I am interested in spending a day or two in Chamonix early June this year. From what I read, the temperature in Chamonix will be around 20C during the day. I am also interested in taking the gondola up to Aiguille du Midi. I am wondering what the temperature and weather are like up there, and what should I wear. I hate to carry winter clothing all over France, when I really need it for just half a day.
Thanks,
Chister
Of course it depends on the weather when you'll be there. No one can predict June. More than likely, it will be cold and windy. That's why there are glaciers up there.
Assuming it's 20C/68F in Chamonix (I wouldn't try to predict the Chamonix temp but let's use your 20C), you can expect the air temp to be about 35 degrees F at the top of the Aiguille. And because it's usually windy up there, it will feel even colder to you.It's the world's highest vertical ascent gondola ride and will take you 9300 vertical feet up from Chamonix to the top of the Aiguille, in 20 minutes. It gets my vote as world's most exciting gondola ride (but only if you're okay around extreme heights). For a little vicarious fun, click on the pic below and on the short video clip to give you an idea of the excitement!Click Here for PhotoThe video clip shows what it's like to go over the edge in the gondola on the way down--the video gets to the fun part at about the 10 second mark.Click Here for Video ClipDue to the foreshortening effect of the still photo, the actual scale is difficult to comprehend, until you're in the little gondola hanging 9000 feet above Chamonix, then you'll get it.Technical note for nerd engineers or accountants: (yes, I admit to being at least one of those :)Hey, how often do we get to do a math problem on the Helpline! We start with as assumption: that the weather rule of thumb, taught to pilots, will be fairly accurate on the day you go up, which is that the average temp decreases about 3.5 degrees F for every 1000 feet you go up. If it's 20C in Chamonix, that's 68F (20C/5*9+32=68F) & a 9300 foot increase in elevation means it will be ~ 9.3 x 3.5 degrees = 32 degrees F colder at the top, or approximately 68F minus 32 = ~ 35 or 36F.
I visited Chamonix in early September and the temps in the valley were similar to what is described for June. I had a gortex shell, a really good wool sweater, long-sleeved shirt and a hat and gloves and was fine. It was very sunny and very windy. And, it was spectacular. Think about doing the balcony walk for your return. I wasn't fit enough and it nearly wiped me out, but it was fantastic. Pam
It will be cold at the Aiguille du Midi but there is indoor comfort available so you would not have to be exposed to the cold for very long if you choose not to. You could get by without heavy winter clothing and just dress in layers including a long sleeve shirt worn under a light weight jacket. You will still be cold but you would be able to endure it for a short period. The links below show 4 photos at the Aiguille du Midi taken in May. Have been to the top of the Zugspitze in the middle of June and it was sleeting and a very cold wind made it miserable. The Aiguille du Midi is even higher so it could be subject to similar conditions in June. You just never know.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_r23W5Tc2MeA/RoVCUOcv9jI/AAAAAAAACJg/e53rczHE9Fw/s912/DSC_3417.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_r23W5Tc2MeA/RoVCXecv9kI/AAAAAAAACJo/AO7sC85IDtk/s912/DSC_3423.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_r23W5Tc2MeA/RoVCaOcv9lI/AAAAAAAACJw/wB3nM8C0xfE/s640/DSC_3426.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_r23W5Tc2MeA/RoVCEucv9fI/AAAAAAAACJA/hFh1a_5nbnQ/s912/DSC_3393.JPG
Thank you for all the responses.
