Ski Touring - Mont Blanc 4810m

Skiing off the summit of the highest peak in the Alps is certainly one of the greatest descents in the Alps. Where else in the world can one ski over 3,600 m (12,000') ? - Absolutely amazing...The ascent is a long gruelling climb that is spread out over two days. However, one is rewarded with one of the best ski-able summits in the world...

In General there 3 possible ways to ascend Mont Blanc via skis:
- Grands Mulets Route via the Dome du Gouter
- The 3 Mont Blanc Route
- A quick heli lift to the Pitons des Italiens (additonnal fee)

Most often we will choose the first of the 3 but the snow conditions as well as your physical conditioning will be decisive in determining the route we will follow. Below is the typical program.

Day 1
CHAMONIX - GRANDS MULETS HUT
Meeting point is the Aiguille du Midi cablecar station at 8:30 a.m. Here you will have an equipment check and be able to resolve any last minute problems.This spectacular journey gets underway by taking the Aiguille du Midi cablecar to the mid-station of the Plan de l'Aiguille at 2317 m (7,600'). From here, we skin up below the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi over the Bossons glacier and up to the spectacular setting of the Grands Mulets hut 3350 m (10,988') for the night. 
vertical climb = 3,388 ft. vertical descent = 0 ft.

Day 2
GRANDS MULETS HUT - MONT BLANC
Up early at 1 a.m. and out the door by 2, a long ascent awaits us. We start off skinning up past the Petit Plateau and Grand Plateau to reach the col du Dôme and the Vallot emergency bivouac shelter at 4363 m (14,311'). Here, the night starts to turn into day and the climbing becomes steeper along the gradually narrowing Bosses ridge. Then the route follows the narrow Bosses ridge to the broad summit. We will probably reach the summit just as day is breaking and if you are lucky, you can witness a shadow being cast from Mont Blanc. After a brief celebration, we can then decide on which route we will take on the way down. The most popular and easiest being the same route we ascended. Other alternatives are the Corridor, which is a steep, often powder filled descent leading back to the Petit Plateau. Alternatively, we can opt for the North Face, should the conditions and your skiing level permit it. Descent back down past the Grands Mulets hut, the mid-station and finally into town.
vertical climb = 4,788 ft. vertical descent = 12,382 ft.

* Actual course details and climbs may vary depending on conditions and participants level.

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