Climb Mont Blanc

3 DAY MONT BLANC TRIP PACKAGE
The three day Mont Blanc ascent is preferred over the two-day option by most guides because it:
a) increases the chances for success by adding a 3rd day providing two days available to summit  and
b) substantially reduces the rockfall hazard on the Normal Route when we manage to summit on day 2 as we can pass through the dangerous crux section below the Goûter Hut in the early morning hours both ascending and descending.

Option a) Mont Blanc via Tete Rousse and Goûter Hut:
Day 1: Meet in Les Houches or Chamonix late morning. Gondola to Bellevue and short train ride to Nid D’Aigle (2,362 m / 7,750 ft). Three hours of hiking on an easy trail are followed by a short traverse across a little glaciated plateau to arrive at the Tête Rousse Hut (3,167 m / 10,400 ft) for lodging. The afternoon is spent organizing gear and relaxing before the midnight wake-up call.

Day 2: We leave the hut around 1 a.m. with helmets on our heads and crampons strapped to our boots, roped up for the technical crux: the ascent to the Goûter Hut. A short bit of glacier travel is followed by the traverse of the “Grand Couloir”, the most notorious and objectively dangerous part of the ascent (45 min).

From there it will take about two hours of scrambling along a steep, rocky spur, sometimes with support from fixed cables, to reach the Goûter Hut (3,800 m / 12,500 ft) for a short break and to leave whatever little extra overnight gear we brought. We continue with the ascent following the string of lights of the 120 climbers who slept at the Goûter Hut this night and who are usually a good 1.5 hrs ahead of us.

The climb follows the steep glacier with little difficulties all the way to the only shelter on the way – the Vallot Hut (4,300 m / 14,100 ft). It can be used for a quick stop to find shelter from the wind, although we try not to stop there as the hut is often overcrowded and uninviting. The route now follows the “Arête des Bosses” (Bumpy Ridge) and becomes steep and in places very narrow and exposed with amazing views all the way down the valley to Chamonix.

The narrow track along the ridge at this point has to be shared with many descending parties which can create additional hazards and crowding. Finally, for the last five minutes, the ridge widens and we arrive at the relatively flat and spacious summit at 4,808 m / 15,770 ft). The normal ascent time from the Goûter Hut usually takes five hours (1,000 vertical meters / 3,300 ft). We retrace our steps back to the Goûter Hut where we usually arrive totally exhausted in the early afternoon after being on our feet for 12 – 14 hours non-stop, at high altitude. The day requires a massive physical and psychological effort, and the 1,650 m / 5,400 ft) ascent and 1,000 m / 3,300 ft) descent only works if you are exceptionally fit, well acclimatized, and not easily intimidated by hazard or exposure!

Day 3: Ideally we sleep through the 2 a.m. wake-up call (for that day’s summiteers) and enjoy a later breakfast before making the descent to the Tête Rousse Hut with the first light. We retrace our steps and usually breathe a big sigh of relief once we arrive at the Tête Rousse Hut, where we leave the technical difficulties and rockfall hazard behind us. Arrival at the Nid D’Aigle train station is usually around mid-day, arrival in Chamonix around 2 pm.

Should we not have summitted on Day Two, we still have the option to leave at 3 a.m. from the Goûter Hut to try and reach the Mont Blanc summit. This demands a good pace as we still need to get past the most exposed rockfall zone on the descent below the Goûter Hut before the sun hits the slope, increasing rockfall hazard dramatically! Our goal is to be back at the Tête Rousse Hut before mid-day, which means arriving in Chamonix around 5 p.m. This is also a huge day, requiring 500 m /1,640 ft. of elevation gain at high altitude and 2,000 m / 6,560 ft of descent.

Option b) 1:1 client / guide ratio only
Mont Blanc Via Cosmiques Hut:
Day 1: This is basically identical to our two-day format but we allow an additional day for training/acclimatization/weather. Gondola ride to the Aiguille Du Midi, where you will have the option to take the elevator to the summit terrace to enjoy the views of your ascent route to the Mont Blanc. A short descent of the exciting east ridge of the Aiguille du Midi, followed by a picturesque traverse and short ascent takes us to the modern and relatively spacious Cosmiques Hut (3,600 m / 11,800 ft) in about 45 minutes. In the afternoon, we usually conduct a short training session in the neighbourhood of the hut or just hang out on the terrace to recover from the quick change in altitude (Chamonix is located at 1,000 m / 3,280 ft).

Day 2: Training climb and acclimatization day. The objective is to spend time at high altitude, get you warmed up, and reemphasize technical skills, but not tire you out for the  Mont Blanc ascent the next day (14 – 16 hours, departure time at 1 a.m.!). Options for training climbs are: the spectacular Cosmiques Ridge or traverse of the Vallée Blanche and climb Aiguille de Toule or Tour Ronde, North Face of the Pointe Lachenal, or the Triangle du Tacul. Return to the Cosmiques Hut for lodging.

Day 3: The normal ascent time from the hut to the summit is about six hours, which gets us to the top between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., after starting from the hut at approximately 01:00 a.m.

The route follows a steep glacier trail to the Mont Blanc du Tacul, and depending on conditions there might be some steeper steps to climb. The crux is a 60-70 meter-high 55-degree snow/ice pitch into the Col Maudit, which requires front-pointing technique on your crampons. From there, it is relatively easy going to the summit. The descent will either be via the Normal Route (Goûter Hut) or back the same way, which gets you back to Chamonix usually between 4 and 6 p.m.

4 DAY MONT BLANC TRIP PACKAGE
This program is recommended for clients who are new to the use of crampons in steep glaciated terrain (or who haven’t done it in a long time). This option may be most suitable for clients who have lodging arranged in the Chamonix Valley or have been spending time acclimating doing high-level walks on their own, but do prefer a full day of technical skills training.

Option a) 1 Day Skills Training “Mer de Glace” plus 3 Day Mont Blanc Ascent:
Day 1: Cog train ride to Montenvers, descent the steep ladders to the Mer de Glace glacier, and spend the day doing technical training using crampons and ice aces. The Mer de Glace offers the best training ground imaginable for glacier training around Chamonix. Return to Chamonix for lodging. (Chamonix lodging not included in trip price)

Mont Blanc via Tete Rousse and Gouter Hut:
Day 2: Meet in Les Houches or Chamonix late morning. Gondola to Bellevue and short train ride to Nid D’Aigle. The first three hours of hiking are on an easy trail to the Tete Rousse Hut (3167m = 10400ft) for lodging. The afternoon is reserved to do some training on your crampons and relax for the two hard days to come.

