Mont Blanc has a tremendous attraction to the mountaineers of the world, given a wealth of routes, easy access and a reputation of being "technically easy". The latter is not true at all and even very fit mountaineering novices stand little chance to summit unless they take the time to train crampon techniques (flat-footing, front-pointing in vertical ice etc), the use of their ice axe, self arrest etc. and sleep high for at least a couple of nights to acclimatize.

After seeing so many Mont Blanc aspirants fail on their summit attempt, we decided to give our clients the opportunity customize their training and acclimatisation program in accordance with their mountaineering background and time constraints. Remember: The more time you dedicate, the higher your chances to make it to the Mont Blanc summit.

Click here for the day-to-day itinerary options of our 1-4 day preparation program.

Click here if you want to do our 7 Day Haute Route Glacier Trek to prepare for Mont Blanc

Trip Details and Small Print -
Mont Blanc with Training / Acclimatisation Program

Can I do it?
Mont Blanc Ascent: Very strenuous 2 day mountaineering trip in high altitude (4800m = 15750 ft) that requires enough stamina for a 14 hr day on your feet on the summit day with few brakes. For essentially all of the climb you will be roped to your guide. On the Normal Route via Gouter Ridge the main difficulty involves steep rock scrambling (at times on crampons) to get to the Gouter Hut on day 1. The last two hours of the climb require front pointing and challenging flat footing on crampons and finally a very exposed traverse along the icy / snowy summit ridge. The Traverse Route via Cosmique Hut involves an easy first day, but the summit day is longer and more strenuous than the normal route and requires front pointing on your crampons on several occasions.

For mountaineering novices new to climbing glaciated peaks and steep ice and snow climbing, we recommend at least three days of training before embarking on the Mont blanc ascent.

Hazards / Objective Dangers:
Both classic Mont Blanc routes imply objective dangers such as potential ice & rock fall, avalanches and crevasses. The Gouter route is notorious for rock fall hazard during the ascent to the Gouter Hut on day 1, namely traversing the 'grand couloir' at the beginning of the technical difficulties. The traverse route via Cosmique Hut is notorious for ice and snow avalanches.

On average, there are 4 - 8 fatalities / year on both "normal routes" on Mont Blanc combined.

Meeting Point:
Either a) Geneva International (closest Airport) for airport shuttle pick-up or at 8AM on the first day of your trip b) at our partner hotel in the Chamonix Valley or c) at your preferred hotel in the Chamonix Valley.

Climate, Weather, Temperatures:
High season for all mountaineering in the western Alps is mid-July through August, mainly due to the stable weather that time of the year. Day time temperatures can vary between 30C (86F) in the valleys to -10C (14F) on clear mornings, when we start our day from a high level hut. The Mont Blanc climb can be very cold (-25C = -13F), given the midnight start, high altitude and the often strong winds on the summit ridge.

Services Included:
Guiding by an internationally (UIAGM/IFMGA) certified, multilingual, mountain guide or guide aspirant under supervision. All mountain lodging: Dormitory sleeping in huts of the French or Swiss alpine club, half pension dinner (3 courses) & breakfasts in the huts. Gondola and mountain train fees, use of technical equipment: Harnesses, crampons, ice axes, helmets, rope, carabiners

Optional package inclusions:
Hostel, 2 or 3 star hotel lodging in the Chamonix Valley, breakfast and / or 3 course half pension dinners, airport shuttle drop off / pick up at Geneva International Airport, transport in the Chamonix Valley.