SKI TOURING SPOTS
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LEONARD PIERREL
Born 29 years ago in a Vosges resort, Léonard moved to Chamonix several years ago.
SEE BIOGRAPHY
CHAMONIX, HIS FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND
Ever since I moved to Chamonix, I've naturally turned to ski touring, with the aim of moving freely in the mountains with my friends.
The Chamonix valley and the Mont-Blanc massif open the doors to mythical and accessible places where you can discover the terrain of the high mountains at any level.
So I'm going to share with you my top 3 ski touring spots around Chamonix so that you too can explore these incredible places.
SPOT 1: THE FLÉGÈRE (AIGUILLES ROUGES, VALLON DE BÉRARD)
Ever since I moved to Chamonix, I've naturally turned to ski touring, with the aim of moving freely in the mountains with my friends.
The Chamonix valley and the Mont-Blanc massif open the doors to mythical and accessible places where you can discover the terrain of the high mountains at any level.
So I'm going to share with you my top 3 ski touring spots around Chamonix so that you too can explore these incredible places.
SPOT 2: GRANDS MONTETS (ARGENTIÈRE)
SPOT 3: L'AIGUILLE DU MIDI
The Aiguille du Midi is a landmark in the Chamonix valley and a favourite with international skiers.
This magnificent spot is accessible to all types of skiers without necessarily having to get out their touring skis and just enjoy the 'downhill' aspect in a sumptuous setting thanks to the various itineraries in the Vallée Blanche.
The magical setting of the glacier and its seracs makes this a must-do route for all lovers of beautiful scenery. What's more, crossing the ridge will give you your first taste of ski mountaineering.
For ski tourers, the Aiguille du Midi cable car opens the door to the high mountains, with a multitude of spectacular itineraries all around you. To ski this type of terrain, you need technical and theoretical knowledge. Before taking the plunge, check out specialised websites such as skitour.fr or camptocamp.org to find out about the conditions, and don't hesitate to contact the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix for guidance.
In the Chamonix valley, the possibilities for ski touring are almost endless. The choice of route depends on snow conditions (see Avalanche Risk Bulletin), the ability of the group, the season and weather conditions.
To prepare for your ski touring outings, make sure you're properly equipped. See our article on tips for ski touring outings.