Ski touring: Mont Blanc tour

Duration : 7 days

France, Northern Alps

Level : good touring skier

from 800 € / p. from 1 to 5 persons

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 or a ski touring holiday in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park. Maybe you'll 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 - Bonatti hut.
A public transport bus link takes us to Plampincieux, the start of the Val Ferret cross-country ski trails. Here we opt for another activity: climbing in skins! We pass Testa Bernarda (2534m), descend into the Armina valley, then climb to the Entre deux Sauts pass for a beautiful descent to the Bonatti hut.
8-hour stage, D+: 1250m, D-: 900m.

D5: Bonatti hut - A Neuve hut.
It's early in the morning and we're already off in the first light of day to climb to Tête Ferret (2774m) and have a chance to enjoy Italy for a while longer, this time looking down on the Val Ferret. Because on the other side, welcome to Switzerland! Descent to La Fouly, a small village nestled deep in the valley. A short break before starting the second big part of the day: the ascent to the Cabane de l'A Neuve, at 2735 metres altitude. It's a long climb, but one that offers real beauty to the attentive eye. Here we enter the world of high mountains through the front door! The Cabane de l'A Neuve is a high-mountain refuge built in 1927 that has remained true to its origins. With its red roof, it's very distinctive.
9-hour stage, D+: 1900m, D-: 1100m.

D6: Cabane de l'A Neuve - Le Tour.
Today we're in another world: that of glaciers and high altitude. Our skis take us to the Col de Saleina (3419m), before a short, steep descent to the Glacier de Saleina (2887m), from where we put on our skins again to reach the fenêtre de Saleina (3267m) and the Col du Tour (3282m). From here, it's just one long, dreamy descent. Over 1800 metres of snow to reach the valley and life in the village of Le Tour! This descent is one of the most beautiful in the Mont-Blanc massif, and will leave you with unforgettable emotions!
7-hour stage, D+: 1080m, D-: 2360m.

D7: Day off or, if the route has been completed on time, possibility of adding an extra day's skiing.

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".

Accommodation

Next departures :

No scheduled departure, but you can contact me to book your dates.