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Chamonix - Teleferique - What to wear? Brrrrr!

Mom and daughter traveling as students through France. We are trying to pack very light...but will be spending one day riding the teleferique from Chamonix to Italy. Your guidance states plan on 32F degrees... Any specific suggestions on what to wear... We would rather not pack coats for July travel.
Are there any heaters in the cable cars or is will we be assured several hours of 32 degrees. We are from a cold climate but again, don't wish to carry what we can leave home! Merci!

Posted by
12 posts

Thank you all so much! All of your responses were very, very helpful! I am grateful! Happy Trails!

Posted by
9110 posts

Thirty-two won't be that bad since there's no humidity. The standard traveling windproof/waterproof shell and a medium fleece take up little space. Neither does a knit cap. I've seen cable cars with heaters somewhere in my life, but usually the mass of humanity generates enough.

Posted by
1158 posts

I was there in August and it was cold. I only had a thin running jacket. No heaters in the cable cars and it's windy up there, so you need to pack something.
I suggest to pack a micro fleece because it's light and it doesn't take a lot of room.

Posted by
1299 posts

Layer, layer, layer. I had on a shirt, with a sweater (I actually had a quarter zip fleece), then wore my jacket (I take a North face), and then top it off with Marmot precip (waterproof, windproof, breathable lightweight rain jacket) The beauty of this is these are all items I have along anyway. I usually don't wear them all at once, but I do use all of them at various parts of the trip. I also throw in a pair of those stretchy gloves you can buy for about a dollar. It was still cold at the top, but we were able to walk around and enjoy the astounding views in comfort. Have a great trip.

Posted by
12313 posts

When I need to be warm, I layer.

Starting from the outside a windproof/waterproof packable (unlined) shell will protect you from the wind and keep you dry. In summer I'm likely to only bring a lightweight wool sweater, during fall or spring I add a 100 weight (lightest weight) full zip fleece. If it's real cold, I layer both under the shell. Under my sweater(s) layer, I might wear two layered t-shirts, in tech fabrics, when it's going to be cold. Wool socks can be used in warm or cold weather.

In winter (only) I add a silk longjohn to my packlist. I wouldn't add it for only one day of cold.

I don't pack them but any time it's colder than I'm prepared for I stop by a department store and pick up knit gloves, cap and scarf for added warmth.

Keep in mind cotton loses virtually all it's insulation when it's wet, including from sweat. Avoid cotton layers whenever possible.