In mountaineering history, there are many stories of mountain men – often local guides and their wealthy clients. Stories of talented women climbers are less frequently told, yet numerous women accomplished major ascents in the nineteenth century. One of these was Isabella Straton. Born in 1838. Straton was an upper-class Englishwoman who found herself wealthy…
To the west of the Mont Blanc massif, Les Contamines ski resort makes a great starting point for ski touring. There are many possibilities here, both from the valley and from the ski lifts. The Col de la Fenêtre is a classic crossing point on the ridge dividing Savoie from Haute-Savoie. It’s often described as…
As a ski instructor, I don’t want to add too many glacier ski tours to the site. We aren’t high mountain guides at White Marmotte, so we don’t take customers onto glaciers. (This article is purely my personal view, for information only). The Col des Rachasses does deserve a mention within our list of more…
Lac Blanc is easily the most popular day-hike destination around Chamonix, perhaps the most popular in the Alps. And after a visit there, you’ll find it isn’t hard to see why. There’s the iconic panorama reflected photogenically in the waters, a refuge serving lunch alongside, plus a gondola and chairlift to take some of the…
Today, the Tour du Mont Blanc is the most popular long distance hike in Europe, if not the world. But how did it become established, and who was the first to walk it? To find the answer, we have to go back to 1767, and a man who would play a key role in the…
The trek to La Jonction is one of the toughest of the classic day hikes around Chamonix. With around 1500 metres of ascent in seven kilometres, the climb feels relentless. The rewards are some of the best up close views of the Chamonix glaciers. What’s more, you’ll be following in the footsteps of Jacques Balmat…
The Aiguillette des Possettes stands at the head of the Chamonix valley, dividing it into two branches. One leads to Le Tour, culminating in the Col de Balme. The other winds up over the Col du Montets before descending to Vallorcine and the Swiss border. Between these two branches, the sharp ridgeline of the Possettes…
Along with Lac Blanc, the Grand Balcon Nord is one of the must-do day hikes of the Chamonix Valley. The cable car access lets you get high into the mountains with relatively little effort, taking you straight to awe-inspiring views and a great mountain ambience. Stats (starting from Plan de l’Aiguille)Distance: 6.5km to Montenvers, 12km…
With a magnificent setting, a sunny aspect, and an amenable 500 – 800 metres of ascent, the Col du Belvedere is a great introduction to ski touring in Chamonix. The route takes you from the edge of the Flegere ski area to the summer tourist hotspot of Lac Blanc. This famous viewpoint is much quieter…
Few ski tours are safe enough to do when the avalanche risk is a high four out of five. Mont de l’Arpille is one of those that can be a possibility.* The mountain rises to a height of 2085 metres, which is quite modest in the region. It is just to the north of the…
