The Lift System in Chamonix
There are six separate lift systems spread throughout the Chamonix Valley, all offering a wide variety of activities. Familiarise yourself with the lift system by taking a look at our articles on the lifts themselves, access and restrictions, and the current status of the lifts. Ski, piste and activity maps can also be found here.
Lift & Piste Maps for Chamonix
There are several piste maps available for the Chamonix region, depending on which source you want to use. We have listed online interactive maps of each area from the Compagnie du Mont Blanc which shows the opening status of the lifts and pistes.
Paper versions of the piste maps are available from the lift stations, Tourist Office, hotel receptions and the like, so no need to print them out. Or check out our iPhone app for all the resort information you need!
Lifts & Areas of the Chamonix Valley
The comprehensive lift system in the Chamonix valley consists of cable cars, gondolas, trains, trams and chairlifts (and a couple of drag lifts at Le Tour and in the beginner's areas). The granddaddy of them all is the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which whisks you up to 3842 m from Chamonix town in around 20 minutes. The Vallee Blanche starts at the top of this lift, and it is also a starting point for mountaineers ascending Mont Blanc. The Flegere and the Grand Montets areas are also accessed by cable car, whilst Brevent and Domaine de Balme (Le Tour & Vallorcine) are served by gondolas. Included in the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass, is the Montenvers train, which takes you past the Mer de Glace to the Montenvers site at 1913 m, and the Mont Blanc Tramway, that takes you from Le Fayet or Saint Gervais (further down the valley), to the Nid d'Aigle at 2372 m.
Aiguille du Midi Cable Car
At 3842 m the Aiguille du Midi offers a 360 degree viewpoint over the French, Swiss and Italian Alps and is the highest point accessible by cable-car in the Chamonix valley. This high mountain area is fully equipped for your safety and comfort and offers breath-taking views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding massif. Access is by two cable car journeys, each taking 10 minutes. The Aiguille du Midi is well known as the start of the famous Vallee Blanche off-piste ski run over the glaciers; and is also one of the access routes to climbing Mont Blanc (4811m). ...read more
Brevent & Flegere Lifts
The Brevent gondola was replaced in 2008 with a fabulous high speed 8-10 person gondola. It takes you from Chamonix itself up to Plan Praz (2000 m) from where you have direct access the pistes or can set off on a number of beautiful hikes (Grand Balcon Sud, Lac Cornu, Lac Noir). Plan Praz is also where you catch the cable car up to the very top of Brevent at 2525 m, where you will be treated to 360 degrees of breath-taking views including Mont-Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi and most of the Chamonix valley. ...read more
Domaine de Balme (Le Tour & Vallorcine) Lifts
The Domaine de Balme area is situated at the top end of the Chamonix Valley where a gondola based in the village of Le Tour brings you to Charamillon at 1856 m and a new cable car from the Vallorcine side brings you up to the Tete de Balme at 2770m. ...read more
Les Grands Montets Lifts
Access to the Grand Montets area is from the town of Argentiere, about a 15 minute drive past Chamonix (regular buses and trains also serve this route - free with a Carte d'Hôte guest card). ...read more
Mont-Blanc Tramway
The Mont-Blanc Tramway runs from Le Fayet to the Nid d'Aigle at 2372 m during the summer months. The train stops at St-Gervais-Les-Bains, the Col de Voza and Bellevue before stopping at the Nid d'Aigle (eagle's nest) viewpoint, from where you get a fabulous view of the Bionnassay glacier. ...read more
Montenvers Cog Railway Train
The little red Montenvers train takes you up to the Mer de Glace and the ice caves via an old rack and pinion railway track, first constructed in 1909. ...read more
Lift Access & Restrictions
| Brevent & Flegere | Domaine de la Balme |
Les Grands Montets | Montenvers | Aiguille du Midi | Train du Mont Blanc |
|
| OAPs | Yes | Yes | Yes, up to Lognan unless not recommended by doctor | Yes, access to the ice cave has many steps | Yes, up to mid-station unless not recommended by doctor | Yes, access to Nid d'Aigle is difficult |
| Babies | Planpraz: from 10 months Brevent & Index: from 18 months |
Yes | Yes, up to Lognan from 24 months | Yes, from 12 months | Yes, up to mid-station unless not recommended by doctor; not recommended under 24 months | Yes, up to Belle Vue Nid d'Aigle: from 24 months |
| Wheelchair Access | Yes Brevent: no |
Yes | No | Yes, please advise ahead of visit for groups for more than four chairs | Yes | Voza: yes Bellevue: yes Nid d'Aigle: no |
| Disabled toilets |
Planpraz & Flegere: yes Brevent: no |
Yes, at Charmillon | Yes, at Lognan | No | Yes, at base-station |
No |
| Dogs | Yes, but prohibited in the nature reserve | Yes | Yes on lead | Yes | No | Yes on lead |
| Parapentes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes, not July/August | Yes - Nid d'Aigle |
| Mountain Bikes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Car Parking | Yes (Brevent paid) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (paid) |
Yes |
| Lockers | No | No | No | No | Yes, skis only | No |
| Reservations Required | No | No | No | No except groups | Yes | Yes in July/August |
| Sports / activities | Skiing, parapenting, hiking, climbing, mountain-bikingSkiing, parapenting, hiking, climbing, mountain-biking | Skiing, hiking, mountain-biking | Alpinism from the summit, skiing, parapenting, mountain-biking | Theme trail, museum, Ice Grotto, walk to Plan de l'Aiguille (Aiguille du Midi mid-station) | Walking from the Plan de l'Aiguille (Aiguille du Midi mid-station), Alpinism and access to the Mont-Blanc from the summit | Alpinisme from the Nid d'Aigle - access to the Mont-Blanc, hiking, mountain-biking |
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