The recent fresh snow at altitude and high pressure in the Alps has seen great weather in the Chamonix region and kept our IFMGA guide team busy. Great conditions have been reported by local guide Gilles on the Vallee Blanche above Chamonix, offering good off piste powder down to the Mer de Glace.

Although the ridge is not yet equipped, the guides always rope up clients anyway, and harnesses are always worn as this is a glaciated off piste ski descent.

The 26 kilometer run of the Vallee Blanche starts from the Aiguille du Midi at 3642m and finishes at Chamonix, and includes the infamous ridge from the cable car with views down to Chamonix and the exciting ski over part filled crevasses through the Salle a Manger icefall. This famous glaciated off piste run is a favourite choice on both our Level 1 and Level 2 Chamonix Off Piste ski courses, which run from late January until the end of April: http://www.icicle-mountaineering.ltd.uk/chamonix%2Boff%2Bpiste.html.