Mont Blanc

Chamonix and Courmayeur, on opposite sides of Mont Blanc, represent the birthplace of alpinism and the epicenter of mountaineering history. A ski trip to these mountain valleys is a necessary pilgrimage for any serious skier. Extreme ski technique was invented on the slopes of Chamonix by living legend Sylvain Saudan, who is still found walking the streets and skiing daily. With classic runs including the Vallée Blanche, the Pas de Chevre, and the Col du Plan, and the famous Aiguille du Midi tram, it’s no wonder that this is the most hyped location in the Alps.

If you want to get on the steep stuff, our UIAGM guides are ready to bust out the ropes and get you right into it. The Glacier Ronde, the Couloir Cosmiques and a dozen other classics beckon. But rest assured, there are also dozens of less-extreme options that are just as spectacular. And by night, you’ll rest easy in a cozy old-world hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant.

The Courmayeur side is not as busy, and being Italy, la dolce vita prevails. But the skiing is just as fantastic and the food is even better. With the option of ski-touring from some of Mont Blanc’s satellite areas, and even heliskiing in Valgrisenche, a trip to Chamonix and Courmayeur is an adventure every skier deserves. 

Fly into Geneva’s Cointrin International Airport, where you’ll meet your EpicQuest guides for the one-hour private van transfer to Chamonix. Itineraries typically arrive in Geneva early Saturday morning, departing Europe the following Sunday.

The Chamonix Valley is one of the mountain world’s most impressive spectacles. Impossibly steep, with needle-like “Aiguilles” lining the ridgelines. Even more impressive is the ambitious lift system that access these mountains; one trip on the Aiguille du Midi tram and you’ll never see a ski lift the same again. You’ll be skiing in the high alpine, so harnesses and other crevasse-rescue gear are imperative. The glacial skiing, classic steep faces and long ski-touring potential are second to none. This is what makes Chamonix the epicenter of ski alpinism. But the powder fields on the Grand Montets, the mom-and-pop feel of Le Tour and Vallorcine and the buzzing downtown make Chamonix accessible to all levels of skiers.

The Mont Blanc Massif is the Alps’ highest peak and weather can be just as extreme as the mountains themselves. Typical winter storms track from the Northwest, and if it’s raining in Paris, you can expect snow in Chamonix next. Huge (as much as 9000’) altitude gains from the lift system ensure a variety of conditions over the course of a day, from high-altitude chill to spring skiing warmth. In the spring months, conditions generally stabilize with chances for quick dumps followed by clear weather.