Mont Blanc on skis: climb to the top of Europe, followed by one of the greatest ski descents in the Alps!
Are you a good ski tourer, already used to the high mountains, with experience of ski raids? Are you looking for a big challenge, climbing Mont Blanc on skis?
The classic way to ski up Mont Blanc is via the historic Grands Mulets route! The day's ascent of the summit is a truly long day of ski touring at high altitude, with a 1,800m vertical drop above 3,000m. Serious preparation before the season and good acclimatisation are required.
On the way up, we prefer to climb the north ridge of the Dôme, so as not to be too exposed to the seracs of the Petits and Grands Plateaux. This will take us to the Dôme du Goûter and the Vallot shelter. Depending on the conditions, we will then climb the Bosses ridge with our skis on the rucksack, or leave them in the shelter. If we reach the summit on skis, we can then ski the north face of Mont Blanc, a steep and attractive route through crevasses and seracs, before reaching the Grand Plateau and continuing our descent. If this route is not possible, we can always cross the summit by descending below the Petits Mulets.
We continue the long descent across the Petit Plateau, past the Grands Mulets hut and the junction, and sometimes even further down to the Bossons if the snow conditions permit, to return to the tunnel car park. A 3600m D- descent from the summit of Mont Blanc! Otherwise, we cross Plan Glacier to reach the Aiguille du Midi cable car at Plan de l'Aiguille.
Nota bene: depending on your level, particularly if you are an excellent skier used to steep slopes, it is possible to reach the Grands Mulets refuge from the Aiguille du Midi by skiing one of the couloirs below the Aiguille du Midi and the Cosmiques refuge, like the Glacier Rond route.
For the purists, a climb from the Mont Blanc tunnel car park! The altitude difference is given here.
Steep-slope skiers can descend via the Glacier Rond, while more comfortable skiers can take the cable car down to Plan de l'Aiguille.
Climbing Mont Blanc on skis requires a good deal of experience of ski touring in the high mountains. You need to be prepared throughout the season for this objective, and be a very good skier capable of skiing in all types of snow, on a long descent after a strenuous effort.
To be able to ski Mont Blanc with confidence, it is strongly recommended that you already have experience of glacier skiing (roping up on the way up and possibly on the way down, ease of handling and progression, resistance to a harsh environment).
The best time to consider climbing Mont Blanc on skis is from April to June, when the days get longer and the temperatures and snow conditions are more favourable.
To climb Mont Blanc on skis, you'll need all the equipment you need for high-mountain ski touring: skins, knives and glacier equipment (harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons). And, of course, the appropriate clothing for winter mountaineering.
The mountains are unpredictable, and it's possible that bad weather may turn up when we've planned to climb Mont Blanc. In this case, I'll offer you an equivalent alternative, or we'll try to change the dates. Mountain climbing is all about adapting to the conditions!
Live with your guide, from first contact to the summit.
Creative and flexible
A flexible framework for devising the most appropriate itinerary or activity for each day, depending on the group and the conditions.
