Mont Blanc… our visit was even more than I’d dreamed of. Words cannot do justice to the sheer majestic beauty of Western Europe’s tallest mountain and the many surrounding glaciers. The Massif of Mont Blanc (Massif du Mont-Blanc) is a group of mountains, located between the Aosta Valley, Italy, the Rhones-Alpes, France and the Valais, Switzerland. 

We traveled an hour and a half from the French/Swiss border to visit Mont Blanc. We arrived at noon at the Aiguille du Midi Station in Chamonix. I was surprised to see that the area looked so nondescript; the station looked like any other cable car station-it was not noticeable from the street how high up the cable car travels. When we arrived to board with our pre-purchased tickets we kept hearing announcements that the next time available for tickets purchased at the station was for 4:00 p.m.It is advisable prepurchase tickets for a specific time. 

We were transported up from the cable car station to Aiguille du Midi via two cable cars, the tallest in all of France,  which then stopped at a station mid-way and we transferred to a second cable car for the rest of the ascent to Aiguille du Midi. The cable cars, made to hold 65 people were filled to capacity (We were told to remove any backpacks to save space). Total travel time via the two cable cars up to the Aiguille du Midi takes approximately 20 minutes including the transfer time (It can take up to 40 minutes during busy times).

As we ascended, the Aiguille du Midi vistas were opening up all around us with sweeping views of the magnificent mountains. The higher we ascended the more snow-capped mountains were in view. At the station we inhaled the cool mountain air and the majestic white capped mountains. I felt some pressure in my head and my feet felt heavy from the high altitude. I made sure to drink plenty of water.

The Panoramic Mont Blanc Cable Cars closed at 4:30while the Cable Cars to Aiguille du Midi close at 6:00so we saved the visit to the Aiguille du Midi for the return trip and continued on to the Panoramic Gondolas that cross above Glaciers and chains of snow-covered mountains to Pointe Helbronner in Italy. 

Passengers on the Panoramic Gondola are advised to bring their ID for border crossing (France to Italy) although no one asked us for it when we went. 

The Panoramic Mont Blanc Gondolas travel in groups of 3. Each Gondola holds up to 4 people. The ride 

across from Aiguille du Midi in France to Pointe Helbronner in Italy takes approximately 30 minutes. The views during that 30-minute relaxing ride are unparalleled! I felt like I was in glacier paradise. 

There are 360-degree views of snow-covered mountains in every direction for as far as the eye can see. Below us we were able to view the crevices and cracks in the layers of snow and ice. 

As we were nearing the Pointe Helbronner station, we entered a thick layer of clouds. The entire area where we’d arrived was covered in a cloud! We made our way outside to enjoy the views, and slowly the clouds moved from one area to the next; until eventually, before we headed back, we got to enjoy a clear view of the areas all around. 

At Pointe Helbronner (3,462 meters) there is a display of all types of unique crystals found in the mountains, and a fully glass-encased room, Sky Vertigo, which juts out of the building suspended over the magnificent mountainous landscape. There is another cable car, Skyway, Monte Bianco, which can be taken from Pointe Helbronner to Courmayeur in Italy.

We sat outside on the circular terrace and enjoyed the fresh outdoor air. We felt a bit dizzy from the thinner air and preferred the outdoors to the air in the building. We could not bring ourselves to head back-the views were just intoxicating!

Eventually we boarded the Panoramic Gondola for our return trip to Aiguille du Midi. We relaxed and enjoyed the ride back as much, if not more than, the ride in.  We got to see a beautiful unobstructed view of the Mont Blanc Summit. We also enjoyed watching the hikers below trekking through the snow.

After visiting Pointe Helbronner I wondered if Aiguille du Midi would be a let-down.   I was pleasantly surprised to see a new perspective of the magnificent snow-covered mountains. 

Aiguille du Midi (Needle of the Midi) stands at a majestic 3,842 meters tall. There are many ways to experience the breathtaking views. In the building there are many displays with information about the Mont Blanc. There is an area with history and the Vertical Space; a mountaineering museum. At the Hypoxia Level there are explanations about the decrease of oxygen and its effects on the body.

“Step Into the Void” Is an extremely popular spot (with waiting time for a picture often a half hour or more). The clear “box” protruding out of the building and suspended in the air at 3,842 meters offers visitors an opportunity to take photos suspended in what seems like mid air.

And of course the views outdoors. Nothing can compare to the sweeping 360 degree views. Climbing to the summit and taking in the panorama is just incredible!

As the hour got later and the time of closing was approaching, we realized we needed to wrench ourselves away from the most beautiful sights and return back down to the ground. 

Although we visited in the summer, The Chamonix and Mont Blanc area is also a popular winter destination. It is a great place to visit and enjoy skiing and winter sports.

Posted: September 26, 2024