Ski touring: Mont Blanc tour
Duration : 6 days
France, Northern Alps
Level : good touring skier
from 800 € / p. from 1 to 5 persons
Infos & Booking
Description
Until now, the summer version of the Mont Blanc tour (or more commonly known as TMB) was a magnificent hike around the massif. The complete tour took between 7 and 12 days, depending on the itinerary and options chosen.
Now there's another alternative! This internationally-renowned route can be done on cross-country skis and I am proposing an 8-day adventure. This idea was born out of a passion for mountain skiing, wild spaces and the pleasure of skiing off the beaten track. It's also for the advantages that this practice can bring: the sometimes tedious descents on foot are transformed into moments of exhilaration when the skis let us glide over a field of trackless powder snow! The hours pass in a different way! With this unique formula, departures are early in the morning to take advantage of good snow conditions and give ourselves enough time to enjoy this immersion in the mountains. At the end of the day, we will stop off at different types of accommodation: unguarded high mountain huts, hotels, stopover lodges.
This tour is a real journey. Just a stone's throw from your home, you will have the chance to experience authenticity, because on this original route, encounters will be few and far between!
This raid is aimed at good ski tourers, experienced in handling and walking with crampons, and able to cope with an average daily vertical drop of 1400 meters.
If you're in the mood for other great trips, you can follow me on a raid from Zermatt to Chamonix, a ski touring holiday in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park, a ski touring trip to Toubkal and Atlas and skiing on Etna in Sicily. Maybe you will even want to climb Mont Blanc on your touring skis.
Program
D1: Les Houches - Les Contamines-Montjoie.
This ski touring TMB starts in Les Houches for a gentle warm-up: via the Bellevue lift, we reach Mont Lachat (2115m) for a first descent on the Bionnassay glacier (1850m) at the foot of the aiguille of the same name. We then climb back up to the Col du Tricot (2120m) to reach Les Contamines-Montjoie and the CAF chalet (1210m) with hot showers (not included in the price).
6-hour stage,positive altitude difference: 850 meters, negative altitude meters: 1400 meters.
D2: Les Contamines-Montjoie - Croix du Bonhomme hut.
We reach Notre-Dame de la Gorge to begin the climb to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme refuge (2443m). An unguarded hut, with blankets and winter shelter, where we spend the night. Magnificent views of the Beaufortain and Vanoise mountains.
5-hour stage, D+: 1230m.
D3: Croix du Bonhomme hut - Entrèves.
Via the Col des Fours (2665m), we reach the Chapieux valley on a long descent through a deserted valley that leads us to the town of Glaciers at 1789 meters altitude. A very quiet place in the middle of winter! From here, we climb to the Col de la Seigne (2516m), the border between France and Italy, before a long descent to Entrèves, at the foot of the entire south face of Mont Blanc! Overnight in ** hotel.
8-hour stage, D+: 950m, D-: 1900m.
D4: Entrèves - Arpette chalet.
After taking public transport to Planpincieux, the end of the road, we start the day with a cross-country skiing session before heading up to the Bonatti refuge. We leave Val Ferret via a series of two beautiful Alpine passes, followed by two stunning, wild descents. On the other side, welcome to Switzerland! Descent to La Fouly, a small village nestled deep in its valley. Transfer by postal bus to Champex-Lac and ascent on foot or skis to the Arpette relay.
9-hour stage, D+: 1600m, D-: 2000m.
D5: Arpette - Trient hut.
This day involves a single ascent, the goal being to reach the hut via the long Val d'Arpette. We will therefore spend the day on skins, but in breathtaking and varied scenery, under the couloirs of the Pointes d'Orny, at the Fenêtre d'Arpette and on the Trient glacier. Before settling down in this incredible hut perched at an altitude of 3200 meters to savor the location and the space.
6-hour stage, D+: 1600m.
D6: Trient hut - Col Supérieur du Tour - Le Tour.
In contrast to the previous day, this last day is the highlight of the trip, with a descent of nearly 2000 meters, achieved after a short climb of 150 meters. This does take a little time due to the distance to be covered, but it opens the door to one of the most beautiful descents in the Mont-Blanc massif!
Arrival at the village of Le Tour, bus transfer to the starting point at Les Houches or Le Fayet.
Stage of 6 to 8 hours, D+: 150m, D-: 2000m.
The price includes
- Supervision by the mountain guide familiar with the route and its alternatives in the event of program changes, to ensure the group's safety at all times.
- Loan of safety kit (avalanche beacon, shovel and probe).
The price does not include
- Transport to and from Les Houches.
- Half board accomodation.
- Lunch expenses.
- Snacks.
- Bus transfers (J2, J4, J7).
- All drinks.
- Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".