© SeeChamonix.com
© SeeChamonix.com
About the Ski Lift System in Chamonix
Six different lift systems giving access to the beautiful Chamonix mountains
There are six separate lift systems spread along the Chamonix Valley, all offering a wide variety of activities in both summer and winter. Each lift system provides access to individual ski areas or recreational areas, and you'll find further information about each lift at the bottom of this page.
Chamonix town is served by the Brevent gondola. Les Houches ski area has two ski lifts - Bellevue cable car and Le Prarion gondola. Further up the valley in the village of Les Praz is the Flegere cable car. Flegere ski area is linked by another cable car to the Brevent ski area. Les Grands Montets ski area is by the village of Argentiere and has both a gondola and a cable car to access it's pistes. The final ski area at the top of the valley is the Domaine de Balme (also known as Le Tour ski area) and you can access this area by a gondola in Le Tour or a gondola in the village of Vallorcine. There are additional beginner ski areas and lifts at the bottom of the main areas except for Flegere. Take a look at the Map for Chamonix's Ski Areas to see where everything is.
Probably the most famous lift in Chamonix is the cable car for the Aiguille du Midi. This pointy mountain is at an altitude of 3842 metres and is located directly across from Mont Blanc. There is no marked ski area at the top of this lift, however, it is the starting point for the famous Vallee Blanche off-piste ski run.
In addition, there are two touristic train systems. The Montenvers train takes you up from Chamonix to the Mer de Glace at 1913m (which is also the finishing point for the Vallee Blanche ski run), and the Mont Blanc Tramway travels from Le Fayet/Saint Gervais (further down the valley) to the Nid d'Aigle at 2372m.
Open in both the winter and summer season, you can use the lift system to access all the different mountain areas of the Chamonix Valley, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the many Winter and Summer activities that the Mont Blanc mountains have to offer. You can also check the current lift status as openings can be disrupted by bad weather.
Find out about the Winter Ski Pass Options and the Ski Pass Prices before venturing on the lifts and check out the lift pass offers to see if you can make any savings when booking in advance.
In Summer, the Summer Lift Pass Prices and the Summer Lift Pass Options are slightly different, with some lifts open to pedestrians or mountain bikers only and others open to both pedestrians and mountain bikers - it is worth checking the which lifts you can use before setting off. Paragliders also have access to a number of lifts throughout the summer. See which lifts are open in summer in our Summer Lifts Guide.
| Aiguille du Midi | Montenvers / Mer de Glace | Tramway du Mont Blanc | Grands Montets | Brevent & Flegere | Le Tour & Vallorcine | Les Houches | |
| Elderly Access |
Yes, up to mid-station unless not recommended by doctor | Yes, although access to the ice cave has hundreds of steps | Yes, but difficult access at Nid d'Aigle | Yes, up to top-station unless not recommended by doctor | Yes | Yes | Yes, unless not recommended by doctor |
| Babies | Yes, up to mid-station from 24 months, unless not recommended by doctor. Summit not permitted to children under 3 years. |
Yes, from 12 months | Yes, from 12 months at Col de Vosa & from 24 months at Nid d'Aigle | Yes from 18 months old to mid station, not advised for children under 3 to go to the top | Yes, Planpraz & Flegere from 12 months, Brevent & Index from 24 months |
Yes, from 12 months | Yes, from 6 months old |
| Wheelchair Access | Yes | Yes, please advise ahead of visit for groups for more than four chairs. No access to ice cave | Yes, up to the Col de Voza 2 wheelchairs per train | Yes if accompanied to mid station only | Yes - to all cable cars and gondolas, not possible on Index chairlift | Yes | Yes at Prarion, No at Bellevue |
| Disabled Toilets |
Yes, at base-station and at the summit. Not available at Plan Praz | No | Yes at the Col de Voza | Yes at mid station | Yes at Plan Praz and Flegere but not at summit of Brevent | Yes, at Charamillon | Yes at the bottom of Prarion |
| Dogs | No | Yes, must be kept on lead | Yes, must be kept on lead | Yes, must be kept on lead | Yes, but prohibited in the nature reserve | Yes, must be kept on lead | Yes, must be kept on lead |
| Parapentes | Yes, but not during July/August | No | No | Yes | Yes | No (but Speed-riding possible in winter) | No (but Speed-riding possible in winter) |
| Mountain Bikes |
No | No | First & last train of the day in summer only, numbers limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Car Parking |
Yes (paid at Grepon) |
Yes (other side of road at Planards) | Yes | Yes | Yes (Brevent - paid, Flegere free) | Yes | Yes |
| Lockers | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Reservations Required | Recommended during peak season | No, except groups | No | Top cable car in winter only | No | No | No |
