Ski
Ascent of Mont Blanc 2025 
Ski touring the highest
peak in the Alps, over a week of 1:2
guiding |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
| Course
overview |
 |
|
 |
For
the ultimate mountain challenge, this week
makes a ski touring ascent to the highest
summit in Western Europe, Mont Blanc 4810m.
If there is sufficient snow, you can descend
by ski right down from the summit to Chamonix,
a vertical drop from the summit to the town
of nearly four kilometers! |
|
The
itinerary is deliberately highly flexible,
with a 1:2 guiding ratio throughout, to ensure
you can go for the summit on the best day
possible. This increases your summit chances
immeasurably, and we focus on helping you
acclimatise as much as possible before too.
Our focus is the summit too. |
|
This
is a physically demanding route that requires
a high level of fitness and stamina. As
with a summer mountaineering ascent of Mont
Blanc you should be capable of running a
half marathon as a minimum. The fitter you
are the more breath you will have to enjoy
the route and the views. |
|
You
should already be a strong off piste skier,
have previous crampon experience (Alpine PD
or Scottish Grade II) and previous advanced
ski touring experience (several week long
tours e.g. completion of Haute Route). |
|
In
the mountain huts you get a good three course
cooked meal after the efforts of each day,
and breakfast, which avoids you having to
carry heavy stoves and pans. Support and
assistance from the Icicle Course Reps is
provided throughout for logistics, advice,
valley travel, equipment fitting, and route
briefings. |
|
Split-boarders
are accepted only if they are booking with
another split-boarder. We do not match together
a skier and split-boarder, due to timing issues,
and also a choice of the lines that are descended.
Single split-boarders, should book a bespoke
1:1 trip, though we can advertise to try and
find you a partner. |
|
Dates: these
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine
Information Booklet, course specific kit list
and invoice. |
|
|
|
|
|
Brief
Course Itinerary
Please
note that whilst the itinerary below is an ideal, the
weather and conditions, as well as your skills, fitness,
experience and acclimatisation all play a part too. In
our nearly two decades of experience, we have found that
hardly two trips ever run the same. Whilst the itinerary
outlines this, it is imperative that you understand how
flexible this must be. You are dealing with the high mountains
and extreme altitude, not a prescribed coach tour!
|
 |
|
Sunday
Travel to Chamonix to arrive any time after 16:00, to check yourself into the accommodation. Some people arrive early, and use the day skiing, to test out the kit, and get their ski legs back. This is especially useful if you are renting kit, to familiarise yourself with it. In the evening, you can meet up with others on your course, or other trips, then it's time for you to prepare your kit and pack your bags for the next day. Night in Chamonix. |
|
|
|
 |
|
Monday
Meet your guide in the morning for a briefing and kit checks, then head to a ski area, such as Grands Montets,
for a challening day of ski touring, to kick start your acclimatisation,
and to refresh techniques. As you are a small team at a 1:2 ratio, you can
push into steeper terrain, to develop your skills
and confidence better for Mont Blanc. The guide
will get a good idea from the day of how to adapt
the itinerary for the week. Night in
Chamonix. |
|
|
|
 |
|
Tuesday
Typically today involves glacier off piste and perhaps
a slightly longer ski tour, such as skiing onto
the Argentiere glacier and ascending to the Col
du Tour Noir, or even across the Col de Passon to
ski down to le Tour village. Both these itineraries
provide stunning views of the glacier basins, which
normally hold the snow conditions well. Again
your continued acclimatisation is really important,
and so more time at altitude is key. Night in Chamonix. |
|
|
|
 |
|
Wednesday
This day is your last preparation before you start
your ski ascent of Mont Blanc, and so is tailored to what you need to maximise your
chances. It may include further skills work on ski
technique, more acclimatisation, or safety coaching
on transceivers or crevasse rescue. Many groups opt for a second night in a mountain hut, either for acclimatisation, or to split Mont Blanc over three days. Mountain hut for the night on half board
basis. |
|
|
|
 |
|
Thursday
Today you move up to the hut on Mont Blanc, as by
now your acclimatisation should be very good. The
most popular hut choices are either the Grands Mulets
on the original ascent route of Mont Blanc, or the
Cosmiques hut close to the Aiguille du Midi. After
reaching the hut, it's time to rest before your
summit day starting during the night. Evening meal
in the hut is provided, as is breakfast the next
morning. Mountain hut for the night on half board
basis. |
|
|
|
 |
|
Friday
Alpine start, to start the ski tour by head torch,
threading your way up the glaciers, via either the
Grand Mulets route to the Vallot, and the ridge
to the summit, or via the Trois Mont Blancs traverse.
Once the summit is reached, you ski the North Face,
or from the Vallot if the very top dome is too icy.
Descend via the Plan d'Aiguille to Chamonix.
