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The ridge just above the Hotel Face, Grands Montets in the background

Epic Lines Opposite Mont Blanc : Ski Brévent-Flégère

If you want to know where the Chamonix locals head on a powder day, this is your answer!

Freeride Skiing Difficult, Severe

The ridge just above the Hotel Face, Grands Montets in the background
The ridge just above the Hotel Face, Grands Montets in the background Photo: Kevin Knox

Description

The huge and legendary lines of the Aiguille du Midi grab the headlines, but Brévent-Flégère can - in the right conditions - match the legendary Midi run for run. There are even some Chamoniards who will tell you that - on its day - Brévent-Flégère might just be the best freeride area in the World. That's big talk of course, but where would Chamonix skiing be without a bit of hyperbole?

There are 10 routes described here, the majority being long, steep and serious; the ENSA couloir and Bellachat being perhaps the longest, steepest and most serious of all. Even the shorter, easier lines in here all feel huge simply because skiing them puts you directly opposite the Chamonix Aiguilles and the utterly legendary peaks of the Mont Blanc Massif, including the king of the Alps itself.

Getting these lines in good condition is a rare treat because Brévent-Flégère faces south and the snow quickly gets cooked in the sun, but if you get your timing right, these lines will match anything that can be found in the Chamonix valley - and that's saying something!

Routes included

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