World’s Longest Ski Run: Vallée Blanche in Chamonix, France

[@evaseed2861]

My husband and I did VB back 1968. With no guide. The stupidest thing we have ever done. The steep steeps on the edge of the ridge was terrifying. We of course carried our skis and poles. The steps were icy. That is the most scared I have ever been in my 77 years. There were wooden sticks in the snow with a thin rope, which never would have held anyone in case of a fall. The next dumb thing we did was to go off pist about 20 feet, sat down had our picknick and a bottle of wine. We staid about an hour, as we stood up to continue we noticed about 2 feet behind where we sat a huge crevasse had opened!! Obviously it had been hidden by snow that melted. That ski adventure could have ended our lives right there. We are still married 55 years later and now days we do cross country. I grew up in Goteborg Sweden and met my American husband in Chamonix. We now live in Rhode Island. Obviously the glacier in '68 was completely different and we skied back to Chamonix. There were an incredible amount of crevasses and some blood drenched snow around several of them since there had been helicopter rescues as it was common for people to fall in. People like us without guides. And obviously some deaths.

[@nanskiboutski243]

That was fascinating to read. Glad you are still around to tell us about it

[@TomJones-tx7pb]

yeah I was there in the 80s and decided to pass on this. I have known quite a few people get into severe accidents/die on mountains. The most recent was the son of a friend who skied down Mt Rainier in WA, USA. Right at the end his guide went over a snow bridge and he followed and the bridge collapsed taking him into an under snow river. Took weeks to recover the body.

[@gillesmatheronpro]

As a French guy (formely living with a Swedish woman), a ski instructor and avid sportsman, I only can understand (and back) your story. Every winter, news about accidents pop up several times per month during winter. Many times have i gone out of indentified tracks, but always within sights of the resort's equipments. And when going in the wild during winter, it was always with a local guide so someone would always know where they/we are. Playing safe is the surest way to play long ! Aside from this, I can say Swedish Ladies often come to France... for the better. From my point of view, at least. 😉

[@eventtrading]

You made it . Congrats. That was the smartest thing you've ever done.

[@simonbennett9561]

That's a great story! The evolving ski culture is always interesting, but it's also funny how much the big things stay the same. I hope to stay on my skis for as long as you and your husband have.

[@ageoflove1980]

What this guide does for a living scores pretty high on the best job in the world list I'd say.

[@VilleValpuri]

Well, you can ruin any wonderful activity, by making it your job.

[@alexzan1858]

This is an extremely dangerous job. Just look at valle blanche crevasse on youtube. A seasoned guide died three weeks ago by falling 20m during foggy weather. This video is glorifying extremely dangerour offpiste skiing. The crevasse drops can literally be 60feet or more.

[@ageoflove1980]

@@alexzan1858 No I don't think it does. Because you can clearly see how careful and knowledgable the guide is. You can hear him criticising dangerous behaviour, like the guy making the jump. He makes abundantly clear that it is dangerous and how you should behave to make it work.I think it's a valuable lesson: If you do it, do it like this. Plus of course the important lesson about the real impact of climate change. This guy obviously deeply cares, so I think it's a great video.

[@DanishValkyrie]

@@ageoflove1980 Kind of like watching the dutch government videos on youtube that explain how to do certain drugs, because they rather want people to be well informed about the dangerous activities that they will do, regardless of what they'd say.

[@samuelteegeer2721]

@@ageoflove1980 I am from the French alps and you are wrong. Those dude work on their own dime most times. They make 300E a day and have to take incredible idiots at some point and this is the danger. People lying about their skills to the guides. This is a fucking dangerous job and often people die or get handicaped. Still many of them love it. Edit:: My friend goes the mont blanc at least 20 times a year and has to have at least 250 Working days to feed his family. So around 250 Trips and People each year and mostly very dangerous routes. Those alpine ski route in the video is one of the easier ones.

[@jeremyprice679]

This was my dad's commute! He was a Cosmique, based above the Aguille du Midi in 1949 studying cosmic rays, and whenever the teleferique broke down that's how they got home to Chamonix.

[@jlehm]

Lucky man.

[@VilleValpuri]

How did they go up?

[@jeremyprice679]

@@VilleValpuri by what was not much more than a tray, from a station in Chamonix

[@nanskiboutski243]

Ton papa fait littéralement partie de "l'Histoire de Chamonix"

[@jeremyprice679]

@@nanskiboutski243 vraiment!

[@douglaskaye1395]

I skied that run in 1983, way more snow then than now. On the way up we saw ski tracks down near vertical shoots, tracks from the legendary extreme skier Patrick Vallencant. He was killed in a BASE jumping accident. I just couldn’t imagine how he did it. Amazing run thanks for sharing.

[@sierrabcski]

You are probably mixing up Vallencant with Jean-Marc Boivin. Boivin died base jumping off Angel Falls and Vallencant died in a climbing accident. They were both steep skiers living in Chamonix in the ‘80s.

