The Company of the guides of Chamonix

Winter 2010 >> Ski Tour >> Skiing the Mont-Blanc

SKIING MONT BLANC

Skiing Mont-Blanc is the dream of every serious skier. However, compared to a summer ascent which is less arduous, springtime ascent on skis involves a far greater effort. Serious training, a good skiing ability in all types of snow and an experience with ice-crampons are required as well as an adaption to the altitude.The most favourable months are April or May. If possible, try and avoid long week-ends (such as Easter) which are always very crowded in good weather.

On top of the usual trekking equipment, which should be warm, special attention should be taken when choosing your clothing (warm gloves, a balaclava, socks, ice-pick and crampons). This additional equipment will mean that your backpack is heavier than usual. Ensure that your backpack is thoroughly checked and in good condition.

This trek should only be considered by experienced skiers with a strong ski-touring experience.

DAY 1 & 2 : Daily outings in the Massif du Mont-Blanc to train and test the level of the participants and associate two person with the same level for the ascent.

DAY 3 : Departure in the afternoon from Chamonix by the Aiguille du Midi cable-car.Then you go down the Aiguille du Midi ridge and go to the Cosmiques hut (3613 m).
Time : 1 hour.

DAY 4 : An early rise (2 am) is needed to complete the ascent and get back down in the same day. Then you go to Mont Blanc du Tacul (4100 m) then to Mont Maudit (4280 m). You arrive at the Col de la Brenva, where you may leave your skis (skiing the very summit of Mont-Blanc is rarely done) and continue on foot with crampons to the top of Mont Blanc (4807 m). The terminal ridge is steep an sometimes very windy
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You will then ski back down via the same route (Cosmiques hut and Vallée Blanche) or through the “Grands Mulets”. Usually, we take this itinerary for the climbing too. However, a passage “quite long” at the climbing under a bank of seracs, by the “petit plateau”, causes us to modify the itinerary. The nature of these seracs changes for better or worth on a daily basis, it is the guide job to determine the most appropriate descent route.

This second day of ascent represents 12 to 15 hours of continual physical effort and should not be underestimated.
In order to assure the safety of the party through this technically challenging ascent, a guide will only belay 2 people on his rope.

These safety measures are specific to our Company in order to guarantee you maximum chance of success and comfort.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SKI TOUR :

SAFETY STANDARDS : 4 to 6 participants per guide for the first 2 days. 2 persons per guide for the ascent.The safety standards applied are specific to the Compagnie des Guides De Chamonix.

LEVEL : serious tour for very capable off-piste skiers with extensive ski-touring experience and mountaineering skills.
Your guide is the only person in the group authorised to change programme because of weather and/or environmental conditions and /or physical condition or technical ability of participants.

ACCOMODATION : half board in the comfortable Cosmiques hut.

MISCELLANEOUS : bring some cash money for personal expenses. Passport or ID card.
It’s obligatory to have a repatriation insurance. The cancellation insurance is highly recommended (i.e Carte Neige).

PRICE 2010 : 920 € per person, including :

- mountain guide fees
- ski lifts
- half-board accommodation at the hut and lunches picnic
- provision of the transceiver

Drinks are not included and the first nights in Chamonix.

BOOKING : Contact Laurence as soon as possible ! (00 33 4 50 53 00 88 or by email).

DATES : from the end of April until the beginning of June

For the serious skiers, with mountaineering skills and used to high altitude, the ascent on two days is an option.
PRICE (in this case) : 850 € for the guide (2 people maximum per guide) and also the extra costs ( ½ board accommodation at the hut, lifts and snacks for the ascent).

Download the specification sheet of this training course in the size pdf