Latest posts for the topic "Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche"

Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:09:11 GMT

After reading through resort reviews, it seems clear that Chamonix's off piste skiing is best enjoyed with one of the local guides.

How much is this service and is it really necessary? I will only be doing the known routes, not backcountry expeds, not my cup of tea.

Cheers

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:29:34 GMT

EVO88, I guess the services of a guide could be dispensed with if you are very experienced and well equipped for going beyond the piste markers and into a high alpine environment.

If you are asking the question, my guess is that you are neither. It takes about 10 years to train as a Mountain Guide and they will take you to the best places for your ability level, and ensure your safety.

Try these people (I have no affiliation)they are an ATOL Bonded guiding company....

http://www.icicleuk.com/

or the main Guides office.....

http://www.chamonix-guides.com/

I cannot recommend (from experience) the AIGMB Office in Rue des Moulins :evil:

There are many English speaking Mountain Guides working in/around Chamonix

List here

http://www.chamonix.net/english/mountain_guides/independent_guides.htm

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:33:00 GMT

I would not recommend skiing it without a guide or just 'following tracks', I've heard some horror stories.

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:55:34 GMT

Pablo Escobar wrote:I would not recommend skiing it without a guide or just 'following tracks', I've heard some horror stories.

Crevasses aplenty and all that....

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:58:09 GMT

I asked as on this website under the Chamonix guide it mentions a voluntary guide company was set up. I may have just misunderstood what it ment.

I wouldn't go off beyond the markers, but as this Valle Blanche is heavily used I wondered if it was easily accessable. Obviously not haha!

I'll have a look at the guides you mentioned Bandit, I'd love to have a go at it, but im going with a group of mixed ability youe see, and I'm not sure they would be up for it.

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:01:51 GMT

NellyPS wrote:

Pablo Escobar wrote:I would not recommend skiing it without a guide or just 'following tracks', I've heard some horror stories.

Crevasses aplenty and all that....

Cravasses and some fair sized cliffs. Someone had a lucky escape off a big 'un.

EVO88 wrote:I asked as on this website under the Chamonix guide it mentions a voluntary guide company was set up. I may have just misunderstood what it ment.

I wouldn't go off beyond the markers, but as this Valle Blanche is heavily used I wondered if it was easily accessable. Obviously not haha!

I'll have a look at the guides you mentioned Bandit, I'd love to have a go at it, but im going with a group of mixed ability youe see, and I'm not sure they would be up for it.

It is easily accessible, there is a lift right to the top.

Of course the guides would be 'up for it', you are paying for their services.

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:20:19 GMT

EVO88 wrote:

I wouldn't go off beyond the markers, but as this Valle Blanche is heavily used I wondered if it was easily accessable. Obviously not haha!

I'll have a look at the guides you mentioned Bandit, I'd love to have a go at it, but im going with a group of mixed ability youe see, and I'm not sure they would be up for it.

As you will be in a high alpine environment, you can go anywhere you want. The VB is heavily crevassed, the classic route is not technically difficult, but you will be crossing crevasses on snow bridges and must follow your guides instructions. The toughest part for a lot of folks is the start, descending the arete.

Some excellent photos here...

http://cosleyhouston.com/recent/08-01-vallee-blanches.htm

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:34:26 GMT

bandit wrote:

EVO88 wrote:

I wouldn't go off beyond the markers, but as this Valle Blanche is heavily used I wondered if it was easily accessable. Obviously not haha!

I'll have a look at the guides you mentioned Bandit, I'd love to have a go at it, but im going with a group of mixed ability youe see, and I'm not sure they would be up for it.

As you will be in a high alpine environment, you can go anywhere you want. The VB is heavily crevassed, the classic route is not technically difficult, but you will be crossing crevasses on snow bridges and must follow your guides instructions. The toughest part for a lot of folks is the start, descending the arete.

Some excellent photos here...

http://cosleyhouston.com/recent/08-01-vallee-blanches.htm

Fantastic photos there, I doubt I'll be getting down that in late January, crevasses galore! Looks like a nice run in these conditions.

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:56:52 GMT

I have been up there in January a couple of years, and the run is never closed. However, the arete was not roped up or in any way prepared, and looked awful narrow! It would be a big undertaking to descend that without a local professional to make the call.

The Chamonix valley has many more accessible off piste areas which can be reached using the lift system.

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:54:06 GMT

Some of those photographs are unbelieveable. Breath taking, literally.

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:07:18 GMT

Those are amazing pictures....
especially the dude who goes flying over the edge.

I hope he was ok afterwards.

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:25:22 GMT

EVO88 wrote:I asked as on this website under the Chamonix guide it mentions a voluntary guide company was set up. I may have just misunderstood what it ment.

I wouldn't go off beyond the markers, but as this Valle Blanche is heavily used I wondered if it was easily accessable. Obviously not haha!

I'll have a look at the guides you mentioned Bandit, I'd love to have a go at it, but im going with a group of mixed ability youe see, and I'm not sure they would be up for it.

I have always been lead to believe that the Vallee Blanche was similar to a blue run for most of it, and at 22km long a bit of a leg wobbler.

I'm ashamed to say that I lived in Chamonix for 2 years and never did it :oops:

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:46:20 GMT

What a disgrace, Nelly

Re:Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:56:56 GMT

Shocking isn't it. Good excuse to go back though, think I'd appreciate it more now, 20 years later. Plus my skiing has improved somewhat.