Living Together: A Story Both Current and Ancient
The mountains are a living environment, used for a variety of purposes. Residents, visitors, farmers, tourism professionals, athletes, mountain hut caretakers, and natural area managers all coexist there on a daily basis, alongside particularly vulnerable flora and fauna.
Living in the mountains means learning to share this space with all living things.
Whether on the trails or at high altitudes, a few simple actions
can help minimize your impact: stay on marked trails, avoid taking shortcuts, respect sensitive areas, keep your dog on a leash when required, and avoid including your location when posting photos on social media.
The mountains are also a place of work and craftsmanship
Alpine pastures, grazing lands, mountain huts, and forested areas bear witness to ancient human activities that continue to shape the identity and balance of these landscapes today.
Learn more about agropastoralism
A Region for Outdoor Activities
In the Chamonix Valley, outdoor activities play a major role. Hiking, trail running, mountaineering, skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing allow you to experience the mountains up close and explore remarkable landscapes. But these activities can also harm certain natural habitats and disturb the species that live there.
A Region Shaped by Tourism and Outdoor Sports
Sports and tourism have played a fundamental role in the history of the Chamonix Valley. Beginning in the late 19th century, the influx of visitors fueled the region’s rapid development, supported first by the creation of specialized facilities and later by the expansion of the highway network. Where once only a few adventurers and mountaineers explored the valley, today nearly 10 million visitors come for day trips to discover its landscapes and peaks.
Some sites rank among the most visited in the Rhône-Alpes region. The Mer de Glace, for example, welcomes more than 814,000 visitors a year, followed notably by the Aiguille du Midi and the Brévent cable car. This appeal is rooted in a natural landscape that has become the setting for numerous outdoor activities, both in summer and winter.
During the summer, the valley offers a wide variety of activities. More than 480 kilometers of maintained and marked trails allow visitors to explore the natural areas. Trail running has also experienced a strong boom in recent years, in addition to iconic events such as the Mont-Blanc Marathon, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, and the Trail des Aiguilles Rouges.
Mountaineering, mountain biking and e-mountain biking, sport climbing in natural settings, paragliding, and canyoning also contribute to this vibrant scene. Easier access to mid- and high-altitude mountains thanks to ski lifts further enhances the region’s appeal and is one of the valley’s defining features.
In winter, downhill skiing remains the dominant activity, accounting for just under 50% of all activities practiced. The region has eight ski areas, more than 150 kilometers of trails, and nearly 15,000 hectares of off-piste terrain, at altitudes ranging from 1,035 to 3,842 meters. The valley also features four cross-country ski areas, as well as trails dedicated to ski touring and snowshoeing.
Exploring the valley also means learning to understand the delicate balance that shapes these landscapes. By adopting a mindful and respectful attitude, everyone helps preserve this vibrant region.