the French Alps are a mountain range located within the Rhône-Alpes and Provence Alps Côte d’Azur (PACA) regions.  A vast amount of the mountainous area is shared with Switzerland and Italy.  Due to the nature of the terrain there are a whole range of winter and summer activities available in the Alps.  these include the obvious skiing and snowboarding as well as alternatives such as snowshoeing animals have learnt how to adapt to the harsh environment Some animals are protected against the cold with a thick coat or plumage others such as the marmot hibernate below ground so solving the problem of food shortage during the long winter months.  A surprisingly large and powerful looking wild goat with large curved and ridged horns which can at times grow up to a metre in length Mostly unafraid of humans you will find this peaceful animal on many of the common walks and hikes around Chamonix As with most horned mammals of their kind the ibex have a 'rutting' season The males will fight for the females and the clatter of their horns clashing echoes throughout the mountains can be distinguished by a black line on its back And in contrast to the ibex they have curved slender dark horns Jumping from one rock to the next and climbing the steepest passages their movements appear unnatural In summer they will feed on grass; in winter they make their way down to the forest and nibble the bark of trees Commonly found in Alpine villages. The reddish brown summer coat becomes white in winter apart from a thin tuft of black hair at the end of its tail This small carnivorous mammal lives among stones or near chalets it hibernates during the winter months so you will only see this cuddly looking creature during the summer. From April to September it enlivens alpine pastures with its whistling call you may well be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a lynx Unlikely but you never know...at sunset they can be found stalking the slopes in search of birds Virtually extinct in the region by the beginning of the 20th century this wild cat has returned to the woods of Savoie from Switzerland Golden eagles can often be seen throughout the Alps rearing their young in eyries on the side of inaccessible cliff faces Eagles prey on marmots in summer and feed off carcasses when food becomes short in winter much of the vegetation in the Alps is influenced by altitude In many of the resorts you will find a very distinct 'tree line' where the thicker forest areas stop Well known for their conifer forests made up primarily of fir trees pine and larches. The only conifer in the Alps to shed its leaves in winter is the larch and it is commonly found growing on south-facing slopes particularly in the “Alpes sèches” (dry Alps).  Among the deciduous trees you will find beech, alders Alpine plants are built to survive the extremes of climate and conditions Hardy plants that generally flower for only a few months in July and August but form the wonderful Alpine pastures that we expect on our summer holidays to the Alps One such hardy plant that grows in the Alpine region From the same family as absinthe (Wormwood family) yellow genepi is an integral part of Savoy heritage there are strict regulations around harvesting these mountain crops distillers infuse the crop in alcohol creating an alcoholic spirit renowned for its health benefits - the digestive system in particular The history of the Alps started around 500 million years ago.  The Tethys Sea that existed at that time was the place where materials such as marble limestone and granite formed over many millions of years.  the African and Eurasian tectonic plates compressed together and lifted folding the continental shelf and draining the sea These rocks then raised up as mountains and have been continually eroded by glacial formations and weather over the course of their lives The mountain range of the Alps – the highest in Europe – stretches along a curved line from Nice on the Mediterranean coast to Vienna in Austria but the altitude gradually decreases towards the south and the range is easily accessible through a series of deep wide valleys SeeChamonix.com is a SeeTheWorld destination Be one of the first to try our new activity feed I’ve visited the Mont Blanc region more than a dozen times and am always gobsmacked by mystical aura it exudes and cinch down my pack in the center of Chamonix I find it impossible not to be awed by the site of Mont Blanc The 15,555-foot peak—the highest in Western Europe—stands as a sentinel to anyone who visits the Chamonix valley even though the actual summit is typically not visible from the valley floor appear differently at every hour of the day based on sunlight and weather patterns that continually tangle and tussle harmonize into a stunning alpenglow that looks more like a watercolor painting than something you’re seeing with your own eyes I have been fortunate to visit the Chamonix valley on about 20 occasions both to run and cover races and for a variety of adventurous mountain runs and I have felt the pervasive energy of the mountain on every single run I have ever embarked upon I very much believe that trail running can be special wherever you are in the world Chamonix is almost magical because of its awe-inspiring mountains and wide range of races throughout the year I hope more trail runners get the opportunity to experience it The Mont Blanc summit isn’t attainable by run-of-the-mill trail running: reaching the glaciated top requires advanced mountaineering skills and technical gear But the mountain exudes a distinct mix of scenic beauty and a mystical aura that serves as a physical and sensory backdrop to running around its jagged flanks in both France and Italy I just feel this pull to be here,” says Stephanie Howe an American trail runner for The North Face who recently moved to Les Houches There are other incredible mountain places that are a little bit closer to home for me (in Bend but I just feel drawn to the energy from that mountain.” To anyone heading out for a trail run on either side of the mountain it is usually both entirely menacing and infinitely inspiring The same goes for anyone participating in any of the eight events of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc festival that all finish in the metaphorical shadow of Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco as it is called on the Italian side of the mountain (The ETC 15K race held entirely on trails in Courmayeur is the only race that doesn’t finish in Chamonix.) Running in Chamonix is not a place for weak or timid souls, though it is inclusive and welcoming to all who are interested in testing their physical, emotional, and spiritual mettle on its rocky routes. Trail running in the valleys below Mont Blanc is rooted in the mountaineering culture that has been prevalent around the mountain for more than 200 years What does that mean for trail runners coming from a modern ultrarunning background Just as intrepid mountaineers have developed hard-earned skills to experience and explore the hundreds of notable rocky routes up spires have trail runners increasingly felt the allure of the massive mountains and wide-ranging trails for the past 30 years “There’s so much history here that’s tied to alpinism and I think that’s really cool,” Howe says But there’s also a little bit of a sense of danger You can get yourself into trouble in this terrain so you have to have a sense of being careful.” While there is a smooth path that leads out of the Chamonix city center along the glacier-fed Arve and Arveyon river tributaries most of the singletrack trails and dirt paths above the valley floor include steep well-worn dirt route with only a few moderately technical sections But there are many other less-trod routes and remote offshoots that require nimble footsteps and trail running shoes with soft midsoles and durable rubber outsoles you have to work to get access to a lot of the best trails in Chamonix winding uphill trails (or perhaps the steep zigzagging route of the VK course) or by linking some of the ski lifts and tourist gondolas (or the electric train line that bisects the valley) One of my favorite runs entails taking a train from Chamonix to the Vallorcine then running back up and over 7,200-foot Col de Balme and meandering down the trails through Argentiere and back to Chamonix There are an extraordinary network of scenic trails on the midway plateaus above Chamonix—essentially geologic balconies below the high peaks—and many afford the opportunity to view glaciers or hotels for the nourishment and community of a hearty snack or a cold beer there are also countless solitary places to stop and smell the flowers which in the Chamonix valley means sitting down and immersing in the grandeur that surrounds you in every direction It’s an exhilarating experience that moves me every time there are some harsh realities of running in and around Chamonix When Mont-Blanc was first climbed in 1786 by Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard glaciated ice flows stretched to the valley floor I remember Kilian Jornet telling me in 2011 that the mountains were melting and legendary climbing routes were becoming unstable and dangerous Last year I witnessed a massive serac avalanche from across the valley—an increasing and highly dangerous situation in and around Chamonix—and later learned that it smashed and completely destroyed a 200-year-old mountaineering hut When I first visited Chamonix, the two most prominent glaciers in the Chamonix valley—Mer de Glace and the Bossons Glacier—were much more robust than they are today It’s sad to think that in 15 years they’ve shrunk considerably and that While trail running in the valley isn’t acutely focused on the remote crags and state of the glaciers, as human beings who love recreating in the mountains, we all have to realize the impacts the changing conditions have on the entire picture of the environment. It may be visible to the naked eye in Chamonix but climate change is impacting the places where we love to run back at home RELATED: 10 Things to Know About Jim Walmsley’s Obsession with UTMB a diverse collection of about 12,000 runners from all over the world will be racing in one of eight UTMB races and UTMB 170K events of the UTMB World Series Final “It has a certain vibe to it that you can’t get anywhere else,” says American Matt Daniels “And with everything going on in town leading up to the race If you’ve been to Chamonix during UTMB week The town is packed—with tourists and runners—who have both found their way to Chamonix after having heard that siren call of Mont Blanc’s magnificence it’s one of those places I was overjoyed to have experienced once and eternally grateful that I’ve had so many opportunities to return While there are special places to run trails all around the world both because of the energy that flows from the Mont Blanc massif but also because of the community that comes to cherish it RELATED: Book Review—”The Race That Changed Running” Find out what happened when this six-year run streaker and HOKA Global Athlete Ambassador took on an iconic ultramarathon in California's Sierra Nevada He is Director of Operations at Adventure Base and passionate about skiing mountaineering and other Alpine adventures More posts by Olly Alkema So, you want to climb Mont Blanc? Here, Chamonix local and mountain expert Olly Alkema talks us through what it's like to climb to the highest point in western Europe - looking out over all of the Alps Mont Blanc sits on the border between France and Italy in the Alps and since the first Mont Blanc ascent in 1786 by local mountaineers Jacques Balmat and Dr Michel-Gabriel Paccard is widely considered to be the birthplace of modern mountaineering It's a peak that has inspired everyone from the romantic poets - Byron referred to it as the "monarch of mountains" - to contemporary Alpinists Looming large over the mountain town of Chamonix glaciated beauty and relative accessibility make it a challenge any wannabe mountaineer can realistically aspire to a good level of fitness and the right mindset it is certainly achievable for most we'll be discussing the various routes up Mont Blanc and answering frequently asked questions about this mighty peak Mont Blanc straddles the French-Italian border and also extends into Switzerland The massif stretches southwest from Martigny for about 25 miles (40 km) to Moûtiers in France Mont Blanc's summit lies between the valleys of Ferret and Veny in Italy The region around the massif includes the Graian Alps to the south the Chamonix Valley and Savoy Alps to the west Other notable peaks within the massif include Mont Blanc du Tacul The height of Mont Blanc is 4805 metres (15764 feet) - five metres lower than when it was last measured in 2013 and 3 metres more than the 4807 metres originally recorded back in 1863 As the highest point in Western Europe it’s by no means a walk in the park though and remains a rite of passage for many alpinists worldwide There are many many ways to climb Mont Blanc The difficulty of ascent varies across the various Mont Blanc routes but the most common route - the Goûter Route via the Dôme du Goûter - is manageable with some previous trekking and/or mountaineering experience a decent level of fitness and a heavy dose of determination The Goûter Route has become the ‘voie normale’ route to summit Mont Blanc, even though the first ascent took a very different path back in 1786. Starting from Les Houches and going via the Refuge de Tete Rousse and Refuge du Goûter, this is considered to be the least technical route to the summit. For that reason, it’s also the route used on our classic Climb Mont Blanc trip. It's also worth noting that most guided climbs of Mont Blanc won't take you directly up to the summit - you'll spend a few days learning some basic mountaineering skills and doing some acclimatisation hikes in the surrounding mountains Climbing Tête Blanche (3429m) - with an ascent up a rocky ridgeline carpeted in snow - is an ideal warm up ahead of Mont Blanc The route description of the 'voie normale' below doesn't include this training and acclimatisation as each tour will offer slightly different options you take the Bellevue cable car up to 1800m From here you take the old Tramway du Mont Blanc train up to the Nid d’Aigle at 2372m where the hike begins to one of the two huts en route to the summit The Refuge de Tete Rousse sits at 3167m and is a popular choice for the first night of the ascent Hiking here takes between 2 and 3 hours over fairly easy terrain with beautiful views down to the Chamonix Valley and the Aravis mountain range in the distance An early departure the next morning from Refuge de Tete Rousse sees you climb up to the Refuge du Goûter via a 700m high rock face that ascends next to the Gouter grand couloir notorious for rock fall in warm temperatures This section requires good scrambling techniques and rope work with your guide as well as prudence Once at the Refuge du Goûter at 3835m you reach the mellower upper snow slopes of Mont Blanc where crampons are required for the rest of the ascent on the glaciated slopes towards the summit Continuing from the Refuge du Goûter you ascend the Dome du Goûter to 4304m before reaching the Vallot emergency shelter at 4362m From here the ascent takes the Bosses ridge to the summit with spectacular views in all directions The ridge can be narrow and very exposed at times requiring total concentration and skill to ascend and you can normally stay there for a few minutes before starting the descent Swiss and French Alps and a never-ending horizon greets you in all directions It’s been known that on a very clear day you can even see the Mediterranean in the distance You truly feel like you’re on top of the world and it is a feeling that will stay with you for a lifetime Normally people will either descend to the Refuge du Goûter or to the Refuge de Tete Rousse for a particularly long day - we recommend the former Return along the same path from Refuge du Goûter to the start point of the hike you'll be able to get public or private transport back to Chamonix Here are some quick summaries of alternative routes to the summit Many of these are more technical than the voie normale - even experienced climbers should go with a guide Starting from the Aiguille du Midi station at 3842m you climb via Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit to the summit This is more technical than the Gouter Route and requires 1:1 guiding The descent can be done the same way or via the Refuge du Gouter and down the Gouter Route to Les Houches This is a spectacular and quieter alternative to the Gouter Route although it is normally only in condition in the early summer months of May you ascend the Miage Glacier to the Gonella Hut and on summit day you ascend to the Col de Bionnassay and then join the normal Gouter Route to the summit This is the original route taken by Jacques Balmat and Dr Michel Paccard in 1786 which takes the most direct line up to the summit as viewed from Chamonix Nowadays people will start by taking the cable car to the Plan de l’Aiguille station and cross the Bossons Glacier to the Grand Mulets Hut which sits at 3051m From here you ascend to the Col du Dome which is exposed to crevasses and serac fall before joining the Bosses ridge to the summit This route is commonly used for ski touring in spring for those aiming to ski from the summit of Mont Blanc People often ask if climbing Mont Blanc is harder than climbing Mount Kilimanjaro While Kilimanjaro might be higher at 5,895m climbing Mont Blanc is significantly more difficult You will need to be extremely fit to climb Mont Blanc Many guides recommend training in the hills and mountains for months before climbing - hiking with a backpack for hours at a time and making sure