Day 3: Roping on and early start the ascent to the Gouter Hut. A short glacier is followed by the traverse of the “Grand Couloir”, the most notorious and objectively dangerous part of the ascent (45 min). From there it will take about two hours of scrambling, sometimes with support from fixed cables, to reach the Gouter Hut (3800m = 12500ft). We usually drop our backpack and climb a bit higher on tomorrow’s ascent route in order to promote acclimatization and get an idea of the terrain that we will travel in the dark the next day. Strong parties could also consider reaching the summit on day 2, especially if the weather indicates deteriorating conditions for the next day. Lodging at the Gouter Hut.

Day 4: Start from the hut is approx. at 02.00 AM. The normal ascent time from the hut to the summit is about five hours, which gets you to the top between 7.30 and 8.00 AM. There is one shelter on the way, the Vallot Hut (4300 meters = 14100ft), which can be used for a quick stop to find shelter from the wind – mostly we do not stop there, though. The descent route follows the same way all the way back to the mountain train, which puts us back into the valley around 3.30 PM or later.

Option b) 2 Day Aiguille du Tour Training Trip plus 2 Day Mont Blanc Ascent:
Day 1: Gondola ride to the Col de Balme and 2.5 hrs hike to the Albert Premier Hut (2750 Meters). In the afternoon ice climbing, crampon use,  glacier travel instruction on the Tour Glacier.

Day 2: 5 AM start and ascent either of the Tete Blanche (3400 Meters) or the Aiguille Du Tour (3550 Meters). We then descend back to the Col du Balme via the Albert Premier Hut and return to the valley for lodging.

Day 3 and 4: Continue with our 2 Day Mont Blanc ascent either via Cosmique (Traverse Route) or Gouter Hut (Normal Route).

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5 DAY MONT BLANC TRIP PACKAGE
This program is recommended for clients who are new to the use of crampons in steep glaciated terrain (or who haven’t done it in a long time). The acclimatization effect of spending one or two nights at high altitude (2750 m) before embarking on the Mont Blanc climb makes this program superior to our shorter programs in terms of optimizing your chances for success on Mont Blanc.

Option a) 2 Days of training/acclimatization with one hut night above 2700 followed by 3 day Mont Blanc ascent.
Day 1: Gondola ride to the Col de Balme and 2.5 hrs hike to the Albert Premier Hut (2750 Meters). In the afternoon ice climbing,  crampon use,  glacier travel instruction on the Tour Glacier. Lodging at the Albert Premier Hut.

Day 2: 5 AM start and ascent either of the Tete Blanche (3400 Meters) or the Aiguille Du Tour (3550 Meters). We then descend back to the Col du Balme via the Albert Premier Hut and return to the valley for lodging. (Chamonix lodging not included in trip price)

Mont Blanc via Tete Rousse and Gouter Hut:
Day 3: Meet in Les Houches or Chamonix late morning. Gondola to Bellevue and short train ride to Nid D’Aigle. The first three hours of hiking are on an easy trail to the Tete Rousse Hut (3167m = 10400ft) for lodging. The afternoon is reserved to do some training on your crampons and relax for the two hard days to come.

Day 4: Roping on and early start the ascent to the Gouter Hut. A short glacier is followed by the traverse of the “Grand Couloir”, the most notorious and objectively dangerous part of the ascent (45 min). From there it will take about two hours of scrambling, sometimes with support from fixed cables, to reach the Gouter Hut (3800m = 12500ft). We usually drop our backpack and climb a bit higher on tomorrow’s ascent route in order to promote acclimatization and get an idea of the terrain that we will travel in the dark the next day. Strong parties could also consider reaching the summit on day 2, especially if the weather indicates deteriorating conditions for the next day. Lodging at the Gouter Hut.

Day 5: Start from the hut is approx. at 02.00 AM. The normal ascent time from the hut to the summit is about five hours, which gets you to the top between 7.30 and 8.00 AM. There is one shelter on the way, the Vallot Hut (4300 meters = 14100ft), which can be used for a quick stop to find shelter from the wind – mostly we do not stop there, though. The descent route follows the same way all the way back to the mountain train, which puts us back into the valley around 3.30 PM or later.

Option b) 3 Days of training/acclimatization with two hut nights (Albert Premier & Trient Hut) above 2700 followed by either of our 2 day Mont Blanc ascent.

Option c) 1 Day Skills training Mer de Glace (see 4-day program) combined with 2 days of training peak ascents as above followed by our regular 2-day Mont Blanc ascent._________________________________________________

2 DAY MONT BLANC (via Normal Route) TRIP PACKAGES ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL SUMMER 2026

The Mont Blanc Tramway will undergo extensive construction work for 3 years, making our 2 day Mont Blanc ascents not possible. During this time we will be offering a 3-day package instead.

2 DAY MONT BLANC TRIP PACKAGE
Our two-day Mont Blanc package is only available for OnTop guests who have booked longer duration trips prior to their ascent eg: Haute Route, Monte Rosa, Stubai Alps peaks traverse.  This 2-day option is only for the extremely fit participants who (1) have previous experience climbing technical glaciated peaks and (2) who have spent at least two additional days in high altitude (either with or without one of our guides) preferably with one or more nights of lodging above 2500 meters before embarking on the Mont Blanc climb.

Option a) Ascent via Normal Route (via Gouter Hut):
Day 1: Please note: The two day Mont Blanc ascent will require a meeting with your guide the evening prior to your departure as we have to set off early the following day: Meet either 6.30 am in the Chamonix Valley or 7.15 in Les Houches about 10 km down the valley from Chamonix. Leaving any later can increase the risk of objective hazards. Gondola ride to Bellevue (1800m = 5900ft) and short train ride to Nid D’Aigle (2370m = 7770 ft). The first three hours of hiking are on an easy trail to the Tete Rousse Hut (3167m = 10400ft), which is where we will put the rope on. A short glacier is followed by the traverse of the “Grand Couloir”, the most notorious and objectively dangerous part of the ascent (45 min). From there it will take about two hours of scrambling, sometimes with support from fixed cables, to reach the Gouter Hut (3800m = 12500ft).

