Saint-Gervais-les-Bains and Chamonix sit under the shadow of Mont Blanc, but they deliver very different mountain experiences. Saint Gervais blends spa-town heritage, baroque architecture, and broad access across the Evasion Mont-Blanc domain. Chamonix is an icon of steep, high-alpine skiing with a buzzing town and legendary off-piste.
This guide compares the two so you can match the resort to your skiing style, budget, and group.
Saint Gervais les Bains or Chamonix?
- Quick comparison table
- Ski area & terrain
- Snow fall history
- Accommodation & village atmosphere
- Après-ski & dining
- Families & beginners
- Advanced skiers & snowboarders
- Activities beyond skiing
- Accessibility & transfers
- Cost and value for money
- Which one should you choose?
Quick comparison table
| Feature | Saint-Gervais-les-Bains | Chamonix |
|---|
| Base elevation | 850 m (2,788 ft) | 1,042 m (3,418 ft) |
| Highest lift | 2,353 m (7,719 ft) | 3,842 m (12,604 ft) |
| Total pistes (km/mi) | 55 km (34 mi) | 119 km (73 mi) |
| Best for | Spa town charm, scenery, relaxed vibe | Advanced skiers, couples, nightlife |
| Village atmosphere | Historic spa town; baroque architecture | Vibrant alpine town; lively and international |
| Accommodation | Chalets, apartments, spa hotels | Hotels, chalets, apartments |
| Après-ski scene | Cosy, low-key; thermal baths & lounges | Lively bars and clubs, broad choice |
Ski area & terrain
- Saint Gervais gives access to the Evasion Mont-Blanc network via Bettex-Mont d’Arbois, with welcoming greens and blues and scenic reds stretching toward Megève and Les Contamines. Local Saint-Gervais/Les Houches sectors add 55 km/34 mi of pistes with tree-lined cruising and classic views.
- Chamonix spreads across five sectors. Brévent-Flégère and Le Tour offer blues and reds with huge panoramas, while Grands Montets and the Vallée Blanche (via Aiguille du Midi) deliver the steep, high-mountain challenges that made Chamonix famous.
Check out Saint Gervais les Bains piste map and Chamonix piste map
Snow fall history
| Month | Saint-Gervais-les-Bains | Chamonix |
|---|
| December | 37 cm/14.5 in | 44 cm/17.3 in |
| January | 40 cm/15.7 in | 46 cm/18.1 in |
| February | 30 cm/11.8 in | 36 cm/14.1 in |
| March | 33 cm/12.9 in | 39 cm/15.3 in |
| April | 18 cm/7.0 in | 28 cm/11 in |
(ref: snow-forecast.com)
Accommodation & village atmosphere
- Saint Gervais feels like a lived in mountain town with 19th century spa heritage, a charming center, and a gentler evening pace, ideal if you want character and calm.
- Chamonix is bigger, busier, and more cosmopolitan, mixing traditional streets with a pedestrian core, extensive shopping, and a wide spread of stays from budget to luxe.
Explore some accommodation options in Saint Gervais les Bains and in Chamonix
Après-ski & dining
- Saint Gervais leans cosy: wine bars and lounges (i.e, Les Trois Mousquetons, Pur Bar & Food), plus everything from rustic Savoyard huts to Michelin-level dining. Thermal baths add a unique wind-down.
- Chamonix runs the gamut from sunny base area beers to late night venues (Chambre Neuf, La Terrasse, Elevation 1904) and a huge restaurant scene, from Savoyard staples to fine dining.
Families & beginners
- Saint Gervais is friendly for first-timers, with beginner zones like Marmottons (1,840 m/6,036 ft) and easy access via Bettex. Family facilities are close to lifts, with plenty of gentle terrain.
- Chamonix offers multiple nursery areas (Les Planards, Le Savoy, Les Chosalets, La Vormaine), but the valley’s spread-out nature and popularity can mean more logistics and crowds.
Advanced skiers & snowboarders
- Saint Gervais has on-piste blacks around Mont d’Arbois/Mont Joly and rewarding tree skiing after storms; off-piste options expand further across Evasion and toward Les Contamines.
- Chamonix is the clear leader for experts: Grands Montets, steep descents, and the iconic Vallée Blanche glacier itinerary make it a bucket-list destination (guides strongly recommended).
Activities beyond skiing
- Saint Gervais: thermal baths and spas, the Mont-Blanc Tramway, snowshoeing, paragliding, cultural tours, casino, and cinema.
- Chamonix: paragliding, ice/indoor climbing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, yoga, carriage rides, and extensive indoor sports.
Accessibility & transfers
- Both resorts are conveniently located near Geneva, but Saint-Gervais-les-Bains generally enjoys shorter transfer times, making it the easier option for a quick arrival. From Geneva, the journey takes just over an hour, while Chambéry is around an hour and a half away, and Lyon or Grenoble can be reached in just over two hours.
- By contrast, Chamonix requires a longer transfer, with roughly two hours from Geneva or Chambéry, two and a half hours from Lyon, and up to three hours from Grenoble.
Cost and value for money
- Saint Gervais typically offers better value on lodging and a calmer, less-premium scene, great if you want character without Chamonix pricing.
- Chamonix commands higher prices thanks to its fame, terrain, and nightlife, though a wide range of options means savvy planners can still find deals.
Explore our Saint Gervais les Bains deals and Chamonix deals
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Saint Gervais les Bains if you want spa-town charm, a relaxed pace, good beginner/intermediate terrain, and access to the wider Evasion Mont-Blanc at gentler prices.
- Choose Chamonix if you crave big mountain thrills, a lively town, and world-class off-piste, especially for advanced skiers and energetic groups.
