| Lift System & Passes |
| Q |
Access: Can I take my dog/Gran/parapente/goldfish....? |
| A |
The Chamonix lift system operates during both summer and winter seasons and has different restrictions regarding access according to the time of year. Please see Chamonix Lifts: Access and Restrictions for further details. |
| Q |
Free Lifts: Are there any free lifts in the valley? |
| A |
No, unfortunately not in the Chamonix valley. Everyone, even if it is your very first time on the slopes requires a lift pass. For adult beginners, Chamonix Le Pass is the ticket to buy. For children between the ages of 4 to15 years there is a Beginner Option for the Savoy ski area at the base of Brevent:
Le Samaran & La Cote drag lifts :
6 half days (out of 7) - €43
6 full days (out of 7) - €48
Le Samaran & La Cote drag lifts PLUS Chamonix Planpraz cable car, Chairlift 2000, Altitude 2000 lift and Charlanon chairlift:
6 half days (out of 7) - €64
6 full days (out of 7) - €72
These tickets enable you to take a break part way through the week if your legs are hurting and do not require photographs. You will, however, need a hands free card (€3) which will be issued to you when you buy your pass. |
| Q |
Insurance: What is Carré Neige insurance? |
| A |
Carré Neige is the basic insurance policy that covers you whilst on the mountain and is recognised across all French ski resorts. You can purchase it for a few euros a day when you buy your ski pass or take out cover for the whole season. It is reasonably inexpensive and provides good basic cover. Please read our article on Winter Ski Insurance to find out more and see how it compares to other policies. |
| Q |
Lift Passes: How much does a lift pass cost for Chamonix? |
| A |
This all depends on how many are in your group, what ages you are, what you want to do and what time of year you want to visit. To see prices of all the various lift passes Chamonix has to offer please see Lift Pass Prices - Winter and Lift Pass Prices - Summer for more information. |
| Q |
Lift Passes: What lift passes are available in the summer? |
| A |
Chamonix in the summer has just as much to do as in the winter - if not more! There are a number of lift passes available, depending on how you want to explore the mountains. Please see Lift Pass Prices - Summer and Lift Pass Options - Summer for more information. |
| Q |
Lift Passes: Which lift pass should I buy? |
| A |
Chamonix caters for all sorts of visitors - from families with children, to groups of skiers and snowboarders, to hardcore alpinists - and the choice of lift passes reflects that. To weigh up your choices and see which lift pass best suits your needs please go to Lift Pass Options - Winter and Lift Pass Options - Summer for more information. |
| Q |
Lift Types: What do the different abbreviations for lift types mean on the piste map? |
| A |
The lifts marked on the piste map using straight black lines are of four types; button tow/drag, chair, telecabine and telepherique. They have the corresponding abbreviations:- TK - téléski (drag)
- TS - télésiège (chair)
- TC - télécabine (gondola)
- TPH - téléphérique (cable car)
For télécabine think bubble car and for téléphérique think cable car. Anything prefixed/suffixed with “Express” means a 6 person modern fast chair lift. |
| Q |
Live Info: What lifts are open and what's the weather like before I decide to get out of bed? |
| A |
The best source is the horse's mouth - Piste & Lift Information will give you the latest on what is opening when and the Live Weather Station at the top of the Brévent will let you know what the temperature, wind strength and humidity is like. Check our own Chamonix Panoramic Webcam for the view. Now get up! |
| Q |
Opening/Closing: What dates do the lifts open and close? |
| A |
The Chamonix valley ski area normally opens in December and runs through into early May. Exact dates for this year's ski season can be found on our Chamonix Winter Lift System page.
The lifts are open from mid-June until mid-September, providing access to hiking, biking, climbing, paragliding and more. For this year's exact dates please see Chamonix Summer Lift System. |
| Q |
Opening/Closing: What time do the lifts open and close? |
| A |
During the summer the lifts throughout resort generally open around 9.30am and close between 4-6pm. These times are approximates and may depend on weather conditions; you may also find that some lifts close for lunch! For a more detailed breakdown of summer lift hours please see Chamonix Summer Lift System.
The winter lifts operate on a slightly earlier schedule, opening between 8am and 9am and normally closing about 4pm due to reduced daylight hours. Please see Chamonix Winter Lift System for details. |
| Q |
Photos : Do I need a photograph for my lift pass? |
| A |
Photographs are now ony required for passes of 10 days duration or longer. All passes (except cross country) require a hands free card to operate the turnstiles. You will be issued with this when you purchase your pass and will have to pay a deposit of €3 which is refundable, or you can keep it as a souvenir! |
| Q |
Ski Area: Where can I get a copy of the piste maps? |
| A |
Right here! Please click on Chamonix Maps & Timetables for all Chamonix Valley maps, including piste maps. You can also pick up paper copies in resort at the Tourist Office, lift stations, hotel receptions and elsewhere. |
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