The Vallée Blanche

A unique descent of incomparable beauty, it develops on the Mer de Glace, in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif. From the top of the Aiguille du Midi - 3842m through a passage equipped with ropes during the winter, you will access to the Vallee Blanche ski descent, 23km of off piste, between granite spires, crevasses and breathtaking seracs arriving in Chamonix central village at 1,042 m.

Is this course for you?

The Vallee Blanche descent is suitable for skiers used to skiing on all slopes with parallel skis and good ski control. It is an off-piste route.Season after season, global warming profoundly alters the morphology of glaciers. The Vallée Blanche is no exception; if you've skied this route before, you're likely to be very surprised. The crevasses are more present than before and wide slopes have given way to cramped passages. The level required to ski the Vallée Blanche has therefore significantly increased overall in recent years.

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Once at the top of the Aiguille du Midi the guide will brief you on the basics of skiing in fresh snow and recognizing crevasses.

Optional lunch break at Refuge du Requin, in front of the impressive serac fall of the Glacier du Géant.

In order to reach Montenvers station from the Mer de Glace, you will need to walk 20-30 minutes with the skis on your back (540 steps plus ski lift) to catch a train to Chamonix. Otherwise - if snow conditions are good finish the descent skiing all the way to Chamonix.

The day ends with the traditional beer in the town.

Our Vallée Blanche options

From

€150

Max participants per group:

Languages: English, French

From

€455

Max participants per group:

Languages: English, French

The price includes: the guiding fees, the safety equipment (harness and avalanche transceiver)

The Vallée Blanche

The Vallee Blanche also offers a unique playground in the Alps to go ski touring in a picturesque environment. Ask your mountain guide if you wish to go for an introduction to ski touring during your skiing holidays.

The best time is, everyday from mid December to early May, depending on the snow and weather conditions, normally March and April are the busiest, better to book in advance, the mountain guide can cancel at any time if conditions are not safe, in that case we will reschedule or refund.

Aiguille du Midi lift in Chamonix - Back to the Valley : from 4 to 6 hours.

Make sure you have valid repatriation insurance for this activity

What to expect

Start

9.00AM: Warm up exercises

Early Morning Program

9.30-11.00am: Go through safety training. Head up to the top of the Aguille

Late Morning Program

11.00am-12.30pm: Walk over to the Vallée Blanche and beginning of the descent

Lunch

12.30pm-1.00pm: A short break for a snack

Afternoon

1.00pm-2.30pm: Making the way down to Chamonix if conditions allow

Finish

3pm: Arrive in the village

Useful Things To Have

Skis

Ski Boots

Poles

Helmet

Gloves

Goggles

SPF Lip Salve

Sun Cream

Lift Pass

Cash for a drink

Equipment

The normal ski gear is sufficient. Have the bindings checked before departure.
A backpack on which you can attach your skis is obligatory.
A pair of Crampons adjust on your ski boots.

Clothing

Clothing should be adapted to the cold and wind that we often have at the start. Gloves, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen with a high degree of protection are essential.

Do not forget:

Sunglasses or goggle
Sunscreen
Power food / lunch
Camera

Available in

Chamonix

How to book the Vallée Blanche

Speak to our team of highly-trained advisors

Our friendly office team are renowned for their excellent customer service. Our goal is to help make your holiday unforgettable, this starts with your initial enquiry - you can expect a quick and informative response, whether it’s by phone, email or after you have made a booking online. If it’s your first time skiing, we recommend giving the office a call and we’ll talk you through the best options for you.

Izzy

Mike

Susan

Sophie

Book online [email protected] +44 (0)20 3744 1655

FAQs

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point will be customised for each group

Can the instructors use the Ski School queue jump lines at the lifts?

Yes, the instructors are able to use the ski school lift lines which enable you to gain priority access in busy lift queues.

What qualifications do the instructors have?

The guides are fully qualified

Are lift passes and ski rental included?

The course price just covers the guide's time and does not include ski pass or equipment rental (except for safety equipment). If you would like advice on which ski pass to buy or where to rent your equipment, please just ask our office team for assistance. The hotel provides rental