Introduction
The Vallée Blanche is the one route that an aspiring off-piste skier should do once in their lifetime. It leads from the top of the Aiguille du Midi right down to Chamonix. The route puts you in the midst of awesome rock faces, glaciers, seracs, and crevasses in an unbroken run down into the valley.
The route is suitable for a fit intermediate to advanced skier. By Chamonix standards, the route is not truly steep, but it is exceptionally long and includes all the standard challenges of off-piste terrain. If you are less than an advanced off piste skier, you should take the option with an extra day of training.
Chamonix is the place to make the advanced skier drool. Nowhere can beat it in terms of mountain scenery, steepness, and extent of off piste terrain. There is a fabulous and extensive lift system to up from the valley to the high mountains.
Chamonix and the Ski Area
Chamonix is a bustling alpine sports centre. It offers lots of bars, restaurants shops, and a busy night life. The skiing area is generally considered to have some of the best off-piste and backcountry skiing in the Alps. Much of this is accessible from the lift systems and includes descents of over 2000m. The Chamonix valley has numerous up lift access points over the massif, offering excellent descents at all altitudes, aspects and lengths; so plenty for everyone.
Difficulty: Difficult
Duration: long weekend
Quick Facts
- World Famous 24km glacier run from summit to the valley
- Optional two or three day trip: Friday to Sunday or Saturday to Sunday
- Twin room hotel accommodation in Chamonix
- Fully-qualified UIAGM guide
- The best off-piste terrain in the Alps
- Off-piste and avalanche awareness training
Pure Vallée Blanche (2 day option)
Note: This is only a guide to your itinerary. This trip involves travel to high altitudes and to areas where a short notice change of itinerary may be necessary. The details of the itinerary may be altered to suit the particular participants, inclement weather or for any other reason deemed necessary.
| Day | Activity |
| Saturday |
Fly from UK to Geneva. Transfer to Chamonix: 1 1/2 hours.
Arrive in Chamonix and settle in to the accommodation. Afternoon on slopes. Meet guide; equipment check, and trip briefing.
|
| Sunday |
Breakfast. Ascend lifts to the Aiguille du Midi, and a descent of the Vallée Blanche. Route options include including a challenging variation or including an awesome vantage point for an extra descent. Sunday Evening: check out; transfer back to Geneva, for flight to UK
|
Three Day Option
Note: This is only a guide to your itinerary. This trip involves travel to high altitudes and to areas where a short notice change of itinerary may be necessary. The details of the itinerary may be altered to suit the particular participants, inclement weather or for any other reason deemed necessary.
| Day | Activity |
| Friday |
Fly from UK to Geneva. Transfer to Chamonix: 1 1/2 hours.
Arrive in Chamonix and settle in to the accommodation. We meet in the evening to discuss the plan for the weekend
|
| Saturday |
This day covers essential glacier skiing skills, crevasse rescue , route choice and avalanche awareness training. Off piste options include skiing at the Grands Montets, or glacier skiing to Argentière basin.
|
| Sunday |
A day skiing from the Aiguille du Midi, finishing with a descent of the Vallée Blanche. We have the opportunity to follow a number of routes, including a challenging variation or an ascent to an awesome vantage point for an extra descent. Sunday Evening: check out; transfer back to Geneva, for flight to UK
|
Insurance
It is necessary for you to have the appropriate insurance for this trip. Make sure it is relevant for mountain sports, and that it includes liability insurance, helicopter rescue from mountains, and repatriation. There are other factors you should also consider. Our insurance partner TAGIS will be able to advise you on al your insurance needs.
Guides and Group Size
Your guides are full UIAGM or aspirant guides. UIAGM is the highest recognised guiding qualification in the world, and is a prerequisite for guiding in the Alps. All guides have a long history of personal climbing and skiing experience throughout the Alps as well as years of guiding experience.
Course Requirements
You should be able to make smooth parallel turns on steep black runs before booking on to this course and have some off piste experience. The challenge of off piste terrain involves an ability to manage a wide variety and steepness of snow conditions, from windblown icy terrain to heavy wet snow. It also involves knowledge of avalanche awareness, glacier travel, and crevasse rescue techniques.
Dates
The season for this classic descent is from mid January to the end of March.
This trip is available for individuals and groups. The itinerary above is a guide only: we can be flexible and arrange your preferred dates when the route is in season.
Click to create your own date!
All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.
If you have a group of 4 or more people we will be happy to run an exclusive trip for yourselves.
Create Your Own Trip Dates
Price and Inclusions
2012 Price
Friday - Sunday: £449
Thursday - Sunday: £549
Trip Price includes:
- All guiding fees and expenses.
-
Twin room hotel accommodation in Chamonix
- Return airport transfers from Geneva to Chamonix
Trip Price excludes:
- Equipment hire
- Personal insurance
- Evening meals in Chamonix
- Lunches and beverages
- Personal insurance
- Hire of ski equipment
- Lift costs
Cost of ski pass for the weekend will be about €130 per person.
