Chamonix - Aiguille du Midi

Posted by gopherjohn on 06/03/23 07:45 PM

We will be in Chamonix in just over a week and plan to go up to Aiguille du Midi as soon as possible in the morning, but the reservation system doesn't start when it opens. The lift opens at 8:10, but reservations not available until 8:40. Should I book the 8:40 and then show up at the 8:10? Should I not make any rerservation at all, just get there early enough to get on the 8:10?

It would suck to assume we can just get tickets in the morning to find out that we can't get up at all. But, it would also be kind of a bummer to show up at 8:00 to find out that we have to wait until 8:40.

Thanks!!!

Posted by Donna 🌎

Ohio

06/04/23 12:07 AM

2161 posts

Hi gopher, I’d book the 8:40 reservation and try to arrive a bit early. If the ticket office isn’t open yet, grab a coffee and find a bench. It’s a beautiful area.

Posted by thigpen.katie

Virginia

06/04/23 02:52 AM

68 posts

Hi! Yes, I suggest the same - buy the 8:40 ticket and show up early. The earlier times are likely already sold out so that could be why they’re not showing up online.

Posted by janettravels44

Chicago

06/04/23 03:08 AM

8599 posts

When we went they didn't care what time your reservation was -- obviously if things were more crowded they might. But I'd book what you can and see what happens if you come early. Here was our quicky trip:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2023/03/27/quick-trip-up-the-aiquille-du-midi-chamonix/

Posted by Carol F.

Westford, MA

06/04/23 08:19 AM

212 posts

I’m on a RS tour about to arrive in Chamonix. We did not pre-book since the weather is very iffy here. We have 2 days and our guide is watching the forecast.

Here’s the webcam: https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/fr/webcams (maybe change the fr segment to en to get English)

Posted by shoeflyer

Chicago

06/04/23 11:40 AM

662 posts

gopherjohn, there is a souvenir shop in the lift complex to while away a few minutes
if you have to wait, and getting a coffee is almost de rigueur.

But there is likely to be a line you'll have to stand in even with a reservation.

The more important question is the weather. It's obviously very dynamic and you
could spend a lot of $ to see high-altitude clouds.

Consider getting the pass, even if for just one day (you don't say how long you'll be
there). Then if the weather is bad in the early morning, you can do Mer de Glace and
then come back over to AdM, or something like that. Often the weather gets better
later in the morning/day.