Trips over the past few days have given a good snapshot of how the Vallee Blanche is shaping up at the moment, particularly on Tuesday 20th January. There’s been plenty of interest, with various guided groups heading down from the Aiguille du Midi, including several teams from Vertical Frontiers, all moving steadily and sensibly given the current conditions.
Skiing the Gros Rognon variant of the Vallee Blanche
The upper glacier is in pretty good shape for the time of year. Snow coverage is generally decent and the glacier feels well filled in, certainly compared to some early seasons. That said, this is still very much early season Vallee Blanche skiing rather than the relaxed mid-winter motorway that people sometimes expect. Route finding, spacing and concentration are all still required.
We’ve been skiing the classic variation, with a detour around the Gros Rognon. There’s been some genuinely enjoyable skiing here, with pockets of wind-blown powder tucked away in sheltered areas. Nothing huge, but enough to keep things playful and remind you why this descent is such a classic. In between those sections the snow is variable, as you’d expect – some firmer areas, some wind-affected slabs, and the odd crust depending on aspect and exposure.
Photographs before the Salle Manger
The Salle à Manger entry is currently passing fine, but it does require care and attention. The line is clear enough, yet it’s not somewhere to switch off, particularly with multiple groups moving through. The exit from the same area, however, is comparatively straightforward this year and hasn’t posed any real problems so far.
Gros Rognon skiing in the Vallee Balnche, nice wind blown snow.
Lower down, snow coverage becomes thinner. The glacier itself skis reasonably well, but there is a short section of walking required to reach the new cable car station for access to the Montenvers railway. It’s not a major inconvenience, but worth factoring in when planning the day, especially with clients who are expecting a continuous ski all the way down.
Up top, the Aiguille du Midi arête is partially equipped with ropes at the moment. We’re managing this by shuttling clients down two or three at a time, all in boot crampons. It’s moving efficiently enough, but again, it reinforces the point that this isn’t quite a plug-and-play descent yet. Calm conditions, good organisation and a bit of patience go a long way here.
Overall, the Vallee Blanche is offering some fun skiing and good training value right now, particularly for people comfortable with variable snow and early-season glacier travel. It’s a long way from being “easy”, but for those approaching it with the right mindset and an experienced guide, it’s a worthwhile and rewarding day out. We’ll keep watching how things evolve as the season settles in.
Below the narrow section of the Aiguille du Midi arete.