Day 2: Start from the hut is approx. at 02.00 AM. The normal ascent time from the hut to the summit is about five hours, which gets you to the top between 7.30 and 8.00 AM. There is one shelter on the way, the Vallot Hut (4300 meters = 14100ft), which can be used for a quick stop to find shelter from the wind – mostly we do not stop there, though. The descent route follows the same way all the way back to the mountain train, which puts us back into the valley around 3.30 PM or later.

Option b) 1:1 client / guide ratio only
Ascent via the ‘Traverse Route’ aka ‘Trois Monts’ (via Cosmique Hut):
Day 1: Gondola ride to the Aiguille Du Midi, where you will have the option to take the elevator to the summit terrace to enjoy the views of your ascent route to the Mont Blanc. A short descent down the east ridge of the Aiguille du Midi takes you in about 45 minutes to the modern and relatively spacious Cosmique Hut (3600 m = 11800ft). In the afternoon, we often do a short training session in the neighborhood of the hut or just hang out on the terrace to recover from the quick change in altitude (Chamonix is located at 1000m = 3280 ft).

Day 2: Start from the hut is approx. at 01.00 AM. The normal ascent time from the hut to the summit is about 6 hours, which gets you to the top between 7.30 to 8.00 AM.
There is no shelter on the way! The route follows a steep glacier trail to the Mont Blanc du Tacul, depending on conditions, there might be some steeper steps to climb. The crux is a 60-70 meter 55-degree pitch into the Col Maudit, which requires front-pointing technique on your crampons. From there relatively easy to the summit. The descent will either be via the Normal Route (Gouter Hut) or back the same way, which gets you back to Chamonix usually around 4 – 6 pm.

2023 Price/person (includes guide, guide expenses, gondola return ticket, 1-night hut lodging with 3-course dinners and breakfast, rental equipment):

US$ 2300 at 1 participant/guide
US$ 1300 at 2 participants/guide

Can I Do It?

Very strenuous 2 – 3 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 breaks. 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 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.

We recommend the two-day Mont Blanc format only to participants who (1) have previous experience climbing technical glaciated peaks and (2) who have spent at least two additional days in high altitude (either with or without one of our guides) before the Mont Blanc climb. The two-day climb is only available to climbers that are participating in another OnTop trip. Please note that the 2-day climb will not be available while the Nid D’aigle Station is closed as this adds an approx 500m of elevation each direction – requiring the addition of a 3rd day. Anticipated reopening is summer 2026.

In addition:

We receive a lot of inquiries for guided Mont Blanc trips and before we get active and having you fill out booking form, liability waiver and take your deposit, you should be aware of a few hurdles that the Mont Blanc climb implies:

1. For the 2023 summer season (June – September) the mountain train to Nid D’Aigle will not be operational. This adds 500 additional vertical meters to the climb and consequently, the shortest trip duration we can book you for is a 3 day trip with overnight stays at the Tete Rousse or the Gouter Hut.
2. The Gouter Hut and the Tete Rousse Huts are extremely difficult to book. Through our certified guides we have access to the “Professional Booking” site however once spots are released, they tend to book out in minutes for the core season. At the time we book your spots for you we need to have all your personal information including a deposit.
   50% of the spots are sold on the public site https://montblanc.ffcam.fr/GB_info-reservation-tout-public.html and release dates are no longer announced ahead of time. Best keep an eye on the site and book the spot for you and a guide if you find availability. Getting you set up with a guide / rental equipment etc. is the smaller issue relative to the hut spots!
3. Please make sure that you are comfortable with the pricing level of guided Mont Blanc climbs. Unless you are a well experienced alpine climber, guides require at least one training day before the 3 day climb. You should also have spent one or two nights at huts above 2500 meters in order to be acclimatized for Mont Blanc, which would mean a 5 day trip for most Mont Blanc candidates. For the 1:1 client to guide ratio this means a trip cost of US$ 5300 plus expenses for valley lodging and food. At the 2:1 level it means US$ 2800 but requires you to have a climbing partner.
4. You need to ask yourself if you have the skill, experience and willpower to navigate technical mountain terrain and high altitude the way you will encounter on Mont Blanc: Exposed glaciated ridges, snowy, icy and rocky terrain with fall potential that require rope use, extensive crampon use in steep terrain and substantial objective hazards that dictate strict timelines. Like any professional guide we only take one or two clients per guide, which mandates the relatively high price. Many people have climbed high altitude on non-technical climbs like Kilimanjaro or Aconcagua, Island Peak etc. These trips are “trekking peaks” and can’t be compared to technical climbs like Mont Blanc even though the summits are higher.
   Because of the high objective risk, we also do not recommend the route for minors.
5. We also like to really be upfront in regards to the hazards involved in climbing Mont Blanc. Aside from potential falls, the normal route on Mont Blanc suffers from substantial exposure to rock fall, especially during periods of extended heat, mostly during the months of July and August. This can last for a few days to several weeks and the route could be closed by the local authorities. The internet is full of video-clips graphically illustrating this hazard . Some summers see up 15 fatal accidents during the 3 months season on the normal route alone. Everyone needs to carefully examine if this risk is acceptable to them.
6. Should the route be closed by public safety order, usually issued by the Mayor of Saint Gervais in times of high summer heat with resulting rockfall hazard or should the weather forecast / mountain conditions be adverse including high avalanche hazard, our guides will choose another, lower level objective to replace the Mont Blanc attempt. Refunds are not usually given since our guides reserve their time and hut fees are due.

I you can check off all the above points we are happy to take your booking or we may refer you on to one of our certified local guides who will be available within your time frame to guide you and try to arrange the hut reservations.

If all this sounds too cumbersome, too uncertain, too expensive, too dangerous, too over-crowded or too technical we would recommend our Haute Route Glacier Trek on the so called “Mountaineer’s Route”. It is the perfect introduction to mountaineering with lots of roped glacier travel (approx. 40% glacier/ 60% trail), ‘learn how’ clinic taught by the guide for glacial travel and proper use of ice axe and crampons, and takes you on a 6.5 day hut to hut journey through the most spectacular terrain the Western Alps have to offer. Views of Mont Blanc and Matterhorn are stunning and you will also have the opportunity to summit 2 peaks: the Pigne D’Arolla and Tete Blanche.

Detail and Logistics

Meeting Point:
1) Either in our partner hotel in the Chamonix Valley or 2) by individual arrangement at a meeting point of your preference or 3) at the gondola station.
Please note: meeting time with your guide will require meeting the evening before the trek and an EARLY departure for the 2-day trip, either 6.30 am in the Chamonix Valley or in Les Houches about 10 km down the valley from Chamonix at 7.15 am. Leaving any later can increase the risk of objective hazards.

