For many people, a trip to Chamonix would not be complete without skiing the famous Vallée Blanche off-piste itinerary run that drops 17km from the Aiguille du Midi to the Montenvers. Descending through some truly spectacular glaciated scenery, it is an experience never to be forgotten. However, IT IS NOT A PISTE and there is a steep descent down the arête with sheer drops on either side to be negotiated on foot before you can set off on your skis or board. If you have any doubt about your ability to ski on a glacier or what equipment you should have with you (and how to use it!) you should seriously consider hiring a local mountain guide. There is no shortage of guides in Chamonix and they will certainly add to the whole experience, ensuring a safe and enjoyable descent.
Valley Blanche (La Vallée Blanche) Ski Area
The Valley Blanche (La Vallée Blanche) starts at the top of the Aiguille du Midi and finishes in Chamonix’s town centre (snow permitting). It’s an unmarked, unmaintained, unpatrolled and unchecked high mountain off-piste ski itinerary which offers some of the most spectacular scenery the Mont Blanc range has to offer.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car is generally the popular starting point for the route and as such it can be a bit like Oxford Street in the rush hour! (Sunny weekends are generally to be avoided as many tend to savour the Valley Blanche until they have their ski legs back at the end of their weeks stay). Generally the lift company operates a number system where you can phone and pre-book your cable car in advance (for an additional fee of approximately 2 euros) This is highly recommended if you want to avoid an unpredictable and possibly long wait on a busy day.
The route starts at the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3812m) where after exiting the ice tunnel you are straight on to the ‘arête’. This is potentially one of the most dangerous points of the route as it is essentially a ridge edge you descend which has a 40degree pitch on both sides. In high season, a safety rope is placed along the descending path but it is still pretty intimidating knowing a safety rope is all that there is between you and the pee-sized buildings of Chamonix Town centre!
There are four main routes which people can choose from. The classical route ‘voie normal’ is fairly straight-forward providing you are following the advice of your hired guide. The route can be fairly busy during high season and it is not uncommon to see other alpinists ice climbing around the surrounding peaks or on the Toula glacier, or even across to the Helbronner lift station on the Italian side. The other routes are known as Le Vrai Valley Blanche, the Petit Envers du Plan and the Grand Envers du Plan. These are technically more challenging and involve couloir skiing so are not for your average ‘joe bloggs’.
Lift Queues
Packed in like Sardines, full of excitement!
Rush Hour traffic!
Descending the Arête
Mind your step!
If skiing the ‘voie normal’ after skiing the arête the route follows on to a large rock outcrop, known as Le Gros Rognon (‘the big rock’). Along the descending route you will see large séracs, crevasses and ice falls which are pretty impressive sparkling away in various shades of icy blue from the winter sunshine.
A popular pit stop for lunch is the Requin refuge but be wary in this area as avalanches can be prone here in the wet-snow/spring snow so take care when skiing here. A number of skiers also tend to stop at the ‘Salle a Manger’ beneath the séracs. These large ice structures can collapse at any time so it is best not to hang around in this area.
The route at the end of the Valley Blanche really favours skiers as it has a long flat run out which can be tricky for snowboarders to keep moving. During the spring it gets pretty slushy too so it is recommended that snowboarders take a pair of poles to push themselves along else it’s a long push for your back foot! In good snow conditions you can ski all the way back to Chamonix’s town centre, if not then the best way down, unless you want a long long walk out to Les Planards, is via the gondola and the Montenvers train.
‘Voie normale’
Ice Fields
Gros Rognon & Séracs
Requin Refuge
Flat run out
It is highly recommended that skiers who undertake the Valley Blanche are fully equipped with necessary high mountain equipment and in the company of a professional mountain guide. Don’t be forgetting this is high mountain and glacial terrain; dangers include crevasses, sérac collapses and avalanche so make sure you know what you’re doing before you attempt it!
The Vallee Blanche is perhaps the most famous off piste ski descent in the world. Starting at 3800m above sea level, descending almost 2000m to the Montenvers railway, and covering almost 14 km of wild glacial terrain in the process, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with skiers from around the world.If you’d like to know a little more about skiing the Vallee Blanche, here are some of the most frequently asked questions: ... see "La Vallee Blanche : Frequently Asked Questions" for more
Mer de Glace & Montenvers Train
Ever since two English explorers, William Windham and Richard Pocock, first discovered the Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”) in 1741, it has become one of the world’s most visited natural sites and is a huge draw of visitors to the Chamonix Valley. The area became accessible by mule from 1802, but it was the opening of the Montenvers Train in 1908 that really opened the site up to the masses. ... see "Mountain Biking in Chamonix" for more
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