Week-end in the Vallée Blanche
Itinerary
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Day 1 Discovering the Vallée Blanche
We meet with our expert guide at 9 am at the Aiguille du Midi cable car station. He will check our equipment before taking the cable car. Up there, we discover one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Alps. The biggest peaks of the massif seem to be very close: Mont Blanc, Dent du Géant, Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Verte...
We descend the Aiguille du Midi snow ridge roped up with the guide and begin our classic route run (few difficulties but magnificent scenery: Gervasutti eperon, Mont Blanc du Tacul). The guide always goes first to ensure our safety. When passing through the seracs of the Glacier du Géant, we have to be extremely careful and do precisely what the guide tells us. This requires a good ski control. Just after this passage, we will take time to eat our packed lunch and drink a warm tea! We then reach the flat surface of the Mer de Glace glacier. We have to ascend a steep 100m rocky slope to reach the skiable path which will get us back to Chamonix. If there is not enough snow, we will go back by the Montenvers railway station.Positive difference in altitude : 100m | Negative difference in altitude : 2800m | Max Altitude : 3842m | Accommodation: hostel or lodge
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Day 2 Second itinerary in the Vallée Blanche
Today is an ambitious adventure day in high mountain!
After a good breakfast, we leave to the Aiguille du Midi cable car at 10 am (or earlier if conditions require it). We put our skis back on up there and descend through more secret off-piste routes (e.g. Petit Envers or Grand Envers route) chosen by the guide, such delightful runs! Sometimes we will ski really close to the crevices, so we must carefully follow the guide's way. We will probably be back in Chamonix around 4pm to say goodbye.Positive difference in altitude : 100m | Negative difference in altitude : 2800m | Max Altitude : 3842m
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: SVBA
Included
- Technical organisation of the trip
- Aiguille du Midi cable car (2 trips)
- High mountain guide
- Collective equipment (carried by the guide)
- Loan of safety harness, avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe for 2 days
- 2 picnics (1 for each day)
- Montenvers train tickets if there is not enough snow to reach Chamonix by the skiable path
- Saturday night accommodation in Chamonix (hotel)
Not included
- All transports around the valley
- Flights
- Insurance and assistance
- Individual equipment (skis, shoes, sticks)
- Personal expenses
- Snacks
- Sunday night diner in Chamonix
- Anything that is not mentioned in the "price includes" section
International flights
Terms and conditions
Booking conditions
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
- Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained
- Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
- Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.
- Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
- Picnics for lunch
- Bring some snacks according to your tastes (cereal bars, dried fruits, etc...).
- Bring a 1L water bootle
- Drinks aren't included in the price of your trip
Accommodation
Transportation
- By train : SNCF Saint Gervais les Bains le Fayet train station then the touristic Mont Blanc Express TER to Chamonix. Timetable and prices on : www.voyages-sncf.com
- By road : A40 "Autoroute Blanche" to Chamonix
- In the end of the afternoon in Chamonix (74)
- Le CAF du Tour starting from the end of March (http://chaletdutour.ffcam.fr/), half-board from 42€. Véronique prepares everything herself with organic products. It is our favorite lodge for small budget (20min drive from Chamonix).
- L’hôtel des Campanules (www.hotel-campanules.com), night from 49€. This hotel is easily accessible thanks to the train station of Les Houches. Accommodation near the city center of Chamonix
- Gîte le Chamoniard Volant (http://www.chamoniard.com/), night from 20€.
- L’hôtel du Prieuré*** (www.prieurechamonix.com/fr/index.php)
- L’hôtel Héliopic**** ( www.heliopic-hotel-spa.com)
- Le Gustavia*** (http://www.hotelgustavia.eu/): in front of the central train station of Chamonix.
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
- Collective technical equipment (ropes, carabiners)
- Individual safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel) + harness
Vital equipment
Technical equipment
- 1 pair of skis
- 1 pair of ski shoes
- Telescopic poles
- Safety equipmet : avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel
- Crampons with "Antibott" system
- Ice axe
- Harness and carabiners
- Survival blanket
- Pocket knife
- Thermos and water bottle
Personal equiment
- Bonnet
- Hat or cap
- Scarf to put around your neck
- Sunscreen (face and lips)
- Sunglasses suited for glaciers (category 4) + ski goggles
- Technical breathable long sleeve underweartype "Carline" (no coton that dries too slowly)
- 1 shirt to put under your jumper (breathable and technical)
- 1 thick fleece jacket
- 1 duvet jacket
- 1 windstopper and waterproof jacket type Goretex
- 1 pair of mitains (fleece or wool)
- 1 pair of globes (fleece or wool)
- 1 pair of silk under gloves
- 1 pair of windstopper and waterproof trousers type Goretex
- 2 pairs of socks : 1 thick 1 thin
- 1 toiletry bag
- Cream for sunburns (Biafine)
- Biodegradable toilet paper
- 1 bag to put over your bag in order to protect your belongings from getting wet in case of rain
- 1 waterproof pouch in which you will put your identity papers, your phone, your money and your insurance/assistance documents with all of your emergency phone numbers
Luggage
- You will carry your belongings and your technical equipment in a 40L alpinism backpack.
- Your personal belongings will stay at the lodge in Chamonix (you can bring them in a second bag)
Medicine
- Personal medication
- Pain killers (preferably Paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast (excellent to prevent blisters)
- Bandages
- Disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eye drops
- Light sleeping pills
- Ear plugs
Passport
Visa
- Up to 90 days visit in France : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit France.
- Over 90 days visit in France : non-EU or non-EFTA citizens must have a visa to visit France over 90 days.
Identity card
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
Weather
Electricity
Local time
Sustainable tourism
- Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
- France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
- Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
- Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
- Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.