The Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) is a mountain in Mont Blanc Massif.

The cable car to the summit, the Téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi, was built in 1955 and held the title of the world's highest cable car for about two decades.

It still holds the record as the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, from 1,035 m to 3,842 m.

There are two sections: from Chamonix to Plan de l'Aiguille at 2,317 m and then directly, without any support pillar, to the upper station at 3,777 m (the building contains an elevator to the summit).

The span of the second section is 2,867 m measured directly, but only 2,500 m measured horizontally.

Thus it is still the second longest span width, measured directly.

The tramway travels from Chamonix to the top of the Aiguille du Midi – an altitude gain of over 2,800 m – in 20 minutes.

An adult return ticket from Chamonix €42.50, €34 for children 4yr - 15yrs and €127.50 for a family return (2 adults + children)

The Vallée Blanche ski run begins here, and the nearby Cosmiques Refuge is the starting point for one of the routes to the Mont Blanc summit.

From the Aiguille another cable car (summer months only), the Vallee Blanche Aerial Tramway crosses the Glacier du Geant to Pointe Helbronner (3,462 m) at the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Pointe Helbronner is served with a cable car from La Palud, a village near Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley (Italy).

The name "Aiguille du Midi" translates literally as "needle of midday". It is so called as the sun sits directly over the peak at noon, when viewed from Chamonix.

The Vallée Blanche is not a ski slope. It is a high mountain evolving for 20 km on the glacier du Geant and the Sea Ice.

This route is not maintained (no gear damage), not marked or guarded (no service lane). Its practicability changes daily, according to the snowfall, wind and the passage of skiers who use it.

This route is not maintained (no gear damage), not marked or guarded (no service lane). Its practicability changes daily, according to the snowfall, wind and the passage of skiers who use it.

Because of the dangers that punctuate (cracks and crevasses), supervision by a mountain guide is strongly recommended , as well as equipment suitable for high mountain (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, harness, crampons, rope ... etc.)

With the arrival of the Mer de Glace at the foot of Montenvers descent can continue either to Chamonix by ski when snow permits, or by gondola from the Mer de Glace (joining Montenvers in 3 minutes) and then by train Montenvers rack, which returns to Chamonix in 20 minutes.

With the arrival of the Mer de Glace at the foot of Montenvers descent can continue either to Chamonix by ski when snow permits, or by gondola from the Mer de Glace (joining Montenvers in 3 minutes) and then by train Montenvers rack, which returns to Chamonix in 20 minutes.

Is it open today? (live response)