3 days of splitboard touring in the heart 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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DestinationChamonix-Mont-Blanc / Mont Blanc Massif - France
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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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
Embark on a three-day splitboard adventure in the heart of the majestic Mont Blanc massif. This journey immerses you in the fascinating world of high winter mountaineering , combining self-supported ascents, glacial crossings, and long, memorable descents.
Led by a high-mountain guide , you'll hone your skills on a variety of alpine routes. The itinerary alternates between splitboard ascents, technical sections requiring crampons , and glacier crossings. From the Argentière Glacier to the Grandes Autannes , via the Tour Glacier, each stage offers breathtaking scenery.
The warm nights spent in mountain huts punctuate this demanding route, guaranteeing total immersion in the high altitude . An ideal experience for snow sports enthusiasts seeking escape and vast, wild spaces at the summit of the Alps .
The highlights
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3 days of splitboard touring in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif
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Two nights in a mountain refuge for an immersion in the high mountains
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Glaciers, mountain passes and long descents, all guided by a guide
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
- You are very comfortable going downhill, including in difficult snow conditions (powder, hard snow, tracked snow).
- You can ski 6 to 8 hours a day.
- You can climb between 900 and 1200 m of positive elevation gain.
- You practice an endurance sport at least 2 to 3 times a week.
- You are comfortable carrying a 5-8 kg bag daily.
- You have already completed several splitboard outings.
- You have mastered the basics: using skins, conversions and managing effort.
- You know how to use your safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe).
In figures
Ski touring
- Average daily elevation gain: 717 m
- Average daily descent: 1450 m
Management
French
English
Guided by a certified UIAGM high mountain guide.
Program
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Day 1
- Activity Ski touring
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 2000 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We meet at 9am at Grands Montets, in Argentière, to get acquainted with the group and the guide. After a equipment check and a briefing on the itinerary, we take advantage of the area to do several freeride runs and rediscover our feel for the snow.
In the early afternoon, we leave the ski lifts to begin our trek. The skins are fitted to the splitboards and we climb leisurely towards the Argentière refuge, where we spend our first night in the heart of the massif.
Day 1 -
Day 2
- Activity Ski touring
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we begin a short descent before reaching the Passon moraine. Depending on conditions, this section is done on foot, sometimes with crampons, before we get back on the splitboard to continue the ascent to the Col du Passon. The last few meters are again done on foot to cross the pass safely.
We then descend beneath the imposing north face of the Chardonnet before putting our skins back on to cross the Glacier du Tour and reach the Col Supérieur du Tour. A long descent on the glacier leads us to the Albert Ier refuge, accessible after a final short climb. We spend the night there.
Day 2 -
Day 3
- Activity Ski touring
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 1750 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
For this final day, we leave the refuge and head towards the ridge above. After a splitboard ascent, we cross the last few meters with crampons before descending onto the sunny slopes of the Glacier des Grands.
A beautiful, wild descent leads us to the Combe de la Chaux des Grands, before another climb towards the Grandes Autannes. The last few meters to the summit are covered on foot, then we enjoy a final descent on the north face before climbing back up to the Col de Balme.
We then head to the slopes of the Tour - Vallorcine resort to leisurely complete our route back to the village of Le Tour. A short journey by public transport takes us back to Argentière, where our stay ends in the mid-afternoon.
Day 3
Accommodation
Argentière Refuge.
Albert I Refuge.
Access
Go to the starting point
From the train station to the departure point for Grands Montets:
- On foot: The Grands Montets site and the town centre of Argentière can be reached in about 10 to 15 minutes on foot (1 km).
- By bus (Chamonix Mobility Network - Line 1): Urban buses connect Argentière station to the foot of the Grands Montets cable car/gondola lift in 3 to 5 minutes free of charge (with the Guest Card Pass or ski pass).
- By taxi / private hire vehicle: A local ride takes 3 minutes (expect to pay around €10 to €15 ).
- Grands Montets Parking (Free): Located directly at the foot of the Grands Montets ski lifts (Chemin des Reys), this very large outdoor parking lot is completely free of charge . It is the main parking area, ideal for parking for the day or during activities.
- Argentière Station Parking (Free): Small free outdoor parking located just in front of Argentière station (about a 10-15 minute walk from the foot of the slopes).
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a certified UIAGM high-mountain guide.
- Accommodation in mountain huts (dormitories)
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to picnic lunch on Day 3
- The ski lifts mentioned in the program
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to the meeting point
- Drinks and any personal expenses
- Splitboard kit rental (splitboard, boots, skins, knives, avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe)
- Glacier safety equipment (ice axe, crampons, harness)
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- 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.