you're able to spend 10-15 hours on your feet previous technical mountaineering experience isn't essential the more mountain experience you have the better your chance of making the summit Consider a winter skills course (learning to use kit like ice axes crampons and focusing on winter navigation) then tackling some lower mountains in the Alps before taking on the biggest mountain in western Europe You are technically allowed to climb Mont Blanc without a guide but doing so without extensive alpine mountaineering experience would be a bad All guides on Mont Blanc will be members of the IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Association) and so when you do hire an accredited guide Mont Blanc may not be the most technical climb in the world This isn't a mountain you should climb at a few days notice Then you'll have a good shot at making it to the summit - and back down safely While a few people have been known to run up it in a day(!) a guided Mont Blanc summit hike typically takes 3 days The first day for the ascent to the first hut (3-4hrs) the second day for the summit attempt and descent to the second hut (8-10hrs) and the third day for the descent back to the valley (4-6hrs) It’s common to do a 6 or 7-day Mont Blanc package to include training and acclimatisation before a 3-day ascent to the summit It’s a brilliant week packed full of amazing trekking and climbing on top of Mont Blanc itself while learning or refreshing all sorts of skills The best time to climb Mont Blanc is from late May to the end of September in large part due to the favourable summer weather it also correlates with the opening times of the Refuge de Tete Rousse There is no better or worse time to attempt the climb during this period however early and late summer can mean cooler temperatures whilst mid-summer can be particularly warm A successful attempt is based on many factors coming together; stable weather safe conditions and managing to get hut reservations (which won’t be a problem if you take the hassle-free route of joining a guided trip) can be very difficult and turning up without a reservation is strictly prohibited While many people successfully summit every day with even the classic Gouter route exposing climbers to rockfall in the Grand Couloir Other dangers present across all routes include serac falls (falling chunks of ice) falling into crevasses (cracks in the glacier) Being with an experienced guide significantly improves your safety levels but no-one should ever think they are immune from the dangers of mountain climbing But before you close this window and start looking for holidays on the beach in Greece remember the odds we just looked at are good Accidents tend to happen when care isn’t taken and this can often sadly happen in un-guided parties it is highly recommended to climb Mont Blanc with a guide to get the most out of the experience and it is an achievement that everyone will be proud of If you're looking for to experience Mont Blanc and the Alps on a safer route, consider walking the Tour du Mont Blanc A range of good quality mountaineering clothing is required including protective hardshell and soft shell pants and jackets The technical items that are required include mountaineering boots These items can be rented locally and full kit lists will be provided by your guide it is impossible to take a bad photo in these beautiful mountains The cost of climbing Mont Blanc can vary quite considerably based on the number of days in the summit program and what that cost includes you are looking at between £2,500 - £3,500 but do check the small print to see what that price includes as they all differ substantially Things to look out for include; accommodation on the valley floor Most Mont Blanc trips begin from either Chamonix (France) or Courmayeur (Italy) which is easiest to get to from Geneva Airport via shuttle bus or transfer (1hr) Inspired? Check out our Mont Blanc adventures run by experienced local mountaineering guides This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Eric Greene Kodak Portra 400, Fujifilm Color 400 Chamonix is one of the most iconic winter sports destinations on the planet and one of the last remaining on my snowboarding bucket list Home to the picturesque behemoth that is Mount Blanc—the highest peak in the Alps range at 15,774 feet that divides the borders of France and Italy—the area hosts several million people in search of deep snow So when an editor called with the golden ticket to spend a few days touring the many resorts that flank both sides of the Chamonix valley but especially in the Alps where huge slabs of glacier hang off peaks 3,000 meters above sea level and wide bowls surrounded by craggy rock walls funnel into avalanche chutes of certain death Most skiers in the Alps never directly interact with the SDMB They stick to groomers (on piste) and après patios where they loosen their boots and enjoy stemmed glasses of wine facing the alpine sun But evidence of free riding exists if you look for it From the highest peaks you can see off piste tracks in all directions that make you scratch your head: “Why the hell would someone decide to ski down that?” or “How is it even possible to access that line?" patrollers hold the line between life and death of thousands of skiers and snowboarders each year patrollers perform over a thousand rescues each season you benefit from the work the patrollers do regarding mountain safety I was absolutely stoked to snowboard with them The trip was put on by Helly Hansen I ended up being one of two snowboarders in the entire crew and clocked some concerned looks as we loaded into the gondola on day one But the two decades I’ve spent snowboarding including 10 years of riding professionally The couple of turns I carved during the first run were enough to put everyone at ease It certainly helped us look the part of SDMB VIPs These French cats are certainly very accomplished skiers They’ve dedicated their lives to the mountain spending nearly every day in the high alpine At Balme Le Tour resort the crew is young—new blood with a sharp focus on certification training and pushing rescue technology After completing the required patrol certifications mandatory “hours on the job,” and high-level first-aid training these patrollers are choosing to specialize Still others (maybe the luckiest) become dog handlers We followed along on hill as they showed us how they set up the runs each morning with color-coded signage because people are often more focused on filming their runs with iPhones and GoPros than experiencing them At Grands Montets ski area the patrollers are older dudes—lifers who’ve been on the crew for decades When asked about the absence of female patrollers they acknowledged they’re working on it and the goal is to establish a more diverse workforce Life as a ski patroller is full of stark contrast: lots of down time and practice that leads to highly intense rescue missions they need to be ready to act at any moment Our day with this crew was relatively chill thanks to soft snow and perfect visibility But we did get to watch a young Golden Retriever nail a mock rescue Walking the cobbled streets of the Chamonix village in the late afternoon I saw adventure-seeking skiers casually return to town with backcountry packs heavily accessorized with ice axes and cramp-ons These were the skiers who set the unfathomable tracks down the most extreme faces in the high alpine and now they’d returned to town—like they’d gone to war in the mountains and had come home with harrowing tales to share over frosty pints European skiing has a classic allure that feels exotic There aren’t hours-long lineups of powder hounds with their elbows out awaiting the first chairlift Lift ticket prices are reasonable and the on-hill food is better but guests have no trouble staying organized Wouldn’t it be simpler to just be able to put money in the coffee machine itself patrollers at each resort do a final safety sweep to make sure no one is stranded on the runs It was a fitting end to an incredible trip I shook hands in farewell with lead patroller Perhaps seeing how sad I was to be leaving he gave us a parting message: “Enjoy the life!” Looking for more backcountry snowboarding inspiration, check out this yurt trip to Montana where our contributors earned their Avy One certification Select the event you're interested in Unit SystemMetric (km / m)Imperial (miles / feet)EN fresitMY UTMB25 - 31 August 2025DISCOVERThe event Access Mont Blanc is a non-profit Association based in Les Houches in the heart of the Chamonix Valley we have big dreams for the future of disability sport in the Mont Blanc region and we plan to make the mountains accessible to everyone By wearing a solidarity bib in support of Access Mont Blanc you will be contributing to the purchase of all terrain mobility equipment for the 5 communes of the Chamonix Valley The wheelchairs can be used by visitors to the valley and those living locally who can no longer explore the mountains with any level of autonomy As a mountain runner you will understand that running in the mountains is a great healer of mind and spirit By supporting Access Mont Blanc you will be directly contributing to the physical and mental wellbeing of those who can no longer run free but still dream of mountain adventure and exploration At Access Mont Blanc we are all volunteers sharing the belief that handicap should not be a barrier to adventure We organise expeditions which prove the accessibility and safety of local trails before we incorporate these routes into our free guidebook We also take part in guided hand bike excursions and assist local events with our mobility equipment is our annual weekend of adapted mountain sports Physical activity helps to boost the mind body and spirit and Limitless helps people to discover a new sport so they can benefit from a feeling of accomplishment and wellbeing Please support our Association and make the mountains accessible to everyone If you would like more information you can contact us at accessmontblanc@gmail.com we would be delighted to answer your questions and explain more about the Association If not, you can discover more about our activities at www.accessmontblanc.com; @accessmontblanc on Instagram and accessmontblanc on Facebook. It was there that 258 athletes from 16 national teams gathered to compete in 16 events in nine disciplines Beijing 2022 hosted the XXIV Olympic Winter Games it brought together no fewer than 2,897 athletes from 91 NOCs with 109 events on the programme in 15 disciplines across 19 days of competition Those figures are an indication of the truly global appeal that winter sports and the Olympic Winter Games enjoy today The town’s international reputation can be traced back to the maiden ascent of Mont-Blanc in 1786 and the writings of British visitors who expressed their admiration of the valley’s high peaks The opening of the railway line serving the Chamonix valley in 1901 further boosted visitor numbers during the winter months Keen to tap into the resort’s heritage and its greatest asset the local council renamed it Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in 1921 When the Olympic Winter Games arrived three years later Chamonix was ready and able to make the most of the occasion Chamonix marked its centennial anniversary of the inaugural Olympic Winter Games during a season of celebrations beginning in 2023 and culminating on Olympic Day with the Mont-Blanc stage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay The extensive anniversary programme featured high-performance sports events like the FIS Ski-Alpinism European Championship and the Kandahar FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup stage alongside community events such as an ice-skating gala and a curling tournament notably at the Maison de la Mémoire et du Patrimoine highlighted Chamonix 1924's history and impact also introduced a new emblem inspired by the original 1924 brand assets unifying the centenary activities and promoting the legacy for future generations Chamonix 1924 boosted the Olympic Movement at an important time in its development allowing nations to come together and continue the healing process that followed the First World War It also provided a platform for the development and growth of the French resort as a winter sports destination Chamonix harnessed the growing popularity of Alpine skiing and proved itself every bit as prestigious and appealing to visitors as more established resorts elsewhere in the Alps Chamonix is also facing the challenges posed by climate change Rising temperatures have affected the town’s daily life and natural surroundings Chamonix is collaborating with local and international partners to address these changes Initiatives include promoting renewable energy renovating buildings for energy efficiency enhancing green mobility with improved public transport and biking infrastructure and raising public awareness about environmental protection Chamonix also serves as an important centre for scientific research on climate change in high-altitude regions and glaciers are also a firm commitment to secure a sustainable future for winter sport Sources Four missing climbers remain stranded on Mont Blanc for another night Today, September 9, rescuers could not attempt to reach them by helicopter or on the ground because of bad weather and poor visibility, according to Aostasera.it now identified as Sara Stefanelli and Andrea Galimberti They have not been heard from since Saturday Their mobile phone battery might have run out Two other climbers from Korea have also been missing since Saturday the temperature at Col Major (4,750m) was -12.8˚C The rescuers hope that the missing mountaineers have dug a snow hole for shelter Helicopters remain ready to take off the moment the weather clears The route to Mont Blanc via the Goȗter Route Meanwhile, a 35-year-old Romanian mountaineer fell about 200m in the Couloir du Goȗter (also called Death Corridor). The exact reason for his fall is unknown. We also do not know whether the man was climbing alone or what equipment he was carrying, according to Alpin.de Rescue authorities in Chamonix attributed the accident to a “technical error.” Other climbers on their way up witnessed the fall and alerted emergency services It is the fifth fatal accident within the last few weeks Early this afternoon, a group of foreign climbers fell on the 4,061m Felik Col, between two summits of the Monte Rosa group in the Italian Alps. One person is dead, four are injured, and four are unharmed. Initial reports suggest the climbers were descending and had reached a point where they had to climb a short stretch of rock, according to Aostasera.it KrisAnnapurna is a writer with ExplorersWeb Kris has been writing about history and tales in alpinism Sign up to receive ExplorersWeb content direct to your inbox once a week Four hikers have been missing since Saturday on Mont Blanc which is located at the French-Italian border The hikers have been identified as two Italians and two Koreans the Italian hikers are stuck near the summit at an altitude of over 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) while the location of the Korean hikers is unknown at this stage Search and rescue efforts were made from both the French and Italian sides but have thus far been unsuccessful The Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne (PGHM) de Chamonix Mont-Blanc which specializes in high mountain rescue operations set out on foot from the Aiguille du Midi and managed to reach an altitude of 4,200 meters before being forced to turn around due to inclement weather The PGHM Chamonix then called for support from their Italian colleagues at the Aosta Valley Mountain Rescue (Soccorso Alpino Valdostano) The Aosta Valley Mountain Rescue tried to reach the two Italian hikers near the Dome du Goûter area by helicopter but also had to turn around due to the weather conditions The two Italian hikers are stranded in the Dome du Goûter Area near the summit due to the weather moving in The Italians were identified as Andrea Galimberti from the Cosmiques mountain hut to follow one of the standard routes along the French side to the summit the hikers set off a distress call to search and rescue after they had fallen in a crevice but managed to extract themselves again but realized they were in trouble According to the Italian Press Association ANSA we risk freezing to death!” The phones of the two Italian climbers are now turned off The search for the missing hikers continued on Monday the PGHM Chamonix Mont Blanc confirmed that Their fate hangs by a thread but hope remains The Korean hikers were part of a group of four hikers of which two were safely recovered from the mountain on Saturday It appears the group became separated and the exact location of the two missing Korean hikers is at this point unknown The freezing level at Mont Blanc was around 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) last night The weather forecast for Tuesday is better and hope remains to find the four missing hikers alive She was attempting to set a fastest known time (FKT) with skis via the grueling Grand Mulets route which winds from a church in Chamonix to the summit covering about 20 miles and over 12,000 feet of elevation gain Completing the route requires a deep aerobic base—and plenty of grit the latter was helpful when she lost her footing and plunged downhill Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan DeMonte has a long history of aerobic training—she swam in college and picked up competitive cycling after graduation "One day on a training ride before a pretty big race I just had that lightning bolt sciatic nerve pain go down my right leg," DeMonte said and I couldn't move my lower leg at all." She had a bulging lower back disc that ruptured DeMonte underwent surgery to free up the involved nerve and was left lying flat on her back for several weeks she started walking again but doubted she would pursue athletics at a competitive level after the injury She lived in North Carolina then and figured she was ready to try something new remembers being frustrated that she wasn't very good at first after returning to the sport as an adult in 2020 DeMonte had developed into a full-blown mountain athlete capable of tackling objectives that blend skiing and mountaineering I grew up looking at a black line on the bottom of a pool every day," she said there are lifts skiers use to access imposing backcountry lines but DeMonte and Kuenzle didn't feel like paying for tickets they climbed to ski the steeps—a lot They averaged about 20,000 uphill vertical feet a week DeMonte decided she was ready to pursue a record Anna DeMonte raced to the snow line on foot before clicking into her skis The fall on the Grand Mulets route could have derailed her FKT attempt DeMonte had already considered turning back The snow was icy and difficult to hold an edge on particularly with narrow mountaineering skis right?' It's supposed to be fast and the skinning was just so slow," she said DeMonte's eventual slip proved harmless despite costing her valuable time She doubled back to grab the ski pole she dropped and kept moving and DeMonte thought the ski descent would also be unpleasant without heat from the sun but as she neared the summit a few hours after falling she discovered a mix of slightly powdery conditions and Anna DeMonte's FKT attempt had a highlight: the skiing living out of a van and considering a speed push on the Matterhorn but she's excited for the snow to start falling again "The Matterhorn seems like a fun option for now," she said I definitely have my sights on going to Denali next year From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers Submit your best clips for a chance to be featured on POWDER. Tune in and watch handpicked, high-quality ski videos streaming all day long on POWDER TV, and subscribe to our YouTube channel The main draw for people coming to Chamonix in winter is there’s other activities to do in Chamonix in the summer.  