Climate, Weather, Temperatures:
The 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. Daytime temperatures can vary between 30C (86F) in the valleys to -20C (-4F) on clear mornings, when we start our day from a high-altitude hut. Mont Blanc is very exposed to extreme weather and high winds with corresponding wind chill factors are commonplace. This means it can be REALLY cold! Best to check the weather forecast for freezing level and winds, talk to your guide and talk to your guide the day before the trip starts, and bring warm clothing accordingly.

Services Included in the Total Price:
Guiding by an internationally (UIAGM/IFMGA) certified, multilingual mountain guide or guide aspirant under supervision. Dormitory lodging in a mountain hut with a 3-course dinner (soup, meat entree, and dessert) & breakfasts. Return ticket for Aiguille Du Midi gondola or Bellevue gondola / Tramway du Mont Blanc (depending on the route chosen), use of technical equipment, (harnesses, crampons, ice axes, rope, carabiners), all guide expenses (driving, gondola, hut & valley lodging)

Not Included Are:
Airfares, lunch (Sandwiches, snacks can be purchased in the huts or in the valley), lodging in the Chamonix valley (quoted separately), drinks (in the huts: bottled water = Euro 5 – 10/ liter, beer 0.33 = Euro 5 / can, wine = Euro 15 – 20 for 1/2 liter), additional fees for gondola/mountain train should you traverse the mountain and descend via a different route.

GEAR LIST

Considerations

Packing for a mountaineering trip is a balancing act. You want your pack to be as light as possible so you can truly enjoy the ascent. But you also need to have enough gear to be warm (or cool), comfortable, and well-fed and watered. When buying, renting, or borrowing gear for the trip, please keep weight, performance, and function in mind.

Chamonix is a sports enthusiast’s shopping mecca. There are dozens of outdoor stores intermingled with cafes, bistros, bookstores, and restaurants. If you need clothing, footwear, or gear for the trip, come a day early and shop to your heart’s desire.

Technical Equipment

Bring the following, or rent or buy it in Chamonix (see “Trip Info” links at the bottom of this webpage):

 High-quality, full-shank, leather or synthetic mountaineering boots
 Lightweight, collapsible ski poles (optional, but at least one is recommended)
 Gaiters, unless your pants lock tightly to your boots

 Crampons with anti-snowballing plates, fitted to your boots
 40-50 litre backpack with rain cover for transporting your things plus group gear

Bring the following, buy it upon arrival, or ask us (in advance) to provide the items:

 Ice axe for glacier travel (50-75 cm, classic pick)
 Climbing helmet
 Harness for glacier travel
 Two conventional locking carabiners or one triple-action locking carabiner

Your guide will bring the following:

 Rope
 Crevasse rescue equipment
 Group first aid kit and general repair kit

Clothing

Temperatures on the ascent of Mont Blanc can vary hugely. Temperatures can range from lows of -10°C (14°F) overnight to +15°C (60°F) during the day, or from +5°C (40°F) overnight to +30°C (85°F) during the day. Somewhere in between is normal and having several clothing layering options is important. Bring light, technical clothing that doesn’t take much space in your backpack and dries quickly when sweaty or wet.

 Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
 Wind and water-proof over pants with side zippers (Gore-Tex or similar)
 Synthetic mountaineering pants (eg. lightly lined Schoeller fabric or similar)
 Warm Primaloft jacket with hood
 Medium weight fleece sweater
 Synthetic or wool base layers – top and bottom
 Synthetic t-shirt
 Quick-drying sports bra
 1-2 pairs good quality trekking or mountaineering socks
 Thin liner socks
 Warm hat, covering your ears
 Two pairs of gloves (one pair lightweight and one pair waterproof and heavier weight – made for cold mountaineering conditions)
 Sun hat, preferably with a wide rim
 Bandana or Buff (optional)

At the Hut

 Spare socks and underwear
 Light down jacket or vest (optional)
 Sleeping bag liner – silk is lightest. Blankets are provided.
 Light hut slippers (optional – they are provided at the hut)
 Toiletries (keep to a bare minimum – the hut has limited washing facilities and no showers)
 Alpine Club membership card (if you hold membership)
 Earplugs (optional, but recommended)

Other items

 Your favourite lunch items and hiking snacks – candy bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc.
 Sunglasses with high UV protection – glacier-specific sunglasses are best
 Sunscreen and lip protection with high SPF. Consider zinc-based.
 One or two one-litre water bottles with insulator. Water bladders are not recommended.
 Headlamp with spare battery
 Personal first aid kit and other needs (eg. blister kit, prescription medicine, anti-inflammatory, contact lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
 Pocket knife (optional)
 Passport, health and travel insurance documents
 One or two lightweight garbage bags for extra waterproofing (optional)
 Light stuff sacs or Ziploc bags to keep your backpack organized and important items dry (optional)
 Camera, spare batteries (optional)
 Maps, GPS, altimeter watch (optional)
 Hand sanitizer or sanitary hand wipes (small personal amount)
 Feminine hygiene supplies
 Toilet paper – small amount for daytime emergencies
 Telephone with charging cable (optional)
 Adaptor for European charging system (optional)

FAQ

Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?

Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here

Which Mont Blanc Route is the easiest and least dangerous?

Mont Blanc is NOT a hike! Both classic Mont Blanc routes imply objective dangers such as potential ice & rockfall, avalanches and crevasses.

If you are a beginner to mountaineering, please consider our Haute Route Glacier Trek as an excellent way to train and acclimatize prior to your Mont Blanc ascent.  Or common alternatives are Gran Paradiso or a 3 day trip to Aiguille du Tour and Tete Blanche / Petite Fourche. Possibly peak ascent based from the Cosmique Hut like the Mont Blanc du Tacul or the Midi Plan Ridge (although that one is quite technical and wildly exposed). A fun trip is to come up the Mer de Glace / Valle Blanche. Further, there are a few good glaciated peaks to climb from the Contamine Hut a bit down-valley from Chamonix.

Please contact us if you wish to inquire about any of these alternatives above.

