What's actually happening in Chamonix right now — lifts, conditions, events and valley life, gathered from across the local sources and told straight. Updated through the season.
The Piton Nord summit terrace — the famous "Chamonix terrace" at 3,842m — shut to the public from 25 May for an estimated four to five weeks, while waterproofing work and new decking go in. The rest of Piton Nord stays open as normal, including the Aravis terrace and the 3842 restaurant, so the big view is still very much on.
Mont-Blanc Natural ResortThe valley's in its in-between moment: the last winter lifts have wound down (Grands Montets ran latest, to early May) while the high trails aren't fully clear yet. The valley floor sits around 8°C with barely a centimetre of snow, but above 2,400m there's fresh snowfall and a still-marked avalanche risk — and most refuges on the Haute Route don't open until mid-June. A high-stakes planning window for anyone heading up.
See ChamonixThe new Mer de Glace gondola and the famous Ice Cave (Grotte de Glace) are closed for their seasonal changeover — the gondola from 11 to 29 May, and the Ice Cave through to 5 June. Worth knowing before you make the trip up to Montenvers: the train and site reopen fully in early June for the summer.
Mont-Blanc Natural ResortOne of Europe's great mountain-running festivals is back for its 2026 edition, with everything from a 3.8km vertical to the brutal 90km ultra (6,330m of climb across the Aiguilles Rouges). The big change this year: 10% of race numbers are reserved for valley residents who travel to the start by train, bus, foot or bike — no draw, first come first served — a nod to the people who live here all year and arrive with virtually no carbon footprint.
Marathon du Mont-BlancThe little valley railway that threads Saint-Gervais to Vallorcine — a lifeline for car-free locals and visitors — is getting a fleet upgrade. Seven new trains are due to enter service from autumn 2026, promising more reliability and capacity on one of the most scenic and useful lines in the Alps.
Chamonix.netHOW WE DO NEWS: CHAM GATHERS WHAT'S HAPPENING FROM ACROSS THE VALLEY'S SOURCES, SUMMARISES IT HONESTLY, AND ALWAYS LINKS BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SO YOU CAN READ MORE. WE DON'T REWRITE OTHERS' REPORTING AS OUR OWN. SPOTTED SOMETHING WE SHOULD COVER? TELL US VIA THE CONTACT PAGE.
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