Chamonix looks like a place for mountaineers, but it works very well for families. Many of the best outings are short, easy and visual, and a lot of them are free. The trick is to choose outings that suit the age of your children, to keep the high-altitude days short and to have a wet-weather plan.
The train that children love
The Montenvers cogwheel train is the most reliable family hit. The ride through the forest is exciting for young children, the terrace looks out over the Mer de Glace, the Glaciorium exhibition explains the glacier in simple terms and the ice cave is a talking point. The long staircase down to the gondola is hard for toddlers and buggies, so decide beforehand whether the family will do the full descent or enjoy the terrace and the exhibition.
Altitude and the Aiguille du Midi
The cable car is open to children from about five, but the cold and the thin air can be hard on the very young. Choose a clear morning, dress them in several layers with hats and gloves, take snacks and water, and be ready to turn back if anyone is unwell. Older children and teenagers usually love the Step into the Void.
Easy and free
The Lac des Gaillands is flat and short, with grass for picnics, climbing walls to watch and a treetop course nearby. The Dard waterfall hike is a woodland walk of under two hours that many school-age children can manage with a café at the end. The Bossons chairlift in summer gives a close view of a glacier with a minimum of effort. The Musée du Mont-Blanc is a good indoor choice, and children under eighteen generally enter free according to the tourist office.
Winter activities
Les Houches and the gentler slopes of Flégère suit beginners and families, and ski schools there take small children. Dog sledding is a favourite, with short rides for the youngest and a chance to meet the huskies. Snowshoeing and sledging are quieter options for non-skiers. Book lessons and dog sledding early for school holidays, and bring warm waterproof clothing and spare gloves.
Adventure for older children
Teenagers often enjoy tandem paragliding, though weight and age limits apply and the minimum age is typically around four to six depending on the operator, so check before you book. Other options include the climbing wall at the Gaillands, the treetop course, rafting in summer and e-bike rides on the valley paths.
Where to stay
Look for a hotel with a pool and space. Hôtel Les Aiglons has a heated outdoor pool, a kids' area, a games room and a garden, and Hotel Eden in Les Praz has a playground, a games room and apartments and chalets with kitchens for families who prefer to cook. Héliopic Hôtel & Spa has family rooms and a large spa with set hours for children. Mont Blanc Lodge is a simple option for older children and teenagers.
A day for little legs
A good family rhythm is one outing in the morning and a long break after lunch. Try the Montenvers train and terrace first, a picnic at the Lac des Gaillands in the afternoon and an early dinner of fondue or pasta. The next day, keep the hours short again: the Bossons chairlift in summer or a ride on the Brévent, then pool time at the hotel. Children enjoy repeating things, so let them ride the train again and look for ibex and marmots from the paths.
Safety and comfort
Keep children on marked paths near glaciers, streams and cliff edges, hold hands near railings and never allow anyone to walk on the ice. Carry spare socks, gloves and a first-aid kit, apply sun cream often, and give them water at altitude. Babies and toddlers can go in carriers on easy paths, but strollers do poorly on stairs and rough ground.
When to come
Summer and the winter holidays are the easiest times for children, with the most activities open, but they are also the busiest. Early September and the quieter weeks of winter give a calmer trip with the same views.
Practical tips
Pack sun cream and sunglasses all year, a warm layer for each child even in summer, snacks for lift rides and a rain jacket. Check the last gondola times so nobody is stuck at the top. Keep a wet-weather plan, such as the museum or the swimming pool at your hotel, and build in a rest hour each afternoon so the whole family enjoys the evening.