Amongst the 100 or so mountaineering routes that lead to the summit of Mont Blanc we mainly use one of the two normal routes from the French (Chamonix) side:

The Normal Route via the Gouter Hut is clearly the easiest with the main technical difficulties being in the rock scramble below the Gouter Hut and a short exposed section on ice and snow on the summit ridge. The “Gouter Route” is notorious for being exposed to rockfall hazards, especially in the afternoons when the sun hits the Western aspect crux section below the Gouter Hut. It has become quite common for the “Gouter Route” to close (per executive order of the mayor) in periods of extended summer heat due to the rockfall hazard getting out of hand.  Client to guide ratio is restricted to 2:1 for the Gouter Route.

Click this link for a video of rockfall hazards in the Grand Couloir captured during the 2015 climbing season.

The Traverse Route (Aka “Trois Monts”) via Cosmique Hut is more strenuous on the summit day (4000m = 1000ft more altitude difference from the hut to the summit compared to the Gouter Route), it requires extensive front pointing on your crampons and climbing along a narrow and exposed ridge when traversing Mont Maudit en route to the summit of Mont Blanc. The route is known for icefall and/or avalanche hazard, the latter can be quite persistent after a recent snowfall, especially in the early and late seasons. Many guides nowadays are very selective as to when they are willing to use the traverse route or they avoid it altogether because of hazard concerns. The route has seen numerous avalanche accidents over the past 20 years the worst on July 12, 2012 claiming 9 lives (see comments re. risk considerations at the bottom of this FAQ page).

For fit clients and assuming a 1:1 client: guide ratio, we can also maintain the option of traversing the mountain, which means using both routes either ascending or descending, which certainly gives you the best adventure!

On average there are about 4 – 8 fatalities/year on both “normal routes” on Mont Blanc combined.

Which Strategy provides the Highest Chances of Success to Climb Mont Blanc:
First off, excellent fitness, acclimatization, and high skill level are key to success on Mont Blanc. Additionally, we recommend a 3-day ascent spending the first night at the Tete Rousse Hut (3200 m) and the second night at the Gouter Hut (3800 m) because it enables you to possibly summit on either day 2 or day 3 and thus providing a bit of a weather cushion. Ideally, we leave the Tote Rousse Hut around 1 AM on day 2 and can take most of the day to summit and descent to the Gouter Hut for lodging in the evening. On day 3 we descend back to Nid D’Aigle (3200 m) to catch the train back to the valley which means that we can avoid traveling the crux section below the Gouter Hut at night or early morning when cooler temperatures reduce the rockfall hazard.

If we don’t manage to climb Mont Blanc on day 2, fit participants still have a chance to summit on day 3 from the Gouter Hut by leaving at 2 or 3 AM.

What is the best season to climb Mont Blanc:
The Gouter and the Tete Rousse Huts along the Normal Route on Mont Blanc usually open from June 1 to September 30 but they are known to shut down earlier / open later should conditions or weather be adverse. Outside of these periods, the huts only offer their non-guarded “winter quarters”, which means only unheated sleeping quarters with mattresses and basic wool blankets are provided.

The core season for climbing Mont Blanc usually goes from the end of June – mid-September. The core season is shorter than the hut opening period often due to the persisting high levels of residual snow in June or early snow in September, both of which make the Mont Blanc climb more difficult and potentially more hazardous. Also, in early June and late September the weather is often not as stable as in July and August. Most importantly the Bellevue Gondola and “Tramway du Mont Blanc” may be closed for parts of June and September, which can add an additional 1300 meters (4250 ft) to the Mont Blanc ascent on the Normal Route requiring an additional 1-2 days.  For more details regarding the opening times of the gondola/tram please see below.

When do Bellevue Gondola/Tramway du Mont Blanc open for the summer season?
To book a ticket or view schedules please click here Compagnie du Mont Blanc.

The Mont Blanc tramway is typically open from mid-June until the end of September.

How do the Hut Reservations work for Mont Blanc?
The 120 spots in the Gouter Hut are being distributed via an online booking process. The Hut used to schedule release dates starting as early as mid December for professionals and in mid-April for the general public, however, since 2022 they are no longer announcing the release date. Professional and public release dates vary each year but are likely in December/ January. Once a contingent on available spaces goes online at 8AM Central European Time, core season spots tend to book out quickly. Other than that, last-minute spots are available 3 days before the scheduled night at the Gouter Hut by calling the hut keeper directly. Hence reserving your Mont Blanc package sooner rather than later is to your advantage!

The Tete Rousse Hut is also an online booking process that follows the same strategy as the Gouter Hut. We can also manage to pick up unconfirmed spots on shorter notice, even inside 3 days prior to your trip date.

There are options for you to book Gouter Hut spots yourself directly via this link on their public release date: FFCAM

Public booking dates vary each year. Please check FFCAM often as the hut keepers will not advise of the release date in advance.

Please read the Public Booking Information page before the reservation system opens as it contains detailed instructions about the booking process.

What if I don’t have a second participant to join me?
The common client-to-guide ratio for Mont Blanc is 2:1. OnTop can actively assist in finding climbing partners, however, there are some inherent risks of compatibility that need to be considered if you are climbing with someone you haven’t met before. The guide will have to cater to the weakest team member which can include having to turn around on summit day (or even below the Gouter Hut….) Hence it can be best to find someone you know personally or consider 1:1 client/guide ratio.
We do not set up groups/partners for Mont Blanc, however, we can pass on your brief description and email addresses if you wish for us to help.

What if the Weather is bad or Mont Blanc is “Closed”?
Should the weather or mountain conditions (avalanche hazard, high winds, bad weather….) suggest that the Mont Blanc ascent is not feasible or too dangerous, our guides will look into the following options: 1) Reschedule the summit day (for example climbing the summit on day 1 by using an early gondola from Chamonix and then spending the night in a hut on the descent) 2) Ascent of the Gran Paradiso (about 2.5 hrs drive south in Italy) which benefits from being better protected to inclement weather 3) Ascent of a more technical but lower elevation peak in a neighboring range to avoid new snow or possibly high winds in higher elevations or 4) instructional days in lower elevation.

Over the last 15 years, we have seen more and more lasting periods of extended heat during the core summer season from mid-July to mid-August. For the first time in 2003 and then repeatedly almost every other year, the mayor of the base town of St. Gervais ordered the Gouter Hut either “closed” and it was “strongly not recommended” (fortement deconseillee) to climb the Normal Route via Gouter Hut due to increased rockfall hazard for about several weeks each time. Should this occur for your scheduled trip, we will have to revert to alternative mountaineering objectives as we are committed to our guides for payment for the time they reserve for you.

