at 3,777m, which offers you the most spectacular panoramic lookout your ever likely to see. One not too miss! Due to its high altitude, we strongly advise against making this trip with children under 2 years old. The temperature can be very cold so make sure they are well wrapped (with hat, gloves and warm socks) even in summer. It is also a good idea to carry sweets or a drink for the trip to help the children to swallow and prevent sore ears from the rapid change in altitude.
Aiguille du Midi Cable Car
100 Place de l'Aiguille du Midi
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 22 75
Montenvers train - Mer de Glace
Take a short trip on the Montenvers train from Chamonix's main train station up to the spectacular Mer de Glace glacier and ice caves. It is well worth the trip to marvel at the amazing views. At the top you also have access to a souvenir shop, café, restaurant and alpine museum. Make sure you wrap the kids up warm, even in summer! Hats, gloves, warm clothing and shoes will be needed.
Montenvers train
35, Place de la Mer de Glace,
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 12 54
Chamonix tourist train
The miniature tourist train offers you a guided tour of the town of Chamonix to see its monuments and architecture, activities and panoramic views. The train leaves every 30 mins from 10:00am to 7:00pm from the post office, the Aiguille du Midi cable car car park and the main (SNCF) train station. Great fun for kids, and educational!
Train Touristique
42, Rue d'Entrèves
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)450 53 11 24
Fax : +33 (0)450 53 11 24
Email : contact@traincham.com
Website : http://www.traincham.com