Whether you're just looking for something to do when the lifts close or you simply don't ski With five different parts of the valley to ski in the valley has something for every level of experience the pisted terrain ranges in altitude from 950m to 3,300m and not forgetting the world famous Vallée Blanche descent - a 20km long route that takes you from the Aiguille du Midi down 2,700m to town Chamonix is an outdoor activities paradise The Alpine town and its surrounding mountains offer hundreds of things to do for every ability and every age  Some activities are perfect for solo travellers while others are more suited to romantic couples Families and groups will also find a wide range of things to do in Chamonix.  from outdoor fun to bad weather indoor activities there is something for everyone in Chamonix The Chamonix guest card ('carte d'hôte') is valid throughout the year (for the duration of your stay) and entitles you to various discounts throughout the valley such as reductions at all the sports and cultural facilities including the swimming pool If you do not receive one when you check into your accommodation you can buy one from any of the tourist offices in the valley You can find out more about the various advantages it offers from the tourist office website Below are our three favourite activities in Chamonix but there are plenty more to choose from Check out the selection of things to do below for some holiday inspiration – you'll see that there are plenty of alternatives to skiing and snowboarding in Chamonix Skiing and snowboarding are probably the most popular winter activities in the the Valley The the Valley mountains are also the perfect setting to go snowshoeing and husky dog sledging whilst the ice skating rink in Chamonix town centre will keep the whole family entertained The valley tracks and trails in the area attract hundreds of biking aficionados every summer Meander through lush forests to reach stunning mountaintops with breathtaking views.  the pistes turn into meadows and deep-forested trails to explore on foot From easy valley strolls to gruelling trail running ascents and descents everyone can explore the beautiful sunny landscapes Les Gaillands is one of the oldest climbing sites in France with the first of its 130 bolted routes being put up in the 1930's by Alfred Couttet The routes are now maintained by the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix and offer a variety of slabs At the high end of the Chamonix valley and 20 minutes by car sits the pretty village of Vallorcine It's the perfect place to head if you want to escape the busy world of Chamonix and enjoy some great rock climbing The options available range from children’s routes to highly technical routes with official climbing grades up to 8a+.La Dalle de Vallorcine is a wide and large climbing wall that's a great way to discover the sport it's usually used by schools and groups for lessons Driving from Chamonix turn right just as you enter ‘Le Buet’ and take the signs to the ‘Montets’ campsite park and then take the tunnel under the railway and it’s just a short walk There are over thirty mid-range climbs available here They are typically north-west facing.Les Perrons de Vallorcine is a more challenging crag with routes up to 370m high There are over 20 climbs here on south-east faces that will demand the best from climbers The way to access these is via the Emosson Dam the hardest and longest (at 400m) on Les Perrons there are two bouldering areas located on either side of the Col des Montets with more than 50 problems from 3a to 7c grades The first is located about 200m from the Col on the Vallorcine side Parking is roadside or just opposite the Col There is another climbing wall at the ENSA but you need to be a member of the local Club des Sports to gain access Just down the valley in Saint-Gervais-Les-Bain is Le Topo indoor climbing which is open daily They also have a lovely café serving hot drinks and food descend the ladders down onto the Mer de Glace following the signs marked ‘Le Refuge’ Cross the glacier heading for the white square painted on the opposite rock face from here you will find a well-marked Via Ferrata route that consists of around 30 ladders and One way should take around four to five hours there is a shorter return route through Les Egralets that takes a further three hours.Further afield there is also a route above Passy that sits under the Aiguille de Varan on a cliff face Access to the spot from car park takes 20 minutes and then the average time to complete the Via Ferrata is 1h30 why not scale an amazing frozen waterfall or glacier Chamonix has a multitude of ice-falls and gulleys where you can experience the thrill of ice climbing with a guide Beginners can start off at La Crémerie in Argentière while the more experienced can sample some of the many other sites around Chamonix The ice climbing season peaks between December and March Some knowledge of ropes and basic climbing skills will give you a head start but if you're a complete novice then your guide should be able to teach you from scratch Chamonix is quite simply the mecca of mountaineering The glaciers and icy slopes of the Mont Blanc Massif offer a massive number of climbing routes for alpinists while the world famous Chamonix granite is extremely popular with rock climbers Chamonix is also home to what is perhaps the most popular high-mountain route in Europe you must be very fit and should book a guide to accompany you The Aiguille du Midi is Chamonix's number one attraction It's the highest you'll be able to get without being a mountaineer and offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the glaciers surrounding it The Mer de Glace is undoubtedly one of the most popular visitor attractions It's one of the largest glaciers in the valley and you can access it via the Montenvers train and pay a visit to the ice cave once you're there Other points of interest at Montenvers are the Crystal Gallery the Museum of Alpine Fauna and the famous Hotel du Montenvers the hotel is an integral part of Chamonix’s history Leading on from there are a number of beautiful walks and hikes: the Forbes Signal is great for truly spectacular views of the Mer de Glace (approx 1h up and 30min back down with 300m total ascent) the Grand Balcon Nord leads from Montenvers across to the Plan d’Aiguille (approx 2h30 to 3h) or the descent back to Chamonix through larch and pine forests via the original Mule Trail (approx One way to find your way around town in the summer is to hop aboard the miniature tourist train that trundles daily through Chamonix from early May to mid-October it makes its way past the sights of Chamonix with a multi-lingual commentary telling you about the history and culture of the area It leaves every 30 minutes from outside the post office the Montenvers train station and the Aiguille du Midi lift station In Servoz, the Gorges de la Diosaz are a series of natural waterfalls that gush down through a deep gorge By following a man-made footpath you can walk along the side of the gorge learning about the geology and the remarkable history of the site as you go To walk all the way along and back takes around 90 minutes at a gentle pace This walk is suitable for children of all ages but the path is not suitable for pushchairs and although there are safety barriers you're advised to keep hold of small children by the hand The gorges are open from June until September the most impressive time to visit is after heavy rainfall when they are in full flow Servoz can be accessed by train from Chamonix the Gorges are just a five minute walk from Servoz train station There are various traditional weekly markets around the Chamonix valley Every Saturday morning you can head to Chamonix's Place de Mont Blanc and in Les Houches a farmers market takes place every Wednesday afternoon at a farm on Route du Pont The Parc de Merlet in Les Houches is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches Petanque is one of France's favourite pastimes There are outdoor petanque areas in Les Houches by the ice rink and the Chavants lake by the Bois de Bouchet and in the centre of Vallorcine You can also play petanque indoors at the Espace OLCA in the centre of Les Houches The whole of the Alps are known worldwide for hosting some of the most gruelling stages of the Tour de France so to gain the most from your riding in the area you need to have a reasonable level of fitness There are some renowned climbs near Chamonix as well as lesser-known but fun rides like the Col des Montets the Col de la Forclaz or the tour around Lake Annecy Chamonix offers some of the best terrain for mountain biking in Europe smooth and rocky trails available all under the backdrop of Mont Blanc then you can always take the stress out of it all by taking any of the main lifts up and enjoying the descent Mountain biking in Chamonix has something for all riders from beginners right up to the more technically advanced mountain biking is called VTT (Vélo Tout-Terrain!) A fairly recent craze, the fat bike is completely at home in the snow. Although it will be difficult to mountain bike along the valley floor during the winter months, hiring a fat bike can offer you hours of fun in the snow. Several of the ski hire shops in town will also rent fat bikes and they can also tell you the best trails in the valley to tackle At the Richard Bozon sports centre there's a gym with weights and cardio machines They offer a timetable of fitness classes such as aerobic or step Many hotels in the valley also offer fitness facilities There are a number of swimming facilities in the Chamonix valley, from hotel pools to the sports centre and the outdoor lakes. The indoor pool at the Richard Bozon sports centre is 25m long and also features a separate children's pool with bubble jets and a water slide It has a recently renovated 50m outdoor pool surrounded by sunbathing terraces and a children's splash pool There is a large grassy area by the lake within the grounds which has a snack bar and is perfect for sunbathing or letting the children run around (swimming not allowed in the lake) Bear in mind that chaps of all ages have to wear Speedo-style trunks which can be bought at the ticket desk Another great swimming spot is Lac du Passy the natural lake has a children's play area There are also a few hotels in town that allow non-residents to use their swimming pools for a small fee.  The Hotel Excelsior has a nice outdoor pool with sunbathing area and grassy play area All you have to do to use the pool all day is book a table on the terrace for lunch (the lunches are very nice too!) You can use the swimming pool and the whole spa area of the Le Refuge des Aiglons Hotel by booking the lunch and spa package There are also a number of astro turf football pitches in Les Pelerins area of town that the local football team use.Beach volleyball in the heart of the French Alps may sound strange but in Chamonix you can hop on the sand and play a game of volleyball with your friends or family the beach volleyball court is open in the summer Sit back and admire the Mont Blanc massif from even higher up Daily panoramic helicopter flights are available (weather permitting) with a number of local flight companies Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the snow-capped mountain tops glaciers and alpine forests of the highest mountains in western Europe Hot air ballooning is a truly unique and fun experience You can experience views and scenery like never before you may see deer and other animals normally hidden from view Hot air balloons depart from Praz sur Arly and fly over the most famous summits in the Alps including the Mont Blanc massif and mountain ranges like the Aravis If you’ve never tried paragliding before then Chamonix is a great place to learn how to fly there are a great number of clubs and organisations in the area whose sole purpose is to give you the experience of flying From the heights of Brevent and other mountain tops in the valley you can glide down to the town on a tandem paraglider controlled by an instructor who manoeuvres the parachute while the passenger enjoys the ride and fantastic views There are two main landing places in Chamonix in the summer: behind the sports centre by the Bois de Bouchet and at the Savoy beginner area near the Planpraz lift You'll find some companies offering paragliding there Top Tip: Wait until spring and go on a sunny warm day when the thermals will keep you airborne for longer If you want to experience the beauty of the mountains and the thrill of falling through the mountain sky then you can do just that in Chamonix Various activity companies will teach you all the basics you need to know about skydiving in a quick session and take you up in a helicopter and take the leap with you the Drus and the Mont Blanc from the sky and then jump 500m above the Chamonix valley At the excellent golf course in Chamonix you can play all summer surrounded by the fantastic views of the Mont Blanc and the massif of the Aiguilles Rouges The 18-hole golf course in Les Praz was first created in 1934 although the last nine holes were not built until 1982 The Chamonix valley has a multitude of trails that can be explored on horseback; you can cover more ground than on foot get an elevated view of the scenery and hopefully get a closer peek at the wildlife There are a number of adventure companies who can take you out for your horse riding experience.  Alternatively, the Paradis des Praz play area has a 'mini-ranch' where children can go on short accompanied treks through the woods on small ponies.  There is also a riding school in Les Houches where you can take lessons in their arena or do multiple day treks up the mountain Catch the latest films and releases on your holiday at the Cinema Vox in Chamonix located right in the heart of town opposite the post office They sometimes open their doors early on a bad weather day you'll find most screenings in the evenings Look out for VOST for English speaking films lift-assisted downhill skiing and snowboarding aren't the only things you can do in Chamonix while having a pair of skis or a board strapped to your feet Chamonix is very popular for ski touring and split-boarding whether it's going up the pistes that most people normally ski down private instructors and companies can show you around or Some of the most popular routes cross the Aiguilles Rouges National Park or head up the Col du Tour Noir over the Argentière Glacier expert skiers can also undertake the famous Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt or cross the border to the Aosta Valley the Tourchet beginner area in Les Houches opens for night skiing every Thursday from 20:30 to 22:00 Enjoying the thrill of being on the pistes need not escape you if you're less mobile or have special physical needs ESF Chamonix has a number of specially qualified Handiski instructors who can teach people with a range of disabilities to ski using adapted equipment including UniSki They also offer specific classes for people who are blind or partially sighted.  