Vallée Blanche descent: everything you need to know
The Vallée Blanche is a mythical descent for all off-piste skiing and snowboarding fans. Recognised throughout the world, it has become a true reference in winter sports as being THE best off-piste descent in the world... You have surely heard about it around you and perhaps you know people who have made the memories of their lives in the Vallée Blanche, why not you? Follow our advice to start your best off-piste adventure in the Chamonix Valley with peace of mind!
The Vallée Blanche, a mythical descent
The Vallée Blanche is a must in the life of an off-piste skiing or snowboarding enthusiast. If you don't know why yet, we'll make you dream a little!
A route of legendary peaks
The Vallée Blanche is located in the heart of the Chamonix valley, which makes it the neighbour of the Mont-Blanc, of which it has almost nothing to envy. But not only that! Throughout your rides in the Vallée Blanche, you will have a panoramic view of the mythical peaks of the Chamonix-Mont Blanc valley such as the Aiguille du Midi, the Grandes Jorasses, the Dent du Géant, the Mont-Blanc du Tacul, the Drus... All this while juggling between the French, Swiss and Italian borders. In short, remember to open your eyes, the landscapes that await you have inspired many adventurers and explorers before you.
Extreme altitude for extreme sensations
You access the Vallée Blanche descent itineraries by the huge Aiguille du Midi cable car which takes you to the top... of the Aiguille du Midi. This mechanical climb will give you time to appreciate the 2000 metres of difference in altitude that you will discover throughout your descent.
You land at an altitude of 3842 metres, and you can already feel that the air is not the same, less full of oxygen. This is a known characteristic of high-altitude sports activities that can affect your endurance if you are not used to it. You are therefore in a unique environment, glacial and immensely white. It's enough to make you feel small in front of the rough mountains of the Swiss Alps and the Matterhorn, which you may see on a clear day.
Technical passages and variety of landscapes
The adventure begins in the first few minutes. You will need to put on your crampons to descend the Midi ridge with your group to reach the start of the different descents. Depending on the level of each person, different routes are possible to descend the Vallée Blanche. A guide will be able to adapt to the group to suggest the best route so that everyone can enjoy the moment to the full.
Anyway, the different descents will make you evolve in a magic world between seracs and crevasses, in powder snow and on glaciers... But be careful, the snow is not groomed, it is sometimes very uneven according to the weather conditions, that's why you should have a sufficient level to adapt to the different conditions and enjoy every moment.
Skiers with little off-piste experience: classic route Experienced off-piste skiers and snowboarders: Petit and Moyen Envers du Plan Experienced freeride skiers and snowboarders: Grand Envers, Vallée Noire
Adrenalin and learning on the way down
The Vallée Blanche is renowned for teaching you to remain humble in the face of the mountain. While the classic route is relatively accessible, the descent of the Midi ridge alone would be enough to get your adrenaline flowing. On top of that, all along your freeride in the Vallée Blanche, you will cross snow bridges in the middle of crevasses, walk on the frozen lands of the Mer de Glace and find yourself alone in the immensity of the mountain... It's a real pilgrimage that awaits you at the top of the Aiguille du Midi, where you will learn how to read your environment in order to make your rides safely avoiding crevasses, snowfalls and avalanches All in all, off-piste skiing is already an adrenaline sport but here you have a sublime setting to reward you for your effort!
In a few words, what makes the Vallée Blanche a mythical spot for freeriding is a mixture of all this and above all, the incredible sensation of being alone in the world for a whole day!
Snow sports enthusiasts welcome... but who can really go down the Vallée Blanche?
Today, you are hesitating to take the plunge, you don't know if you have the level, if your friends will be motivated to venture off-piste or if your children will be able to participate. We understand you! Rest assured, we will guide you on the way to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi so that you can finally reach the mythical Vallée Blanche!
Well, we can assume that if you are considering off-piste skiing, it is because you feel comfortable in your ski boots, right? For the Vallée Blanche, most mountain guides recommend that you know how to ski on both red and black runs, so if you ski down a red run slowly and on a black run you take it easy but don't get too stressed, you potentially have your ticket to the Vallée Blanche! It's reassuring, isn't it?
In snowboarding, you need a (very) good level to go down the Vallée Blanche, which means being completely at ease on a black run. You have to know how to manage your board in narrow passages to avoid being too close to a crevasse on the Mer de Glace or your nose in a wall of snow.