Will I receive a refund if my summit is unsuccessful?
OnTop Ltd. will not issue refunds if your Mont Blanc summit is unsuccessful.
Please make sure you have adequate travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical and illness coverage. For medical evacuation insurance, please see our insurance page for recommendations.

Where can I rent technical equipment?:
There are 2 stores we recommend in Chamonix, Sanglard Sports rentals or
Snell Sports rentals

What sort of boots will I need to climb Mont Blanc?
Your boot needs to be mountaineering boot warm enough for summit day, they will need to attach crampons and be waterproof. Most people choose the “La Sportiva” boot for this trip. We would definitely not recommend carrying a spare pair of boots. On the first leg of your trip, you will walk on trails for about 1.5 hrs before stepping on the glacier for glacier practice in the pm of the first day. The next day is 30 min until you hit the glacier.
For the ascent to Mont Blanc, you could probably get away on hiking boots all the way to the Gouter Hut but often enough, crampons are already required at the Tete Rousse Hut level = only 3 hrs of trail walking to start with. In summary, Stick with mountaineering boots.

Will I be able to access a Cell Network or Wi-Fi?
Cell phone access in the mountains around Chamonix is generally quite good but you will also encounter some spots without signal.

Cell phone signals are pretty good for most of the Mont Blanc ascent including the Gouter and Cosmique Hut. If you are planning to bring your cell phone or Blackberry make sure to inquire with your provider if your plan includes European roaming capabilities. In the Mont Blanc range, you might also be picking up cell phone signals from Italy and/or Switzerland.

Many Cafes and bars offer internet access in the Chamonix Valley.

If your itinerary includes the Trient Hut, you need to climb a hill behind the hut for 15 minutes to get cell a signal.

Each hut has plugs to recharge phones etc. but there is a bit of competition for them these days. All plugs are at 220 volts.

Risk Considerations/Is it Safe?: A comment written by head guide Jorg Wilz, after the multi-fatality accident on Mont Blanc July 12, 2012.

July 13, 2012

Yesterday’s terrible avalanche accident on Mont Blanc is the worst accident in summer mountaineering that I recall in my 28 years of professional mountain guiding. Our company had a very close call involving one guided party (1 guide, 2 guests) trying to summit Mont Blanc. Strong winds, ongoing risk evaluation and hesitation on our guide’s side lead to a prolonged break before entering the slope of the accident that leads to the Col Maudit. In the end our group was caught at the periphery of the slide and very fortunately remained largely unharmed. They descended back to the Aiguille du Midi on their own steam. Our thoughts are with the victims who include Roger Payne, former President of the British Mountain Guides and the British Mountaineering Council.

There is a lot of speculation if the slide was triggered by ice fall from the serac towers higher up in the slope or simply by human loading. The former was the case in an avalanche accident on the lower part of the same route which claimed 8 lives in 2008. It is quite certain that recent wind loading was responsible for the added load on the instability in the snowpack and the large volume of the avalanche. The best I could find was this news website that shows some images taken by a British mountain guide only 20 minutes after the event. Unfortunately, the perspective doesn’t give a good view of the start zone higher up, but it appears that there were multiple fracture lines further down on the slope which could also be fractures that stepped down to deeper instabilities in the snowpack.

In the end, for most of our clients who booked Mont Blanc later this summer, the main question remains if it is “safe” to climb the Mont Blanc via the Col Maudit right now or in the near future. The answer is that it is never “safe” to climb Mont Blanc or any technical peak for that matter.

I feel we disclose the risks properly on our Mont Blanc pages with wording like “On average there are about 4 – 8 fatalities/year on both “normal routes” on Mont Blanc combined”. Our guides do their best to minimize the risk (we had several parties turn around at the same spot earlier this week and there was a discussion along the same lines at the day of the accident). Often clients aren’t happy about aborting a climb due to risk considerations, especially if other parties continue and return happily from the summit later. From the guide’s perspective, all it takes is a small lapse in judgment or just straight out bad luck to turn from a shining hero to the reckless villain who makes headlines in the newspaper……

As far as the current avalanche hazard on the Col Maudit is concerned, it will be good to give it some time to let the instability settle out. More information from the site would be valuable to make a better assessment as to the timing. Under good conditions (warmer temps, no wind loading) this could take anything from a few days to a few weeks.

How about using the route via Gouter Hut or starting from the Tete Rousse? The main issue, as far as risk is concerned, is the rockfall hazard, which is particularly common during the heat of the summer as we are currently experiencing it. Overall I suspect that the normal route via Gouter Hut has seen more fatalities over the years than the Traverse / Trois Monts route…….

At any rate, we encourage our clients to carefully assess the risk they are willing to take and if Mont Blanc is the right climb for them. There are countless peaks in the Alps that involve lower risk and often a better experience (no overcrowding to mention one). The choice is yours. All we can do is try to make it happen while doing our best to keep you safe.

Recommended hikes around Chamonix valley prior to Mont Blanc ascent:

1. The best acclimatization is to sleep above 2500 meters in a hut. There are not too many huts in that altitude around Chamonix that can be reached on non-technical trails but the ones we can recommend are the Albert Premier Hut (about 1.5 hrs ascent from the top of the Col de Balme Lift in Le tour) or the Refuge Lac Blanc (often booked out) on the other side of the valley, about 2 hrs hike from the top station of the Flegere Gondola or 3 hrs from Col Montet.
2. Probably the most scenic hike around Chamonix is the Grand Balcon du Nord from Col Montet – Lac Blanc – Flegere – Plan Praz and gondola back to Chamonix. About 6 hrs, if you take the earlier gondola in La Flegere it’s around 4 hrs.
3. Also good is the Grand Balcon du Sud. Best take the aiguille du Midi Gondola to the top 3800 meters and enjoy the views / hang out for a while, then come back down to the mid-station and walk east to the Montenvers train station and descend back to Chamonix by train – about 3 hrs of hiking.

Feedback

Mont Blanc Ascent – The Alps’ highest peak at 4810m
References of prior guests: We will gladly put potential clients in touch with previous participants of each trip in order for interested guests to get more personalized references and their questions answered from a more objective point of view than what our office could provide.