ESF Les Houches are proud of their many years of experience in teaching Handiski and have a wide range of equipment that can be used free of charge ESF Argentière also offer handiski lessons and guiding in the Vallorcine Le Tour and Grand Montets end of the valley You are advised to book at least 15 days in advance and then to confirm one week before arrival to ensure that the most appropriate equipment is available for your lesson There are a number of snowparks in the Chamonix Valley that you can practise your skills on the main park area is located at Balme Le Tour medium and large kickers and jumps for all levels and abilities The idea behind speed riding is to combine the sensations of skiing and paragliding into one activity and then descend off-piste sections of the mountain using a mini-wing to enable you to access areas that you might not normally go Learning and having fun with speed riding comes very fast as long as you are a competent skier; you need to be able to ski red pistes with confidence in any type of snow the most popular speed-riding areas are located in Grands Montets Speak to one of the companies offering this activity who can show you the ropes (literally) Télémarking is a form of downhill skiing where you are only attached to the binding at the toe so, to turn, you have to lunge and bring your heel upwards. Talk to one of the ski schools or private instructors who can teach you how to télémark and take you out on excursions using this technique Chamonix's main ice rink is open in summer as well as winter Come along and enjoy a skate or support Chamonix's local team There are also three outdoor rinks in the valley which are open as long as conditions permit Be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start If this all sounds a bit much you can opt for a less physical outing where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the hard work so booking at least 48 hours in advance is a must They run from early December to the end of April (snow-permitting) This is one winter activity that doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment just grab your sledge and head for the nearest snow-covered hill You can pick up a sledge at one of the many ski hire shops or sports shops in Chamonix Good sledging areas include the Savoy piste the area by the Bois du Bouchet walking trails and behind the tourist office in Vallorcine There is also a small snowpark play area for children at the top of the Prarion gondola in Les Houches called Ski Camp Here you'll find inner tubes to slide down the hill on (snow tubing) Another Snow Village has been set up at the bottom of the Trappe green piste in Flégère Don't forget that the Alpine rollercoaster is open all winter at the Planards slope in the heart of Chamonix grab a trail map from the tourist office and head off on your own adventure There are marked trails all around the valley so you can explore the area around the golf course in Les Praz the Coupeau sector and the Chavants lake in Les Houches the Granges hamlet in Vallorcine or the traditional neighbourhoods in Servoz If it's calm and relaxation you're after then head to a luxury day spa or book in for massage therapies and beauty treatments.  Most luxury hotels in the Chamonix valley have a spa and many of them are open to the public You can keep warm and revive aching muscles in saunas steam rooms and jacuzzis or take a refreshing dip in a swimming pool The tennis and squash club in Chamonix is situated just beyond the sports centre and has both indoor and outdoor courts You can reach it by walking along the path that runs from beside the Hotel Alpina alongside the river You can book group or private lessons and hire rackets if necessary There are also tennis courts in Les Houches Play squash at the Richard Bozon sports centre in Chamonix using the courts at the nearby Chamonix tennis club (open daily from 09:30 to 17:30) Head to the woods at Bois du Bouchet with a team of friends and try your hand at paintball This exciting activity offers fun for groups of all ages you're split into teams and a variety of scenarios and courses are offered at the beginning of all games with each game lasting approximately two hours The ultimate aim is to shoot your opponents with paint pellets and capture their flag before they get hold of yours All equipment is supplied and all you need to do is be a good shot There is also a paintball field located in Les Tines an action-packed fun area that is a magnet for children and families in the summer and winter months The lower part of the area is packed with activities for kids of all ages Little ones can bounce on the safely enclosed trampolines clamber on the adventure climbing frame or ride around the mini go-cart track.There are further adventure parks at Les Tines and Lac de Gaillands where you'll find a number of different courses of varying difficulty including a course specifically for small children One of the courses ends with a zip-wire over the lake All necessary equipment is provided at all of the sites There is a mini luge-rollercoaster in Chamonix at the Parc de Loisirs near Montenvers train crossing there are lots of other fun activities for the kids to enjoy and a snack bar and restaurant With the growing popularity of trail running in the valley Chamonix has recently declared itself THE Trail Valley The terrain lends itself perfectly to trail running with the stunning scenery some fairly significant height gains and a near year-round lift network to get you to new stomping grounds The Maison Du Trail is a dedicated information site based at the Bois du Bouchet where two local trail runners will be available to give advice on running in Chamonix Open every day during the summer season from 09:00 to 19:00 Chamonix is a winter walker's paradise, with lifts giving access to the higher ground and a network of groomed trails in the winter, it's very easy to discover the resort on foot. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you set out as conditions can change rapidly in the mountains just a pair of sturdy boots and layers of warm clothing that you can take off or put on as necessary A pair of walking poles will come in handy for extra balance on icy patches and for checking snow depth before you go striding forth.  Top Tip: Buy ‘grippers’ for your walking boots to prevent slipping which you can buy from most local sport shops There are a couple of companies in Chamonix that offer white water rafting You can choose to raft on the low-grade river through the centre of Chamonix or try something a little more advanced and with higher rapids across the border in Italy you raft on the Dora Baltea river where the rapids and the white water is pretty intense you don't have to be experienced to enjoy rafting on smaller rivers Anyone that can swim and is over the age of seven or eight years old can take part Check with the individual rafting companies for more information stable type of inflatable canoe that allows you without too much technique to profit fully from the joys and fun of whitewater river descent and canoe-rafting.The descents are taken on by groups of four to five boats You are equipped with neoprene suits and shoes The course which you take is chosen according to the water levels and experience of the participants Local Chamonix activity companies will take you down to Passy from where you will enjoy amazing views of the Mont Blanc while you go down the Arve river on a two-people canoe raft or an individual airboat Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents You will make your way along rivers and rapids using the riverbed as a natural obstacle course Canyoning takes place a little way outside Chamonix in two locations - either Barberine near the Swiss border or in the opposite direction at Belle au Bois in Megeve The activity companies will take you there via minibus or coach with the activity available usually between May and September Hydrospeeding is one of the newer 'extreme' water sports to hit the market it's a fun and exhilarating way to get yourselves down a river be ready to cling on for dear life as you send yourself hurtling down the rapids This activity is a little more demanding physically than rafting or canoe rafting but allows you to discover the unique sensation of surfing down whitewater rivers no need to be a professional diver or swimmer you just have to be smart at using the water movements anyone who's 12 years old and over can swim down the Arve river on a board Jack Kuenzle is a prominent figure in the world of mountain running and endurance sports and is known for his record-breaking performances in various challenges He has garnered attention for his remarkable speed and endurance in highly demanding terrains often setting new records in events that test both physical and mental limits On Wednesday, June 5, Kuenzle set another impressive Fastest Known Time (FKT) when he went round trip on Mont Blanc from Chamonix, France in 4:59:50 on skis. The previous FKT was set in 2013 by Matheo Jacquemoud in a time of 5:05:00. The time was two minutes slower than the overall FKT set by Kilian Jornet who previously did the route running in 4:57:34 In an Instagram post, Kuenzle announced the feat and thanked those who helped make it happen, saying that it wouldn’t have been possible without their support.  A post shared by Jack Kuenzle (@jackkuenzle) Chamonix is spread out. So it pays to know how to get around.  Chamonix has a great public transport system it’s free to use as long as you have a guest card (ask your chalet host or hotel reception for a ‘carte d’hôte’) Your two main options are the bus and the train. Yes Much of the Chamonix valley is actually pretty flat which makes it a joy to get around on two wheels This is our quick guide to getting around the Chamonix valley Buses run up and down the valley between Servoz Les Houches and Le Tour and stop at regular intervals.  The main lines are the number 1 and number 2 but all lines stop at Cham Sud and Place du Mont Blanc where you can change or connect with transfer coaches buses tend to be at their busiest in the morning (for ski school) and around 16:00 when people are coming off the slopes you can always stop skiing a few minutes early - or stick around for a beer (or two) and catch a later bus the Mont Blanc Express train makes regular stops throughout the valley.  It’s not as regular as the bus (it goes once an hour) and tends to wait around at Chamonix for a few minutes before continuing in either direction The train is also a great way to travel if you want to go skiing in Vallorcine The Mont Blanc Express actually runs as far as Saint Gervais Le Fayet, where you can take the new lift up to ski St Gervais or pick up an SNCF train to other parts of France It’s worth noting that while the train is free (with a guest card) between Servoz and Vallorcine you’ll need to pay a small amount to travel between: Get times for the Mont Blanc Express We know how tempting it is to use the car to pop between Chamonix’s different resorts But parking - especially in peak seasons - can be a nightmare Don’t forget you’ll need winter tyres or chains if you’re driving around Chamonix between the end of November and the beginning of April.  You can find taxis outside the main train station in Chamonix but there aren’t many and they often go home after the last train at 20:00 It’s a good idea to book your taxi in advance and ask for a price before you travel Chamonix has spent a lot of money improving its cycle network You can now get nearly all the way from Les Praz to Les Houches by bike on buttery smooth cycle paths - which is great if you’ve got kids.  The closer you get to Vallorcine and the Swiss border This is an awesome route for die-hard road cyclists but if you're just using a bike to get from A to B Les Tines is about as far up the valley as you'll want to go Most of central Chamonix is pedestrianised and it’s easy to get around on foot.  and walking between the different villages in the valley is only really an option during the summer months If you want to be able to walk to the lifts without using public transport take a look at accommodation in Les Praz You can also walk to the Brévent télécabine from the centre of town in about 15 minutes but it’s a fairly steep hike (especially in ski boots) A dramatic high-altitude rescue unfolded in the French Alps on February 22 after a 47-year-old experienced Austrian mountaineer from the Innsbruck-Land district fell into a deep crevasse during a demanding climb near Chamonix a 11,555-foot (3,522-meter) peak in the Mont Blanc Massif was making his way across the Envers de Blaitière glacier when a narrow crack suddenly opened beneath him He plummeted 82 feet (25 meters) into the darkness The climber’s guide immediately called for emergency assistance The specialized mountain rescue unit of the PGHM Chamonix Mont-Blanc responded swiftly Rescuers arrived to find the mountaineer trapped in an extremely narrow ice shaft exposed to sub-freezing temperatures and suffering from polytrauma—multiple severe injuries A Dragon 74 helicopter from the civil security airlifted two additional rescuers and specialized extraction equipment to the glacier Two more team members soon followed on foot the team worked against time in an unstable executing complex rope maneuvers to reach the trapped climber The extreme cold and the risk of further ice collapse made the mission especially dangerous the rescuers managed to haul the severely injured man to the surface He was given emergency medical care at the scene before being airlifted to a hospital in Annecy is part of the vast backcountry terrain of the Mont Blanc Massif a popular but sometimes treacherous destination for experienced alpinists The region is notorious for hidden crevasses—deep cracks that form in the glacial ice as it moves These crevasses can be covered by fragile snow bridges which become increasingly unstable as the season progresses are at risk of falling into these hidden voids The Austrian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it is in contact with the climber’s family but no further details have been released regarding his current condition The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable dangers of alpine mountaineering French authorities are urging climbers and backcountry skiers to take extra precautions when traveling on glaciers: As winter begins to take hold in the Chamonix Valley From the ski area to what's fresh in the resorts of Chamonix Early signs of snowfall in the Alps are creating much excitement for the upcoming winter season The ski industry here is raring to go and this winter looks like being an exceptionally busy one with the Grand Montets partially open earlier than this (usually mid November at the weekends) and ski passes are now on sale A reminder that you're going to need to have winter tyres from 1 November to 31 March (M&S marking OR at least two snow chains/socks in your vehicle when driving in the mountain regions in France following a law introduced from November 2021 Work is continuing on the mid station at Grands Montets after a fire destroyed the old one at Lognan (1,972m) in 2018 The new lift station and 3S cable car to access the top should be complete by December 2026 access to the very top (3,275m) of the ski area will be limited to those who ski tour Lift companies are being pushed by governmental and environmental agencies to find ways to save energy and improve performance and the ticket buying public are increasingly aware of how environmentally un-friendly the industry is there will be a continuation of the roll-out of GPS fitted snow groomers to Brévent and Balme having demonstrated how it saved energy when used at Flégère previously Having become fashionable again in recent years Nordic skiing now attracts skiers of all ages and the number of cross-country skiers in the Chamonix Valley has tripled since 2020 there are now four marked routes of different lengths and difficulty the green track of Bois du Bouchet is free for Thursday evening sessions from 18:30 to 20:30 The Chamonix tourist office is now offering an all-inclusive deal for beginners This winter the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix has put together a new package of snowshoeing followed by a friendly dinner and aperitif at a local farm Only running during the February school holidays you can enjoy a guided snowshoe hike followed by a selection of regional produce A huge development project has been ongoing on the Montenvers site firstly to replace the ancient gondola which opened last winter As part of the investment is a planned International Glacier and Climate Interpretation Centre It will highlight the preservation of the site and raise awareness among visitors about climate change and its impacts Now this really would beat a fridge magnet as souvenirs go but a visit to Ronin Skis might see you needing to up your luggage allowance Jonathan Jacobs has gone from making skis for himself and his friends to creating limited editions skis with performance-enhancing materials and minimal environmental impact He now offers workshops to build your own skis from his atelier in Taconnaz In collaboration with the tourist office of Chamonix The ‘Chamonix Pro’ will launch this winter season featuring a new Hybrid Core 2.0 technology the design is inspired by the mountains of Chamonix.  