Mer de Glace - Mountain Train

As a continuation on from my last post... I spent the afternoon making the most of my Mont-Blanc Unlimited Pass. I took the short walk across town, to the Montenvers - Mer de Glace train station, which is located just behind the main train station. And took the 20 minute train ride up to the hotel above the glacier. 

The train is an rack railway line, similar to that used on Snowdon, Wales. Even though i have seen it described as a funicular railway, my small amount of train knowledge knows that funicular railways use a rope and balancing system of two trains (i grow up near one). I am a bit picky, so i did my research.

From the train station you can take a cable car down to the top of the steps, which lead to the ice caves. The cost of the cable car is included in the price of the ticket. I found that most people chose not to make this journey as there are over 300 steps to get you to the ice caves and the cable car does not lead anywhere else.

The Mer de Glace glacier has been in retreated science the Little Ice Age. This retreat is not steady, but an advancing and retreating cycle. However between 1994-2008 the glacier has lost 500m in length and 70m in height at the point of the Montenvers train station (see here). As you descend down the stairs there are plaques stating the height of the glacier in any particular year, which really brings home how much this glacier is currently shrinking.

The ice caves are re-carved carved out of the glacier every year and serve as a mini museum. They are full of colour changing lights, a few bits of memorabilia and some rather odd tacky mannequins.  It was nice to be able to walk under the glacier, but the attraction really could have been made better, by either taking the above away or by putting more effort into it, sorry. 

Once you have survived the climb back up the stairs. You can head to The Montenvers Hotel, were you can stop for coffee or food or head a little further along to the Glacier Museum. This is a very small but modern  museum, where you can learn about the cycle of glaciers, avalanches and watch the Chamonix valley change seasons.

In the summer you can take walks from this point, but in the winter you have to take the train back down or join the skiers down the rest of the glacier.

Aiguille du Midi

Sometimes, from my apartment i get the most wonderful views of the Aiguille du Midi, either at sunset or sometimes spectacular glimpses through the cloud. So one huge thing on my Chamonix bucket list is the Aiguille du Midi, of course.

I had promised my self that the first good day i got of work i would go up the Aiguille du Midi. Last week was perfect, so i jumped out of my bed early, and headed into Chamonix to take the cable car ride to the top. On my way i was lucky to see this sunrise, such a promise of a good day. (this photo is better)

The cable car ride up the Aiguille du Midi, costs 50€ return or 54€ for the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass which also gives you access to other ski areas and attractions. The cable car ride is in two sections the first to the Plan de l'Aiguille at 2317m, and then on to the Aiguille du Midi at 3777m.

I am unlikely to attempt climbing Mont Blanc any time soon, so the Aiguille du Midi, is the closest i am likely to get. At 3777m you definitely feel the altitude, i was really struggling with the steps that get you to some the the best views.

Once on top of the Aiguille du Midi the views are amazing. It is from here that you get the best views of Mont-Blanc (highest peak in Western Europe), and also views across three countries, France, Switzerland and Italy. You really do feel like you are on top of the world.

In the Above picture you can see the Les Houches Ski area, where i lam staying (to the left). From the valley this seams massive, but from the Aiguille du Midi, it looks so low down and you can really appreciate the height.

Apart from a few tourists like me, just up there to look at the view, the majority were there to ski down the legendary black run. You need to be an experienced skier, take a guild, lots of specialized equipment and a good deal of nerve. Not something my one ski lesson covered in the UK, so i'll just stick to the blue runs for now.

This post just ran way to long to fit into it everything in i did that day so i am posting separately about the rest.

Pointing to Mont-Blanc

In Chamonix there is a statue. It points to Mont-Blanc.

The statue is of Horace-Benedict de Saussure and Jacques Balmat, it celebrates the first ascent up Mont-Blanc

Le Bartavel, Chamonix Mont-Blanc

Pleasantly surprised  - a lesson learnt

OK i admit i was not very impressed by the exterior or interior of this place. It was slightly drab, old and had these awful tacky blue fairy lights on the windows. Considering its surrounded by much nicer looking restaurants  they could have done better. I was somewhat dragged there by somebody, who wanted to save 50 cents on a pizza.

But wow, this is was definitely one of the best pizzas i have tasted in Chamonix so far, and i have had a fair few. So bad me for reading a book by it cover. We both had pizzas, i had the Frutti di Mare (seafood) and my friend the Tonno e Cipolla (tuna and onion), both were excellent, and the house wine was also up to scratch.

On the rest of the menu, they offer a range of salads, pastas, gnocchi... Looking at what was delivered to the surrounding tables, the food looked well presented, with good portions. I shall definitely keep this place in mind next time i am in town, and need to save myself 50 cents. Oh, they also do take away.

The service in the restaurant was good and efficient  We had a very friendly, kind waiter. The restaurant did not have WiFi, but waiter helped us out. How kind. He earn't a slightly bigger tip for that.

Le Bartavel: 26, cour du Bartavel 74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc.

Ski day in Les Houches

Woke up to beautiful sunny weather this morning, it does not get much better than this for a ski day.

We went up the Bellevue Telephethique first thing in the morning. Then spent the day running the more gentle blue runs up on the Les Houches Domaine.

For lunch we stopped at one of my fravorite restaurants La Cha.

La Cha is a self service restaurant at the bottom of the La Cha ski lift. The restaurant is small family run restaurants, with fantastic views, if you are luckily enough to get on of the few upstairs window seats. The interior of the restaurant is done out in a traditional/modern chalet style and borders on cute. The food is self service and always really good. I tend not to eat meat, and there has always been a veggie option, today it was ratatouille and spaghetti. There is also a good selection of salads and a amazing selection of desserts.

Oh they also have the best toilets on the piste.

In the afternoon we stopped at ..... which is at the bottom of the Vos la Coza lift. I have never stopped here before, because it have either been closed or i have just ski passed. We ordered hot chocolate and KitKats, the hot chocolate was nothing special, nor was the restaurant.

Overall an amazing day, i am so lucky to be staying in such an amazing place.

Welcome

Welcome to the world of Girl must eat...

I am a long time traveller, who loves mountains, coasts,cities, eating, out doors, sight seeing and, adventure.

This blog has been long time coming. I spend my life travelling, eating out and talking about where i have just been. Again and again i am asked, "why don't you write about this? You obviously have a passion of it". So i am.

Skiing and and hiking to restaurants in the mountains, has to be the best day out i can imagine. I am currently lucky enough to have a job in the French Alps for the winter. So i am making the most of my time here, skiing when i can and taking in a lot of the local cheese dishes.

In this blog i am intending to blog about all of my travel adventures, where ever they may be, whether it is a bite to eat at a local restaurant, apres ski, museums, live music, working or a day out in the mountains.

This is actually my second blog. My other blog KnottedRose, is dedicated to making my own stuff, where i am currently knitting. I love my other blog and hope to love this blog just as much.

So welcome, and enjoy my life along with me.