[@riog4113]

Chutes

[@Sailor376also]

I have skied that couloir. It is every bit as imposing from above as below. Yes, it avalanched. I was the third one down that day. My two friends had chain linked their turns in the deep powder. I was the guy that tried,,laughing, tried to cut the center of each figure 8. Didn't do so well. And when the slope began to travel with me, I straightened my skis out and fairly flew to the end of the enclosing sides, a swoop to the right at some astronomical speed and the avalanche sped past me. We spent the entire day, sun, deep snow, few people, late January, early February, before the French school vacations, on that run, with a couple of stops to drink wine or beer, eat cheese, sausages, bread, made it to the hotel nearing midnight. An old has been now, remembering a single run, an amazing day 40 years ago. It is just possible, I, or one of my two friends were who you saw. Luke,, was the guide, Dave, a physician from Minnesota? and myself Dean. And yes, I have worn a parachute off a cliff, skis on, landed miles away, St. Anton, Austria. (1987?)

[@CrefloMack]

One of your greatest videos to date. Glad to put the voice to the skiis, never knew which one of you guys were skiing or if it was stock footage. I truly think this is the most comprehensive and informative pages out there...Keep up the good work especially showing all of u how great the skiing is in Europe!

[@dhowe5180]

This brings back vivid memories. I skied the VB back in 2018 in March and got it in much better snow conditions, about 8 inches of fresh. I remember the ice tunnel at 2:40 feels like the point of no return. Once you step on to that ridge you’re committed. The Chamonix guides are fascinating people and look like they were born on a glacier. I was able to ski all the way to the base of the stairs with no trouble. Those were the toughest stairs I’ve ever done after several hours skiing down. I’ve never been more exhausted or dehydrated. Our guide told us that it’s rare for skiers to ski beyond the stairs as it’s mostly just a road bed back to Chamonix (not in the glacial valley) and nearly everyone takes the train back to town. Breathtaking scenery the whole way down. We stopped for lunch just below the ice fall and a small avalanche occurred just above us. They say intermediates can ski it but I agree that you need some real skills and a little bit of courage. To this day it’s the highlight of my 50 years of skiing. The sella ronda in Italy is a close second tho.

[@AllLoudOscarJulian]

Had to throw your Climate Change BS didn't you? What a way to ruin a perfect video.

[@dhowe5180]

@@AllLoudOscarJulian what…..the hell..are you talking about?

[@ownrc]

@@AllLoudOscarJulianclimate change is genuinely affecting these glaciers, if you’re too stupid to understand factual science, that’s your problem. As you can see, the sane majority of people who watch this video see the devastation that heat has put on this part of the world in recent years. He did not try to make the video political, climate change has NOTHING to do with politics and it is not a “liberal” idea. Climate change is affecting you on your drive to work every day and you’re too dumb to realize it. I feel sad for you, but am also jealous of your blissful ignorance.

[@utahdiner7601]

@@AllLoudOscarJulian He literally talks about climate change in the video.

[@ClaBacchio]

Sellaronda is fantastic, but this one seems way more majestic and adventurous!

[@petermacleod5710]

I did that 40+ years ago, i weep to see how little of the glacier is left we did the last ladder climb a very short distance up the calley side.

[@kornofulgur]

Never did the Vallée Blanche but I visited the Mer De Glace's ice cave around the same time. To see the glacier gone when we had a solid fifty meters thick of ice under our feet is heartbreaking.

[@finyyc]

Weep? Really? From Roman times to 1350 the glaciers were MUCH SMALLER than now. Only from 1400 to about 1850 did they grow. Now they are returning to normal. No big deal. Unless those Romans with their big V8 diesel chariots caused the earlier global warming.

[@simonmclean846]

I did this in 2006 and we skied all the way down to the valley down switch backs which came out at le planard nursery slopes. It’s so sad to see how much of the glacier is gone in such a short time

[@tito2735]

@@finyyc the point is how quickly it is happening now

[@inb5488]

@@tito2735 Oh please don't start with this climate change bs

[@sergeigasilov7307]

Did that twice in one day back in 2013. My guide was impressed, my legs weren't. The most beautiful part was skiing right though a deep long crevasse - a narrow winding tunnel with blue ice and wall-ride turns. First and last time in my life I paid a guide and it was 100% worth it.

[@QuinnMTB]

I skied Vallee Blanche last winter with my parents, two days after they had gotten 18 inches of snow . I can attest to the danger or crevasses, because a snow bridge collapsed as my mom skied over it. She didn’t fall in but she had to get evacuated in a helicopter with her leg being fractured in 5 spots and tearing her acl and mcl.

[@jwernig78]

this video is absolutely incredible. Would LOVE to see more guided backcountry run videos from North America. the pacing of the video and the way you explained everything was absolutely perfect. No one else is making content like this. Keep it up!

