Hello,
I will be in Chamonix between May 3 - 7, and would love to have some guidance about what trails will be open to runners and what the conditions might be like (e.g., mostly ice and snow or will there be some clear trails)? I would also love any insight on which trails are best at that time of year. Many thanks.
(Also, love that this forum is available - thank you very much!)
It completely depends on the winter they've had! I've hiked in Chamonix in early June and the trails have been completely open quite high up and I've also hiked in July when you still can't access them because of the snow.
I would check local websites for the snowpack this year. My nephew was just skiing in Verbier, about an hour away from Chamonix, and he said that the snowpack was good for skiing but not a record year for snow by any means.
I am assuming that you are an experienced trail runner as much of the surface is fairly rocky. If my memory is correct, you will be able to open up on the plateaus after the steep elevation gains. I am much more of road runner and laced my hiking boots when I hiked into the mountains.
There is a trail that runs along the river in the valley that you can pick up right in town that we ran on.
I cannot comment on the snow as I was there in July. I know that you did not ask about Annecy, but there is an asphalt trail that runs around the lake which was spectular. We did 5 miles and turned around to go back to our hotel for a total of 10. Much different than trail running in Chamonix, but if you plan to go to the town, it is something to plan for. I am told that it is 42K and they hold a marathon on it.
