Planachaux (Croix de Culet / Dents du Midi)

Two cableways, one (1.7km/1mi long, seven minutes) leaving from the south end of the Champéry, the other (2.2km/1mi, 10minutes) 1.5km/1mi north of the Monthey road, go up to the skiing area of Planachaux (1,800 m/5,906ft; several restaurants, mountain inn; many ski-lifts; beautiful views). There are many attractive walks and climbs from here.

Walks: 1.25 hours southwest to the Chalets d'Ayerne (1,473 m/4,833ft; good general view of the valley), 1.25 hours south to the Chalets de Bonaveau (1,556 m/5,105ft; inn).

Climbs: Croix de Culet (1,966 m/6,450ft; superb views), 2.5-3 hours west (30 minutes from Planachaux); Dents Blanches (2,645-2,764 m/8,678-9,069ft), seven hours south (with guide); Dents du Midi (Haute Cime, 3,260 m/