[@dereknewbury163]

I really enjoyed that. As an intermittent and only intermediate level skier from the UK, the Vallee Blanche was always on my 'love to do' list. At 77, that is now unlikely and so your video was a great substitute vicarious experience for me. Thank you and good luck with your future expeditions

[@Bidweezy]

I obviously haven't seen you ski, but I know a couple of older guys and people without a load of experience do it. I think a good guide and probably some fitness is the key for doing it (FYI, I'm definitely not an expert haha). If you change your mind and decide to try it, I'll wish you all the best Derek! All the best mate :)

[@Cant111]

It's never too late mate, I know some 80 year olds in Grenoble French Alps going to Alpe d'Huez like 10 times a year, you can still do it!

[@patchcuratolo5201]

Wow the placard on the stairs vs the glacier was quite shocking I’ve never seen such a receding since I looked at my hairline

[@zebastinio]

I did the VB in 2006. When were on the platform, a man fell down the narrow edge. He was lucky and got hold of a rope that was streched along the side of the mountain. If he hadn't done that he would have fallen to his death. Crazy start to the day.

[@johnshields3658]

Skied this in 2016 in what our guide thought were the best conditions he'd seen in 25 years. Beautiful snow and weather and not too many people about. What a day.

[@notgonnalie2956]

would you like to share complete trip cost for 1 person? what sources did u used?

[@johnshields3658]

@@notgonnalie2956 Sources? As to costs, I'm afraid I have no idea - it's almost a decade ago, sorry!

[@Caarle1312]

Damned. I did the Vallée Blanche a couple of times as a teenager 15 years ago, it's shocking to see how much the glacier, as your guide explains, shrinked. Thanks for the video, brings back incredible memories (pretty exhausting run though).

[@AndyHadden-ee6bt]

I last skied off the Aiguille du Midi in 2010 and I am really shocked from your video how much the Mer de Glace has receded and dropped in volume since then (14 years I guess). It was a longish walk in gear up to the gondola taking you back to the Montenvers train but not too bad. There was also an ice tunnel they had made in the glacier directly below the gondola so tourists could walk “inside” the glacier. There looks to be no ice there for that now! Also fascinatingly, there is a museum near the montenvers train top terminus with paintings of the Mer de Glace in the 17th century. It went all the way down to Les Bois - a suburb of Chamonix on the valley floor!

[@antonioa.pillitteri9845]

there is still the ice cave, it's position obviously had to be changed a lot of times thought the years

[@PankajJainOttawa]

We were there on Feb 25, 2024. They still make the tunnels every year. Mer de Glace is not 100M thick instead of 300M about 30 years back!

[@dmitripogosian5084]

17 century was kind of towards the end of mini ice age (when the skated routinely Dutch canals)

[@IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

You learn more when you start from the bottom and climb up compared to when you start from the top and ski down. Right on brother!

[@AschwandenJakob]

In 1984 I was still fit enough to ride this route to Chamonix twice in one day. It was possible to enter the descent directly after the exit. It's true advanced skills are highly recommended. Altitude acclimation is also a factor. Without it, participants risk high illness symptoms, such as headaches and nausea.😁

[@macmurfy2jka]

That was me! Practically drunk at the top. Still a great day skiing!

[@annoyingspore-ecosolar]

I can never remember the altitudes around there but isn't Mint Blanc not really so bad? I know Mt Elbris in Georgia is higher but...even 15 to 18000ft I don't think is too bad but ...what is it in meters?

[@macmurfy2jka]

@@annoyingspore-ecosolar the top of the Aigguille du Midi is at 3900M or 12600 ft and Mont Blanc is at 4800M or 15800 ft. Going straight up to nearly 1300 ft from 3000 ft was enough to get be badly. I am of Sicilian/Irish/Bavarian heritage, but live at sea level. I have always had issues with altitude, so it was no surprise that I felt such a way.

[@John572d4]

@@macmurfy2jka3000 feet that is not very high, if meters maybe

[@macmurfy2jka]

@@John572d4 yep the valley floor, Chamonix is at about 3000 feet. The Aiguille Du Midi is at 13000 feet. That’s about 10000 feet. And it you do that with the tram, it’s about 1000 ft per minute.

[@donnawoodward3163]

Wow this takes me back to when I (American) lived in Chamonix in the 80s and 90s with my then husband (a Chamonard). It's heartbreaking to see the change in the glacier. I miss living there but thank you for capturing such a majestic part of the region. It is a gorgeous place in this incredible world.

[@FendCore]

As a kid, I did the Vallée Blanche 3 times a day with a college friend. Didn't realised how lucky I was at that time... Later I worked at the Aiguille du Midi summit, even slept few times up there. Priceless memories! At the time we were able to ski down to Chamonix very often. The changes are impressive!

