The Valley Blanche

Valley Blanche is perhaps one of the most famous off piste ski descents in the world. It's ease of access via the Aig du Midi cable car in France or Helbronner on the Italian side has made this route exceedingly popular whenever the conditions are good. The skiing here will certainly be the highlight of your France ski holidays.
A Valley Blanche descent is highly recommended and provides a fantastic and memorable day out.

The Aig du Midi

The cable car ride up the Aig Du Midi can sometimes be very busy so an arrival at the top of the Aig du Midi it is nice to spend a bit of time looking around. There are a couple of places where we can sit down and adjust to the altitude and take some photos. It is a good idea to have drink and something to eat before setting off as it is for most people the Vallee Blanche descent is quite an energetic day.

We will also need to finish sorting out kit (harnesses, transceivers and fix skis together) and rope up before we head down the arête.

The Arete

On the arête we rope up for safety and if conditions are icy we will wear crampons for the walk down the arête. This part of the descent is totally safe as there are thick ropes and numerous metal posts driven into the mountain to provide a safe but exposed (good views) path down to the Col where we put our skis on. In January and early February it can be very cold on the arête so mitts and something to cover your face can be well worthwhile.

The Skiing

A Valley Blanche descent most of the time is not about ripping up the off piste as you have the risk of skiing into a crevasse if you are travelling too fast.

The Vallee Blanche is about having a great day out on skis with friends, in an awe inspiring mountain environment. Having time to take photos, enjoy the view and having time to chat with your friends. If the conditions are suitable we would normally stop at the refuge or have a packed lunch somewhere and sit in the sun to enjoy the view.

Ski Standard / Riding Ability

The minimum ski standard for easiest descent (The Classic) would be skiing good parallel turns on a red run piste (note: this is an absolute minimum standard). Skiers should be able to side slip and kick turn, borders should be good at holding an edge (mainly left edge), ride a flat board and use a pole for pushing on the flat section.(if necessary).

When in the week to Ski the Vallee Blanche?

Most people come to Chamonix for a week’s holiday and spend a few days skiing in the different resorts and plan for a Vallee Blanche descent later in the week this generally means that the busiest days are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. If it is possible to schedule you Valley Blanche day for one of the other days in the week you will generally have a quieter time.

Which month in the winter is best?

December:

Most years it is not possible to ski the Valley Blanche.

January:

Conditions are usually difficult or thin snow cover. There is normally a low guiding ratio either 1:2 / 1:4 because of the conditions on the Arête and in the Valley Blanche. Certain routes down the Valley Blanche may not be possible.

February:

Conditions are usually very good.

March:

Conditions are usually very good

April:

Conditions are generally fine but sometimes can be a bit warm so icy in the morning and mushy in the afternoon.

The first Vallee Blanche ski descent of the season is usually done sometime between mid December and mid January and sometimes can result in the first group having a bit of an epic trying to find a route through the crevasses, they will generally report on when it is possible for “normal” people to make a descent.

The conditions change in the Valley Blanche / mountains on a daily basis and at the start of the season there is likely to be poor snow cover; a lot more open crevasses, more ice as a result more difficult skiing, no rope on the midi arête and less people around. This can however give a much greater feeling of adventure and being somewhere really special.

Ratio

If the conditions are difficult the guides will insist on a low ratio for safety reasons. This could be as low as 1:2. When conditions are average in the Valley Blanche the ratio will be around 1:6. The ratio is at the discretion of the working guide or guides as they are best placed to know the current conditions in the Valley Blanche. A ratio of more the 1:6 is not a recommended but possible some of the time if the conditions are excellent and the guide has a long term relationship with the clients and knows their ability.

Italian Side Descents of the Valley Blanche

It is perfectly possible to ski the Valley Blanche from the Italian side using the lift from La Palud to Helbronner, this lift is just 5 minutes drive from Courmayeur.

The different routes down from Helbronner have their own challenges and all lead into the Classic route either above or below the Géant Icefall.

Early season when the Arête on the Aig du Midi is not fully equipped with ropes; starting from the Italian side makes for an easier start to the day. It is possible to just walk out onto the snow and start skiing.

It is worth noting here that you will finish in Chamonix so it is important to make travel arrangements back to Italy if that is where you are based. There is a local bus service from Chamonix back through the tunnel du Mont Blanc to Courmayeur and it is always possible to book a private minibus transfer from Chamonix to your accommodation.

What if the weather is not suitable for the Valley Blanche descent?

If the conditions are deemed unsuitable for a Valley Blanche descent with your group we will relocate to the Grands Montets ski area or Le Tour ski area for a days off piste skiing.

If these ski areas are closed and there are no other off piste ski options on offer on that day due to ski area closure you will be offered one of the following two options.

1. A Valley Blanche descent on another day if the guide booked for the original descent is able to guide you on another day that is mutually convenient to both parties.

2. A refund of the fee paid less a £35.00 administration fee.

How to Book

Please use one of the methods below:

Fill in a: Booking Form

E-mail: hello@alpineadventures.co.uk

Telephone within UK: 01825 762 778 | Telephone Wordwide to UK: 0044 1825 762 778

How to Pay: Bank transfer | Credit Card +2% surcharge | Debit Card | Cheque

Please Note:

We only take private bookings for individuals, couples or preformed groups. So if you are a group of 1, 2,3,4, 5 or 6 for example we will not add anyone else to your group to make up numbers. You have made a private booking for a Valley Blanche descent with a High Mountain Guide.

Cost

£315 per group booking 1 to 7 person

Including

Avalanche Transceiver, Harness and Straps for holding skis together.

Not included

Ski pass, ski equipment, train, personal clothing and equipment, rucksack for your personal equipment.

More Frequently Asked Questions?

What is the lowest kind of ability and age that you would you need to do a valley blanche day weather permitting?

This is a difficult one to reply to as there are so many variables. Normally I would suggest the following:

The valley Blanche is possible for children but in some circumstances we may require a second guide or ski instructor to assist with the group management or a small group size. With children it is often not their skiing or riding ability it is how responsible they are and if they can follow instructions also if they actually want to ski the valley Blanche for themselves. The Valley Blanche would requires a good level of fitness as it is most likely to be a full day out in the mountains. Generally we would have to decide on a case by case basis (with children less than 18 years). During some parts of the winter or in bad weather the Valley Blanche is not suitable for children.

Is end Jan traditionally a good time to do a descent?

The end of Jan is a perfectly good time for a descent, because it is cold you have the chance of getting powder snow in some sections and fresh tracks depending on the line taken. The following link is to a set of photos I took on the 05/02/06 http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/alpineadventures.co.uk/ValleyBlanche2

The Valley Blanche is obviously conditions dependant but it is usually possible from early January, so the end of Jan should be fine. During the course of the season the crevasses fill in progressively and the depth of snow increases.

Your website indicates a price of £315 for up to 7people but mentions that this does not include a lift pass?

This price does not include your lift passes. You will need to buy your own lift passes.

Would just an Aiguille du Midi pass be required and do you know how much this is?

For a single pass up to the top of the Aig du Midi the price in winter 2010 is 37 Euro per person (Return 41 Euro). Also if the snow conditions do not allow for skiing directly back to Chamonix it is necessary to take the train down from Montenvers this is 18 Euro for the single ride down.