Aiguille du Midi (1 Viewer)

[Tom A]

We are going to Chamonix in July and taking two of our grandkids.
I'm wondering what's the best and most cost effective way of going on the Aiguille du Midi cable car and possibly the Mer de Glace.
Does anyone who's done it recently have any thoughts please ?

 

[Deleted member 29692]

If you want to go on the cable car you need a ticket. You can either book them online or queue up. Either way it ain't cheap!!!

http://www.compagniedumontblanc.co.uk/en/site-overview/aiguille-du-midi/rates

Based on when we were there last year if you decide to queue be prepared for a long wait. We didn't bother - far too busy.

If you just want to take the grandkids on a cable car then the Planpraz/Brevant one on the other side of town is considerably cheaper and usually a lot quieter. The second bit from Planpraz to Le Brevent spans a bit of a gorge so don't bother with that bit if any of you have no head for heights.

We'll be there for a couple of days in mid July too on the aire so if you see us give us a shout

 

[Yorick]

It's amazing. Went up last year for my birthday

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[DuxDeluxe]

It is expensive, but worth the money. I would suggest going early in the morning if at all possible - you will find the weather probably clearer and much less in the way of crowds. Camping is almost right next door but might be a bit crowded

If you are up for it, you can take a hike up the path to the glacier and get the funicular railway back...

 

[Reallyretired]

The aire at the bottom of the cable car is ok for a night or two though basically a car park. Be aware the cable car doesn't run if its windy at the top which you can't tell from the bottom.

 

[Yorick]

Take a jumper

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[makems]

Take a jumper

And wear sensible shoes and socks.
Many years ago when the kids were young I was working in Geneva and i decided we would go to Chamonix and ride the cable car to the Aiguille de Midi. It was a boiling hot summer day and so we were dressed in our shorts, Tshirts and sandals. We parked the car next to the cable car station and found a pleasant enough place fairly close by a for a nice picnic lunch.
When we got to the top of the cable car we found the clouds had closed in and the tempreature was sub zero. There our shorts, t shirts and sandals werent really adequate!
We had to queue quite a while to get back down by which time we were all frozen stiff. Fortunately once we were back at the bottom it was still scorchio so we soon warmed up.
Lesson learned!

 

[Yorick]

It rises about 11,000 ft. That's 2 miles vertically up

 

[Tom A]

We've been up twice but want to show the grandkids. It's something that should be on every bucket list.

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[Bill_OR]

For info - we stayed at the Mer de Glace campsite and it was great - see http://chamonix-camping.com/ they provided a free train pass into town for the duration of our stay.
You might also want to consider the train that goes up to Montenvers - nice trip.
We also went on the Brevant cable car which was well worth it. Couldn't go on the Aiguille du Midi cable car as dogs aren't allowed and we had our Old English Sheepdog with us!

 

[Zains Pops]

We went up many years ago with the kids when they were young and again fell into the lack of decent warm clothing trap. Spoiled the trip.

 

[jonandshell]

There's a great bumpy swingy bit about halfway up!

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[orridge]

Definitely not a trip to miss. We brought I believe a 3 day pass which covers all the cable cars in the valley and the cog railways to both the Mer de Glacé and the Mont Blanc Tramway.

 

[Gorse Hill]

When climbing Mt Blanc we used cable car for access to the cosmique hut (3 peaks) beautiful place, bear in mind you will be at altitude and cold so be prepared but certainly something you should do if you have the opportunity

 

[andylouch]

All, Just picked up on this thread. We are also planning to visit Chamonix in July! I plan to go to use Aiguille du Midi although SWMBO doesn't fancy it at the moment! Having checked, first trip in July departs 0630 so plan to get up early on day I/we decide to go up. Thanks for link to online booking - hadn't spotted this before!!
Looking for campsites I have contacted both Mer de Glace and l’île des Barrats - neither take advance bookings so hopefully will have space so we can walk/cycle rather than have to camp further out and travel in!!

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[Forestboy]

Better still go up in the winter and ski the Vallee Blanche

 

[Yorick]

I went up during my problems with anxiety/stress. I'm scared of heights so was terrified.

Then I remembered my diazepam and my doc saying I could have 2 if a very bad situation arose.

2 down and was trying to make the carriage swing

 

[hilldweller]

Take a jumper

We were on the bike when we did it, in full biking gear, we were cold !!

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[Forestboy]

@hilldweller
You old thrill seeker you

 

[hilldweller]

@hilldweller
You old thrill seeker you

You bet. Everything about that trip is exceptional. I was constantly thinking "how the hell did they build this ? How did they get the first cables up there ?". I don't care what the price is, it's value for money.

Downside, last visit in MH weather stopped us going up.

Very good place to stop.....
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@45.9151647,6.8618881,371m/data=!3m1!1e3

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@45.9...4!1sU_j0SfZ7t3M4JxjKYgwuRw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656