A Complete Guide to the Chamonix Valley's Cable Cars and Lifts

The Chamonix Valley's lift network is part of what makes it unlike anywhere else in the Alps. In a matter of minutes you can go from the valley floor to a glacier view or a 3,800m summit, no climbing required. With several different lifts to choose from and prices that add up fast for a family, it helps to know what each one actually gets you before you decide where to spend your day. Here's a practical guide to the main lifts in the valley, and a note on which one is currently out of action.

Aiguille du Midi

The big one, and for good reason. The cable car climbs almost 2,800m from Chamonix to 3,842m, the highest point reachable by lift in Europe, with panoramic terraces, the glass-floored Step into the Void platform, and on a clear day, views across France, Italy and Switzerland at once. Booking is mandatory and free, and in peak summer weeks it's worth reserving your time slot well ahead, since popular slots sell out. Allow half a day for the full visit once you include queuing and altitude adjustment, and bring warm layers even in August, since it's well below freezing at the summit regardless of the season. If you want to extend the trip, the Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola continues on to Pointe Helbronner in Italy, though that ticket is sold on site rather than booked in advance.

Brévent and Flégère

These two sit on the opposite side of the valley from the Aiguille du Midi, facing Mont Blanc rather than climbing into it, which makes them the better choice if you want the classic postcard view of the massif rather than a summit experience. Brévent, reached via Planpraz, tops out at 2,525m with a wide panorama from the Aiguilles Rouges across to the Grandes Jorasses. Flégère, above Les Praz, is the starting point for the hike up to Lac Blanc covered in our trail running guide to the Chamonix Valley and our guide to the best lakes and cool spots in the Chamonix Valley, so it's a good option if you plan to combine a lift with some walking. Both are considerably cheaper than the Aiguille du Midi and less crowded, which makes them a good choice for families or anyone who wants the view without the queue.

Montenvers and the Mer de Glace

Rather than a cable car, this one is a small cog railway that has been running from Chamonix since 1908, climbing to 1,913m for a view over the Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier. A more recent cable car then continues down to the ice cave carved into the glacier itself, along with the Glaciorium, an exhibition on glaciology worth a stop for anyone travelling with children. It's one of the better options for a family day, and pairs naturally with the other family activities in our guide to family friendly things to do in Chamonix. Allow two to three hours for the full visit including the train.

A Note on Grands Montets

If you know the valley, you'll know Grands Montets above Argentière as one of its most dramatic lifts, but it's worth knowing before you plan around it: the site has been closed since a fire damaged the mid-station in 2018, and the full rebuild isn't expected to reopen until winter 2026/27. For summer 2026, there's no lift access to this side of the valley from Argentière, so if you're staying with us and want lift-assisted views, Flégère or the Aiguille du Midi are the better options for now.

Passes Worth Knowing About

If you're planning to ride more than one or two lifts during your stay, it's worth looking at the Mont Blanc MultiPass or Mont Blanc Unlimited pass, which bundle several sites together at a better rate than buying individual tickets, particularly useful if you're combining a lift day with the Montenvers train.

Which One Is Worth It

If you only have time or budget for one, the Aiguille du Midi is the money shot and the one most people come to the valley for. If you're travelling with children, or want a quieter, cheaper morning with a view that's arguably just as good, Brévent or Montenvers are hard to beat. For a broader look at how to spend the rest of your stay, see our guide to the best things to do in Chamonix all year round.

Staying in Argentière puts you close to Flégère and a short train ride from the rest of the valley's lifts. Get in touch to find out more about staying with us.