The itinerary will always be defined with your guide according to the level of the participants, he will not have fun putting you in difficulty. And if he thinks that you are not experienced enough, he will tell you so and advise you on other easier off-piste routes.
Some parts of the classic route can be stressful, you pass between crevasses and may see snowfall on your way. It is therefore best to be an experienced skier or snowboarder so as not to panic and trust your skiing experience.
To have fun and enjoy the unique views of the Dent du Géant peaks, you need to know how to slide on all types of snow. On your way to Montenvers you will find big powder as well as icy patches and snow bridges. Riding on wild, ungroomed slopes is a pleasure that has to be earned through experience. With many years of skiing or snowboarding under your belt, you have encountered a variety of riding conditions and should be able to cope with them with the advice of a guide!
Young children should not participate in the Vallée Blanche. If their skiing skills are good enough, they do not have the same physical capacity to withstand the cold and the effort over a long period. Beyond a technical route, the Vallée Blanche can be dangerous, stressful and exhausting. It is only when a young person is in his or her teens that he or she begins to have the stamina for such a challenging day.
Why hire a mountain guide?
There are about a thousand good reasons to hire a mountain guide when venturing into the Vallée Blanche. If it's obvious to some, we'll explain why it's so important, you can't say we didn't warn you! It's important to be aware of the risks and dangers of off-piste skiing in unmarked glacial terrain. Even if you have done off-piste skiing before, knowledge of the environment is essential when it comes to riding safely in the Vallée Blanche. A mountain guide is used to multiple routes and has seen the mountain change and evolve over the seasons and is best placed to point out areas to avoid and obstacles in your way.
If the weather changes before or during your glacier trip, the guide will be able to suggest good freeride alternatives in the Chamonix valley or reschedule your trip in the Vallée Blanche. This is a great advantage when you are going on holiday for a limited time and want to make the most of it.
Your mountain guide can show you the Vallée Blanche, its secret passages and the crazy viewpoints you shouldn't miss. It would be wrong to deprive yourself of a chance to marvel! You will have access to a privileged playground if you have the level for big freeride on steep slopes in the Vallée Noire for example, and the guide will be there to brief you on the terrain before you set off, a real asset in an environment as wild and changing as the Vallée Blanche!
What you need to know to hire a mountain guide in the Vallée Blanche
First and foremost, when choosing your mountain guide, it is advisable to work with reputable organisations that check the certification of the guides they work with to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Obviously, the guide offices present in most ski and snowboard spots are a good way to ensure the services of a professional and qualified guide. You can also use platforms such as Manawa which have chosen to work only with serious and certified professionals. There are several ways of booking a guide depending on your wishes for the day. Generally, the booking is done by group and by the day in the case of a descent of the Vallée Blanche.
A guide can lead up to 6 people but you can choose to go alone, with two or four people... You are relatively free to form the group you want but the price will not be as advantageous if you go alone or with 6 people. Some guides can also propose group outings where you will be grafted onto other participants but this is less common and you will be much less free to choose the day and the conditions of the descent as you will also be dependent on the level of the other participants.
For snowboarders, there are mountain guides who specialise in snowboarding. They are better able to guide you on routes with few flat sections. They also know what they are talking about when they explain how to get over a snow bridge or a technical area while snowboarding.
Find a mountain guide for freeride snowboarding in Chamonix
Rates for a mountain guide
- for a day in a group, count about 150€ per person - for a day in private, count about 350€ (the price may vary according to the number of participants)
The price generally includes the guide's commitment and the loan of safety equipment (harness and avalanche transceiver). You will be responsible for the lift pass, the meal and your own equipment for the day.
Budget: Vallée Blanche descent Guide fees for the day 320€ to 380€ Guide fees for group outings 150€ Aiguille du Midi cable car 49€ Cable car + return by Montenvers train 62€ Freeride ski hire 20€ - 35€ Ski boots 10€ - 15€ Avalanche safety kit 10€ - 15€
Organisation with the guide
You will usually meet with him the day before your activity to get to know each other and to start setting your itinerary in the Vallée Blanche. On the morning of your departure, you will meet at the Aiguille du Midi cable car for the ascent to the start. This will be an opportunity to go over the safety rules, share your experiences so that the guide can get a better idea of your level before heading out into the powder. At lunchtime, you can take a break at the Refuge du Requin where it is possible to have lunch before setting off on the second half of your journey. On arrival, why not extend the day with a nightcap in one of the resort's bars and exchange photos and impressions of the day?