[@chrisdaley5175]

I did this run in 1986 with a guide. I recall the tunnel and rope handrail but no issues with crampons or ropes attached. I stemmed around a huge serac the size of a house and the crevasses noted by my guide Jean Marie. Clouds surrounded much of the aguilles Le Dru and Les Jorasses but the views gorgeous all the same.😊

[@philipmartin3902]

Sad to see the glacier melt so much since I skied it last in 2013 or so. A lot depends on the conditions, but you can usually get 2-3 runs in. There's also some steeper routes and long chutes off the top (excluding the north face which basically is unskiable for most people).

[@24carrot_]

Its tragic how climate change is going to affect glaciers in future years. Skiing in the alps seems to me like its dying with the lack of snow. Japan and North America look like they will hold up for a bit longer but you can already see the effects on them as well. Really just depressing stuff, especially when you hear terms being thrown around in the ski world like "possible final descents". An example is when Cody Townsend skied the combatant last year and realised the névé (permanent snow) had receded forever. I think it's best we try and enjoy whatever snow we have left because you never know if it'll have the same amount of snow it did when you skied it before.

[@thecheesanator7980]

Yeah I think this year I skiied about 10 days max? Just not enough snow around me. And what sucks is if I travel far to go to a good mountain, I contribute to the reason why the winters are warmer.

[@ssjAnnaPaquin]

​@thecheesanator7980 this winter was awful, I went to mad river glen on the first week of march and almost every run had massive bare patches on it, it was so depressing.

[@brittanywhiteley9303]

It really is tragic tbh I live in Pennsylvania and I haven't skied in over 10 years for a variety of reasons. I have fond memories of skiing at Elk Mountain in Late March with my dad in the late 2000s/early 2010s with almost their entire footprint open even that late in the season. I was considering trying skiing again this winter but after looking at conditions and such it was honestly too depressing for me to head out. PA used to have some excellent (albeit small compared to elsewhere) places to ski, but it seemed like every single resort anywhere near me (even ones with robust snowmaking) really struggled to get their full footprint open - even once they did by mid February, most got it washed out by rain this past week or so. While some places claim they are going to try and hold out until next weekend (March 16-17), I highly doubt most will be able to do so since they're already dealing with significant terrain closures, thin cover, and temps way too high for any snowmaking. It's tragic, but it feels like skiing in the Mid-Atlantic is not long for this world. :/

[@adammorrow7876]

We are all victims!!😂😂😂😂

[@paulanthony1689]

You know California just got like 10 feet of snow...

[@GwenGreenberg]

One of your best videos. A wonderful close up of something many of us would otherwise never see. Thank you!

[@grizzkid795]

I skied this in 1987 without a guide and don't remember any problems, but you did have to be careful with your line and follow the main track. I skied all the way to Chamonix without taking the skis off, but had to climb up over the moraine to get to a road that was skiable right into town. After a week of skiing the regular runs at all the ski areas, I skied with Patrick Vallencant for another week, only skiing off piste, including a helicopter flight to the top of the Grandes Jorasses to ski into Italy. I look back and am blown away thinking about that trip.

[@ericmillard3413]

My wife and 20 year old son skied this in 1991. Your guide was a big step up on our guide who led our small group from the front in French and Italian without ever looking back to check that we were still with him. I would say that we missed out on most of the spectacular views because we were otherwise involved looking for crevasses. What an experience though. Oh to be 45 again and go skiing with Jean.

[@fribersson]

Appreciate Jean's English. 20 years ago it was really uncommon. Not easy to learn at a later age. Bravo Jean, c'est super et merci, quel guide excellent! :-)

[@suzannadannaTARDIS]

Having Jean as a guide was the way to go. What a wealth of information he provided to you!

[@will3057]

Proud to say I did that at seven years old. Full day trip, the skiing wasn't great but the views and experience overshadowed it.

[@alreadycalledellie]

SEVEN YEARS OLD???!!!??

[@Ripsie]

7 years is wild

[@darylblain4710]

Sad to see how much it has receded. I did it several times in 2004 and 2005. We could ski all the way down. Last time we did it was May 1st 2005, it was the day after the official end of season, so all other lifts were closed, it dumped a good 30-40cm that night so we decided to do the Mer de Glass. What we didn't count on is that they took the guide ropes away on the first Ridge, that was scary.

[@jmriph2460]

Once managed to do three Grand Envers laps in a day in 2004 when I was semi young and skied 100+ days a year. The ladders to the train were brutal last time up : )

[@lorcanduffy9590]

I’m so happy you guys did this trip it’s such an interesting perspective on European vs American slopes and resorts

[@danielledircken1880]

I did that in 1998 en I am still excited about that marvelous experience. Thank you for this beautiful video of your descend. Because at that time, we couldn't take so much photos & video. And it's still amazing.

