The highlight of our winter trip to the Aosta Valley was definitely the ride on the Skyway up to Monte Bianco. I had already become aware of this extraordinary cable car during my hiking trip in the Aosta Valley, and I was immediately fired up about the idea. I knew right away: I want to do this. That it actually worked out just two months later feels like a dream.<\/p>\n
The Top of Italy<\/strong> When we went to book tickets for this dream trip, we discovered that from Punta Helbronner you can even continue by cable car all the way to Chamonix. Of course, that immediately hooked me. Spoiler: the connection to Chamonix only runs in summer \ud83d\ude41 Oh well\u2014there\u2019s a saying for that: save the best for last!<\/p>\n In the end, the trip up Mont Blanc was already so spectacular that anything more might have been overkill.<\/p>\n Pure Happiness<\/strong> While the first section already offers wonderful views of Courmayeur, the second part of the ride is the real showstopper. The sky above us is a brilliant blue, and the powdery snow on the mountain peaks is so white that this intense combination of colors almost blinds us.<\/p>\n At the latest from Refugio Torino onward, there\u2019s nothing left on the horizon but mountains, mountains, mountains\u2014and yes, the azure-blue sky! It feels like paradise.<\/p>\n Wobbly Knees on the Viewing Platform<\/strong> Naturally, countless souvenir photos and selfies are taken. Since our time on the \u201csummit\u201d is limited to 1.5 hours, we savor the panorama and everything that comes with it to the fullest before heading back down to the Pavillon.<\/p>\n A T-Shirt Power Nap<\/strong> When I wake up, I can hardly believe my eyes: the first guests have already taken off their shirts (luckily only the men) and are posing bare-chested. The women, meanwhile, continue posing for Instagram & Co. Well\u2014whatever floats your boat.<\/p>\n We stretch our legs a bit and are amazed to realize that we\u2019re basically walking right across the landing zone for skiers who swoop in here at high speed with their paragliding wings. Respect! We had already wondered during the cable car ride why some passengers were carrying skis with them\u2014now we know why.<\/p>\n The Infinity Room Mont Blanc<\/strong> To finish off, we treat ourselves to a visit to the Infinity Room. This costs an extra \u20ac5 on top of the \u20ac52 cable car ticket, but once again I think the investment is worth it. The (nature) images projected onto the walls are breathtaking and completely take me out of this world for at least ten minutes.<\/p>\n When we leave the mountain in the afternoon and take the cable car back down into the valley, we\u2019re both simply happy and deeply impressed by this overwhelming experience. What could possibly come next? Easy\u2014the journey on to Chamonix next summer \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
\nThe Skyway Monte Bianco advertises the journey as a trip to the \u201croof of Italy.\u201d Since Monte Bianco is the highest mountain in Italy, that\u2019s absolutely true. Still, before the ride I couldn\u2019t really imagine what it would be like up there. At first, I was also a little skeptical about the temperatures at 3,466 meters (Punta Helbronner).<\/p>\n
\nThe feeling of happiness that accompanied me throughout the entire excursion is almost impossible to put into words. The cable car ride\u2014slowly rotating around its own axis and offering a full 360-degree view of the mountain world\u2014first takes you from the valley to the \u201cmid-station,\u201d the so-called Pavillon at 2,173 meters. Here we have to change cabins to continue on to Punta Helbronner at 3,466 meters.<\/p>\n
\nWhen we arrive at 3,466 meters and step out of the cable car, we notice our knees wobbling a bit as we climb the stairs. No surprise\u2014those altitude meters really get to your circulation. We leave the building and head for the viewing platform. Simply overwhelming. And even more surprising: the sun up here is so strong that we\u2019re not cold at all.<\/p>\n
\nBack at the Pavillon level, we experience our second miracle: even though we\u2019re at over 2,000 meters, it\u2019s really warm. We start sweating! Outside in the snow, we grab two folding chairs and make ourselves comfortable. It doesn\u2019t take long before my eyes close and I drift off into a little midday nap, smiling.<\/p>\n
\nUnfortunately, the day passes faster than we\u2019d hoped. We take some time to explore the interior of the buildings, learn a bit about the construction of the cable car, and discover the Cave Mont Blanc\u2014very stylish and surely delicious, too.<\/p>\n