Vallée Blanche: 20 km of off-piste skiing on a glacier

The Vallée Blanche isn’t a run: it’s a 20 km high-mountain descent on a glacier, starting from the Aiguille du Midi. Nearly 2,700 m of vertical drop down to Chamonix or the Mer de Glace, among the séracs and the Grandes Jorasses. It’s one of the most famous descents in the Alps, and one of the most committing within reach of a good skier.

How it goes

It all begins with the Aiguille du Midi ridge: a few dozen metres on foot, skis on your shoulder, roped up, above the void. Many remember it as the highlight of the day. Once on the glacier, the guide picks the line between the crevasses. The slope stays reasonable, but the terrain doesn’t forgive mistakes.

What level you need

You don’t have to be an extreme skier, but you must be able to ski off-piste in variable snow all day, with no lift back up. It’s long, physical, and the altitude plays its part. If you handle a red run the moment it goes off-piste, and cope with both powder and crust, this is for you.

Why a guide is essential

The route is neither marked nor secured. Crevasses, snow bridges, avalanche risk: only a high-mountain guide knows the line for the day and carries responsibility for the rope team. You never go alone. Booking is with a guide; here’s our outing picked from our partner.

Good to know

When to go. The season runs roughly February to April, when there’s enough snow on the glacier. The guide cancels or postpones if conditions aren’t right.

Equipment provided. The guide kits out the rope team (harness, avalanche transceiver). Bring off-piste or all-mountain skis, not piste planks.

Book early. Guides fill up fast in high season, especially in stable, clear weather.

It’s a full day. Plan for the ride up the Aiguille du Midi, the ridge, the descent, then the return (Mer de Glace train or skiing down to Chamonix depending on snow cover).

See also in Chamonix

The descent starts from the Aiguille du Midi and reaches the Mer de Glace. Back to the destination: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.