Chamonix in October

December through March delivers the classic winter experience, but January and February are peak season madness – lift lines, €500/night hotels, and crowds everywhere. March offers the sweet spot: decent snow, longer days, and slightly saner prices. But here's what locals know: late season (April-May) can be magical if you don't mind spring skiing conditions and some lifts closing. The Vallée Blanche runs until May most years. Summer (June-September) transforms Chamonix into a hiking paradise. The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc happens in August and brings a different kind of adventure crowd. Cable cars run year-round for sightseeing, and summer lift tickets cost about €35/day just for accessing hiking trails. September offers the best weather for both hiking and early season skiing if you're lucky. Winter temperatures hover around -5°C to 5°C, but it can drop to -20°C at altitude. Pack layers and real winter gear – this isn't California skiing where you can get away with a hoodie.