Descending the Mont Blanc on skis
Itinerary
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Day 1 The Grands Mulets
Early in the morning, we meet with the guide in Chamonix to take the Plan de l’Aiguille cable car (2317m). From up there, we will cross the Pèlerins glacier that will get us to the majestic Aiguille du midi and its impressive height: we may feel dizzy! Then, from the Bossons glacier, surrounded by crevasses and seracs, we will head to the Grand Mulets refuge, located on a small island, lost in the mountain, where a change of scenery takes on its full meaning.
Positive difference in altitude : about 700m / Max Alt : 3051m / Accommodation : Grand Mulets refuge
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Day 2 Mont Blanc ascent
After a very early breakfast, we join the Nord du Dôme path, on which we will move skis on our backs. This is a technical path where mountain climbers' capacities will be required to get out of the slopes.
You’ll be happy to put your skis back on after that rough part of the trip! We thus ski down to the Vallot. From there, we usually end up walking with crampons. The Bosses path appears whilst we’re walking on a magnificent, sometimes aerial, slope. Finally, the peak appears. Here we are, standing stock-still at an altitude of 4 810 meter, open-mouthed and agog.
After absorbing the breath-taking view of the 360° panorama, it’s time to put our skis back on. We get to the Jonction under the Grand Mulets refuge to get back on yesterday’s tracks and back down to the Plan de l’Aiguille cable car. This is where we say goodbye.Positive difference in altitude : about 1700m / Negative difference in altitude : about 2500m / Max Alt : 4810m
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: SRMB
Included
- A deposit of 30% of the trip’s price will be needed during the booking, the whole price must be paid at least 30 days before departure.
- The technical organization of the stay
- Mountaineering with high-mountain guides
- Collective equipment provided (ropes)
- Half-board accommodation in refuges, cottages and lodges
- Lunch picnics
- Planned transfers (minibus, cable cars)
Not included
- Individual equipment : harness, crampons, ice axe, helmet
- Ski-touring equipment : shoes, skis, skins, knifes, poles
- Safety equipment : avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel
- Batteries for the avalanche transceiver (4 batteries LR03 AAA)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Snacks (cereal bars, dried fruits, chocolate bars, etc...) at your own convenience
- Transfers to the meeting and dispersion points
- Insurance / assistance : research fees and helicopter rescue, hospitalisation and repatriation mandatory
International flights
Terms and conditions
Subscription
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
- From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
- From 20 to 14 days before departure, you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
- From 13 to 7 days before departure, you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure, you will be charged for the whole trip’s price
- Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
- Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
- Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
- Lunch picnics and diners in refuges.
- Bring some snacks according to your own tastes.
- Personal drinks are not included in the trip’s price : water, tea, coffee, beer, coke...
Accommodation
Transportation
You will carry all of your belongings and you material in a 35/40L alpinism backpack, equipped with straps to carry your skies, ice axe, etc..
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
- Collective material (ropes) if needed.
- Sleepers and blankets in shelters : bring your own sleeping bag.
Material
- One pair of light touring-ski equipped with breaks or safety straps
- One pair of ski-touring shoes with VIBRAM-type sole
- 1 pair of sticky sealskins suitable for ski
- Knife
- Sticks with fender washers
- Safety equipment : avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
- Crampons with « anti bott » system
- Ice axe
- Life blanket
- Harness and swivel snap hook
- Clasp knife
- Thermos or bottle
- Headlamp with replacement battery
- Windproof bonnet
- Hat or cap
- Scarf
- Solar cream (high protection index), face + lips
- Glacier sunglasses (category 4 index) + ski goggles
- A balaclava can be useful in case of wind or great cold
- 2 technic breathable underclothing with long sleeves (Carline type, no cotton, it is drying too slowly)
- 1 breathable technic undershirt
- 1 thick polar coat
- 1 windproof and waterproof coat (Gore-tex type)
- 1 pair of windproof mittens (polar or wool)
- 1 pair of windproof gloves (polar or wool)
- 1 pair of under gloves
- 1 pair of technic tights (Carline type)
- 1 pair of comfortable mountain pants
- 1 pair of windproof and waterproof pants (Goretex type)
- 2 pair of socks (one thick, one thin)
- Toilet paper + lighter
- Biafine (sunburn cream)
- One sleeping bag
- One toilet bag with one quick-drying towel
- 1 plastic bag (100L) + one upper bag to protect your belongings and backpack from the rain
- 1 waterproof sleeve to put your ID, phone, money, insurance/ assistance contract with all your emergency numbers
- Some warm-hands and feet
Luggage
- You will be carrying your one-day belongings and equipment in a 40L- bag (equipped with ski racks, ice axe,…)
- Your personal belongings will stay in the lodge in another bag (travel bag)
Medicine
- Personal medicine
- Pain killers (paracetamol)
- Double-skin
- Elastic adhesive tapes
- Bandages
- Local disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal pills
- Eye drops
- Light tranquilizers and sleeping pills
- Earplugs
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.