The ski bus regularly tours the valley, stopping at all major ski areas. Its inhabitants can be colourful ...
Chamonix has gentle snowfields ...
The ski runs are h.u.g.e.
And these are the flags you see if you take a wrong turn and accidentally descend the '93 olympic run ... (hey, that would explain why it was difficult ...!)
The mountains are also huge.
Jasmijn is not huge; she just looks it.
Actually that's quite large ... I hope she doesn't get any bigger ... !
Some of the peaks are very steep ...
... and prone to avalanches.
However, considerable rewards await those who have the bravery and fortitude to overcome the avalanches. This 2,000 m high restuarant, for example, overlooks Chamonix Valley.
Other rewards include simmering cauldrons of hot mulled wine.
You may have to defend your meal from the native wildlife.
Having mastered the avalanche and wildlife challenges, Aigulle du Midi awaits the very, very brave (or nerve-dead ...). A short distance across very thin air from the 4,800 m summit of Mt Blanc itself, Aigulle du Midi seems to rise into the lower stratosphere, where the winds of the world circulate (howl, in fact), unchecked. No matter the conditions in the world below, here it is ALWAYS the icy heart of winter. Or so it seemed. Including the wind chill, the outside T was probably around -30 C. This is an incredibly special place; one of my favourite worldwide, in fact ...
After an ear-popping two stage ascent, the cable car arises at this peak just across from Aigulle du Midi. The buildings perch precipitously on the peak, permanently festooned with deep ice. Inside the T was a balmy -10 C.
When you've warmed up, it's time to enter Aigulle du Midi itself, via the **Bridge of Fear** ... Beyond the bridge is visible the ridgetop descent to the Vallee Blanche take off point.
An incredibly vicious wind was blowing across this bridge ... needless to say, all forms of human life reside within deep tunnels within the mountain.
The drop below the bridge is terrifyingly precipitous.
If you do step outside, there are amazing views of Mt Blanc nearby (the summit is behind us). However, 10 mins seemed to be the maximum functional time outside.
The legendary Vallee Blanche is possibly the world's highest ski desecent. The rock tunnel ends in a 2 m thick ice cave, from which a ridge descends to the take off point. Multiple signs warn that the route is entirely off-piste, crosses glaciers, and should only be attempted roped to a guide. Several people die annually while attempting it. The year before an entire film crew was swallowed by a crevasse and never seen again. It follows 'outback' glaciated country all the way down almost to Chamonix, when conditions are good, descending some 3,000 m. I'm hoping to do it when I'm much better ... anyone want to join me?
Every 30 seconds or so, the permanent blizzard howling up the slope cleared for about 1 sec, exposing the ridge the skiers have to descend from the ice cave to the take-off point. The path is one person wide. If you slip, to the left is a near vertical drop to unknown destinations in the cloud. One partly-buried chain offers your last chance to grip anything ... better not to lose your footing.
Views from the Bridge of Fear.
If you survive the ridge, all you have left is a 3,000 m descent across crevassed glaciers in -30 C conditions (at least, up high) with down to zero visibility. Fortunately, the route is not technically demanding. Our young chalet hostess, by the way had already done it once and was planning to do it at night under the next full moon. Oh, and we were also passed by long lines of local men, women, senior citizens and children all about to start their descents. Ski-people ... !!!!!!
