Ski touring immersion in the heart of the glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif
In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationMont Blanc Massif - France / Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions17.93 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
For three days of glacial adventure , this high-altitude circuit takes you to the heart of the great Alpine glaciers : Argentière, Saleina, and Trient. From the Col des Grands Montets , the route begins with a spectacular panorama of the Aiguille Verte and the Grandes Jorasses . Roped up and wearing crampons, you cross the Col du Chardonnet before an impressive rappel down to the Saleina Glacier. After this demanding first day, you reach the Trient Refuge , perched at 3,170 meters , for a night in the high mountains. The next day, a long 2,000-meter glacial descent awaits you on the Glacier du Tour, alternating between gentle slopes and technical sections . This comprehensive route, between mountain passes, crevasses, and breathtaking landscapes, offers a unique immersion in the wild, mineral world of the high Alpine altitudes . A challenging itinerary, ideal for mountaineering enthusiasts seeking thrills and unforgettable panoramas.
The highlights
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Three-day glacial crossing between Argentière, Saleina and the Trient
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An unforgettable night in a mountain refuge perched at 3170m in a wild setting
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2000m descent on the Tour Glacier
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
The course requires a certain skill level to ensure the safety of the group and the quality of the experience, which may be verified by the guide. If the skill level is insufficient, access may be refused without alternative or refund.
- You are capable of hiking for 6 hours with up to 1200M of elevation gain on glacial terrain.
- You can ski in all snow conditions, both uphill and downhill, maintaining control and endurance for several hours.
- You are comfortable with heights and rope handling: a rappelling section awaits you on the second day.
- You practice an endurance activity 2 to 3 times a week (min. 2 hours/week).
- You have already participated in at least 2 multi-day ski touring expeditions.
- You carry all your belongings (no assisted carrying): bag with technical equipment, water and picnics.
- You sleep in a mountain refuge in a simple, communal atmosphere focused on the mountains.
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 767 m
- Average daily descent: 900 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
French
English
Hi, my name is August, and I've been a guide in the Norwegian Far North for over eight years. Skiing by the sea, under the Northern Lights, or simply enjoying nature—that's what truly inspires me. Guiding is first and foremost about sharing my passion and helping you discover places I hold dear, all within a safe environment. Experiencing exceptional moments in the heart of nature is my purpose, and that's what I promise you when I accompany you.
⚠️ For this expedition, August may be replaced by another equally experienced guide, depending on availability. All our guides speak English, and many also speak French, to guarantee you an equally enriching experience.
Program
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First peaks and Argentière glacier
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We meet at 9am at the Grands Montets ski lift departure point in Argentière. After being welcomed by the guide and given an overview of the trip, we take the gondola which quickly takes us up into the mountains.
From the arrival, a short climb leads us to the Col des Grands Montets, a true viewpoint overlooking the mountain range.
The descent then takes us to the Argentière glacier, which we climb before reaching the Albert Premier refuge, where we spend the first night.
Day 1 -
Crossing the passes and the Saleina glacier
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the refuge, we set off again on the Argentière glacier to begin the climb towards the Col du Chardonnet.
After putting our skins and crampons back on, we climbed the moraine, then continued up a gentler slope to the foot of the pass. The last few meters were done with crampons on, skis strapped to our packs. A short rappel brought us down to the Saleina Glacier on the other side.
We then cross this glacier along a balcony path, reach the Saleina window, and then the vast Trient plateau. A final climb leads us to the Trient refuge, our stop for the second night.
Day 2 -
Final descent onto the Tour glacier
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 2000 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This final day offers several options depending on the weather and the group's fitness level. In all cases, we climb to the Col du Tour to cross back into France.
We then begin a descent of nearly 2000 m of elevation loss on the Tour glacier: wide gentle slopes at the start, then steeper and more technical terrain as we approach the valley.
We finish our crossing by arriving at the bottom of the valley and share a hot drink to conclude the adventure.
Day 3
Accommodation
Access
We'll meet at 9am in Argentière, Chamonix. The exact meeting point will be given to you 10 days before departure, via the creation of a WhatsApp group.
Go to the starting point
From Paris Gare de Lyon station, take the TGV towards Geneva.
- Departure station > Paris Gare de Lyon
- Paris Gare de Lyon > Geneva Station (3h11)
Once in Switzerland, take two buses from Geneva to Argentière:
- Geneva bus station > Chamonix Sud bus station (1 hour 10 minutes)
- Chamonix Sud bus station > Les Chosalets stop (20 min)
To reach the Grands Montets ski lift car park in Argentière, all you have to do is walk 8 minutes and your adventure begins!
If you do not have a car, please note that we encourage carpooling between participants by creating a WhatsApp group 15 days before departure: an opportunity to get to know each other before even starting your expedition.
Price details
The price includes
- The supervision of a qualified and experienced GHM guide, knowledgeable about the region.
- Accommodation in a comfortable mountain refuge, in a shared room.
- Full board meals (from dinner on day 1 to picnic lunch on day 3).
- The first day's ski lift from the Grands Montets gondola.
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to the meeting point.
- Rental of ski touring equipment: skis, boots, skins, poles and crampons (available for rent when booking).
- Harness, ice axe, crampons and helmet rental (available for rent when booking).
- Everything that is not included in "what is included".
Options
- Ski touring package rental : CHF178.39 / person
- Mountaineering Kit Rental : CHF91.48 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Touring skis and bindings (rental available)
- Ski touring boots (rental available)
- Ski helmet / ski touring helmet
- Telescopic ski poles (rental available)
- Lightweight crampons and ice axes (rental available)
- Safety pack: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe (rental available)
- Pair of ski crampons (rental available)
- Water bottle (min 1.5L)
- Energy snacks (bars, dried fruit, etc.)
- Hiking backpack (35 L) with ski and ice axe attachments
- Lightweight silk sleeping bag liner/down sleeping bag
- Charged headlamp
- A picnic
- Reusable picnic kit (Tupperware, cutlery, fabric bag)
- Waterproof plastic for ID, phone, etc.
- Passport or ID
- Credit card and cash
- Insurance card
- CAF / FFCAM / Alpine Club card (if a member)
- Phone and charger
- External battery / power bank
- Book/notebook and pen
- Multitool / Swiss Army Knife
- Compeed or blister plasters
- Adhesive tape (repairs)
- Small personal pharmacy (ampoule kit, headache/nausea medication)
- Toiletries kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs)
- Microfiber towel
- Toilet paper / moist wipes (biodegradable)
- Earplugs
- Card game or small pocket game
Clothing to bring
- Ski touring pants (hardshell or goretex)
- Long-sleeved T-shirt(s) of “microfibre”/merino type
- Fleece (Consider layering)
- Waterproof jacket with hood, "Gore-tex" type
- Down jacket
- Lightweight gloves
- Warm gloves
- Balaclava / Buff
- Beanie (without pom-pom)
- Sunglasses (cat. 4)
- Ski mask
- Hat or cap
- Technical and warm underwear (Merino wool)
- Warm socks (wool)
- Running tights or long underwear
- Change of clothes
- Comfortable evening clothes + slippers
