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Vallee Noir via Glacier du Géant

Aiguille du Midi

Chamonix

Skyway Monte Bianco

A moderate and fun line down some serious glaciated terrain on the Italian side of the Vallée Blanche.

Also in Haute-Savoie, France

Freeride Skiing Moderate

Distance
3.1 km
Ascent
39 m
Descent
506 m
Low Point
2.9 km
High Point
3.4 km
Gradient
34˚
Vallee Noir via Glacier du Géant Map

From the Helbronner head out left to the Col des Flambeaux. From the Col ski just to the left of the fall-line to reach a plateau. Traverse across the plateau and ski the vague shallow gully on the right (this section often holds good cold snow) down the fall line into the main Vallée Blanche basin and join the classic Vallée Blanche. As you are on a glacier make sure you are equipped, prepared and have practised crevasse rescue, however unlikely you think falling in a crevasse is- it is possible! A minimum would be each person to have harness, axe, crampons, an ice screw, 3 prussiks, several screwgates, a pulley/DMM Revolver karabiner, a couple of slings and 2 30m ropes in the group. A more modern simple solution substituting for many of the above might be 2 Petzl RAD systems in the group. If you have any doubts about this ski with an IFMGA Mountain Guide.

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between January and May

Features

  • Glacier

Equipment required

  • Rope

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area