You may know which is the biggest lift pass in the world in terms of the amount of terrain all linked together in the one area. However, did you know that there’s a lift pass that covers a still bigger area, and multiple world class resorts, but, although close together they’re actually in three different countries?
Yes, there is one lift pass you can buy that allows you to ski all of the Chamonix Valley in France, as well as its neighbouring huge ski region of the Evasion Mont-Blanc around St Gervais and Megève (another 475km of piste altogether), plus the slopes of Courmayeur* on the other side of Mont Blanc from Chamonix and even provides half-price tickets for Verbier and the 4 Valleys in Switzerland ***, all with the one ticket!
The remarkable Mont Blanc Unlimited pass actually includes 10 separate ski areas with a combined piste length of more than 1200km as well as three more spots described as ‘Excursion sites’ – that is places where you can go for a full or part-day scenic trip, but not for skiing.
And that’s not all, the icing on the cake is that the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass also provides lots of other benefits off the slopes.
Holders receive unlimited access to Chamonix’s public swimming pool, skating rink and museums*, one inclusive toboggan slide descent per day, per person at Les Planards ski area* and discounted entry of just €3/50 per ticket to see films in the town’s Vox cinema**.
Going Italian
The Chamonix Valley is famously one of the biggest ands best ski destinations on the planet but it can still be a little tantalising to think the beautiful Italian resort of Courmayeur is just a short hop away through the Mont Blanc tunnel.
What’s more, along with the historic resort itself and its enticing ski slopes, the incredible new Mont Blanc Skyway lift system recently open on the Italian side of Western Europe’s highest peak, following an exceptional €100 million plus investment and three years of construction. AQ must visit when you’re in the area and so close surely?
Well, along with covering all of Courmayeur’s ski lifts and slopes, holders of the Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass free and unlimited access to the Skyway throughout its validity*.
Pass holders can also take advantage of a €15 return/trip from Chamonix to Courmayeur through the Mont Blanc Tunnel using SAT bus service shuttle, or if you have your own car you’ll qualify from a special toll rate of €14.50 each way.
The Full Chamonix Valley
There are various passes available for the Chamonix Valley but only the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass covers every sector without needing to pay a supplement for some as you do with other passes.
These include the sunny south-facing Brévent-Flégère area located on the edge of a nature reserve with skiing for every level and famed for its superb gullies. Along with a beginners’ area, the Savoy, which can be accessed on foot from the resort centre, the Brévent side is home to a freestyle area equipped with five rails and is fully supervised by instructors from 1pm daily. There’s also a new 500m long speed skiing course here too.
The Grands Montets Area is also on the pass, famous for its challenging terrain and incredible snow record, is included too, including (unlike other passes) the top section.
The Balme Tour Vallorcine Area which encompasses slopes on two distinct mountain sides and is accessed via the villages of Le Tour and Vallorcine, is also on the pass.
From Charamillon, there are wide open gentle slopes overlooking the entire Chamonix valley and on the Vallorcine side, beautiful tree-lined pistes bordering on Switzerland.
The Balme ski area is home to a BMWxDrive skimovie area on the Autannes’ piste where your run will be automatically filmed.
Finally the family friendly ski area at Les Houches, which tends to be open when other areas in the valley are forced to close in bad weather, is also on the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass, as is the shuttle bus service to it.
The Mont Blanc Unlimited pass also provides holders with free use of shuttle bus services throughout the whole valley
Those Excursions
If you fancy a day off the slopes the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass has you covered too.
A return ticket for the Train du Montenvers Mer de Glace, a famous rack and pinion railway that departs from Chamonix and heroically climbs around 900 vertical metres on its ascent to the Montenvers site at 1913m is included on the pass. At Montenvers there’s access to the incredible Mer de Glace glacier for pedestrians (Many people descending the Vallee Blanche on skis or snowboards also end their descent here and board the train down).
A ride on The Tramway du Mont-Blanc, the highest railway in France and the fourth highest in Europe which links Chamonix to St Gervais and provides spectacular views of Mont Blanc and adjacent mountains is also included.
The pass also cover the tram up to the world famous Aiguille du Midi, the start of the Vallee Blanche descent (via an unnerving arete shuffle to the top of the world’s longest ski run) for those with guides to lead them safely down. Recent investment in the Aiguille du Midi has also added numerous new attractions including the ‘Step In To The void’ clear glass box you can stand in and see the valley far below you, if you’re brave enough.
Swiss Excursion
Half price skiing in Verbier and the 410km of lift-linked skiing in the 4 Valleys** for Mont Blanc Unlimited pass holders reduces a daily adult pass from around 75 Swiss Francs to 37.5 Swiss Francs or just £28.
The two resorts are not far apart as the crow flies but it’s about 90 miles round by road. There is a weekly direct bus service leaving Chamonix at 8am and returning from Verbier at 5pm which operates subject to demand on Thursdays.
The bus drops skiers at the Medran gondola beneath Verbier and pass holders should buy their half price pass by presenting their Mont Blanc Unlimited pass at the ticket desks there before setting off in to the vast 4 Valleys.
Info and Deals
For more information on the Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass visit:
http://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/en/montblanc-unlimited
There are discounted rates for children aged 5 to 14 and seniors aged 65 and older, there’s also a reduced family rate where two adults and two children aged 5-14 purchase a ticket together at the same time for the same duration. The third and subsequent children go free and in any case children aged four and under can get a free ticket. Looks out too for low-season discounts before Christmas and in the spring and for extra savings when you buy online at certain times – these have included six days for the price of five.
(* 2 to 21 day passes, ** 3 to 21 day passes, *** 6 to 21 day pass)