The trip was done to Courmayeur, the aim was to "conquer" the Monte Bianco peak. Actually there was no real "conquer" it was a delightful trip using the Courmayeurs funicular up to the highest point.
Courmayeur is in fact a town in the autonomous region of Aosta Valley(northwestern Italy). The fantastic thing about it, is that it is an year-round destination and it perfectly fits for the mountain lovers. Courmayeur is also known as an owner of the Highest Europe Botanical Garden - Giardino Botanico Alpino Saussurrea. In the winter time the resort is considered one of the famous ski location and in the summer time it's very popular destination for hikers
Our last visit to Courmayeur was done in the Spring of 2013. It was actually a lot of snow everywhere and since we had no ski or other special climbing equipment we decided to take the furnicular, located in Piazzale de la Funivia.
At that time most of the tourists came for skiing and were using the second funicular, so we had the unique chance to have the entire splendid mountain attention just for us. At this particular funicular there are two available stations, the first one called Pavillon du Mont Frety, located at an altitude of 2200 m and the second one called Punta Helbronner, located at an altitude of 3462 m.
The Pavillon du Mont Frety(2200 m) or "The heart of Skyway Monte Bianco" (thats how they call it when the completely renewal will be over) has a quite huge terasse on which the visitors can relax, take a sunbath(depends on sun availability), enjoy a coffe or just remain astonished by the pitoresque and breathtaking landscape. Here you can find the botanical garden Saussurrea, a bar, a restaurant, a bookshop, an information center and never the less the quitness and the supremacy of the Alps.
The Punta Helbronner(3462 m) or "The Eagles Nest"(thats how they call it when the completely renewal will be over) is the closest point to reach the peak of Monte Bianco just using the funicular. A spectacular place where you can explore more in details the following peaks: Pic Gugliermina(3891 m), Aiguille Blanche de Puterey (4108 m), Col du Peuterey(3984 m), Mont Blanc de Courmayeur(4769 m), Mont Blanc(4810), Col de la Brenva(4305 m), Mont Maudit(4468 m), Mont Maudit(4468 m), Col Maudit(4468 m), Grand Capucin(3831 m).
If you are travelling somewhere around Torino city, do not escape the chance to enjoy the superb sights that only Alps can give to you.
