Chamonix in Early June

Interested in the replies as I too was hoping to head there in early June!

My wife and I visited Chamonix on a day trip from Annecy in the second half of May 2010 and it was fine. We did not have any problem finding a place to eat at the weather was not excessively cold (we are from California to give you an idea of our standard of cold). The lifts were fogged in by the time we arrived in the early afternoon, but we took the rack railroad up to Mer de Glacé and it was awesome. It was cold up on top but not unbearably so, and I was wearing at best a heavy sweatshirt. We may have gotten lucky, check the weather online at a site that shows records and averages. We got way closer to the glacier than we did on our Alaska cruise this year, just like the guidebook says we walked right into it. Chamonix is a highly recommended corner or France for us!

Thanks VS. That's exactly what I needed to hear. We're not too concerned about the cold, living here at 9000' in CO hardens us up enough. Just wanted to make sure that there was more than one restaurant open while we're there.
Thanks again!

We've done quite a bit of hiking around Chamonix. We have hiked there over 4 separate summers and have encountered a lot of variation in the snow pack. Two summers ago we were there in early August and there was still enough snow in places that you couldn't hike above a certain elevation. A couple of summers before that it was totally clear in early July. Other times we haven't been able to hike at all.
If you are able to hike, I would HIGHLY recommend the hike to Lac Blanc via the gondola on the west side of the valley...if your kids are up for it, and you take it slow, it's one of the most gorgeous views in Europe looking across the valley towards Mont Blanc and the Argentiere Glacier on the other side of the valley. There is a great mountain hut that serves food and drinks on the deck overlooking the view...one of my favorite places in all of the Alps!

I was there with an RS tour in mid-June (and the previous RS tour was there at the end of May). It seemed like everything was open and doing a brisk business. It was early enough in the season that there were no lines for the gondola or the cog train to the glacier. Our guide's preferred restaurant was closed, but another was recommended and was excellent.

we visited chamonix in june and very much enjoyed it. we where up on the glacier/cave in only a singlet top and down in the town late in the afternoon it was 36C (HOT) unbelievable. we had no problem with places being open.

Darren,

My daughter & I were in Chamonix at the end of May & all the businesses were open, including shops, restaurants, banks & market.
We went to the Aiguille du Midi one morning when it was nice and sunny, although it was cold at the summit!
The hiking trails were still closed due to snow.

Here are some helpful websites:

• http://www.chamonix.com/aiguille-du-midi-timetables-and-rates,180,en.html
• http://www.chamonix.net/english/leisure/sightseeing/step-into-the-void
• http://www.chamonix.net/english/travel
• http://www.chamonix.com/chamonix-mont-blanc,0,en.html

If you have some time, you may want to visit Annecy; a beautiful city with a crystal clear lake, a park for the children to run around in & many water activities.

Enjoy!

Thank you for all of the replies! I was really hoping to get there this year so this makes us feel much better about the stop. Thanks again!