Main events in Chamonix

Whilst there are no major events planned, this is the month the locals get their town (and slopes) back, for a little while anyway. January is a great time to visit the resort, as generally it's quieter on the mountain and the cold temperatures keep the snow nice and crisp.

February is school holidays time and the resort is full of families enjoying their spring half-term break. There will be lots of activities and events put on by the ski companies and the tourist office, so be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar.

Kandahar World Downhill Ski Championships
Watch the best downhill ski racers compete on the La Verte piste in Les Houches. This event takes place every couple of years and except when the Winter Olympics is being held. Dates and details.

Valentine's Day
There will be no shortage of places to go to celebrate with your loved one whilst in the land of romance. Be sure to book early if there's that certain spot you would like to go with your special someone. Dates and details.

As we get close to the end of the winter season, in Chamonix the music scene becomes the focus as dance music fans flock to the resort to dance the day and night away, both up the mountain and around town. Look out for stages with live music and DJs on the piste, in the bars over après and be sure to snap up tickets to the various evening events.

Chamonix Unlimited Festival
Chamonix comes alive with six days of parties on and off the mountain to celebrate winter sports and electronic music artists. Dates and details.

Always a busy month in terms of events happening locally, take a look at the events calendar for updates.

Always an event to draw the crowds, join the fun by heading up the lifts to enjoy the spring weather, skiing in a t-shirt and one final foray before putting away those skis and snowboards for another year.

Freeride Days
Celebrating the end of another winter season in Chamonix, Freeride Days is held at Grands Montets ski area in early May, just before the lifts close. Expect wingsuiters to jump out of helicopters, ski joering, DJ's, dancing and the infamous waterslide to ski over. Dates and details.

Summer arrives with an array of festivities, whether it's running in and around the mountains or enjoying the French national day of music.

Mont Blanc Marathon
This is a series of trail running races that attract international level and amateur trail runners from around the world. Races take place at the end of June each year and include the 42km Marathon, the 23km Cross, the 80km Ultra Marathon, the Vertical Kilometre, the 10km and the mini cross (one for the kids). If you want to compete in the event, registration takes place in the preceding autumn. Dates and details.

Fête de la Musique
This is a French national celebration of all things music, taking place on the same date every year. The bars and streets of Chamonix hold various parties and the whole valley comes to life. Normal licensing laws are softened and if you've got the stamina you can party till the wee small hours. Dates and details.

As the weather ramps up so do the number of events and you'll find the town is buzzing with activity with so many sporting and musical events.

Climbing World Cup
Watch some of the world's fastest and most agile climbers compete in technical and speed climbing. Teams from around the world descend on Chamonix's Place du Mont Blanc and battle it out, to the delight of the crowds. Dates and details.

Cosmo Jazz Festival
This nine day Jazz and International music festival starts at the end of July and rolls over into August. You'll find music being played in various mountain top locations around the Chamonix Valley, and then back down on the valley floor in bars, restaurants and on the streets. Dates and details.

Tour des Fiz
This trail running competition attracts around 1,000 people every year with three different courses to choose from, of different lengths and vertical gain. Set just down the Chamonix valley it passes through the heights of Servoz and follows a circuit around the Rocher des Fiz mountain. Dates and details.

Bastille Day
Celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily. And the residents of Chamonix celebrate this national holiday with as much enthusiasm as the rest of the country. Various activities are held across the country on the 14th, in memory of the storming of the Bastille on the same date in 1789. Traditionally the fireworks display normally starts off between 22:00 and 23:00. Dates and details.

Tour de France
The Alps have played a large part in the race over the years with the gruelling mountain climbs providing some of the most exciting spectacles of the event. The route changes slightly each year, taking in different towns, villages and cols along the way. Even if the race doesn't pass near to where you are this summer you can guarantee that it will still be avidly watched in bars and cafés around the country with everyone joining in to cheer on the famous yellow jersey! Dates and details.

August is always a busy month in the mountains, made even more frenzied by arguably the biggest sporting event of the year.

Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
The biggest trail running event of the Chamonix calendar brings trail runners from around the world to the valley to compete in one of the most prestigious and toughest running races there is. Taking place at the end of August each year around 2,300 competitors sign up to take part, with those that complete it running 170km, achieving 10,000m altitude gain and running through the night to return to the Chamonix finish line where it all began the day before. Dates and details.

Fête des Guides
Each year during the middle of August the Chamonix valley celebrates the history of its mountain guides and their courageous achievements with the Fête de Guides. It's a chance to raise funds for fallen professionals and their families and is always a big get together, with food, drinks and a light show or fireworks to end the night. Dates and details.

As the summer crowds dissipate, don't worry there are still plenty of things going on around town. Take a look at the events calendar for more ideas of what's on and where.

Trail des Aiguilles Rouge
There's still some races to be run around the valley, and this one is not for the faint hearted at 54km with 4,000m ascent. The best of the best can get round this course in around 6-7 hours, with the average runners getting in at 10 to 11 hours. There is also a P'tit Trail which covers a 15km loop. Dates and details.

The summer months may seem a distant memory, but during the Toussaint holidays that usually fall towards the end of the month there's always plenty going on. Some of the lifts reopen allowing the possibility for an autumnal hike, bike ride or the last chance to tick off the Vertical K (with a lift down to spare your knees) before the first snows fall. Take a look at the events calendar for more ideas of what's on and where.

A very quiet month in terms of events, usually a time when everyone is taking a well-earned break before December arrives and the opening of the winter season.

December is always a busy month, the Christmas and New Year brings a flurry of social and sporting events, so take a look at our events calendar for more details.

Christmas
The festive season in the snowy Alps is always magical and every year there is some sort of celebration in resort to mark the occasion. Christmas in Chamonix officially starts at the beginning of December when the Christmas lights are switched on. The night is marked with vin chaud, hot chocolate and music. From then on you can expect torchlit descents by the ski schools, festive concerts, markets and live music throughout town as the resort gears up for Christmas and New Year. Dates and details.

New Year's Eve
Come midnight the hoards of merry revellers head towards the centre of town for the big countdown – not an official event as such, more of a long-held tradition. On the stroke of midnight you are advised to duck as champagne corks and unofficial fireworks are unleashed in celebration! Planning ahead is advised if you have your heart set on ringing in the New Year in a particular bar or club – some of them are ticket-only, so enquire in advance to avoid disappointment! Dates and details.