Vallée Blanche Ski Guiding
Ski the world-famous 22km glacial descent and 2,700m vertical drop from the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) into Chamonix with an IFMGA British Mountain Guide.
Skiing the Vallée Blanche with a Chamonix Mountain Guide
Skiing the Vallée Blanche from the top of the Aiguille du Midi is one of the great off-piste ski experiences in the world — up to 22km of spectacular glacial terrain and 2,700m of vertical descent through the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Vallée Blanche Ski Trips
Skiing the Vallée Blanche is a true high-mountain journey. Accompanied by one of our IFMGA-qualified guides, you will be able to:
- Descend the iconic equipped snow arête securely roped to your mountain guide.
- Ski the best line for the day’s snow conditions — from the classic Voie Normale to steeper variants such as the Petit Envers or Grand Envers du Plan.
- Find fresh, untracked snow away from the main trail while navigating complex crevassed glacier terrain safely.
- Stop for a traditional mountain lunch at the famous Refuge du Requin perched high above the glacier.
If you have already skied the classic Vallée Blanche, ask us about the steeper variants or the Toula Glacier on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc tunnel.
Why Ski with a Vertical Frontiers IFMGA Guide?
All of our guides hold the highest international qualification (IFMGA / British Mountain Guide) and live and ski in the Chamonix valley throughout the winter.
Safety is our top priority on the glacier, alongside making sure you have an unforgettable day in the mountains — sharing local knowledge of the peaks, geology, and climbing history of the Mont Blanc range, plus handy off-piste coaching tips along the way.
How Good a Skier Do I Need to Be?
Intermediate Off-Piste & Above (Skill Level 2–3): To enjoy the classic Vallée Blanche, you should be a confident parallel skier on red and black runs with some experience of variable off-piste snow.
Because the descent starts at 3,842m and covers over 20km of unpisted terrain, good ski fitness is essential. Read our What Level of Skier Am I? guide or watch the video opposite to see typical terrain on the descent.
Watch: Skiing the Vallée Blanche
See the Aiguille du Midi arête, the open glacial bowls below the Grand Rognon, the serac icefalls of the Géant, and the descent down the Mer de Glace.
Equipment Required
- Harness & Crampons: Provided free of charge by your guide.
- Avalanche Safety Kit: Transceiver, shovel, and probe are mandatory (available to hire from us for €15 per day).
- Skis: All-mountain or freeride skis (around 90–105mm underfoot) make variable snow much easier and more enjoyable.
- Rucksack & Layers: A 20–30L pack, spare warm layer (temperatures at 3,842m can drop below -15°C), sunscreen, sunglasses, and goggles.
- Lunch & Water: Bring trail snacks and a drink; we can picnic on the glacier or stop for a hot meal at the Refuge du Requin.
Snowboarding the Vallée Blanche
Experienced snowboarders are very welcome on private guiding days. Because the lower Mer de Glace includes long flat sections, telescopic ski poles are essential and you must be confident holding a long traverse across firm snow.
“I cannot recommend James and Vertical Frontiers enough. From the first email right through to stepping off the glacier at the end of the day, the organisation, safety, and guiding were first class.”
Tanya P — Vallée Blanche Guided Descent
The Vallée Blanche Descent: Step by Step
What to expect on your guided day from Chamonix to the top of the Aiguille du Midi and back down to the valley.
Step 1 Aiguille du Midi Cable Car (3,842m)
Meet your guide early in Chamonix for a coffee, kit check, and transceiver briefing before riding the spectacular two-stage cable car to 3,842m in the heart of the Mont Blanc range.
Step 2 Descending the Equipped Snow Arête
Wearing crampons and roped securely to your mountain guide, we walk down the famous snow ridge from the ice tunnel exit onto the wide snowfields of the Col du Midi.
Step 3 Upper Glacier & Seracs of the Géant
Step into your skis and enjoy sweeping turns beneath Mont Blanc du Tacul and the Grand Capucin, weaving past dramatic blue glacial icefalls and granite spires.
Step 4 Salle à Manger & Refuge du Requin
Below the seracs we enter the sheltered “Dining Room” bowl — an ideal spot for a glacier picnic or a hot mountain lunch on the sunny terrace of the Refuge du Requin.
Step 5 Mer de Glace, Montenvers & Chamonix Finish
Cruise down the lower Mer de Glace to the Montenvers train or, when snow cover allows, ski the forest trail right back into Chamonix for a well-earned afternoon drink.
Booking & Prices
What’s Included: IFMGA Mountain Guide fees, harness and crampon hire. Lift pass (approx. €60 for the Aiguille du Midi / Montenvers return), avalanche safety kit (€15/day if needed), and lunch are not included.
Weather Backup Plan: Because the Aiguille du Midi top station sits at 3,842m, high winds or heavy snow can occasionally close the cable car. If the lift cannot open on your booked day, your guide will run an alternative off-piste ski guiding day in the Chamonix valley (such as Grands Montets, Le Tour, or Courmayeur).
Book online onto one of our scheduled group departures, or get in touch to arrange private guiding or custom dates for your group:
Last-Minute Bookings & Custom Dates
