So you want to see the famous Mont Blanc, but you're asking yourself if the Mont Blanc Multi-day Pass is really worth the money? Even though we are budget travellers, we took the advice of a good friend and purchased the Multi-day Pass even though we thought it was really expensive, and were at that stage not sure that it would be worth it. After the fact and in all honesty, we are really glad that we took his advice, it was definitely well worth it! However, after making the purchase, we set out on a mission to make the absolute most of the Mont Blanc Multi-day Pass and want to give you some tips on how you can do the same. If you can, keep an eye on the weather if you plan on using the consecutive day version of the Multi-day Pass. This consecutive day version is the cheaper option and the saving is worthwhile if you can plan accordingly.
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Mont-Blanc Multi-day Pass Day 1
Get up very EARLY for the very best way to see Mount Blanc. It was SO worth getting up at 05:00 to make it to Aiguille du Midi for a spectacular early morning view of Mont Blanc and surrounds. The temperature in the valley was unusually hot and yet thunderstorms rolled in every afternoon. If you want to give yourself the best possible chance to get a clear view and avoid the queues make sure you get there early! We were staying at a campsite in Chamonix and hopped on our bicycles just before sunrise to make it to the lower cable station as it opened at 6 am. Usually, the chances of a clear sky are best in the early morning and more often than not clouds roll in during the afternoon, which can halt all activities. Even if you can make it to the cable station by 6 am like we did, don't expect to be alone!
Make your way all the way up to the top station of Aiguille du Midi at 3 842 m high and you'll feel the effects of the altitude as you gaze around in wonder at the white wonderland that lies all around you. We spent over 3 hours admiring the scenery from the top station and the middle station before we finally headed back down. Whether you're reading the information boards, queuing to pose in the suspended glass box or watching in amazement as the adrenaline junkies claw their way along the dangerous snowy mountain ridges, time will fly by.
Once you've made your way back down, take some time to explore the charming little town of Chamonix. From here, take the gondola up to Le Brévent for stunning views of Mont Blanc from a magnificent vantage point. If you're feeling like a bit of adrenaline yourself, why not try tandem paragliding from here?! We would have loved to, but unfortunately, it's not exactly a budget-friendly activity! Even if that's not for you, it's good fun to watch them taking off from the grassy peak and soaring through the valley.
As late afternoon approached, we noticed the weather changing very rapidly, so headed back down and started making our way back to our campsite. We weren't nearly fast enough and ended up getting soaked in the sudden torrential rain downpour! You can take a laugh at us getting caught in the rain in our YouTube video! If you have better weather, end your day with a snack or drink in Chamonix.
Mont-Blanc Multi-day Pass Day 2
Whatever you do, don't lick that GLACIER! Today you are going to visit three glaciers in one day - inside, on top and over. Although the ride up Aiguille du Midi was amazing, we were absolutely BLOWN AWAY with what we experienced on our second day in Chamonix. This is where the Mont Blanc Multi-day Pass really becomes well worthwhile.
Another early morning saw us boarding the quaint red Montenvers train to visit the Mer de Glace glacier where every summer an ice cave is dug into the glacier to house ice sculptures. A steep gondola takes you close to the glacier, but you still need to put some effort into climbing the 480 steps down to the entrance of the cave. As expected, it was fairly busy but it's such an incredible experience that any effort makes it worthwhile. It's really hard to describe this experience, but you can see a little for yourself in our YouTube video - it's something entirely out of this world!
After returning to Chamonix with the same red train, we took a bus to Argentière for a visit to Grands Montets where one can WALK ON the Argentière glacier at 3 275 m altitude! This location is highly underrated and even during the height of the summer season, it can be fairly quiet and easy to visit. We had so much fun here and highly recommend that you make time for this visit!
Lastly, to be sure that we were getting value for money, we took the Bossons chairlift, which is 1102m long, to see the Bossons Glacier up close. The chairlift is fun and this glacier is referred to as the focal point of the Chamonix Mont-Blanc valley!