[@ericfredrickson129]

Wonderful video- the best I've seen of the Mer De Glas. I was there in the early 90's and again about 7 years later. It was stunning how much the glacier had receded even just in those 7 years. Since then the pace of melting has gotten absolutely insane. And all over the world, that's happening. All that water has to go somewhere. The pace of global warming is accelerating so much, and the glaciers are the "canary in the coal mine" showing the impact. Videos like yours do a great job of showing the beauty and the tragedy that's a consequence of so many humans burning so much dirty fuel to facilitate modern life. When people see the impacts with their own eyes, they become believers. Sadly it's now far too late to avoid catastrophic effects, but if we can get our governments to force a transition away from "profitable pollution" to non-polluting energy sources as fast as we can, we might *just* be able to keep some parts of this planet habitable for our grandkids. We know what to do, intellectually, but we don't know if we'll be able to get profit-driven industries and politicians to do what's needed. Only future generations will know whether we succeeded or not.

[@bamwa]

there's already unstoppable feedback loops from methane and melting permafrost. it's really gonna heat up when the ice is gone too. Humans are a cancer on this planet.

[@mahdue9620]

I’m sure them carving all the snow with their skis is not impacting the snowpack at all

[@TheHennes36]

It is tragic and even more so because unfortunately NOT all people know what we have to do - in fact they are even neglecting the very existence of climate change (no matter if such videos as this one CLEARLY show how its manifesting faster and faster)

[@TheHennes36]

​@@mahdue9620 While I personally agree and for myself decided to stop skiing 5 years ago it has not been without a heavy heart. I don't want to blame people that ski - and videos like this are actually good as they make it graspable what's happening and show it to a broader audience

[@starbucksk2]

Did this 50 years ago when it was fun almost all the way down without a guide. It was epic. especially up high in the Vallee with miles of snow fields. It felt unworldly breathing in the cold thin and air looking down on other great peaks..Regret never returning.

[@John-hq6em]

I skied the Vallee Blanche almost 40 years ago, as hard as that is to believe. We were able to ski right down into town.

[@Daz555Daz]

Did this in 1997 with a mixed group of boarders and skiers. We got so lucky with the snow and made fresh tracks for much of the way down.

[@SilverSeraph913]

I have been a fan of you channels for a while. With your informative guides, we were able to plan a great trip in Tahoe in January, hitting multiple resorts. But this is one of your best videos yet. The hike down the ridge and the description of the run itself was already great. But the peak was the section on the hike out and glacier recession levels. It really clearly puts into context what may be just ahead for this sport we love, and indeed the wider world.

[@24slipknot]

Went there last year in January. Did a day trip from Geneva and it was an absolute perfect day. Highly recommend getting the lift pass. Dress warm because it was -25 Fahrenheit the day I went up!

[@harriporo796]

By the way, the Chamonix Guide Company has 30 guides called Jean. I'm guessing he was Mr. Jean Beche?

[@PeakRankings]

Jean Blanchard!

[@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549]

Oui!

[@garethonthetube]

This was a really well made video. I did this route in 1995 and there was enough snow to ski all the way back to Chamonix. Even though it's not technically that hard, it's worth hiring a guide who can take you to the more interesting parts.

[@__Nate__]

Thank you very much Jéan for showing us the ways around this massive run!

[@Gary-wh7ce]

Man, this video takes me back. I was snowboarding with the Scottsdale Sea and Ski Club in 2004 and on the day we were there it was a whiteout and that little hut was heaven on earth and great food too.....our course it was standing room only but worth it.....Thanks for posting......

[@madtonesbr]

Seeing that guy taking those reckless jumps was something else man. Risking jumping into a crevasse all for a 3 foot hop you can do on any groomed piste lol

[@Mr.Steve-O]

I was in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the early Fall of 2016 to hike on a day trip from Geneva. I was blown away by the beauty and perfect 70º weather. Actually, it was overwhelming. Would love to go back and ski La Vallée Blanche, but only with a guide after watching this video.

[@douglaskaye1395]

Oh yeah in 1983 we skied all the way into chamonix village!!!

[@mickpowell8503]

Brilliant Video, I have skied the Vallee Blanche/ Mer de Glace twice, both times were different and amazing, you cant appreciate how vast the area is until you zoom in on a tiny dot in the distance and realise it is another skier. What the guide says is 100% right, we skied controlled down may dangerous routes and under overhangs that you went a bit quicker to clear them. First time we were able to go further and had to hike out at the bottom, second time we were able to go up the stairs to the train station. Everyone who skies the Alps needs to do this once. Bon Ski.

[@TwinSkiingLiftsRides]

Never did Vallée Blanche, but I did do a guide day at Le Tour when I skied Chamonix last year. The guides were fun and helpful!

