The Aiguille du Midi is what every tourist comes to Chamonix for. It's the highest cable car in the world and the €38 return ticket is worth every cent. In just eight minutes you're whisked from Chamonix town centre to Plan d'Aiguille where you change cable cars and in another eight minutes you're taken up to the Aiguille du Midi station where you're rewarded with stupendous views of Mont Blanc and Italy.

Fortunately, I chose the right time to go (7.30am) as the light shone on Mont Blanc in just the right way and there were only six tourists on the highest terrace which looks over Mont Blanc, be warned though the cable car does get cramped with all of the skiers with their skis and poles taking up every inch

Note to parents - children under two are not allowed on the cable car.

Aiguille du Midi cable departs from Place de l'Aiguille du Midi cable car station - just a 30 minute walk from Chamonix train station (but bizarrely there are no signs showing you the way from Chamonix train station).

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This wooden bridge links Chamonix town centre and the district where the posh (and expensive!) shops are. It offers great views of the Alps too.

Pont Cour lies between Avenue Michel Croz and Avenue Mont Blanc

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Great new hotel in Chamonix with shop for kit rental, beer garden with it's own climbing wall and a cool bar and restaurant downstairs. Open year round with regular events/parties in the bar.

964 Routes Des Gaillands, on the South side of Chamonix by the lake and climbing wall. www.verthotel.com
Tel +33 0450 531 358

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Two thousand metres up and with blissful views, La Bergerie serves a very good gratin and decent steak. Those who are squeamish about offal will want to avoid the andouillette (tripe sausage), which is large and horrible.

But if you're willing to wait for service and don't mind paying over the odds for Evian (water has to be hiked up the mountain), it really is a beautiful spot.

At the top of the Planpraz telepherique
Tel: 04 50 53 05 42

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This is a traditional-style gite with a great view of the Bossons Glacier and Mont Blanc massif. The owners are very friendly and the food served is typical of the area. Ask to see their collection of shot glasses!

La Crèmerie du Glacier 333, route des Rives
Nearest station: Les Bossons
Tel.: +33(0)4.50.55.90.10

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Take the draglift up to the top of the nature reserve, from where you get an unusual perspective on the valley. From here it's plain to see just how enormous Mt Blanc really is, as it dwarfs l'Aiguille du Midi in a way you don't notice from elsewhere in the valley.

Le Tour, Chamonix

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This gargantuan hanging wall of ice is one of the visually defining features of Chamonix. It's often lit up at night when it takes on a very surreal air, but the best time to see it is by day, from close up. A pleasant stroll through the woods above Les Bossons takes you to the edge of the ravine, from where you can often see huge chunks ofice falling off. Don't get too close!

Les Bossons, Chamonix

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