Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the top of the lift station, you have several options. Follow ascenseur signs
through a tunnel, then ride the elevator through the rock to the summit of this pinnacle
(€3 in high season, free off-season and when the télécabines to Helbronner are not run-
ning). Missing the elevator is a kind of Alpus-Interruptus I'd rather not experience. The
Alps spread out before you. Find the orientation posters to identify key peaks. If it's really
clear, you can see the bent little Matterhorn—the tall, shady pyramid listed in French on
the observation table as “Cervin—4,505 meters” (14,775 feet). And looming on the other
side is Mont Blanc, the Alps' highest point, at 4,810 meters (15,771 feet). Mont Blanc and
the Matterhorn were first connected by intrepid backcountry skiers in 1903 via La Route
Haute (The High Route). Today, it's one of the most popular ski trails (not difficult from
a technical point of view). Skiers cover approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) over
about eight days, sleeping in hiking huts overnight.
Use the telescopes to spot mountain climbers; more than 2,000 scale this mountain
each year. A long but not technically challenging climb, it was first scaled in 1786, more
than 170 years before this lift was built (are you kidding?). Find the giant's tooth, spot the
télécabines toItaly,andidentifyliftstationsoftheAiguillesRougesmountainrangeonthe
other side of Chamonix. That rusty tin-can needle above you serves as a communications
tower. Check the temperature next to the elevator. Plan on 32 degrees Fahrenheit, even on
a sunny day. Sunglasses are essential.
Locals are currently envisioning a daring project to construct see-through walkways
around parts of this sky-high terrace; the work could be completed by your visit. If so,
you'll be able to stand staring down some 3,000 feet to glaciers below. Ooh la la.
Back down, explore Europe's tallest lift station . More than 150 yards of tunnels
(galeries) lead to an enclosed view room, a free and worthwhile exhibit on the extreme
(and crazy if you ask me) sport of mountain climbing, a cafeteria (fair prices—have lunch
or coffee with a view), a restaurant (not such fair prices), WCs, a gift shop, and an icicle-
covered gateway to the glacial world. A right turn out of the elevator leads you through
a tunnel to the Mont Blanc Terrace, a small deck with more views. Interview a mountain
climber (many are British) to get an insight into their sport.
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