Now you're pretty much up to speed on how to organise a day in the Vallée Blanche. There are still a few things to work out and all you have to do is find the date for your off-piste day in Chamonix!
Book a mountain guide for the day
Equipment for the Vallée Blanche off-piste descent
An outing in the Vallee Blanche needs to be planned in advance, you will need to have equipment adapted to the conditions you will encounter and which are not the same as those of all the off-piste runs in the Chamonix valley. First of all, you will be starting at an altitude of almost 3850 metres, so the cold and wind will be all the more important to take into account when preparing.
Let's start with the appropriate outfit for a day in the Vallée Blanche.
You will have to adapt it according to the weather conditions announced which can vary between the morning and the afternoon. You should plan to be warm and cold: - Hat / headband and cap - Glasses adapted to the practice on glaciers and ski mask - Technical, tight-fitting underwear that keeps you warm and evacuates perspiration correctly (Carline type) - Fleece jacket - Waterproof ski suit or Gore-Tex type jacket and trousers - Ski gloves and a spare pair of warm gloves Let's move on now to the contents of your backpack. This should hold about 25 litres and not be too heavy (avoid large leather or travel bags, there are many models adapted to outdoor sports): - An insulated water bottle to avoid finding yourself with an ice cube in your bottle and cereal bars - Protected in a waterproof bag: identity card, insurance certificate and cash for the hut - A small basic first aid kit: plasters, sun cream, lip balm and your personal medicines if necessary - A survival blanket
The list seems impressive but everything fits in the bag and it is better to be prepared for all situations, you are entering a mountain world that can be capricious.
When it comes to equipment, you can choose according to your preferences and riding style, but keep in mind that your skis or snowboard should be well maintained. If you are snowboarding or splitboarding, remember to take wide poles for the flat sections. As a bonus, ask your guide if he or she provides you with avalanche safety equipment. You may need to hire it (basic kit: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe) as well as a harness for roped passages.
Most of the time, your guide will give you a list of what you will need beforehand. But at least with this initial information you know what to expect. If possible, try to book your equipment in advance at specialist resort shops, they will be able to advise you and you won't find yourself chasing something at the last minute.
Our latest recommendations
The Vallée Blanche requires a certain amount of technical and material preparation, but also a good physical condition. To descend 20 kilometres on variable snow and cross the glaciers, you need stamina and thighs. So, we still recommend you not to launch yourself as soon as you arrive in the resorts, at the very beginning of the season... Take time to warm up your body if you are not a great sportsman on a daily basis. On the whole, if the conditions are good, the classic route of the Vallée Blanche is accessible to skiers who are at ease on red and black runs. For snowboarding, it is better to be comfortable on black runs, some narrow passages between crevasses require experience and stress control.
As for the best time to go down the Vallée Blanche, it all depends on what you are looking for. If you are not particularly used to off-piste skiing, it is best to consider going in the middle of the season to take advantage of the best conditions and snow that has been groomed by other riders. The Vallée Blanche is open from December to April but be aware that the beginning and end of the season are only accessible to experienced freeriders.
The choice of the itinerary will be made with your guide who will evaluate your level but you should know that the most classic route is not recommended for snowboarding. We can only advise you to ride again and again the multiple itineraries of the Vallée Blanche, the Vallée Noire, the Envers du Plan... You will always find a new place to ride and an opportunity to push your limits! For the more experienced, don't hesitate to check with your guide if the Grand Envers is practicable... 45° slope and the reputation of being the most beautiful itinerary of the valley (as well as the most difficult).
In short, as you can see, there is plenty to enjoy on skis, snowboards and splitboards. We can only advise you to test the descent with different boards to test your sensations. And if you haven't had enough yet, you can book the Haute Route Chamonix - Zermatt on ski touring. It also crosses the magical landscapes of the Vallée Blanche before plunging into Swiss territory... So, it's worth a try, isn't it?
After all this good advice, you are ready to explore the Vallée Blanche. Did we make you dream and freak out a bit? It's normal, the quest for sensations and wonder also requires a certain amount of audacity and self-transcendence. Trust yourself and trust your guide in the approach of this adventure, you are capable of it!