Fresh tracks down the Vallee Noire

The Ski Touring Course participants had such a great day up l’Aiguille du Midi that they forgot to do any ski touring. They took the Aiguille du Midi cable car up from the centre of Chamonix, went to the top point of 3842m and took in the glorious paranomas.

Chamonix as seen from l'Aiguille du Midi lift Waiting for the 2nd lift at Plan de l'AiguilleUta and Sebastien admire the view Mont Blanc massif Chamonix valley looking towards Les Houches as seen from l'Aiguille du Midi Chamonix valley looking towards le Tour as seen from l'Aiguille du Midi The arete of l'Aiguille du Midi Vallee Blanche Smiling at 3842m The arete of l'Aiguille du Midi

After a bit of sightseeing, the group hopped in the Helbronner lift, which links the Aguille du Mid on the French side to Point Helbronner on the Italian side. Normally only open in summer, this life opened on the 23rd of March for the first winter ever, opening up all sorts of skiing and ski touring possbilities. The actual trip is breathtaking, as you are transported over the Glacier du Géant and the start of the Vallee Blanche. The ski tourers and mountaineers on the glacier below look like ants.

 The cute little bubbles of the Helbronner lift Ski tourers on the Glacier du Geant Mont Blanc as seen from Helbronner lift Ski tourers on the Glacier du Geant Looking down towards the Mer de Glace Skiers on the Vallee Noire

Once on the other side, the group was able to descend the Italian side of the Vallee Blanche, also known as the Vallee Noire. Led by Guide Sébastien Laurent, they put in the first tracks!

Guide Sebastien strikes a pose Guide Sebastien rips it up Edson and Sarah smile for the camera Skiers on the Vallee Noire Freshies on the Vallee Noire Mont Blanc as seen from the Vallee Noire Putting in the first tracks Zoe on the Vallee Noire Claire + fresh snow = happy Skiers on the Vallee Noire We Love Powder! Christoph on the Vallee Noire Uta on the Vallee Noire Zoe on the Vallee Noire Edson skis under the Dent du GeantClaire skiing under the Dent du Geant Zoe gets some fresh turns 

Suffice to say that the scenery is amazing…..Skiers on the Vallee Noire

Seracs du Geant on the Vallee Blanche The Mer de Glace Sarah on the Glacier du Tacul Christoph on the Glacier du Tacul Team Freshies Seracs du Geant on the Vallee Blanche Christoph traverses by the Seracs du Geant Christoph shows off his style  Guide Sebastien skis with style Fresh turns for guide Sebastien Fresh snow for Sarah Sarah skis by the Seracs du Geant Claire makes some nice turns The Seracs du Geant as seen from the Mer de Glace

The route then joins up with the Mer de Glace, which is the same as the Vallee Blanche. Guide Sebastien skis between the seracs Claire and Edson on the Mer de Glace The Mer de Glace Smiles after a good day of skiing!

After a luscious day of off-piste skiing in loads of powder, the group took the Montenvers train back down to Chamonix. To be continued…

photo-blog elizabeth 02 Apr 2008