Over the last couple of years the lift company has used dynamic pricing for daily ski lift passes and due to its success these daily best deal ski passes continue this season You may be able to benefit from discounted daily rates if you choose to come skiing outside the peak weeks Bottega Marta Vini has opened up right next to the Aiguille du Midi train stop and offers a great selection of wines and homemade Italian dishes to take away.  you can enjoy a one-hour immersive wine-tasting evening themed around the five elements: air charcuterie and the subtleties of regional and Italian wines will be explored In line with the rest of the Italian group's establishments the QC Terme is changing its name to QC Spa of Wonders And a fully renovated bistro with a new panoramic terrace will allow guests to enjoy Chamonix's beautiful winter days whilst savouring the latest creations from the kitchen opening in December 2024 the hotel restaurant Casa Nonna will offer ‘Transalpine’ flavours featuring both classic and original creations from Italian and Savoyard cuisine La Brasserie du Rond Point has had a makeover with delightfully retro touches reflecting the fifties (the period it was originally constructed) as well as a brand new first-floor restaurant with a panoramic dining room that accommodates around 30 guests From its superb central Chamonix location you can enjoy a stylish bar with a spacious terrace Founded in the sixties, this Argentière restaurant originally named after the legendary mountain folklore creature, was sadly destroyed by fire in 2022. However, Le Dahu is back welcoming guests in a new harmonious setting with 140 covers indoors serving traditional Savoyard dishes plus flavourful creations made with fresh The first Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix in 1924 and to mark the anniversary this famous French ski resort has celebrated all year long There are two exhibitions to commemorate the Winter Olympics anniversary that will remain open until March 2025: A new bar-restaurant The Jungle on Rue des Moulins opened its doors this summer and will be gearing up for its first Chamonix winter It's a brand new building with a terrace out the back sitting at the edge of the river Arve and offering views of the Mont Blanc range The décor reflects the name with some ‘interesting’ touches The food is a variety of tapas dishes from young Chamionard chef Green Gorilla is already in a number of Swiss locations and this winter is bringng its idea of ‘providing the best possible food to the community they love’ to Chamonix The quality of their food and beverages is their highest priority whether its to recharge your immune system aid your heart health or boost digestion with smoothies Find them in the shopping centre under the Alpina Hotel if you need a health-kick this winter Le P'tiot Monchu is opening its doors this winter promising the best of it's bigger brother's incredible Savoyard flavours and atmosphere located right next to the Montenvers train station make sure you head on over during your stay A new coffee place is opening in January 2025, from the team that brings us Moody Coffee Roasters We're looking forward to an exciting choice of coffees plus some delicious food options to eat in or take away Be sure to leave space to take some freshly roasted home in your suitcase.  Situated at 3,842m altitude, the restaurant ‘3842’ will be revealing its new look this winter - expect a new decor in harmony with the exceptional views of the surrounding peaks. The cafeteria, Le Summit 3842 As part of the activities organised within the nature reserves of the Aiguilles Rouges Massif and Natura 2000 free nature outings focus on wildlife during the winter season Throughout the winter there will also be screenings lectures and discussions on various nature related topics You’ll find plenty to keep you entertained in Chamonix this winter including the great Christmas and new year festivities electronic music festival and much more will be on so consult our events calendar for full details The Hôtel Mont Blanc has continued its redesign and redecoration under the watchful eye of renowned French interior designer Sybille de Margerie Introducing a subtle blend of tradition and modernity a further 20 rooms and two suites have been included in the creative vision The four-star chalet hotel Hermitage Paccard is offering three new suites this winter the newly opened Lykke Hotel & Spa expanded in July 2024 and now has a new aquatic area featuring an indoor pool fitness room and outdoor exercise equipment Its new Cinq Mondes spa has four treatment rooms with treatments provided by expert therapists The three-star Hotel Gourmets is currently undergoing a makeover and will reopen in December 2024 as Hotel Lyret art and hospitality will meet to provide an exceptional experience Working in collaboration with interior designer Emmanuelle Delaage curator Laurène Maréchal has invited six internationally renowned artists to create works on site to enchance the common areas and rooms of the hotel Another name change is going on at the southern end of Chamonix at Le Refuge des Aiglons From December 2024 it will reopen as the four-star Les Aiglons Hôtel having undergone a renovation and redecoration It will have a spa area with an outdoor heated swimming pool and serve Italian cuisine from its Casa Nonna restaurant The new La Couronne Hotel is actually the oldest hotel in the Chamonix Valley it has recently undergone major renovation reopening its doors this summer offering 69 rooms (45 in the history building 24 newly created) with a spa (sauna and hammam) and a restaurant the designers' vision was inspired by the hues of Chamonix - green for springtime red for fiery autumns and the eternal blue glaciers.  There's always more to see and do in Chamonix so come and check the place out yourself!  remain missing following a weekend storm on Mont Blanc The two Italians, a 40-year old man from Lombardi and a 40-year-old woman from Liguria, set out on Friday night from the Cosmiques mountain hut. They were following one of the standard routes on the French side of the 4,805m mountain one or both of the climbers fell into a crevasse but managed to get out we risk freezing to death!” they reportedly said Their last known position was near the summit a team of four Korean climbers became separated but there is no news about the whereabouts of the other two The Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haut Montagne of Chamonix-Mont Blanc set out on foot from the Aiguille du Midi to search for the missing climbers They reached 4,200m before having to turn around because of bad weather the Aosta Valley Mountain Rescue team tried to reach the two stranded Italians in the Dome du Gouter area yesterday they too had to abort their efforts but are trying again today They will also try to locate the two Koreans The temperature above 3,000m is below freezing Discover how Paris 2024 became the most media-covered Olympic Games in history See how the Olympic Games’ communications team supported by Wiztrust’s 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a collaborative platform for you and your team Certify your corporate communication thanks to our blockchain-backed technology Save your team and yourself some precious time Learn more about Wiztrust in our case study A new book highlights the best routes in the trail running epicenter of the Mont-Blanc region a trail running race that functions as a de-facto ultra-distance world championship is brimming with detail—including intricate maps we’ve zeroed in on some of our favorite loops around the Chamonix area Here’s a sneak peak of what Trail Running Chamonix Mont Blanc has to offer RELATED: 10 Remarkable Adventure Runs to Put on Your Bucket List This is one of the absolute classic trail runs in the region You’ll quickly gain expansive views as you climb the Aiguillette des Posettes—and they only get better Add the optional loop to Croix de Fer to see a wide swath of the Swiss and French Alps too—so bring a few euros and save time for a culinary stop Pro tip: Both the Alpage de Balme and the Refuge du Col de Balme have great food owners Michel and Cathy recommend their croûte au fromage made with local cheese and the homemade tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry tarts) The refuge in particular can get busy during Tour du Mont-Blanc season This run features a vertical kilometer that sees you climb to the top of a glacial moraine and a famous alpine refuge you’ll be treated to epic views of the Le Tour glacier grab a table on the patio for impressive views you can skip the bustle and enjoy a break 100 meters or so past the hut where you can watch climbers cross the expansive Le Tour glacier as they set off to access routes in both France and Switzerland The Petits Balcons are cruisy balcony trails that traverse both sides of the Chamonix valley Sitting roughly 200 meters above the valley floor the balconies provide excellent vantage points from which to see the Mont Blanc massif and the Aiguilles Rouges The north-facing balcony is in shade for most of the morning making for a cooler run if you like to head out before mid-day Pro tip: Spoil yourself with an ice cream at Givré in Argentière and the shop features a unique list of flavors including “hay” and “balsam.” We also recommend stopping at L’Al’Pain bakery at the bottom of Argentière for a buttery Aiguillette des Houches is a 6,560-foot peak that sits directly opposite the north face of Mont Blanc you’ll get the classic view of this local giant followed by vistas of the tumbling Les Bossons glacier and the dark The trails on this route are technical without being too remote Pro tip: There are no fountains on this route so make sure to bring enough water with you This run starts with a tram ride up to the Bellevue summit at 5,908 feet where the air is cooler and the views are bigger It’s called Bellevue—“beautiful view”—for a reason it follows the famous Tour du Mont-Blanc route or “passerelle,” beneath the Bionnassay glacier This is a gentle run that makes the most of being up high Pro tip: The Bellevue cable car is open every day from mid-June until mid-September (check online for the exact dates) Follow the signed Tour du Mont-Blanc route up to the Col de Voza and continue the run from there RELATED: How to Do a Multi-Day Run on the Tour du Mont-Blanc Trail Pormenaz is one of the wilder areas of the Chamonix valley. You’ll see fewer people than on the lift-accessible mountains Lac de Pormenaz is a beautiful Alpine lake set against the backdrop of the towering Chaîne des Fiz fluffy “Patou” dogs guarding the flocks of sheep on the Pormenaz avoid getting between the dogs and the sheep For more information on each route, including transportation tips, maps, elevation profiles, and turn-by-turn directions, check out Trail Running Chamonix Mont Blanc: 30 Must-Do Trail Runs in France, Switzerland, and Italy by Run the Alps founder Doug Mayer Up to 50% off 2024 & past season styles at evo.com! Renew a Subscription | Change My Address she intended to use the opportunity to ski classic steeps in Chamonix before returning to her home in Utah Four months and one Fastest Known Time later Anna DeMonte set the women’s ski Fastest Known Time (FKT) on Mont Blanc in Chamonix She completed the roundtrip solo and self-supported overhanging seracs and shifting glaciers make it a challenging Its prominence—at 15,774 feet Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps—and proximity to the town of Chamonix have enticed many climbers That said, DeMonte is the first woman to attempt a ski FKT on Mont Blanc. It’s a fact that initially gave her pause. Runner Hillary Geraldi set an overall FKT of 7 hours and 27 minutes on Mont Blanc (according to fastestknowntime.com) I was deterred from the objective because there were no women that had skied it in the past,” she says “I actually thought to myself it’s going to be the only known time But DeMonte turned the lack of a known record into motivation instead others won’t be disheartened in the way she was “It’s almost discouraged for a woman to be competitive I think there’s also space for competition and for that to be healthy and encouraged among women I think that’s important,” says DeMonte Her speed attempt on the storied peak was a culmination of four months of preparation in Chamonix working her remote tech job via a Starlink connection while training for the route But she says the preparation started well before she arrived in France “[I had to] put together a lot of the skills I had been working on in Utah and in the U.S the aerobic side of things,” she explained The whole mountain sports endeavor is still relatively new to her DeMonte spent her early years pursuing swimming She qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2012 and competed for the University of Tennessee in college the competitive swimming scene took a toll She took her aerobic skills to cycling but was halted again this time by a spinal injury that took her off her feet for six months She moved to Utah to refresh and picked up climbing skiing and trail running after discovering a love for the mountains and DeMonte found herself gunning for an individual speed attempt on the technical granite and glaciers of Mont Blanc DeMonte had her eyes set on steep lines off the Aiguille du Midi—a 12,605-foot peak accessible by cable car and famous for a plethora of world-renowned ski lines was training for the Mont Blanc FKT from the start Once DeMonte found herself living below the Mont Blanc massif she was inspired by Kuenzle’s dedication to a singular goal “I think sometimes we like to protect our own egos by saying I’m not trying to go fast,” reflects DeMonte “It’s a little bit vulnerable to say you’re going to try So I think it’s cool to put yourself out there and go for something.” Once DeMonte set her mind on an FKT of her own the pair devoted their time to training together in the surrounding mountains DeMonte says the process of training and connecting with people to learn the route is what made the speed record worth it learn the mountain well enough to understand where things were risky “That was what I remember more than the actual day.” That’s not to say she won’t remember the day of her FKT The classic speed record route is church to church “Leaving the church was super fun,” DeMonte says and you’re running through the town where there’s nobody in the early morning Refrozen overnight and with the sun barely visible behind a thick layer of clouds sliding haphazardly 60 feet and losing a pole in the process It was a challenging mental battle for DeMonte “That frustration lasted quite a while,” DeMonte recollects the sun came out on the ridge and it was beautiful a few years ago I was lying flat on my back and I’m about to be on the summit and honestly I just felt grateful to be there.” When she reflects on the experience it’s moments like those that stand out “The amount of effort that Jack and I put in training together is the most special thing that came out of it all,” she says “We had gone to the local ski shop and a bunch of the guys from the shop were there when I finished and I was so flattered,” she says “The people that worked at the Grand Mulets Hut on the route So much goes into putting together a day like that and it’s moments like those that are the things that I probably remember the most.” it’s a mix of a newfound aspiration to search out FKTs while continuing to enjoy what she loves about mountain sports: quality time with a shared community Mont Blanc is still squarely on her mind though DeMonte’s confident she could have gone faster and I honestly hope someone goes out there and crushes it,” DeMonte says To read more from the untracked experience or to see our stories when they’re first published in print, subscribe nice information and good article thank you Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. DOUG STOUP: THE ICEMANFrom playing NCAA soccer to a successful modeling and acting career to being the top polar explorer of his time, Doug Stoup is an enigma. Host Adam Howard recently journeyed to Antarctica with Stoup and their conversation ranges from Doug’s personal training of A-list Hollywood actors to near death experiences; adventures with Doug Coombs; and taking novice skiers to the South Pole. Listen Now » resorts with a little about each individual policy—where and when skinning is allowed whether or not it’s free during operating hours and the link directly to the resort’s guidelines View our resort skinning policies guide » Though we send brand invites for our annual Gear Test Week in February and have finalized submissions weeks … [Read More...] A seasoned mountain guide was found dead late Tuesday night after an avalanche buried him while backcountry skiing near the Les Houches ski resort in Haute-Savoie in France The 59-year-old had set out alone on the slopes of Mont Lachat An alarm was raised by concerned friends around 4:30 p.m prompting a large-scale search operation led by the Chamonix High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM) A specialized team from Grenoble was deployed to track his phone signal leading searchers to focus on a remote combe they discovered evidence of a fresh avalanche a veteran guide and technology teacher at Jeanne d’Arc private college in Chamonix buried beneath the snow at an altitude of over 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) He was found thanks to his avalanche beacon which allowed rescuers to pinpoint his location His remains were transported by helicopter to the Bois base in Chamonix Bressand’s death marks the third avalanche fatality in the Chamonix valley in just over a week following deadly incidents in the Grands Montets and Posettes areas the avalanche risk bulletin on the day of the accident had indicated only a moderate hazard level (Level 2 out of 5) rescuers could not immediately determine Bressand’s exact position when the avalanche struck reminiscent of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro Helly Hansen's 'Ski Free' policy offers customers a free day pass in a range of world class resorts If you’ve ever sat on a chairlift after lunch, in this age of ever-inflating lift pass costs, and tried to calculate how much each run has cost you, you’ll appreciate an additional free day on the slopes. And that is what Helly Hansen’s ‘Ski Free’ promo is designed for. Buy an item of clothing from Helly Hansen’s skiwear range and they’ll buy you a day on the mountain.  