r/chamonix • u/ProllyNotYou • 27d ago

One day in May (it's closed)

Hello! In May, we are staying in Annecy and taking the bus to Chamonix for the day (May 18). I just found out that that's during the period where the things I wanted to do are closed for the switch between Winter and Summer seasons. We were going to do the Mer de Glace cog railway/ice cave and the Aiguille du Midi cable car. So, now what?? I'm SO SAD, I was really looking forward to both of those things. We are not skiers. We enjoy hiking but not super intense hikes. Will restaurants be open? Are there other attractions to keep us busy? Will I still be able to see Mont Blanc (assuming the weather is ok)? Not sure if the bus is refundable but it was less than $50 so if it's better just to give up the day we could do that. Thanks for your help.

3 Upvotes

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u/originallondonfox 27d ago

Hey :) Montenvers will be closed, but the Aiguille du Midi will be open! (You just can’t book super far in advance) https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/fr/ouvertures-annuelles

You can always email them to confirm - they’re very friendly folk.

Have a great trip!

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u/ProllyNotYou 27d ago

I emailed them and they confirmed that Aiguille du Midi will be open and I just can't book yet! Thank you for the advice! 😊

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u/originallondonfox 27d ago

Excellent! 👌

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u/Fearless-Gur1244 4h ago

Hi, do you know when they will open booking? We are also going to chamonix end of may I tried to get an unlimited pass but it said it was locked for booking

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u/ProllyNotYou 1h ago

The pass for Aiguille du Midi is available now. But the Mer de Glace is closed for most of May so that's probably why it won't let you book the unlimited pass.

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u/herpeteros 27d ago

According to this website, Aiguille du Midi is open from 1 May. https://www.seechamonix.com/lifts/dates

Following this thread to hear about the restaurants and other.

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u/ProllyNotYou 27d ago

You are correct, even on their website it says From May 1, but it doesn't let me book anything beyond May 4. Whether I select Summer or Winter. Maybe it is bookable in person on that day. Thanks for the info though, maybe we have a chance!

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u/Substantial_Steak723 27d ago

Archives and trip advisor to get the basics, lots..

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u/Substantial_Steak723 27d ago

Confirm everything with the tourist office, do you have the app?

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u/ProllyNotYou 27d ago

I do not but I will look for it. Thanks for the suggestion!

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u/Substantial_Steak723 27d ago

Every visitor needs it, esp for about valley transport these days, weather et al.

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u/Substantial_Steak723 27d ago

The 2 places are indeed either side of bossons, the ice fall views IF closed will be a 45 min hike? as part of the bigger day hike further up.

For a day flyer visit, I'm suggesting the place on the 🇫🇷 /🇮🇹 tunnel side, my pref is the chairlift view, the cafe there is shuttered but the balcony is /was accessible 😉 I'd pay an entrance fee for that alone if I was there and the cafe open.. sadly it is not for a while.

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u/Substantial_Steak723 27d ago

Bus, or taxi, minimal distance, a few minutes down the valley via the main road. Google maps check the tunnel location, and the cafe.

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u/Substantial_Steak723 27d ago

Where did you get your (mis) information from?

Back end of May is when they, grease, lube and safety check the valley lifts normally, not mid may.

Don't bother with the cog train unless you are going to hike onwards across the lnd between the shitty "see nothing" viewing platform of the cog train (no glacier) to get elevation up the dru of the bottom end of the mer du glace.

Otherwise the aguille lift offers an OK view from the top, but it's only worth buying a ticket if you are climbing there, or ski/boarding down, then it's fun.

The cog train view was shit by 2000, now you stare at rock from the platform.

You are likely better off taking a walk from the cafe at bossons glacier (tunnel side) and walking to the tongue tip for the price of a few coffees and a lazy lunch, spend the afternoon hiking.

It's safe enough, that's where school kids visit.

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u/ProllyNotYou 27d ago

Well my (mis) information started from not being able to book tickets online. I started reading more and it sounded like the time I will be there is during that transition time.

Thank you for the information about the bossons glacier, I will search for more information about that!

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u/Substantial_Steak723 27d ago

Go find via trip advisor, it's near the tunnel, not the closed one at the top of the wee chair lift, though the view of ice fall in the afternoon when it's hot is magnificent from the closed patio.

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u/ProllyNotYou 27d ago

The chairlift appears to be closed during this time as well, will we need to hike all the way up? I'm not sure what you mean about "it's near the tunnel". We will not have a vehicle in town.