Chamonix is a valley with two sides, and the sunny north-facing slope has the best views. The Brévent cable car, reached via the Planpraz gondola from the edge of town, climbs to a terrace opposite the Mont Blanc massif, where the whole length of the glaciers is laid out in front of you. At the other end of the valley, the Flégère gondola leaves from Les Praz and serves a sunny bowl of pistes, mountain restaurants and some of the most popular summer hikes, including the path to Lac Blanc. The two areas are linked as the Brévent-Flégère ski domain. In winter they are intermediate-friendly places with wide, sunny runs and big views, a calmer counterpart to the steeper terrain at Les Grands Montets. In summer they swap to walking, paragliding take-offs and mountain-biking, and you can ride the lifts as a simple sightseeing trip even if you never hike.
The lifts are shut right now. The Planpraz gondola, which feeds the Brévent from town, closed with the other lifts on 1 November and has no published reopening date, so check the live status before you assume anything. In the weeks between seasons, the valley is quiet and many mountain restaurants are closed.
For sightseeing rather than skiing, the Brévent is the better choice. It sits directly across from Mont Blanc, so you see the whole sweep of the massif and its glaciers in one frame, and it makes a good alternative when the higher lifts are shut. Pick a clear morning, wear warm clothes and bring sunglasses, and plan a stop at a terrace restaurant when they are open. In winter, you can ride up as a pedestrian with a lift ticket for the day and walk the marked paths near the top.
Flégère is the one for families and beginners. Its slopes are broad and sunny, and the gondola from Les Praz is easy to reach by the valley train or the local bus. If you plan to ski, a day pass or a multi-day valley pass is the usual choice.
The ski season generally starts mid-December, and early snowfall can be thin, so look at the snow report and lift map before you buy a multi-day pass. For summer, the same lifts open in June and the Lac Blanc hike starts from the top of the Flégère gondola, but that is outside the current season.
What to expect
The experience
Two lift systems, the Brévent cable car via Planpraz and the Flégère gondola from Les Praz, giving ski runs in winter and walking in summer.
Best time
A clear morning once the lifts open: Flégère from 28 November and the Brévent from 12 December 2026.
How long
Two to three hours for a sightseeing ride, or a full day for skiing or walking.
Tips
Check the live lift status, bring warm clothes and sunglasses, and buy ski passes only after checking the snow report.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want Mont Blanc views from the opposite side of the valley and easier skiing than the high-altitude areas.
- Families
- Flégère's broad sunny slopes suit beginners and families, and the gondola is simple to reach.
- Couples
- A terrace lunch with Mont Blanc in front of you is a classic way to spend a clear day.
- Pair with
- A walk in Chamonix town, the Lac Blanc hike in summer or a paragliding flight.
- Time needed
- Half a day for a ride, a full day for skiing.
Good questions
Are the Brévent and Flégère lifts open in November?+
No. Flégère is due to open on 28 November 2026 and the Brévent on 12 December 2026, both running to 18 April 2027. The Planpraz gondola has no published reopening date yet.
When does the Chamonix ski season start?+
The season usually starts in mid-December, with some lifts opening in late November if snow allows. The Flégère and Les Grands Montets areas are the first scheduled to open.
Which is better for views, Brévent or Flégère?+
The Brévent has the more complete panorama of the Mont Blanc massif. Flégère is better as a starting point for hikes and gentle skiing.
Can I ride the lifts without skiing?+
Yes. In winter and summer you can buy a pedestrian ticket and use the lifts for views, terraces and short walks.
How do I get to the Flégère gondola?+
It leaves from Les Praz de Chamonix, a short ride from the town centre on the valley train or local bus.
