Non-skiers
Things to Do in Chamonix If You Don’t Ski: Aiguille du Midi & Mer de Glace
By Book & Ski · Sources checked
The short answer
The two big non-ski days in Chamonix are the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which rises from 1,035 m to terraces at 3,842 m with the Step into the Void glass box, and the red Montenvers train, which climbs to 1,913 m in 20 minutes for the Mer de Glace glacier and its Ice Cave. The Mont-Blanc Unlimited pass includes both.
| Activity | What you get | Good to know | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aiguille du Midi cable car | From Chamonix (1,035 m) to terraces at 3,842 m with views over the French, Italian and Swiss Alps; Step into the Void; The Pipe gallery above 3,700 m | Children under 3 not permitted, under 5 not recommended; altitude can cause discomfort | source |
| Montenvers train and Mer de Glace | Red rack train from Chamonix (1,035 m) to Montenvers (1,913 m) in 20 minutes; gondola down to the Ice Cave (1,760 m); Glaciorium glacier exhibition | The train has an autumn closure (2 November to 4 December 2026); check winter opening | source |
| Mont-Blanc Unlimited pass | Includes the Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers as well as the ski areas | Prices are date-based; see our Chamonix lift pass page | source |
Aiguille du Midi: plan for the altitude
The cable car climbs from the town to over 3,800 m, so dress for high-mountain cold even on a sunny day and take it slowly at the top. The operator does not allow children under 3 and does not recommend the trip for under-5s. Tickets are sold online, with more released the day before, and at the box office on the day; go early in busy weeks.
Mer de Glace and the Ice Cave
The little red Montenvers train is an easy half-day: 20 minutes up to the station at 1,913 m, a gondola down to the Ice Cave carved into the glacier each year, and the Glaciorium exhibition on glaciology and climate change.
Mixed groups of skiers and non-skiers
If some of your group ski and others do not, the Mont-Blanc Unlimited pass covers both the ski areas and these excursions, so non-skiers can meet the group for lunch at altitude.
Chamonix ski trip planning →How to get to Chamonix →Frequently asked questions
Can you go up the Aiguille du Midi without skiing?
Yes. The cable car takes non-skiers to terraces at 3,842 m, with the Step into the Void glass platform and The Pipe gallery.
How long is the train to the Mer de Glace?
About 20 minutes from Chamonix (1,035 m) to Montenvers (1,913 m).
Official sources
- Aiguille du Midi (Compagnie du Mont-Blanc)
- Montenvers – Mer de Glace (Compagnie du Mont-Blanc)
- Mont-Blanc Natural Resort: Mont-Blanc Unlimited
Checked on . Prices and timetables change; confirm with the operator before you pay. How we research.