” Fantastic guide. Very professional. Seb was very discerning and professional warning us of challenges as needed. As well, he was warm and in great rapport the rest of the time. He managed our expectations and kept our spirits high. Where he really shone as a guide was taking the decision to ascend on day 4- with a risk of weather. We ended up with the perfect conditions: weather and lack of traffic. He took an educated risk that really made our experience as perfect as it could have been.
Communication and trip organisation was Fantastic, again- the pre-reading material was informative managing our expectations. You responded to us quickly when we had questions. Thank you for being accommodating with the payment transfer, as well. The kit list supplied was very useful and we found that we had everything that we needed to climb successfully.
Perfect Itinerary – thank you for the advice on the number of days to book. The two practice days prior to the ascent were very helpful to get us used to Mountaineering. As well, the summit itinerary split over three days was perfect. We had great weather, which was helpful; however, to have the option to summit on two days if weather was not in our favour was reassuring. The accommodation and food at the huts were far better than expected.
Thank you for pre-arranging the vegetarian meals. This was a great comfort for Robin. 10/10!! ” —Kristyn E. & Robin F. UK

“Tomas was a brilliant guide – very informative, communicative and encouraging. He is genuinely good company and very professional about explaining what will happen when and what kit to have ready / in use. we would have no hesitation being guided by Tomas on future trips. All parts of the trip were well organised and I felt your communication across continents was excellent.
The itinerary was one of the reasons I chose your company – to stay in both mountain huts rather than all the way up from and back to the Tete Roux hut. I would perhaps say that for those like my son and myself who choose to do their own acclimatisation you may suggest at least one accessible high mountain walk nearby to other similar ‘self-acclimatisers’ – this may better prepeare them – but that’s not a dig – I did tell you we would do our ‘own thing’.
The Hotel Vert was more than adequate for or needs – food and beer all good with comfy, clean beds. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The huts gave us ample food but are not cheap for extra water etc. but you have little control over that – it is the French way (the reason I only ski in France if it is all inclusive!)! The hut bedrooms are clean and it can’t be helped that people come and go at all hours so sleep (especially at altidude) is fitful at best.
10/10 – OnTop Ltd did a fantastic job of organising our trip – even when I initially forgot to pay the full amount I owed the reminder was polite and respectful. Already looking out of my office window thinking of what my next trip to the mountains / hills might be.” Nigel F & Son., UK

“Guide: JB was a great fit for us. He was a wealth of technical information, able to explain concepts clearly, and was pro active about learning new words from us about how to describe things better in English.  He was attentive but not overbearing and was conscious of when we wanted to interact, and when we wanted to spend time alone as a couple. It was a pleasure chatting with him about his life experiences and life philosophy. He was personable and relatable which helped build a good client bond. We trusted him completely, and he was almost always accurate in gauging our ability to complete an obstacle. Definitely a patient guide with an ability to push and motivate when needed. General trip organization / communication: Adequate information via email, and fast responses were much appreciated. I did notice that the prices of mountaineering gear was significantly less expensive in the Mont Blanc region than where I was coming from (Tokyo, Japan). There were many deals, which may have been associated with the summer season. Depending on arrival time, it would have been nice to have some store recommendations for some last minute items prior to the first day with JB. JB recommended a couple of places for us when we met, and we had a few hours to look around after the first day on the glacier. Itinerary: Very satisfied with the successful change in plans from summiting Mont Blanc, to doing some technical training, rock climbing, ice climbing, and snow hiking in the Aguille du Midi area. It was the right amount of physical exertion and included a little fear for excitement and challenge. The first light day of getting to know JB and the equipment was really memorable on the glacier. It was a good pace and a smooth way to start the trip. It was a confidence booster. The late start (0930) for the day we hiked to the Tete Rousse was much appreciated with the jet lag and just getting to know the Mont Blanc area.
Lodging/Food quantity and quality:The Cosmique was lovely. Food was abundant, and beds were not crowded, and were adequate.
9/10, not a 10 just because we did not climb Mt. Blanc which is not your fault at all…😉” Cindy & Michael L., Germany

“Marco – a great guide. On the first day to Tête Rousse he just left us up to our own pace which was appreciated. From then on had a great slow pace that we maintained throughout the summit morning.
I also think marco made a great safety decision to turn back so close to the top. I had the startings of altitude sickness and with whiteout conditions worsening things could of been very different had there been an incident on the way up or down. He also debriefed the day over a beer once we were in Refuge du Goûter – decisions made, different scenarios etc etc
Trip organisation and communications were as expected. We were happy with the “flexibility” Marco offered to attempt a summit with the weather forecast.
Itinerary – good that it can be flexible. Also lucky the refuges were able to shuffle bookings around. I understand that this may not be possible later in the season when they are full.
Having read a lot on the Refuges I was pleasantly surprised after the massive amounts of negative feedback that they get. Great guardians, plentiful food and fantastic locations!
10/10 I’d recommend ON TOP” Jo M., New Zealand

“It was a magnificent experience and very special to share as a father and daughter.  Stephane was an excellent guide. Exceptional knowledge of the mountain and had the days impeccably scheduled.
Communication was great. We had all the info we needed.  Itinerary was great. Mountain climbing huts — what could be better. 9/10: But my wife is the only one I’ve ever given a 10. Thanks again. Memorable experience.”
Ryan & Maggie S., IL, USA

“The Mont Blanc Summit went really well, extremely lucky on day two when reaching the summit was perfect weather. Yes Stephane was good as a guide, we where able to meet the night before for a quick check of equipment, before setting off the next morning. It would of been good if he spent a little bit of time after reaching Tete Rousse hut in making sure that you are walking correctly in the crampons and give you some tips to help you out. The communication side was extremely good, nothing to fault there. The Ontop itinerary pack is good to read through and check that you have the correct clothing and easy to understand. Both huts where good to stay in, the Gouter hut does offer better food then the Tete Rousse hut.
I would recommend completing the Mont Blanc Summit to other people, but as long as they have very good fitness/ endurance to give them the best possible chance in completing it. Subject to altitude and weather conditions. Also as long as they are aware of the environment/ conditions/ risk that they may encounter.
Score 9/10.
It would of been good if there was the option to hike from Bellevue Cable Car up to Tete Rousse Hut, just for the experience and to fill up the day more. Once you reach Tete Rousse Hut in the afternoon, there isn’t much you can do, beside rest for the next day, which is understandable. I understand you may not offer this option, to minimise the risk of getting to tired after completing the first day.” Chris T., Australia

