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.

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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!

Lift Maps for Chamonix Valley
Winter Summer
Winter Chamonix Valley Lift Map Summer Chamonix Valley Lift Map
Winter Aiguille du Midi Map Summer Aiguille du Midi Map
Winter Argentiere Grand Montets Map Summer Argentiere Grand Montets Map
Winter Vallorcine Domaine de Balme Map Summer Vallorcine Domaine de Balme Map
Winter Chamonix Brevent & Flegere Map Summer Chamonix Brevent & Flegere Map
Winter Montenvers & Mer de Glace Map Summer Montenvers & Mer de Glace Map
Winter Tramway du Mont Blanc Map Summer Tramway du Mont Blanc Map
Winter Les Houches Piste Map Summer Les Houches Trail Map
Winter Chamonix Planards Map Courmayeur (Italian-side of Mont Blanc) Map
Courmayeur (Italian-side of Mont Blanc) Piste Map  
Cross-country Skiing Chamonix Valley Map  

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

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

Aiguille Du Midi Cable Car - Winter >> | Aiguille Du Midi Cable Car - Summer >> | Skiing La Vallée Blanche >>

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

Map of Brevent & Flegere - Winter >> | Brevent & Flegere Ski Area Description >> | Map of Brevent & Flegere - Summer >>

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

Domaine de Balme Map - Winter >> | Domaine de Balme Map - Summer >> | Domaine de Balme (Le Tour & Vallorcine) Ski Area Description >>

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

The Grands Montets Map - Summer >> | The Grands Montets Ski Area >> | The Grands Montets Map - Winter >>

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

Mont-Blanc Tramway Map - Summer >> | Mont-Blanc Tramway Map - Winter >>

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

Montenvers Railway Train Map - Summer >> | Montenvers Railway Train Map - Winter >>

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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