Chamonix Guides for Valle Blanche

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

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

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

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....

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.

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.

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

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.