[@markherron1407]

Happy Centennial Anniversary, the winter Olympics held in Chamonix France 100 years ago Happy Easter! Blessings and HUGS 👑💜

[@TheWindseed]

I'm in the French alps now skiing, I'm 51 years old, my mother was born here, I'm a brit. I've seen the snow go away. I've skied the Vallee Blanche at various times. Why are their no slogans on the slopes? Why isn't the ski industry fighting back? Why aren't the skiers fighting back? Like Surfers Against Sewage do. Where are the new brands like Black Crows, Faction, Blizzard etc. in all this? Or the old brands? Climate Change is real and the problem is huge, but Skiing is worth something, it's worth preserving. And so are the mountains.

[@vapeurdepisse]

Fighting back how? Assuming this is caused by pollution, the chinese and other 3rd world countries are the biggest polluters. They have zero accountability or green policies (even though they lie about it but if you dig a little this is easily exposed). Europe has a ton of restrictions on pollution and the US is trending that way as well.

[@RedsGarageOfBlue]

Old man is a great guide, but a little too cautious for my liking. I do like his point of view when he said "If you want to learn about a mountain, you have to start from the bottom and you go to the summit. We never learn anything when we start from the top and we go down. You learn something when you go up." So true and great piece of advice.

[@neiljones8010]

Excellent video that stands out from virtually all the other Vallee Blanche videos on KZbin because of the real world context it gives on the impact of global warming and how important it is to have a guide when you ski it.

[@antonburdin9756]

Did it in January 2012 on snowboard with a guide on skies. We were lucky to get much more powder. Back then it was possible to ski further down the glacier and then have a short hike uphill to the Buvette des Mottets. After a lunch there we continued our decent through the nerrow path in the forest almost all the way down to the Chamonix (Planards).

[@jonny8597]

Also wanted to ski La Vallée Blanche so this was fascinating. Terrifying that crevasse right next to where everyone's skiing and very interesting what Jean was saying about people being skiers and not mountaineers. Roughly how much was it for a guide and the equipment for the run?

[@PeakRankings]

It was €385 for Jean and €83 for the cable car and train. We already had the other equipment handy, but crampon rentals would have usually gone for €30.

[@bunyip42]

I skied the Vallée Blanche top to bottom in the early 90s, absolutely stunning run. Sad to see how much the glacier has retreated 😢

[@Verlisify]

The infrastructure is incredible, especially the restaurant

[@larrydugan1441]

We did the valley about 45 years ago. I Remember the wind on that ridge line. It was a hairy traverse. I don't remember any guide routes at the time. Beautiful experience

[@bryangreen9672]

After Jean,s first few turns I was slightly worried about how good a skier he was, and by the end I still wasn’t convinced 😂

[@blindleader42]

That's because he wasn't skiing. He was slipping the route to find the safe way down. He did a few carved turns around 7 or 8 minutes, where there were few existing ski tracks, and there was less risk. Personally, I don't see the attraction of doing this, other than being able to say you did it. I'd rather go skiing than mountaineering.

[@TheGoonSquadd]

It said ya needed a “guide”. Never said ya needed a skilled skier. He just gets paid to know the route not based on his skill.

[@bengt_axle]

I was there (only the observation deck) in the 90's and it is stunning to see how much less snow there is. It looks like summer. At that time the departure area for the skiers was much smaller. Regarding the guys walking down backwards, you have much better grip and weight balance going down that way. This is how firemen descend stairs when they can't see due to smoke. If you slip, you fall forwards on your hands just a few inches. Going down forwards, you tumble forwards.

[@bearclaw5115]

I agree. Much was made of the crampons creating a hazard but that would be true going down forward as well.

[@will3057]

That's crazy I remember the 2015 sign was only around a foot above the ice now that whole valley is gone including the ice cave. There were only 200 steps in 2016. Now there are 600, That's tragic.

[@chrisbow1776]

We were there around 18 months ago and went to the ice caves where the train and steps are, but we did see signs saying how much it has receded.

[@williamtell5365]

Skied this back in 91 when I was a ski instructor at Deux Alpes. It's quite an interesting run, it is different, but much of it is still pretty ordinary. Still nice to experience if you're a big skier though.

[@panda12333]

I did this run 2 times on different occasions super fun. but you guys were very unlucky I have never seen this run with such bad snow conditions. the 2 times I skied it it was not a powder day or anything but even then it was like 3-4 times the amount of snow wow thats bad im quite shocked.

[@dhowe5180]

I got it in good snow in March. I think it’s much better later in the season. Plus this wasn’t a great snow year in the alps especially in January

[@FFelix-yf1ir]

Skiing this route in January was never a thing in the past--not enough snow accumulated to build consolidated bridges that early. But everyone pushes everything so hard now. It's really a late season run, and the conditions were predictably much better than this video in March.

[@alexanderesslinger4971]

Phantastic Video ! I skied the VB run back in 1982. From the gondola at the top station there was only a short descent by foot, because the glacier back then was much thicker and the slope therefore started earlier. You could also ski right down into the village, no stairs and no train, all the 9000 ft.