The offer covers over 50 resorts across Europe and North America. Buy a jacket and pants together and you get two days in return. There are over 100 items in the promo including techy shells and insulated all-rounders, pants, bibs, and even a good kids’ range. I joined Helly Hansen in Chamonix—one of Europe’s pricier resorts where a full area day-pass costs €90 during peak periods—to test how much I could cram into an extra day free of the obligation to maximise the miles-to-moola ratio.  "Chamonix is one of Europe’s pricier resorts A full area day-pass costs €90 during peak periods" Anyone who knows Chamonix will know it’s not the most conducive to covering distance Each of the ski areas in the valley are discrete entities with their own character and crucially their own separate access points so skiing between the different areas not only requires a bus or a car downloading on the cable car is also necessary Naturally many people choose to spend a whole day at one ski area rather than wasting time travelling between them The most accessible from the centre of Chamonix is Brevent-Flegere and with the finest views over the Mont Blanc massif The next most convenient is Grands Montets – higher it was a 20 to 30-minute drive to the head of the valley which accounts for it being consistently quieter than the other ski areas It also has a run that takes you down close to the Swiss border; so as a slightly out-of-the-way destination for a bonus day with no time pressure and with a spirit of adventure that such freedom provokes It helped that there had been a dusting of fresh snow and that the poor visibility the previous day would have meant most skiers would have avoided the largely tree-free area With the promise of fresh tracks all the way to Switzerland and with blue skies above I spent a very contented first hour lapping six inches of powder from the side of a Poma lift high up on the domed head of La Balme wide open slopes with the whole of the Chamonix valley laid out beneath us The slowness of a drag lift is so much less frustrating when you’re not paying for your pass I noticed—especially when there are plenty of fresh tracks to go around The run down to the border at Vallorcine was closed but the top section still offered classic high-speed blue-run cruising through the trees – something of a rarity in Chamonix.  A free ski day for some people might mean the perfect opportunity for a long But I had lots to pack into this extra day so I headed back to Chamonix Sud on a lunchtime bus to pick up a boulangerie takeaway and a flat white at one of several decent (and long overdue) coffee places that have sprung up close to the Aiguille du Midi station Big Sky in Les Bosson is a fun retro throwback with mid-century furniture kitsch Bakelite phones and garish 60s patterns As a sauna purist (read: ‘please be quiet’) I realised I could put the “free” into “Ski Free” by hitting the spa while everyone else was on the mountain Coupled with a brilliantly mixed Bloody Mary from Big Sky’s bar and a sun-drenched view of the Bossons glacier and the Aiguille du Midi this was not my normal preparation for après But it was a thoroughly welcome and relaxing alternative By 4pm I was back in the centre of Chamonix to meet the Helly Hansen crew for the essential après ski experience of live music at Chambre Neuf “Ski Free” is very aptly named it refers to not having to pay for your pass but the real freedom is in taking away those feelings of obligation that an expensive lift ticket brings Some people no doubt breeze through life unencumbered in this way but it reminded me of how skiing used to feel—like a world of potential It reminded me to embrace the whole package of what skiing is about and just how much you can pack into a single day in the mountains.Dan's Ski Free experience was funded by Helly Hansen.   Les Aiglons is the extension of a nature experience where the atmosphere is both peaceful and memorable just like the snow-capped mountains of Chamonix Under the impetus of QUINSPARK and the Temmos Group Team the hotel formerly known as "Le Refuge des Aiglons" is being given a new lease of life with the aim of becoming Chamonix's must-visit lifestyle hotel Featuring a cocoon refuge designed by Saar Zafir an Italian-style restaurant concept by Triple B this 4-star hotel is the ideal place for a friendly Hotel website One of the nicest ways to enjoy Chamonix is to pack a picnic and head out into the mountains Our favourite places to enjoy a picnic in the Chamonix valley There are idyllic spots to suit everyone from families with kids to adventurous hikers Venturing further afield, you can hike up to La Flégère or across to Le Buet via any one of the various trails that criss-cross the valley chamois and various other alpine creatures that roam this area If you’re heading out on a Saturday then you can’t go far wrong with a trip to the Saturday market at Place du Mont Blanc where you’ll find all sorts of local products - cheese Otherwise there are plenty of bakeries and cafés in Chamonix where you can pick up some freshly made sandwiches and snacks to throw in your backpack before you hit the trails - bon appetit Bear in mind that some of the higher routes may still be covered in snow during the early part of summer, so keep an eye on the Chamoniarde facebook page and weather forecasts to get an idea of current conditions in the valley Find more walking and hiking routes in the Chamonix Valley and a selection of maps to help you find your way around https://youtube.com/shorts/07OKTVBahdQ?si=MbDO94guu4PR3ghc single-engine civilian aircraft made an emergency landing in the Mont Blanc massif The maneuver carried out by the pilot and his passenger took place on a glacier of the Mont-Blanc massif as a last-ditch effort after a malfunction forced the pilot to conduct an emergency landing The plane had left the Megève high-altitude airport earlier that day before having to crash-land on the Vallée Blanche glacier in the Gros Rognon area The high mountain gendarmerie platoon (PGHM) of Chamonix “received several calls” from witnesses located at the top of the Aiguille du Midi about the crash and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene was flown to a hospital in Annecy where his condition was stabilized was transported to a hospital in Sallanches The plane was not able to be extracted and a local Chamonix skier who paid a visit to the crash site reported that the cockpit was covered in blood from the crash Two days later, a group of local snowboarders, skies, and speed flyers from Chamonix built a jump over the wreckage and captured videos of themselves hucking over the plane sending backflips and tricks on the glacier They did not miss their opportunity to create some catchy videos Perhaps it will cheer up the injured pilot and passenger who are currently recovering from their injuries We had plans to ski a classic 6,000-foot descent in Italy from Hellbronner but the mountains squashed those for us A few of our party wanted to backtrack and ski some south-facing runs into Italy—a few of which I had already done BUT one chill Finnish man named Antti said he was going to ski back to Chamonix via Vallée Blanche Vallée Blanche is a world-renowned off-piste ski route located in the Mont Blanc massif it descends 8,858 feet (2,700 m) from the Aiguille du Midi (12,605 ft) to Chamonix (3,419 ft) Conditions were not exactly right; we only skied 4,000 vertical feet or so as the remaining section is rocky and grassy as hell due to low snow coverage it’s rare nowadays to ski the entire run from the top to valley bottom Traversing the Mer de Glace glacier in the Mont Blanc massif it offers breathtaking views of peaks like Grandes Jorasses and Aiguille Verte requiring intermediate to advanced off-piste skills with optimal conditions in February and March it features routes like the Classic and Envers Because it was Sunday and I had nothing better to do I resolved to follow Antti down into France on one of the most famous off-piste runs in the world The run was seemingly endless; an hour went by and we were still skiing down Skiing on the glacier amongst giant seracs of neon-blue ice is something I will never forget Although not the steepest or most challenging this was easily the most scenic ski descent I’ve ever had to privilege of completing who served as my guide through this polar terrain all the way down to the gondola station at the bottom of Vallée Blanche he told me how he’s personally seen the height of the glacier drop almost 200 feet since he first came here 20 years ago which was open for lunch (Note: this is different than in Italy where almost all restaurants are closed in the middle of the day) There we enjoyed a beer and a plat du jour (plate of the day) with some friends I got the duck and Antti got the veggie option The carrot cake was the best I’ve ever had in my life I took an unreasonably enjoyable stroll to the train station amongst the high peaks of Chamonix I hopped on the bus and I was back home in Italy in 30 minutes The day may have started off uncertain but that’s alright—there’s nothing beautiful about certainty Following a random Finnish man down into another country led to one of the most gorgeous ski descents of my life A taste of the unexpected led to a wholesome day in the mountains There's no such thing as a bad time to be thinking about your next ski holiday Here are some great reasons why you should consider booking your next ski holiday now including huge savings and a lot more availability: With school holidays being the most popular times for families to come skiing, it's important to book any childcare well in advance Places can often be limited and if you've got children of different ages you may find looking for different types of childcare tricky Lots of families book for the next season when their holiday this year has just finished so join in with this way of thinking and you shouldn't miss out on getting a place The same applies for ski schools and private ski instructors – the earlier you book the more chance you have of securing a place Group lesson numbers are capped so ski instructors get booked up fast on peak dates Take the worry out of getting a place and book in early.  With early booking definitely being the way forward, many budget airlines and holiday providers start to sell their flights and holidays well in advance these days. Airlines offer huge savings on flights booked for the winter ahead. Use our flight finder to search for the best deals Lots of transfer companies offer super-saver discounts on early bookings Not only does it help them plan ahead for the winter but you can save a good percentage on the price too Opt for a shared transfer over a private one to save even more money Most ski hire companies offer huge savings for online bookings and although most of them close down their booking systems over the summer you might find that some of them offer even more of a reduction if you book in advance You might not be able to book now but it's worth taking a look put a note in your diary for the end of November or beginning of December to get the best deals.  Special offers for the Christmas and New Year holidays are available throughout the summer. Book early to make some great savings on accommodation All you need to decide next is whether you'd like catered or self-catered...and what presents to bring Can't wait for your winter fix of skiing or snowboarding? Look out for when ski passes for winter go on sale and save money on family and group passes booked online with further discounts available for the early part of the season Some companies start to share their special offers for winter during the summer so keep an eye out. Gather your family or friends together and start planning your next ski holiday...next winter really isn't that far away Gather your family or friends together and start planning your next ski holiday to Chamonix...next winter is never that far away Few European ski resorts are as legendary as Chamonix to help them open the mountain in what turned out to be whiteout conditions The extensive chairlift and gondola system mean you can explore a different ski area every day We head to the legendary French resort to get to grips with the many faces of Chamonix Official estimates say the area hosts 60,000 visitors a day during the busy winter months many of whom come here to experience its renowned opportunities for extreme freeride skiing But despite those impressive visitorship numbers for the past 15 minutes skiing top to bottom I haven’t seen a single other person According to my Coros Pace 3 the run from the top of the gondola at Les Houches down to the bottom of the Bellevue cable car was nearly six kilometers despite the brilliant sunshine and a blizzard the day before that refreshed the slopes and after I left the top where families were exploring the beginner's area It could be eerie but I have a penchant for solitude so I’m giddy with the novelty of having what seems like the whole resort to myself the snow starts to get a little sketchy – the commune of Les Houches only sits at around 3,300ft – so I slow down and gently skid to a halt outside the Kitsch Inn a cheerful retro-vibed bar advertising happy hour and burgers so I remove my skis and walk around to the gondola station to head back up taking in the quaint village of pretty wooden houses fromageries and chapels sitting quietly in the shade of the mountain I scan my lift pass at the turnstile and receive a message informing me the gondola is full This seems unlikely but before I can trek back down the metal stairs in my ski boots to inquire at the ticket office several local skiers troop in and arrange themselves in an orderly line They look like they know what they’re doing so I step in behind them and soon we’re joined by a rambunctious crew of adolescents dressed in Nordic gear for a day of training A few minutes pass before the door on the other side of the turnstile slides open and to my surprise I realize that it’s not a typical gondola I’ve been waiting on at all but a large single cablecar that holds 37 passengers at once We all pile in followed by the driver who secures the door and sits down behind the wheel and we’re off The Bellevue cable car first opened in 1936, built by Charles Viard who brought the first cablecar to France. It climbs over 2,600 feet and was first imagined as a means to connect with the existing Mont Blanc Tramway and provide easier mountaineering access to those who wished to climb Mont Blanc tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture It’s the backdrop of mountaineering that gives Chamonix its distinctive unshrinking character People have been traveling here to explore the soaring peaks and glaciers of the Mont Blanc Massif since at least the 1700s many had realized the slopes were also ideal for the burgeoning sport of alpine skiing the same year that Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympics and the valley secured its reputation as the heartbeat of alpine skiing Today “Cham” as the locals know it is well-served by regular international flights to Geneva airport Chamonix is the name of the main town in the Chamonix-Mont Blanc Valley home to five main ski areas which are served by one lift pass and opportunities to ski into neighboring Switzerland and Italy we snuck in a few thrilling turns in ever-deepening snow visibility was close to zero so I couldn’t say for sure but the brochure assures me the area is known for cruisy blues and easy reds making it a great place for intermediate skiers That afternoon, we made our way over to Les Grand Montets to meet the amazing avalanche dogs of Chamonix The sun finally punched its way through the clouds revealing the splendor of what’s considered the freeride center of the valley Les Grands Montets is one of the largest pisted skiing zones in the area snow here tends to stick around longer than anywhere else in the valley so it's ideal if you’re going out later in the season If the snow is too sticky Les Marmottons Bar and Restaurant is right at the bottom of the cable car with abundant outdoor seating Brévent is the closest area to Chamonix town center at about a 15-minute walk (without ski boots) and boasts a mix of steep pistes and longer south-facing side of the valley so the snow is already soft at 10:30 a.m Being the recipient of several knee surgeries I cut the competition short and sneak off for a few laps of the Cornu chairlift which delivers some stunning Black runs and access to off-piste magic it’s the second-to-none views of Mont Blanc that make Brévent truly special no visitor should miss the experience of riding the Brévent cable car up to a viewing deck which delivers the best view of the peak in the area and it’s clear that many visitors are here for the views and the food I break off from the group and head to Les Houches which turns out to be my favorite cruisy blues and greens match my mellowing approach to alpine skiing and remind me of Colorado pistes but with the quaint charm of an alpine resort that’s not been messed about with too much over the decades solo skiers and anyone who wants to go at their own pace and easy to appreciate what modern innovation has done for mountaineering so soon I ski back across the plateau where the top of Les Houches isn’t bustling but lightly simmering with happy families queuing for espressos and sodas After a few more cruisy laps I sit out on the terrace at Hotel Le Prarion and catch the last of the sun with a cold drink to refresh me before another six-kilometer descent which delivers me right onto the local bus I’m back at the Big Sky hotel in 15 minutes and there’s plenty of time for a soak in the hot tub before dinner It’s taken me years to get my head around Chamonix I’ve figured out that while it has many faces its sprawling nature doesn’t have be overwhelming – it just means there are countless ways to do it you can take the buffet approach and tour different areas for a new flavor each day but I’d recommend you find