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Steep skiing is a discipline that began its development in the 70’s, though some initial recognition dates back to 30’s and beginning of the 40’s; a few celebrated skiers from that period being Armand Charlet, Emile Allais, Louis Agnel, Louis Lachenal e Lionel Terray. On the 7th July 1961 Gerhart Winter and Herbert Zacharias descended the Pallavicini chute at Grossglokner, the first “45°” of skiing.
These noted skiers then progressed to master descents of up to 55°, that of Heini Holzer, of Silvain Saudin, of Patrik Vallencant, then of Daniel Chauchofoin, of Jean Marc Boivin, of Stefano De Benedetti, of Dominique Neuenschwander, of Pierre Tardivel, of Berard Gouvy: through these achievements steep skiing has now become extreme skiing.
If today these names still manage to evoke a sensation of excitement, if their achievements fascinate you, if your personal ski experience is of an adequately high level, why not put yourself to the test along the lines of 45° and 50° ?
The most fundamental factor of this discipline is the in depth understanding of the snow conditions on these particular slopes, an understanding that is gained from experience, that which our Guides have to offer to those who wish to enjoy the thrill and excitement of steep skiing.
Obviously a high technical ski level and experience in fresh and transformed snow conditions is required, but not only; to affront descents of this nature not only the clients skill and experience is important, but also their psychophysical aspect plays a very important role. The Guide reserves the right to verify the clients preparation and experience level in such a way that is agreed upon by both parties.
In consideration of the particular safety aspects of these type of descents, the Guide will take a maximum of 2 clients only, unless otherwise stated.
Here are our 10 Steep Skiing proposed itineraries, within the Monte Bianco massif:
To book please either send us an email at: info@montblanczone.com or phone us at +39 339 3003643.
| | North Face of Mont Blanc du Tacul To begin to gain confidence on steep terrain at high altitude, on slopes of up to 40°, we propose an ascent with skins up to the 4248mt of Mont Blanc du Tacul: from Chamonix we take the cable car up to Aiguilles du Midi then, after the descent to Col du Midi (3544mt) an ascent of aprox. 700mt takes us up one of the routes towards the summit of Monte Bianco.
This descent, that runs directly down the north face, combines a perfect testing area at high altitude with an admirable steep terrain!
| | Gervasutti Couloir on the West Face of the Tour Ronde From Courmayeur, the Monte Bianco cable car takes us up to Punta Helbronner from where we head towards the Combe Maudit, and pass in front of the famous granite “satelliti” of Tacul: just past the North Face of the Tour Ronde we then climb the Gervasutti Couloir with ice axes and crampons, for aprox.
250mt, at the peak awaits a breathtaking 50° descent on skis!
| | Bonatti Couloir at Petit Mont Blanc The Bonatti Couloir descends down the north east side of Petit Mont Blanc, the peak is reached by helicopter. A couloir of 1000mt, with a first section of 45°.
| | Les Periades is a peaked ridge which separates the Mer de Glace from the Leschaux glacier: From Punta Helbronner we descend the classic Valley Blanche run until the plateau beneath the Requin Refuge (2516mt). From here we ascend the Periades glacier with skins, until the ridge. From here there are 2 possibilities of descents, the first takes us through the Leschaux glacier with slopes no steeper than 35° the second choice is through the Capucin glacier with slopes touching 50°.
| | From Punta Helbroner (3470mt) we descent west through the Combe Maudit to then go up aprox. 200mt to the pass at 3518mt. From there are 2 alternatives, both with slopes of 45°, one descends directly down the Entreves Glacier and the other, slightly to the left, descends down the Toula Glacier.
| | Freeriding options from Punta Helbronner From Punta Helbronner ( 3470mt), easily accessible from Courmayeur via the Monte Bianco cable car, it is possible to ski a selection of interesting and demanding descents that finish at the Pavillon lift station. The four great classics are; the “Cesso” Couloir, the “Cavi del Toula”, the Colle del Gigante seracs and the Passarella Couloir. Descents of 45° in places, with the possibility of doing a number of variations in the same day’s skiing.
| | From Chamonix the cable car arrives at Aiguille du Midi at 3843mt and from here, just 200mt down there are two exciting possibilities, both with sections of 50°: the Ronde Glacier descent and the Cosmique Couloir. Both arrive at the intermediate lift station of Plan de l’Aiguille at 2310mt. at Chamonix.
| | The North Face of Monte Bianco A demanding descent of 2500mt, from the 4807mt of the summit of Monte Bianco!
For the first 700mt of the North Face there are two possible itineraries:
One departs directly towards the north of the summit, along the “L’Ancien Passage supèrieur” until the Grand Plateau; the other possibility is to descend towards NNE from Mur de la Cote and from here descend along the “Corridor” of the Rocher Rouges Inferieurs, arriving at the Grand Plateau and finally onto Plan de l’Aiguille.
To arrive at the summit of Monte Bianco there are two possibilities: one is to follow the ski touring itinerary from Refuge dei Grands Mulets (3051mt) or from Refuge Cosmiques (3613mt), the other possibility is to be dropped by Helicopter at Pitons des Italiens to then ascend to the summit.
| | North - East delle Courtes Les Courtes, together with Les Droites and l’Aiguille Verte, dominate the NE side of the Argentiere Valley.
In April of 1977 Serge Cachat-Rosset descended this 750mt slope, of between 43° and 48°, for the first time.
A great classic in impressive surroundings, a wide open descent accessible after an ascent with ice axes and crampons.
Cable car up to the Grand Montets from Argentiere then down to the Argentiere Refuge overnight to then begin the ascent in the heart of the night.
| | The Sperone is to the right of the Brenva, which ends just to the left of the 4304mt of the Colle della Brenva. A great classic on the Italian side of Monte Bianco, first skied by Heini Holzer in 1973, a descent of 800mt with sections of up to 50°. An overnight stay at Bivacco della Fourche is required, accessible from the cable car station at Punta Helbronner.
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