How to get on the ski lifts
A guide to the various lifts, ski passes and how to get them.Which pass do I choose?
Available from four hours to 21 days.
Choose if:
- You are on a short break and only have time to ski Chamonix ski areas
- You only wish to ski in Chamonix and do not wish to visit ski areas further afield
- You only wish to ski and do not wish to go sightseeing
- You do not wish to do the Vallée Blanche or use any specific off-piste lifts
- You want the cheapest pass option
Available from one to 21 days as well as whole of season.
Choose if:
- You wish to have the best possible choice of all the activities to do in Chamonix
- You have non-skiers or beginners in the group who wish to take a day or two to sightsee
- You plan to take a day off skiing and use the Aiguille du Midi lift or Montenvers train to sightsee
- You are skiing for two or more days and wish to visit Les Houches, Courmayeur and/or Megeve
- You are skiing for two or more days and wish to visit Crans Montana (Switzerland) for a day.
- You are a skilled skier and wish to do the Vallée Blanche or other guided/non-guided off-piste routes
- You wish to have free use of the municipal swimming pool, ice rink and museums (1 access per day and per activity)
Chamonix Le Pass
Available from four hours to 21 days
This is the cheapest pass and focused only on giving access to the four main ski areas within the Chamonix Valley.
Brévent
- Closest to the town centre (about 5 minutes on the bus)
- Mixed terrain but mainly intermediate to advanced
- Linked to Flégère ski area
- South-facing and get more sun so great for colder days
Flégère
- 6 minute’s drive from Chamonix
- Mixed terrain, good for beginners, intermediates and expert
- Lots of good off-piste off the Floria lift
- Another south-facing sun trap for when the temperature drops
Les Grands Montets
- Located in Argentiere town, a 12-minute drive from Chamonix
- Best for intermediate to expert
- Excellent off-piste areas, such as Lavancher bowl
Domaine du Balme (La Tour/Vallorcine)
- 20 minutes from Chamonix
- Excellent for beginners and intermediates
- Fantastic family area
For beginners, the Chamonix Le Pass includes all beginner slopes at the above ski areas as well as all beginner slopes in town on the valley floor (Les Planards, Savoy, Les Chosalets & La Vormaine).
There is plenty of skiing on this pass to cover a week’s holiday, and there is easy access to the many off-piste areas at the sides of the pistes for those who want a bit of off-piste experience without having to go back-country.
Mont-Blanc Unlimited
Available from one to 21 days as well as whole of season.
As the name suggests, the Mont-Blanc Unlimited pass covers everything you can do in terms of skiing, off-piste and sightseeing in Chamonix and beyond.
It includes:
- All the ski areas covered by the Chamonix Le Pass and Les Houches
- Access to the Aiguille du Midi lift (scenic views of Mont-Blanc & access to Vallée Blanche)
- Les Houches ski area (accessible by bus)
- Courmayeur ski area, Italy (accessible by bus, on passes of two days or more)
- Megeve ski area, France (available on passes of two or more days)
- 1 Free Day at Crans Montana ski area, Switzerland† (accessible by car only, on winter unlimited passes of two or more days)
Ski passes are the gateway to your mountain adventure. Save money by booking them in advance.
How much does a pass cost?
It depends on which of the two passes you choose, how long you need it for and the time of year you buy it.
You may also want to check if you qualify for one of the following discounts:
- family – for two adults and up to five children (five to 14 years old)
- early/late season – usually around 20 November—17 December and 2 April—2/8 May (exact dates differ annually)
- early birds – booked and paid before 25 November (set dates apply)
- reduced rate – between five to 14 years or 65 to 79 years
- veterans – 80 years and over
Never skied before and want to test the powder? Beginner passes are available for the beginner ski areas on the valley floor if you would like to have a go before purchasing one of the lift pass options above. These are significantly cheaper but will only cover you for the specific beginner ski area you purchase them for.
How do I get to the ski areas?
Chamonix Valley
All ski passes include the use of all the ski buses in town. Please note:
- It covers the areas within the Chamonix Valley only;
- Stops are made in town and at the ski areas;
- Bus times vary but generally run every 15-30 minutes from 07:00 until 19:00, depending on peak hours and time of season.
There is also parking available at all the Chamonix Valley ski areas. Three of the four areas offer free parking; Brévent is a pay-and-display car park (the first hour is free, then it’s from €2 per hour).
Les Houches
Buses to Les Houches are included in the price of your Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass.
Courmayeur (Italy)
Passport required
Buses to Courmayeur depart from the Chamonix Sud bus station and take around 45 minutes to reach the slopes. These need to be booked in advance online or at the bus station as places are limited. The bus is from €15 per person return if you have a Mont Blanc Unlimited pass and leaves daily at around 08:30 (make sure you check the timetable for exact times). There are then two return buses in the late afternoon.
Driving to Courmayeur will take around 45 minutes. If you have bought a Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass you can benefit from getting a reduced-price tunnel pass from the Montenvers Train Station ticket office the day before or morning of travel.
We also offer return day trips via our transfer partner, Haute Transfer, from €180 per vehicle. Each vehicle is capable of seating up to eight passengers. Contact us for a quote.
Don’t forget to bring your passport when travelling to Courmayeur.
Crans Montana (Switzerland)
Passport required
A bus to Crans Montana goes every Thursday and can be booked in advance by going to the bus station or online.
Driving to Crans Montana will take just over an hour and a half but the Col du Montets is sometimes closed due to heavy snow so make sure to check before you depart.
We also offer return day trips via our transfer partner, Haute Transfer, from €300 per vehicle. Each vehicle is capable of seating up to eight passengers. Contact us for a quote.
Don’t forget to bring your passport when travelling to Crans Montana.
How do I purchase my ski pass?
Ski passes can be purchased directly through us. Make sure you get your lift passes in advance as buying them on the day can be much more expensive.