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Mont Blanc to Mont Cinto: Ski Stage

Ski Ascent / Descent of Mont Blanc (4808m) – Saturday the 24th of May to Wednesday the 28th of May

A challenging yet beautiful climb to the summit of Europe on ski-touring ski’s where we plant the “Active Earth for Middle East Peace” flag in the summit to formally commence the trip.

We will set off from Chamonix (1030m) with a five day window to reach the summit of Mont Blanc (4808m) and return by ski / foot. The snow line should be around 2,500m and the first 1500m will be completed by foot. This five day window allows for one to two days acclimatisation, one to two days weather contingency and two days to reach the summit. It is intended to spend the entire five days on the mountain and pick the best time to summit the Mont Blanc, taking into account the weather all other relevant factors. We will be accompanied by qualified UIAGM high mountain guides and accommodation is in Mountain Refuges and before and afterwards in club members’ apartments or local hotels in Chamonix.

COMPETENCE / FITNESS REQUIRED

Ski-touring experience, including kick turns on relatively steep slopes along with competent off-piste skiing. Snowboarders can also participate with snow shoes for the ascent, but must have prior experience of high mountain and glacier crossings.

COSTS

The event is being organised by Events and Activities (UK) Ltd, a specialist in charity challenges who have created some of the most successful outdoor challenges in the UK and have helped to raise millions of pounds for worthy causes.

Registration and Administration Costs: £50 / 70 Euros. This is essential for all participants and covers the organisational administrations and logistics of your involvement.

STAGE 1 – Ski Stage - £380 / 500 Euros (Guiding costs)This cost covers a ratio of 1 UIAGM mountain guide per 2 participants on the Mont Blanc Ascent / Descent and a ratio of 1 guide to 6 on the ski-touring / acclimatisation stage. If you are a highly experienced mountaineer or skier and are happy to guide yourself you can join us for free. There will be additional costs for accommodation costs and food that you will pay for directly.

Go to the Event Home Page

Take Part

Arrive 23rd May in Chamonix, best to arrive early in the day before or the previous night (22nd) if you need to hire ski-touring equipment. This will give you a chance to test out your equipment, this is very important to avoid severe blistering from incorrectly sized boots and to check that all equipment is in good working order.

Travel Options (UK participants):

Active Earth Travel can help you organise travel.

TRAIN

Thurs 22nd May

You can take the Eurostar – London to Paris (6pm / 6.30pm latest) Change for the 10.25pm Corail Lunea sleeper train from Paris Austerlitz to St Gervais (20 mins from Chamonix), arrives 9am Fri 23rd May.

Outbound – If returning after ski-stage then return on the 9.50 pm train the 28th May, change at Paris, return by Eurostar, arrive 9.15am 29th May. Approx cost £250.

FLIGHT

Fly to Geneva on Thurs 22nd or Friday 23rd May (am).

General – Leave plenty of time to hire ski touring equipment. Note you cannot use downhill ski-boats so you must hire or buy ski-touring boots and you must make time to test them before commencing. If your equipment is not suitable you must return and you may be unable to rejoin the group. Remember you are responsible for your own arrival and equipment provision. We will do our best to help you.

Accommodation:

Nights of Thurs 22nd / Fri 23rd May: Contact us, you should be able to stay with other Active Earth club members for free or if this is not available or if you prefer you can take a hotel in Chamonix.

Train Station / Airport Transfers to Chamonix:

Please contact Active Earth Travel if you need help to organise this as many of the usual transfer operators may not be running a service as the skiing season will have ended. We will do our best to help you out for as low a cost as possible.

Clothing / Equipment:

Goggles / Sunglasses offering adequate UV protection
Gore-tex shell skiing jacket
Windproof inner or fleece inner (these must be separable from main jacket)
Ski-trousers and a pair of under trousers (close-fitting lyrca)
Rucksack 35L minimum (capable of carring ski’s)
Helly Hansen type long-sleeved top, plus spare.
High quality / high-altitude skiing socks
Avalanche transceiver (we can supplier these)
Shovel / Probe (we can supplier these)

If you are hiring equipment you must send us details of height, weight and shoe size.