accommodation close to the bus line if you do Taxis here are expensive and can be hard to come by An easier option is to pick the ski area you want to explore and find accommodation nearby skipping any further travel once you arrive The easy connections make it possible to come here for a long weekend and be back at your desk on Monday morning – the question is I visited in January and experienced whiteout conditions and mild sunny days my best advice is to layer up with the best ski gear and you won't feel anything but the burn in your thighs skis and belay and then recover on the the yoga mat Julia graduated with a degree in journalism in 2004 and spent eight years working as a radio presenter in Kansas City Boston and New York City before discovering the joys of the Rocky Mountains She then detoured west to Colorado and enjoyed 11 years teaching yoga in Vail before returning to her hometown of Glasgow Scotland in 2020 to focus on family and writing An image of a beautiful young blonde woman with big breasts wearing nothing but bright-red ski boots and clinging to the side of a snowy cliffside flashed across the projector screen in the panoramic breakfast hall of the La Sapinière Hotel just up the grassy hill from downtown Chamonix “There’s nothing wrong with this!” Gary Bigham blurted to the audience of the vintage photograph slideshow I was there along with approximately 30 other young to aging ski bums to take part in a “movie night” that La Sapinière intermittently hosts where locals showcase their work and get feedback from the audience on their work a pioneering ski filmmaker and photographer who made a name for himself capturing the rowdy free-livin’ attitude of the Alpine ski-bum scene from the 1970s through the ’90s Shooting mostly around Chamonix and Verbier Bigham’s films and photos portray the lighthearted spirit of early freestyle skiing with a sense of do-it-yourself-grit and mischievous charm giving us context for each vintage photograph—several of them quite ridiculous—as he sipped on a glass of red wine The presentation was not what I expected but it was highly entertaining A post shared by Hotel Sapinière Chamonix (@lasapiniere_chamonix) The Cachats have deep roots in the valley—literally written into the land Several peaks in the Chamonix area are named after members of the Cachat lineage woven into the development of the village itself with the warm rays of the high-mountain sun oozing in through the hotel’s broad windows Ellika and I sat down with a weathered box filled with generations of family artifacts: old photographs of glaciers and summits The collection has been passed down through the family and lives at the hotel—an informal archive of life in the French Alps It’s this continuity, this lived-in sense of place, that gives La Sapinière its charm. While the hotel holds a prime location—just a few minutes walk from the town center and across from beginner ski slopes—it feels miles away from the corporate sameness that defines many modern ski lodges. It’s got a relaxed, welcoming vibe—one that’s genuinely skier-centric. One evening as we returned from a fine meal at Atmosphère a restaurant perched above the river in downtown we passed a group of tipsy Brits stumbling through the street “They are speaking in beer,” Patrick said with a grin the energy is warm and laid-back; there’s this certain lightness that the French mountaineers of Chamonix carry themselves with—like they don’t take things so seriously because they live in a place where death is frequently in their faces This is likely due to the dangerous nature of the activities they partake in daily they seemingly don’t sweat the small stuff as much It’s this laissez-faire attitude that gives these French their unmistakable charm which is easily reflected inside La Sapinière’s time-honored walls And there’s just something elegant about that “We’re listed as a 3-star hotel But it’s more like a 4-star hotel for the price of 3-star,” as Jeannie Cachat puts it in her Bostonian accent that lingers with a soft air of French after-tones The hotel’s rooms all face the Mont Blanc massif with pretty private balconies that catch the morning sun The sauna and outdoor hot tub are just enough luxury to feel indulgent after a long day on the slopes—or Breakfast at La Sapinière is served in a panoramic room with 180-degree views of the mountains (the same room where Bigham held his impish slideshow that everyone loved) and fresh bread from Maison Bourdillat guests drift into the lounge for a glass of wine or live music from any one of Chamonix’s locals who you think just ski or do other crazy mountain stuff before learning that they are actually talented musicians on the side skiers pull off boots and soak in the view with a spritz or a beer winding down from a day well-spent on the steeps It’s quite easy to feel fancy in Chamonix even if The nearby access to the Brévent-Flégère ski area is another reason guests keep coming back to the family-owned hotel the ski bus stops just outside La Sapinière’s patio that faces Mont Blanc and trailheads for hiking and biking are just a few minutes away on top of the chalet hotel’s cozy feel gives it the sense that it has a little bit of something for everyone who walks in through its historic doors La Sapinière feels like the people running the place care more about you than your check-in time sure—but they’ll also explain to you their favorite trails or send you to a restaurant that still slices its cheese by hand but because that’s what you do when someone shows up in your home asking what’s good in a town that’s fast becoming polished and pricey La Sapinière holds true; there’s no fake rustic charm here—no designer flannel cushions for sale in the lobby and a kind of lived-in ease that feels earned It’s a place where a slideshow from an eccentric Chamonix freeskiing legend can follow a morning of croissants and glacier views where the old and the new drink from the same bottle of wine and no one’s in a hurry to finish their glass It’s easy to be seduced by Chamonix—the sharp peaks the après bars filled with tight-fitting Gore-Tex and thrilling stories of brutal climbs and daring descents But if you want to feel the soul of a place you have to get to know its people there’s no better place to do that in Chamonix than at La Sapinière You just so happen to get a front-row seat to Mont Blanc To book a stay at La Sapinière in Chamonix, visit the historic family-run hotel’s website https://www.chalethotelsapinierechamonix.com/fr but there are still some good days ahead to climb Mont Blanc “People doing guided ascents in 2025 on the normal route should book their climb this autumn,” says Chamonix-based guide Stuart Macdonald booking beds at Gouter Hut may prove impossible “The demand for beds is off the scale,” Macdonald says Stuart Macdonald has climbed in the Alps since the 1990s and moved to Chamonix in 2007 He guides Mont Blanc a maximum of 3-4 times every year “I actually stopped counting years ago,” he admits lies on the border between France (Haute Savoie) and Italy (Aosta Valley) Its allure comes from its status as the highest Surrounded by glaciers and jagged peaks in the heart of the Alps it is near some of the most scenic mountain towns — Chamonix and Saint Gervais in France and Courmayeur in Italy — and is the cradle of mountaineering history by Balmat again and Horace Benedict de Saussure It was previously supposed to be a “doomed place” inhabited by malignant supernatural beings The first accident on the mountain took place during the 10th ascent who had insisted on continuing up despite bad conditions (Sound familiar?) This had a strong impact on public opinion at the time and changed the way future generations approached climbing in the Alps The guides united, and on May 9, 1823, they founded the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix (Company of Chamonix Guides) Similar guiding companies began in Courmayeur and Saint Gervais Professional guides became essential figures in the evolution of mountaineering in the Alps Mont Blanc is considered a serious challenge It requires a previous background on lesser peaks and knowledge of how to move safely in glacial and high mountain terrain a strong climbing background is a valuable asset Yet many clients often attempt the Roof of the Alps without any background in mountaineering This is a suitable option if done with an accredited guide who assesses the fitness and experience of potential summiters can Mont Blanc be climbed without previous experience “It’s pretty normal for someone arriving for a guided ascent to have no experience and that’s fine by me,” Macdonald says I have found that the only way to know that people are ready is for them to spend three days training and acclimatizing (sleeping in mountain refuges) before the summit attempt and then be ready a few days later.” Macdonald insists on leading the acclimatization trips as well “While some companies are happy for people to do their own acclimatization and training I’ve found this seldom works and no longer offer it,” he explains “Mont Blanc involves a long summit day and I find that people who are used to big hiking days “If you can jog your way around a half marathon in two hours or so The worst performers are generally gym freaks with a lot of muscle mass but low levels of cardiovascular fitness.” Climbers on a preparatory climb on the Aiguille Marbree “Preparation is everything,” Macdonald says “I like my groups to sleep at around 3,000m for two nights while training We will focus on crampon work because slips and trips cause most accidents We always practice on some steep and challenging terrain I can see if anyone will struggle between the Tete Rousse and the Gouter refuges or freak out on the summit ridge.” After the would-be client puts in adequate preparation time Macdonald says there’s really only one thing to worry about on Mont Blanc: the weather The route along the Dome du Gouter and the Bosses Ridge is by far the most popular route on Mont Blanc for one simple reason is currently not an option in summer due to glacial retreat The route to Mont Blanc via the Gouter Route Here is how Macdonald does the Gouter Route with his clients It starts with a 2.5-hour walk from the train station at Nid’aigle to the Refuge Tete Rousse sleeping in the Gouter Hut on the way down The most technical section is between the two refuges Shortly after leaving the Refuge Tete Rousse you have to cross the Grand Couloir du Gouter this short section (which takes just a minute or two to cross) is prone to rockfall it’s best done when the couloir is snow-filled and frozen it should be dry (when there is no thawing the rockfall gets so bad that the route closes I’ll only guide the route in June or September you have to scramble for around two hours up to the Gouter Hut The terrain varies from easy paths to low-grade rock climbing Guided clients are roped up from the moment they leave the hut There are also cable-protected sections along the way Happy faces after safely crossing the Grand Couloir du Gouter we normally take a break and drop off a few things that we will not need for the summit push We go up snowfields until the Vallot Shelter we take another break before the final push The ridge is narrow in places and requires good crampon technique and a head for heights The total time from Tete Rousse to the summit is around seven hours The descent back to the Gouter Hut takes between two and two-and-a-half hours Using both refuges increases flexibility and safety you don’t have to cross the Grand Couloir in the afternoon (when it’s warmer) If the weather isn’t good enough to summit on the planned day there is a chance to wait at Gouter and have an early start the next day before heading all the way down The alternative Trois Monts (Three Peaks) Route goes from the Aiguille du Midi over the shoulders of Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit to the summit of Mont Blanc You can either stay in the Cosmiques Hut the night before and overnight at Cosmiques after the climb “That latter approach means that you will be climbing in daylight when it’s quiet and usually warmer,” Macdonald said “This route is generally much more quiet than the Gouter Route but it has some issues to be aware of.” The slopes of Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit are prone to serac fall and perfect for avalanches the route could be completely out of condition.” Many fatal accidents have occurred on the slopes of Mont Blanc, including recently.  Last week, two climbers died in an unfortunately timed rappel accident. At the beginning of August, another died and four were injured in a serac fall The seracs looming over the route may fall any time of day or night and can be difficult to predict The final issue with this route is that melting glaciers have made it steeper The Maudit shoulder is definitely more serious than it used to be it’s a great route when the conditions are right There is a third option to consider: the so-called Pope Route from Italy. It leaves from Val Veny and proceeds via the Gonella Hut. The name comes after Achille Ratti, who first used that route coming down from the summit. Years later, Ratti became Pope Pius XI “It’s a wonderful climb with an incredible feeling of remoteness and solitude it has a few problems,” Macdonald noted He noted that the approach to the refuge is a solid five-hour slog with no lifts or trains to shorten the way It requires a perfect weather forecast and top physical shape “The refuge is small and nice but suffers from water supply problems,” Macdonald said At the time of writing this story (late August) “The glacier is steep and complex,” warms Macdonald Either can render the route impassable.” the options are to return via the same route logistics must be arranged to return to Italy “Climatic change has affected Mont Blanc enormously,” Macdonald says “Snow melts out of the Grand Couloir du Gouter faster than before.” The guide notes that in recent years, the route has been closed most seasons for three to six weeks, something that hasn’t happened before. The Gouter Route has been open all through the season this year but suffered lengthy closures in 2022 Macdonald also mentioned that the glaciers on the Trois Monts route have gotten steeper and more serious “Mont Blanc was always a serious mountain but it’s even more serious now,” he concluded Angela Benavides graduated university in journalism and specializes in high-altitude mountaineering and expedition news She has been writing about climbing and mountaineering adventure and outdoor sports for 20+ years Angela Benavides spent time at/worked at a number of local and international media She is also experienced in outdoor-sport consultancy for sponsoring corporations He is holding in his right hand a pair of skates and in his left a pair of skis a 14-line long inscription: “CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC SPORTS D'HIVER 25 JANVIER - 5 FEVRIER 1924 ORGANISES PAR LE COMITE OLYMPIQUE FRANCAIS SOUS LE HAUT PATRONAGE DU COMITE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIQUE A L'OCCASION DE LA CELEBRATION DE LA VIIIe OLYMPIADE" [Chamonix Mont-Blanc Winter Sports 25 January-5 February 1924 organized by the French Olympic Committee under the high patronage of the International Olympic Committee on the occasion of the celebration of the VIII Olympiad] As was the case with the medal for the Paris Games the design of the Chamonix medal was also put out to tender It was the engraver Raoul Bénard who was finally chosen There were 2,000 copies made in the workshops of the Paris mint Mint: Administration des Monnaies et Médailles (IOC)Olympic MedalsChamonix1924Discover the GamesThe BrandA visual identity is developed for each edition of the Olympic Games.Brand The MedalsBeginning as an olive wreath medal designs have evolved over the years.Medals Summer is hotting up and there's plenty to do in Chamonix As summer comes to town the longer sunny days begin to warm up the valley. All the lifts are usually open by the middle of the month, however a selection of lifts are open weekends from early June. Check lift, tramway and train summer opening dates here The trails are accessible and a whole host of outdoor events begin to spring up Whilst you may still see the occasional skier wandering through town with their skis casually slung over their shoulder there's sure to be something for all ages and abilities in Chamonix Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout June The early mornings and evenings can still feel a little fresh but the daytime temperatures fall between a low of 9°C and a high of 20°C and sunset isn't until around 21:30 Whilst some of the trails aren't fully open to mountain biking it's plenty warm enough to get on your road bike and get those thighs in shape for summer a piece of serac fell down Mont Blanc du Tacul triggering a tragedy during the peak climbing season The incident took place at 3 am this morning when the chunk of ice fell from the upper part of the peak’s north face Mont Blanc du Tacul is a part of the Mont Blanc massif about halfway between the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc itself The avalanche reached the Col du Midi and hit a line of climbers on their way up Mont Blanc via the popular Three Peaks (Trois Monts) Route. The slide caught 11 to 15 climbers. One has died, and four are reported injured At least four roped pairs of climbers escaped injury and tried to help those in trouble Search efforts continued this morning for other potential victims The operation was eventually suspended because of the high risk of further avalanches This was far from the first tragedy around Mont Blanc du Tacul Its north side is infamous for frequent avalanches triggered by serac fall Climbers ascend the mountain via its NNW