The Skyway Monte Bianco is one of the most spectacular attractions in the Alps: a 360° rotating cable car that climbs from the valley floor to Punta Helbronner, at 3,466 metres, facing the Italian side of Mont Blanc. Its base station is not in the centre of Courmayeur but further north, in the Pontal d’Entrèves area. So if you want to be steps from the boarding point — perhaps to catch the first ride and avoid the queues — choosing the right area to stay makes all the difference. Let’s see where to stay and which small properties are closest to the cable car.
Where the Skyway departs: the right area
The Skyway’s valley station is at Pontal d’Entrèves, around 1,300 metres, near the hamlets of Entrèves and La Palud, a few kilometres north of central Courmayeur. From here the cable car rises to the intermediate station of Pavillon du Mont Fréty (2,173 m) and then to Punta Helbronner (3,466 m). Staying in these hamlets means having the boarding point just minutes away, often within walking distance, and it’s the ideal choice for those who put the cable car and high-altitude hikes at the top of their list. They are also the natural gateway to Val Ferret.
Entrèves and La Palud, the most convenient hamlets
Entrèves and La Palud are small, quiet Alpine settlements, with a few restaurants and the atmosphere of a mountain village. Most of the properties here state the exact distance from the cable car, and several are within a kilometre of the boarding point. If you prefer village life instead, with shops and venues, you can stay in central Courmayeur and reach the Skyway in a few minutes by car or local transport.
3 properties near the Skyway
A balanced selection in the hamlets of Entrèves and La Palud, from a charming five-star to a small family-run hotel and a B&B, all a short distance from the cable car according to what the properties themselves state.
Auberge de La Maison
The closest charming property to the Skyway: a five-star with a carefully curated atmosphere, spa, panoramic restaurant and suites with Mont Blanc views. Ideal for those who want to combine easy access to the cable car with a high-end stay.
Hotel Vallée Blanche
A small family-run hotel in the hamlet of La Palud, with free parking and ski storage. A simple, welcoming choice for those who want to stay close to the Skyway without giving up the warmth of personal hospitality.
Maison Altea
A cosy B&B in the hamlet of Entrèves, with soundproofed rooms and breakfast included. Perfect for those after an intimate, informal stay a short distance from the cable car boarding point.
Want to see all the options? Browse all the small properties in Courmayeur, including those in the centre and in the hamlets.
What to know before riding the Skyway
The cable car departs from Pontal d’Entrèves (1,300 m), with an intermediate station at Pavillon du Mont Fréty (2,173 m) and arrival at Punta Helbronner (3,466 m). At Pavillon you’ll find the Saussurea alpine botanical garden — one of the highest in the region, with hundreds of species — the Mont Blanc Infinity Room and panoramic restaurants, while from Punta Helbronner you can enjoy the 360° view over the peaks of the Alps. The return ticket up to Punta Helbronner starts from around €56 if bought online (around €61-63 at the ticket office), with reductions for children, teenagers and over-65s; buying online is worthwhile because you skip the queue and go straight to the turnstiles. Times and fares vary by season, and the cable car may close for maintenance in certain periods: always check current opening times and prices on the lift’s official website.
Staying in the nearby hamlets has a practical advantage: you can catch the first ride of the morning, when the air is clearest and there are fewer people, and then have the whole day for the high mountains or a hike in Val Ferret.
Skyway or central Courmayeur: how to choose
If your priority is the cable car, high-altitude hikes and Val Ferret, stay in Entrèves or La Palud: you’ll be steps from the boarding point and from nature. If instead you’re after shops, restaurants and village life, central Courmayeur remains the better choice, with the Skyway still just minutes away: there is also a bus service from the village centre to the cable car’s base station. Either way you’re talking about the same destination: to get your bearings across all the areas, read our complete guide on where to stay in Courmayeur.
From the Skyway to Val Ferret: the ideal area for walkers
Staying in Entrèves and La Palud doesn’t just mean being close to the cable car: these hamlets are also the natural gateway to Val Ferret, one of the most beautiful valleys at the foot of Mont Blanc and a destination for hikes of all levels. The most popular outing is the one to the Bonatti Refuge (2,025 m), a stage on the Tour du Mont-Blanc and the Aosta Valley’s Alta Via, reachable in about an hour and a half of walking (a little less without children) through woods and pastures with views of the Grandes Jorasses. The refuge is generally open from May to October.
One practical point to know: in summer Val Ferret is a limited-traffic area. In summer 2025, from 11 June to 28 September, the Municipality of Courmayeur made public transport free on the Val Ferret, Val Veny and Circolare lines, to reduce car traffic. When the car parks fill up, the valley is closed to traffic: in that case you park just before Lavachey and continue with the free shuttle or on foot. Staying in the hamlets near the Skyway makes it much easier to reach the starting point of these routes. Summer mobility schemes change from year to year: it’s best to check current dates and lines before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the base station of the Skyway Monte Bianco?
The valley station is at Pontal d’Entrèves, around 1,300 metres, near the hamlets of Entrèves and La Palud, a few kilometres north of central Courmayeur. From there the cable car rises to Pavillon du Mont Fréty and then to Punta Helbronner.
Which is the closest hotel to the Skyway?
Among the small properties, the Auberge de La Maison in Entrèves states about 300 metres from the cable car. The Hotel Vallée Blanche (about 700 m, La Palud) and the Maison Altea B&B (about 800 m, Entrèves) are also among the closest to the boarding point.
How much does the Skyway Monte Bianco ticket cost?
The return ticket up to Punta Helbronner starts from around €56 if bought online (around €61-63 at the ticket office), with reductions for children, teenagers and over-65s. Buying online is worthwhile because you skip the queue. Times and fares vary by season, and the cable car may close for maintenance in certain periods: always check the official website.
Is it better to stay near the Skyway or in central Courmayeur?
It depends on your priorities: Entrèves and La Palud are ideal for those focused on the cable car, high-altitude hikes and Val Ferret; central Courmayeur is better for those after shops, restaurants and village life, with the Skyway still just minutes away.
Can you reach the Skyway on foot from the hotels in the area?
Several properties in Entrèves and La Palud are within a kilometre of the boarding point and state the exact distance from the cable car, so in many cases it’s walkable. For those staying in the centre, the Skyway is a few minutes away by car or local transport.
Is Val Ferret easy to reach from the Skyway area?
Yes: Entrèves and La Palud are the natural gateway to Val Ferret, where the hike to the Bonatti Refuge (2,025 m) begins. In summer the Municipality of Courmayeur runs public transport lines to the valley and, when the car parks fill up, car access is closed with a shuttle service. It’s best to check current dates and lines before you travel.