In the evening most head into town for social drinks and a celebratory meal. Night in Chamonix. |
|
|
|
 |
|
Saturday
Breakfast
then the accommodation check out is by 10:00. Most
arrange their airport transfers to leave around
this time, to catch a flight from Geneva about midday. Depart for home.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans.
If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to
the types of route / activity that you will attempt. |
|
|
 |
|
| Course
Prices |
|
| Standard
course |
5
full days IFMGA guiding, 1:2 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday |
£2395 |
| Live
availability |
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
|
 |
| How to book |
Secure
payments, bonded tour operator
Details of how to book, click
here |
Book
online |
|
|
|
| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guides
for five days, 2) Discount voucher for client rates in
our Windermere shop, 3) Pre course information booklet,
4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 5) Six nights
self-catered accommodation in Chamonix (inc. bedding &
towels), 6) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction
Booklet, 7) Road or rail transport in Chamonix valley
to and from the slopes each day, 8) Preferential rates
on ski and safety equipment hire, 9) Two nights half board
mountain huts for you and guide. |
|
| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable cars as required,
3) Ski and equipment hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone
calls, lunches, & any purchases in mountain huts /
hotels / restaurants, 5) Any optional stays in a mountain
hut on a half board basis for you and the guide, 6) Transport
outside the Chamonix valley, 7) Sunday pre-dinner drinks
& Friday celebratory meal & drinks, 8) Activities
insurance, excess baggage charges. |
|
| Discounts: If
you do not need any accommodation for the course, a £100
discount per person is offered. This
course assumes 1:2 guiding throughout. Note that is there
is just one person on a course, less 1:1 guiding days
and half board nights in hotels can be offered, however
accommodation will be provided for the whole week, and
guiding options and locations will be discussed with you
within the budget paid. |
|
 |
|
|
Current
course availability
|
Course Dates
Ski Mont Blanc
- [ 2 ] 6 - 12 Apr 2025
- [ 2 ] 13 - 19 Apr 2025
- [ 2 ] 27 Apr - 3 May 2025
- [ 2 ] 25 - 30 May 2025
- [ 2 ] 1 - 7 Jun 2025
|
|
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are two who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish |
|
|
|
|
|
Scheduled
courses
Price: £2395  Book
online
Bespoke
course? If your ideal date is showing
as full on the list above, get in contact,
as we also offer private 1:2 and 1:1
trips on any date during the season.
The 1:1 price is £3295. To book
a bespoke 1:1 or 1:2 Mont Blanc ski
trip, book one / two places (as required)
on the scheduled course, and add the
bespoke date in the notes section, and
we will adapt the invoice.
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
Mont Blanc weekend?
Book
online
If you have completed a week long ski tour, such as the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, you could extend by a couple of days to ski Mont Blanc. On the first day you ski to the Grands Mulets hut (you pay for you and guide on half board basis) from Plan d'Aiguille, and the next day ski Mont Blanc and descend. The price based on 1 or 2 people booking together is £1795 in total (not per person).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Client
feedback
|
|
A
well planned trip, and the two of us
took advantage of the weather window,
to reach the summit, on a great day
with low winds all the way
Caroline N , Ski
Mont Blanc
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
A
good mixture of guiding and also instruction
on ski technique
Adrian P , Ski
Mont Blanc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very
tough summit day, but the ski down made
up for it so much
Ryan C , Ski Mont
Blanc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Testimonials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Press
& media |
|
|
|
|
| Films
& videos |
|
|
|
|
| Photo
gallery |
|
|
|
|
|
| Location
data for this trip |
|
|
 |
|
| The
trips all start in Chamonix valley in the French Alps,
at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a
90 minute transfer from Geneva airport. |
|
Time
Difference
GMT +1hr |
Local
Currency
€ Euros |
Travel
from UK
1hr flight |
|
|
| Skis
& equipment advice |
|
|
|
|
| Because
we know it is so important to you to have the most suitable
equipment and clothing for off piste skiing and touring,
we have devoted a page especially to it, which you can
access by clicking on the image, or by clicking
here. This page outlines the key equipment
you should bring, and gives examples of skis that are
suitable for the course. If you have any queries, please
do not hesitate to get in touch with us. |
|
| Suggested
reading and kit |
|
|
|
|
 |
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here |
|
|
| So
why choose us? |
|
|
|
We
are true specialists in ski touring. See our blog,
by clicking on the logo (on the right). |
|
|
Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you maximise the amount of time spent skiiing each
day. |
|
Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately. |
|
We
have a team of over 30 IFMGA guides, and a resort
support team, who all want you to have the best
skiing possible! For more details on the guiding
team and qualifications, please click
here. |
|
|
 |
|
| Any
further questions? |
|
|
A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
 
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor. |
|