flank (the so-called Epaule du Tacul) The route to Mont Blanc then passes through a second avalanche-prone area after the Col Maudit with nine deaths in 2012 and three in 2016 The weather in the Alps has been remarkably warm this past week, increasing the risk of falling rocks and ice. Yet serac fall on Mont Blanc du Tacul also happens in cold conditions and at night. French glaciologist Melaine Le Roi noted on X that the area where yesterday’s serac fall took place was not even the most dangerous Previous incidents tended to happen elsewhere Left: The areas on Mont Blanc du Tacul’s NNW face most frequented by climbers. Right: most common ascent routes. Photos/info from research by Ludovic Ravanel et al Mont Blanc climbers usually divide between the normal route (the Voie Royale) from Saint-Gervais via the Dôme du Goûter The first option includes crossing the dangerous Grand Couloir known as the Bowling Alley or even the Corridor of Death Others choose the longer but more rewarding Trois Monts route It departs from the Cosmiques mountain hut near the Col du Midi The route links three summits over 4,000m: Mont Blanc du Tacul (4,248m) and Mont Maudit (4,465m) on the way to the top of 4,809m Mont Blanc In a thorough work for the Journal of Alpine Research last year, Ludovic Ravanel and a team of experts compared the risks of both routes. The normal Gouter route has a high accident rate with an average of 3.7 deaths per year, their paper states. They estimate that 17,768 people passed the Grand Couloir during the summer of 2019, and seismological instruments registered 2,648 rockfalls. The researchers went on: “At Tacul (on the Trois Monts route), where an average of 0.6 deaths occur each year, 6,770 passages were recorded during the summer of 2017, as well as 31 serac falls unrelated to temperatures. The risk of death is 8.3 × 10-5.” Here, in other words, the risk is about half that of the other route, at just under 1 in 10,000. Angela Benavides graduated university in journalism and specializes in high-altitude mountaineering and expedition news. She has been writing about climbing and mountaineering, adventure and outdoor sports for 20+ years. Prior to that, Angela Benavides spent time at/worked at a number of local and international media. She is also experienced in outdoor-sport consultancy for sponsoring corporations, press manager and communication executive, and a published author. Sign up to receive ExplorersWeb content direct to your inbox once a week. With British skiers increasingly opting for trips that fit into a long weekend, Chamonix is coming out on top thanks to it’s excellent connections via train and plane – Tristan Kennedy reveals how to make the most out of a few days on the mountains Few ski resorts are as evocative as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Set in the sawtooth-sided valley beneath the north face of Europe’s highest peak, the town has a strong claim to be the birthplace not just of mountaineering In 1741, two intrepid British travellers, William Windham and Richard Pococke, paid a visit to what was then just a few shepherds’ huts clustered around a Benedictine monastery. Their account of the marvels of “Chamouny” and its glaciers made the village a must-see for adventurous, aristocratic young Europeans undertaking what was known as “The Grand Tour” and his future wife Mary Wollstonecraft visited in 1816 (with Mary drawing inspiration for her putative novel Dumas, Dickens, and Flaubert followed. Inspired by a reward offered by Swiss naturalist Horace Bénédict de Saussure in 1760, Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard had made the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786, more or less inventing mountaineering in the process. But by the beginning of the 20th century, a newfangled sport imported from Norway was attracting nearly as many tourists to the valley in winter as in summer: skiing Chamonix’s other huge draw is that it’s incredibly well-connected It’s just over an hour’s drive away from Geneva airport making it ideal if you’re looking for a long weekend skiing rather than the traditional week-long holiday This is a growing trend among time-strapped Brits according to recent reports from both the Ski Club of Great Britain and the tour operator Crystal which has seen a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in short break bookings since the pandemic Head to Chamonix on a Thursday and you can be back to your desk by Monday morning having spent three days skiing world-class facilities Read more: The best ski resorts for late season snow SnowCarbon is a specialist site dedicated to providing info on ski holidays by train. The Man in Seat 61 is a fantastic resource for European train travel more generally You can book tickets for international train travel on trainline.com Because of its long history as a tourist destination, Chamonix is home to some of the oldest, grandest ski resort hotels you’ll find anywhere in the world. The Grand Hotel des Alpes dates to 1840 and hosted many of the athletes at the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924 But arguably the pick of the bunch is the five-star Hotel Mont Blanc Chamonix Belle Epoque building in the centre of town If you’re looking for something a little quirky, try the Refuge de Montenvers ski (down the famous Vallée Blanche off-piste run) or funicular railway If you’re on a budget, there’s an excellent Auberge de Jeunesse run by Hostels International France on the outskirts of Chamonix proper Read more: How to have a ‘grown-up’ ski season in your 40s you can’t go far wrong with France’s biggest ski rental franchise chain They have multiple shops in the Chamonix valley their prices are competitive (especially if you book in advance online) and with their top rental packages you have the option to swap your skis for a different model each day if you like but no trip to Chamonix would be complete without at least a visit to Zero G Zero G offers a whole range of boards to suit all ability levels including some from pretty niche brands like Korua or Dupraz as well as specialist kit like splitboards Chamonix has a reputation for being intimidatingly steep but there are actually several excellent beginner areas and some decent intermediate terrain spread across its four ski areas There are three lift pass options: the Les Houches pass the Chamonix pass (which offers you access to everything except Les Houches and the Aiguille du Midi) and the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass The different areas aren’t connected by lift it’s worth picking one area per day and sticking to it with challenging reds and blacks and lifts that go up to 3,275m has mellower blue and red runs that are better suited to intermediates There’s also some excellent off-piste skiing to be had off the back of Le Tour which is often overlooked – a rarity in Chamonix Brévent-Flégère is great for intermediate and advanced skiers but has some excellent beginner areas at mid-station lift level Les Houches is usually regarded as the most family-friendly of the four but advanced skiers often head there to go tree skiing when snow’s falling hard and visibility is poor a famous glacier run accessed by the Aiguille du Midi cable car It’s gratifyingly long and a whole lot of fun but far less challenging than some of the mythology around it might suggest unless you’re an experienced off-piste practitioner and avalanche safety kit is a must for everyone Read more: Why you need to head for the Greek ski slopes this winter Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/in_travel/in_skiing/image/gallery_mpu_sb","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"Ski_-_Les_Grands-Montets-Yucca_Films-1941.JPG","description":"Chamonix for travel only","caption":"The short ski break is back – and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc may be the best place to make the most of it The short ski break is back – and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc may be the best place to make the most of it Chamonix is coming out on top thanks to it’s excellent connections via train and plane – Tristan Kennedy reveals how to make the most out of a few days on the mountains The redevelopment of the cable car to the summit of Les Grands Montets in Chamonix the crane positioned at the top of the construction site at an altitude of 3,300 meters (10,827 feet) suffered a critical failure when the boom of the crane collapsed tumbling onto a nearby rocky wall and halting work indefinitely “We’ve just come out of six days of extreme weather, with snow and wind gusts over 100 kmh [62.5 mph],” said Antoine Burnet, commercial and marketing director of the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc workers were performing de-icing procedures when the crane’s boom detached and fell onto the rock face.” standing 18 meters tall and weighing nearly 15 tons was specially designed for the construction of the new Grands Montets summit station Its loss is expected to significantly delay the project We will conduct an aerial inspection by drone or helicopter in the coming hours or days,” stated the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc in a formal announcement Depending on the diagnosis as well as weather conditions the jib will be either stored or secured for the winter The Grands Montets redevelopment project is critical to restoring access to the summit which has been inaccessible by gondola for almost six years when a devastating fire completely destroyed the Lognan mid-station at 1,972 meters (6,470 feet) the link between Argentière 1,252 meters (4,108 feet) and the summit at 3,275 meters (12,320 feet) has been cut off renowned for its challenging slopes and situated below the towering Aiguille Verte has been a critical piece of Chamonix’s ski infrastructure all activity on the site is halted,” Burnet confirmed “Security and inspection operations will be carried out in the coming hours after which we’ll decide whether to resume construction this season or pause until conditions improve.” while the cable car infrastructure is built by Doppelmayr The total project was originally budgeted for €155 million ($169 million) but delays from its original completion date of 2024 as well as this recent setback will likely have taken the project over budget The Grands Montets ski area, nestled within the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley, is revered by expert skiers and snowboarders for its steep, off-piste terrain. The Chamonix region in France includes five main ski areas Les Grands Montets is known for its expansive vertical drop and high-altitude skiing offering slopes that stretch from 3,275 meters (12,320 feet) down to 1,235 meters (4,052 feet) giving a total of 2,040 meters (6,693 feet) of vertical The redevelopment project is seen as critical to reviving the resort which has been a key draw for both tourists and the local economy is expected to enhance the overall skiing experience once completed both the timeline and safety protocols for the site will be closely scrutinized in the coming months A snowboarder in his fifties died on Monday, March 17, after falling into a crevasse while descending the Vallée Blanche near Chamonix. The man was riding with a professionally guided group when a snow bridge collapsed beneath him, sending him nearly 30 meters (100 feet) into the glacier below, according to Chamonix.net The incident occurred around noon in the area of the classic Vallée Blanche route a popular but high-consequence off-piste descent prompting a rapid response from the Chamonix Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM) who arrived on scene with the support of Dragon 74 and Choucas 74 helicopters the snowboarder succumbed to his injuries at the scene His body was later recovered and transported to the Bois helicopter base Snow bridges—thin layers of snow that conceal deep crevasses—can appear stable but collapse without warning Officials continue to stress that while the Vallée Blanche is a bucket-list run for many it remains serious terrain requiring proper equipment The ski and snowboard site with intelligence your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Planning to drive between France and Italy in 2025 which links the two countries beneath the Alps as it has been reopened after months of renovation work A 600-metre stretch of the 11-kilometre tunnel was completely reconstructed Alternative 'scenic' routes continue to be available but do add to your travel time Here’s how to plan your Europe road trip around this coming year Opened in 1965, the Mont-Blanc highway tunnel links Chamonix in Haute Savoie It is part of the north-south European route E25, which runs from the Hook of Holland down to the ferry crossing from Cagliari to Palermo in Sicily Lying 2,480 metres beneath the Aiguille du Midi summit, it is the world’s second deepest tunnel in operation after Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel Various closures took place throughout 2024 to allow for maintenance work In the autumn, structural renovation work took place on the vault. This was one of the first major European tunnels to undertake deep renovation work on its structure different reconstruction technologies were tested on two 300 metre stretches of the tunnel More than 150 people mobilised to undertake the renovations which took place 24 hours a day and represented more than 150,000 hours of work The most efficient and effective techniques could be applied to an additional 600 metre section during another closure in 2025 - however no specific dates have been confirmed Further works along the tunnel’s entire length are to be expected in the coming years however the French and Italian governments are in discussion over whether to do a full tunnel closure over four years where the entire vault can be refurbished in one go or renovate the tunnel across a couple of decades with annual four-month closures Even when the Mont-Blanc Tunnel is closed it is still possible to drive between France and Italy on different routes Although these may extend your journey time they could save you money: the one-way toll for a car use to the Mont-Blanc tunnel is €51.50 while a return is €64.20 Around 160 km south of the Mont-Blanc Tunnel, the Fréjus Tunnel connects Modane in France to Bardonecchia in Italy, which is a good alternative route for heavy goods vehicles. A one-way trip for cars costs €54.10 and a return €67.50 Toll payment subscriptions including the TMB card and Eurotoll cover both tunnels under the same pass If you already hold a multi-journey discount passes then this should have been automatically extended by four months to account for the recent Mont-Blanc Tunnel closure Alternatively, the Tunnel du Grand-Saint-Bernard links Martigny in Valais, Switzerland with Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses in Italy’s Aosta Valley Located further southwest, the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard is a mountain pass linking Savoie in France with Aosta Valley so check the weather before planning your route To the north, the Col des Montets mountain pass, linking Chamonix with Vallorcine in France - on the border with Valais - is another route that does get hit by snow closures a single track railway tunnel that doubles as a road is also sometimes used when the pass is closed but often faces heavy traffic The scenic Mont Cenis pass between the Cottian Alps in France and the Graian Alps in Italy is typically open to traffic until November, when it closes for the winter season The Montgenèvre Pass connecting Briançon in France and Cesana Torinese in Italy is another option for road travel further south of the Tunnel du Mont-Blanc France: The community council of the Chamonix-Mont Blanc valley in France’s Haute-Savoie region has unanimously voted on a resolution to introduce limits on short-term holiday rentals from 1 May 2025 are the result of increased angst among residents who blame short-term rentals for contributing to soaring prices and an affordable housing shortage in the area due to the influx of tourists A registration system requires property owners in the valley to obtain a registration number and permit from the town hall property owners in Chamonix and Les Houches will only be able to rent out one property on a short-term rental basis while owners in Servoz will be permitted to rent out a maximum of two properties there will be no limit on the number of properties that can be rented out although the authorities want to enforce a rule whereby each property can only be rented out once a year before a registration is renewed It will mirror the registration system already in place in Paris and other cities across France which have partnered with online booking platforms such as Airbnb to obtain rental data Properties which flout the rules will be removed from the platforms The four ski resorts in the Chamonix-Mont Blanc valley have been designated as “tense zones” since August last year due to ricing real estate prices with Chamonix mayor Éric Fournier calling for the need to find a “social balance at local level” The new regulations will initially apply only to individual property owners Fournier says that the measure will mark a first step towards wider regulations that will “eventually affect everyone” and will be part of a “global effort to maintain permanent housing in the valley” As the share of secondary housing rices to an estimated 70 per cent of existing properties in Chamonix Fournier added that the valley had become “the first mountain area in France to limit the number of tourist rentals to promote year-round housing” in line with the new property restrictions A similar measure in nearby Annecy was suspended in July 2023 after a judicial court in Grenoble deemed the law to be “too restrictive”