Guided Glacier Hiking Chamonix – Vallee Blanche Traverse
Explore the big glaceris in Chamonix with a IFMGA mountain guide
Trekking over glaciers is a possibility for all hikers to experience the nature of glaciers and travel through a landscape unlike all others. Hiking on the glaciers surrounding Chamonix can be made into a tour suitable for everyone, young as well as old.
Glacier hiking in Chamonix can also be the chance for beginner mountaineers to learn the basics of glacier travel using ropes, crampons and ice axe on ice and snow. If you are interested in getting into alpine climbing, we will teach you the essentials, and possibly combine our day on the glacier with a crevasse rescue and self-arrest course.
Whether you have ambitions to become a mountaineer or you simply want to enjoy the magic landscape of ice and snow at high altitude, we will give you an unforgettable day of adventures!
Glacier travel tours can also be made into 2 or 3 day hikes, spending the nights in mountain huts. Contact us for a suggestion. For longer multi-day itineraries, see Haute Route and Tour du Mt Blanc.
Best time
Ability
Summer Traverse of the Vallée Blanche
Duration
Season
Group size
Price
Hiking from Aiguille du Midi (3842m) over the Glacier de Géant to Punta Helbronner (3450m) we cross the French–Italian border. Descending the exposed snow ridge from Aiguille du Midi, secured by your guide, you will surely be amazed by the steepness of the north face with Chamonix far below. Continuing south, safely roped up together, we will find our way through the maze of open crevasses and snow bridges on the Vallée Blanche and Glacier de Géant.
This is an easy glacier hike involving a 600m descent and a 200m ascent, doable for all healthy hikers. There is still the possibility to climb a peak, such as Pointe Lachenal, on the way for those who wish to climb some steeper snow and ice.
From Punta Helbronner we take the panoramic cable car back to Aiguille du Midi and down to Chamonix.
If you only have one day in the mountains, or it is your first time walking on a glacier, this is the trip to do. You will pass by all the spectacular peaks in the Mont Blanc range and experience a completely different landscape of ice and snow.
Price: | Group size: 1 2 3 4 | Price per person: 570 € 300 € 200 € 160 € |
Included
– 1 day of private guiding by IFMGA mountain guide
– Group equipment (ropes, carabiners, etc.)
Not included
– Mountain rescue insurance
– Lift passes
– Personal equipment: harness, crampons, ice axe (can be rented from us for €5 per item)
Mer de Glace Ice Exploring
Duration
Season
Group Size
Price
As a family activity or first try with crampons and axes, we can spend the day on Mer de Glace exploring the ice landscape. Mer de Glace is a dry glacier in summer (in contrary to Vallee Blanche which is a snowy glacier). This gives us the opportunity to see the ice caves, glacier lakes, and look into the crevasses. We also have the possibility to try out ice climbing in steeper terrain.
Price: | Group size: 1 2 3 4 | Price per person: 570 € 300 € 200 € 160 € |
Included
– Private guiding
– Group glacier equipment
Not included
– Lift pass
– Mountain rescue insurance
– Personal equipment hire
FAQ’s
No. The Vallee Blanche summer traverse is suitable for healthy hikers, also with no previous experience walking with crampons, when guided and roped by a qualified mountain guide. However the initial snowridge is exposed, so if you are scared of hights it might be a better option to start and finish the hike from Punta Helbronner (instead of Aiguille du Midi). Because of the altitude, which may affect young people more than adults, it is better to be at least 10 years old.
Yes. Glacier travel can be extended into 2 or 3 day hut trips, or linked with longer routes such as the Haute Route or Glacier Tour du Mont Blanc.
Harness, crampons and ice axe can be rented from Mountain Spirit Guides for 5€ per item per day. Hiking boots (suitable for crampons) can be rented in Chamonix town, and also some shell clothing for colder temperatures.
Tell us your group size, ages and preferred dates, and we will recommend the right glacier day in Chamonix.