[@lisayist]

Not sure if helicoptering fresh food to the hut is going to help the glacier recession.

[@counterfit5]

I watched another video recently about this route, and they pointed out how much lower the stairs have to go now to account for the Glacier covering so much less land. (I mean the hut at the bottom of the route, not the top or middle)

[@counterfit5]

Ah, it's covered here too. It's seriously depressing

[@Emilien-hy3sy]

Yes the cognitive dissonance is crazy

[@frankwitte1022]

Stupid comment. Those few helicopter flights a year don't make any difference to the glacier's retreat and global climate change and, there is no realistic other was to supply these huts. People who eek-out a living in these beautiful but inhospitable places shouldn't need to pay for the fact that too may in people travelling refuse to take public transport, and too many countries keeping their gas prices artificially low (looking at you US) to allow their citizens to take their guzzling 4-wheel drives to the shopping mall. These hut-keepers do more to protect nature than smart-asses commenting online.

[@bearclaw5115]

I thought of that too but realistically we are all generating emissions all the time. What are we to do, sit in a corner and bemoan the fact that we dare to breath air? We have one life. Enjoy it. And hopefully someday soon that helicopter will be running on electrons.

[@gofres]

I loved learning about glacial erosion in school and skiing it in action here is incredible. I skied Zermatt for the 2003 season and seeing photos on the wall of bars of the glacier from the 1960 was shocking!! Kids born today won't get to enjoy these stunning ski runs.

[@detlefmann7433]

The same with the "Aletsch Glacier" ... in the next 20 or 40 years it will be 'history of former times'.

[@eugenek2076]

It`s so sad to see how climate change melts the glacier

[@matiesco]

Great Video, I was there the same day as you guys, in fact, I am the guy with the white spyder jacket in this video from 10:20 to 10:31 part. From what I could tell, our guide was much more relaxed than yours lol. We traveled with a group of friends from Florida (I am from Chile originally) and I am pretty sure we were together in Chamonix too at the same time. Small world!! BTW, I love you guys videos and content, one of the best of KZbin for sure! Cheers

[@grahamsrandomstuff8198]

wow that was so cool it is sad though i would do it

[@simonmclean846]

I did this in 2006 it was minus -22c at the top. A screw fell out of my friends snowboard binding lucky I always carried duct tape in my back pack. So made it down with no issue. It’s a run you’ll never forget

[@misconstrudel]

"I always carried duct tape in my backpack." Hahahaha - I love this. Still quite a repair in bonkers temperatures. Respect.

[@simonmclean846]

⁠@@misconstrudelyou wouldn’t believe how hard it was to get it off afterwards. 😂

[@becyk_du_quebec]

This guide deserved a very nice tip! Great video.

[@zogzog6611]

Great story, well told and shown, with straightforward views of man-made consequences on a beautiful natural environment. Many thanks!

[@kenapina]

This is the best mix of Rick Steves and skiing.

[@richjones2767]

I feel very lucky to have been able to ski right down to Chamonix. We didn't think this was anything special at the time. Since then I've done by a number of different routes but the walk out has got longer each time.

[@12YearOldHiker]

I wonder why france makes such big ski resorts. There like 7 ski reasorts crammed into 1 massive one, creating runs like this.

[@thomasmoll8822]

What???

[@PlutoSimulations]

We need a separate video of him just saying “Crevice” throughout the trip! 😆

[@cobykluth1878]

Fun looking adventure...bummer weather report 😢

[@chrisbow1776]

Watching this and another Aiguille du Midi ski video has made me want to learn to ski, even though I know I wont. Me and some mates went to the top of Aiguille du Midi around 18 months ago, excellent experience and views up there, would love to return. Very cool they have that cafe halfway down the ski-run, I can imagine that is a fantastic sight to see if you were ever lost on those mountains and suddenly see a sanctuary across the valley.

[@lucaslung284]

That doesn't look like fun.

[@Bluebottlenose]

Your not fun

[@Bluebottlenose]

😡😤🤬😖😠👿😾

[@lucaslung284]

@@Bluebottlenose skiing 5 miles per hour so you don’t fall into a crevasse and then a one hour hike out. Is that your idea of fun?

[@Bluebottlenose]

@@lucaslung284 yes, look at the views

[@spookyshark632]

You don't need to sacrifice good skiing for the views.

[@albrigo]

Excellent description of the Vallée Blanche downhill route, with intelligent use of the camera. I used to do the Vallée Blanche 3-4 times a year over the last few years, after climbing the surrounding peaks, and each time I saw beginner skiers struggling between the ice blocks, down the obviuosly unprepared route. Without a comfortable skiing level, people should avoid this difficult route (even if popular).

[@lilconfused686]

So many Skiers are like so many city bicyclists, expensive gear, obsession with rules, and no real sense of adventure. I know it's not all skiers, but compare this video of a grown man following a guide down a blue-level track vs any video of a random snowboarder sheading mountaintops.