“Ervin was perfect for me. He actually wanted to stop and take pictures even more often than I did! He obviously thrilled to the beauty of the mountain. He was also completely patient with my 68-year-old pace. He never appeared frustrated with me. In fact, he seemed proud that I could manage the climb. He did everything he could to help me, even lacing my crampons when I was slow with it. He encouraged my use of poles which helps my injured knees, and took them from me when I needed both hands to scramble up the rocks. His paramount concern for safety was obvious and he kept me on a short leash when there was high exposure. His English was more than adequate and he shared his interesting views of the world with me. He took care of all arrangements at the huts and train efficiently and helped me feel comfortable at every turn. Ervin negotiated our itinerary in a collaborative manner, agreeing to attempt the summit on day 2, but starting early in the morning rather than the middle of the night, which he persuaded me afforded equal safety and allowed more than enough time. He was right. He has many friends on the mountain, and we shared dinners, conversations and congratulations with them along the way. His company added to the rich and rewarding experience of the climb. And as my wife hoped, he kept me safe. Thank you for all of your assistance.” Maury E., MA, USA

” Geoffrey is a real professional and was very patient with me. Communication was really excellent from your office. I would certainly recommend On Top.”
—Paddy W., Ireland

” Philippe was very knowledgeable and careful and was a good balance between wanting to summit and perfectly willing to not if conditions or circumstances were not right. So basically putting safety first ahead of summiting
Can you be more specific in your info regarding the boots to bring. Based on the info I brought Goretex boots that had the special heel to attach crampons so they are made for snow mountaineering, but when Philippe inspected our gear before departing he said my feet may not be warm enough when summiting on the 3rd day so I bought extra thick mountaineering wool socks and this wasn’t enough as my feet started freezing around 14,000 ft and I could not go on. Almost everybody I saw used these high end “La Sportiva” boots. I would highly recommend OnTop be very specific in terms of the model of boots to bring.
Itinerary was good, 3 days to ascend and descend seems reasonable although the 3rd day ascending from Gouter and descending all the way down can be very tiring although once you summit I want to get down as quickly as possible
Food was surprisingly good for remote mountain huts, Gouter hut had running water in the sinks. Would have been nice if the Tete Rouse hut had running water in the sinks
10/10 – I think you guys are very organized and responsive ”
—Kevin B., TX, USA

” Had a SPECTACULAR trip. Thanks a million for facilitating it. What can I say about Stephane that could be anything but good?! He’s like a mix between my favourite uncle and my older brother. Super cool under stress, and very experienced. His time in the mountains previously gave me quite a bit of confidence.I appreciated the timely responses, as well as honoring my request to summit straight from Tete Rousse. (It kicked my butt, btw.) Definitely a 10/10…already recommended!”
—Nathan M., UT, USA

” I wanted tell you what a GREAT time our group had in Chamonix this past week. The logistics went off like Swiss clockwork. Our guides – Didier and Viet- were terrific. We felt safe in their hands and acquired additional Mountaineering skills that will be useful in the future. The staff at the Vert were kind and helpful. Of course summiting Mont Blanc was the icing (literally) on the cake. We appreciate your assistance organizing this fantastic experience.
On Top provided excellent resources for our trip and tailored a climbing itinerary that met our timing and skill levels. 1 climber did not summit, however this was his issue. The guides were thoughtful about discussing his deficiencies.
European and U.S. Guiding is different in there is more “babysitting” in the U.S. ( probably from a liability standpoint). It’s important that U.S. Climbers understand this and need to be more self-reliant. Veit told that this was our climb. This was refreshing but took a little getting used to. The guides made me feel safe and confident that I would enjoy the climb.
Better communication for the departure to the mountain on the 25th would have been helpful. The printout stated that we would met early morning but we did not meet until 1 pm. Minor point but we have used that time productively. Also there was minor confusion about the gear list ( e.g. Goggles)
Mont Blanc is a bigger tougher mountain than most guiding companies let on to . There are more technical elements than I expected and summit day from the Tete Rousse was a BIG day.”
—Bruce F., VA, USA

” … thank you for setting me up with Andrea .. excellent communication, understanding of this area and depth of experience. . Would do again! ”
—Robb T., CA, USA

Booking

Please read and fill out this additional Reservation Form and FAQ.

Transport options to Chamonix Valley:

The closest airport to Chamonix is Geneva Airport where there are regular airport shuttles to the Chamonix Valley, which takes about 1.5 to Argentiere & 2 hrs to Chamonix.
There are a number of airport shuttle services that provide door-to-door service from Geneva International Airport at very competitive prices for any destination in the Chamonix Valley.
Mountain Drop Offs provides a reliable airport transfer from Geneva to Argentiere or Chamonix for about 40 euro, depending on the time of year.

If you arrive at Zurich airport then travel by train will take 4 hrs via Martigny and Chatelard.

If you arrive into either Paris airport then travel by train will take 4-5 hrs via St. Gervais.

Ideally, arriving in Chamonix, France, a few days before the start of your climb or glacier walk will give you an advantage over arriving simply the day before the start of the program, particularly if you live at sea level. Chamonix is home to a large variety of well-marked hiking trails with stunning views, good vertical, and easy access. Spending nights at altitude is another way to get your body better adapted to the rigours of climbing Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn and Chamonix boasts many comfortable mountain inns and refuges high above the Chamonix Valley floor.
With excellent public transportation throughout the Chamonix Valley, trailheads are easily reached without the need for a rental vehicle.  French trail maps for the Chamonix Valley can be purchased in many of the book stores, climbing stores, and tourist shops. The excellent 1:25,000 map of Chamonix is sufficient to get going on acclimatization hikes prior to your Ontop ascent or guided glacier walk. The well-stocked Maison de la Presse, on the main street in Chamonix, is a superb choice for acquiring maps, guide books and general information about the Alps.https://www.alplib.com/

If you do have a rental vehicle, driving through the 11.6 km Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy and the town of Courmayeur is time well spent. Roughly euro 70 roundtrip, the tunnel is an engineering tour de force as it goes deep below the Mont Blanc itself. Courmayeur, a former Roman garrison town is replete with quaint cobbled streets, great shopping, and amazing Italian cuisine. One of the best hikes in the region is the Mont de la Saxe, a long, difficult hike from Courmayeur to the Bonatti refuge. If you have the time, book a night in this rifugio and enjoy northern Italian fare, great vistas, and a rewarding hike.

Visit our Day-Hikes in Chamonix and Courmayeur page for specific ideas.