[@TheCasinoBuds]

Lol Jean was so annoying lmao

[@ElDarren]

This looks like an incredible day! It's too bad the ice is receding so much. You did a great job capturing the video but I'm sure the footage still doesn't do these views justice! Thanks for sharing

[@drtybrdy75]

In the next 100 years the glacier will rise again to the 1920 levels. Warming spikes are common. This is the 4th time in the last 1000 years this has happened.

[@TheJeffro520]

Pay more taxes and stop eating meat to change the weather

[@infoedwards6817]

Glaciers recede and advance. Ebb and flow. Why is this so hard to comprehend?

[@morpheu5]

Beautiful. Thank you both for the views, and more importantly for the commentary.

[@michaelzet3704]

but the former and maybe future us president still denies global warming thats funny. great country the us

[@ClarkeDesign]

WOW - I remember visiting the glacier back in 1989 and the glacier was, as you say, right up to the old gondola. So incredibly sad and scary how far the glacier has retreated in just a few years.

[@daviddowie828]

Jean is the worst guide I ever seen....and I've been skiing off piste for over 40 years. His ski technique is terrible...when your guide falls at the very top of the VB you know its maybe not your best investment.

[@tomtravis2357]

I skied the Vallee Blanche twice in the 1980s when I led ski trips in January for Bucknell university students. The first time was three days after a four foot snowfall in the mountains and two feet in town and the conditions were superb. We were able to ski all the way down to Chamonix in powder. The second time there was ample, but less snow. Our group had to be roped together on one section due to hidden crevasses. We had two attentive guides--one in front and the other in the rear. The glacier then was much thicker and we only had to climb a modest number of steps to get to Montevers. The scenery is incredible--even better than on my trek to the Mount Everest base camp and Gokyo lakes.

[@marcindawid8485]

Video is nice, but You should made some decisions. Or is it horrible what is happening with glacier, or You eat cakes delivered by helicopter. You can't have both. I know that They have nice cakes and food 😂

[@danielbliss1988]

This is the first good look at the Mer de Glace I've had since the one time I was there, in 1985 on a family trip. It is shocking and tragic. I don't think I could stand to go back. When I was there it had essentially been stable for a century. It was truly a sea of ice in 1985. It's now a canyon with a little ribbon of snow and ice at the bottom.

[@sebrider5695]

Took first cable car, went quick down the ridge before the circus and off I went. Had the whole Valley Blance to myself and did it in about 35 minutes. Being alone in this place was so special. Had to wait for the cable car at Montanvers to open. Not common to be able to ski to town, but fun if you like single track.

[@remiosmaz]

Wow how amazing is this ! Never imagine that the disappear of the glacier could be that much

[@simoncook8455]

Really nice informative video, I have skied this 4 times ,1995, 2008 and twice in 2021, in 2021 there was an ice cave at the bottom but a rocky exit, in 1995 it was -24 at the top of the ridge in mid March but we skied all the way down to Chamonix.

[@Xtariz]

I'm just watching a video but I've never felt safer being with someone like this fine gentleman

[@damiaanspatrick2050]

In 1991 I did it without a guide. Great experience. Could ski to Chamonix Town.

[@Patriotic545]

April is the best time to visit Chamonix, sun is great and weather is not so cold for outdoor activities, thanks for your video.

[@LauraHowes1]

I skied this in 2016 with about 40cm of powder on top. It was certainly a slightly different ski experience, but mostly my memories are of how the scenery took my breath away. And I agree it was humbling walking up those stairs and seeing all those markers, that's something lost with the addition of the gondola. But then, I remember seeing photos by the little railway that when they made that you could walk out the train and onto the glacier at basically the same level.

[@Capo51]

Thank you 4 sharing. Have made that Vallee Blance run about 30 urs ago. The scenery looked then very different. There many much more cracks on the glacier. Because of that you followed very carefully the trails of the French guide. He was skiing with one hand, the other hand had injured on fall and was tied. That did not bother him at all. ⛷️ It was once in a lifetime experience. Once was enough!

[@stefangoebel6041]

Hard to imagine I did that in 1998 being a mediocre skier back then and I do not recall a lot of climbing down or other difficulties. Well, being clumsy I fell in deep fresh snow and it took me some time to dig myself out of that again…apparently, that was a totally different experience from now.

[@MrHariSheldon]

You can have a similar descent from the Signalkuppe to Zermatt: 3000 altitude meters of descent and a length of between 25 and 30km. And you start at 4554m altitude, which is nearly 800m higher than Aiguille du Midi. But: No cable car brings you up there, you have to ascend by yourself.

[@grantpaterson8963]

Great video man, provided a really in depth guide to the route. I was up Aguille du Midi two days ago, but didn’t have a guide booked so couldn’t ski down. Looks amazing, and definitely need to do next time in Chamonix.