Discover the Vallée Blanche Glacier

EARLY BIRD! ON SALE! Moderately Challenging France

Discover the Vallée Blanche Glacier

AN UNFORGETTABLE BEGINNER FRIENDLY GLACIER TREK ACROSS THE ICONIC VALLéE BLANCHE IN THE HEART OF THE MONT BLANC MASSIF.

Our LHO Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey is a beginner friendly alpine adventure that introduces you to glacier travel in one of the most iconic landscapes in the Alps. Starting from Punta Helbronner on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif, you’ll spend three days on the glacier and two nights at altitude learning essential skills like crampon movement, rope team travel, and glacier awareness. The journey culminates in a spectacular traverse to the Aiguille du Midi above Chamonix. Led by an LHO Team Leader alongside our selected and experienced IFMGA certified guide, this experience is shaped not only by deep mountain expertise but by our distinctive approach to adventure. With small teams, flexible planning, and a focus on creating meaningful moments, we adapt each journey to suit both the group and the conditions. Along the way, we capture the story through photography so you leave with memories that last long after the snow melts.

1

An all inclusive alpine experience featuring glacier skills training, a full traverse of the Vallée Blanche, and alternate routes or objectives in case of changing conditions, at no extra cost.

2

Relive the journey with two days of photography captured by your LHO Team Leader, included as part of the experience and designed to tell the story of your time on the glacier.

3

Led by a dedicated LHO Team Leader and our selected, experienced IFMGA certified guide, ensuring a seamless and safe experience with full support both on and off the ice.

Trip photographer to capture it all
Small groups and great community vibes only
No hidden costs its all included
Hassle free airport to airport service
Directly led by us and our local experts
Carefully curated to make it all epic

Dates & Prices

Check upcoming trip dates, team leaders, availability & prices. If you can't see dates that suite you, contact us we will do our best to assist you.

2026

DATE & STATUS

PRICE

TEAM LEADER

AVAILABILITY

3,642
3,276

EARLY BIRD!
AVAILABLE
BOOK

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP

  • Dedicated LHO Team Leader/Photographer
  • Carefully Selected IFMGA Guides
  • 2 Nights in a Trendy, Comfortable Hotel in the Chamonix Valley
  • 2 Nights of Mountain Hut Accommodation
  • All Meals Throughout the Trip
  • Bottled Water in the Mountain Huts
  • All Cable Car and Train Passes
  • Airport Transfers Between Geneva and Chamonix
  • All Transportation Within the Itinerary
  • Alternative Routes Traverse is not Possible
  • Group Mountaineering Equipment
  • Fitness and Nutrition Guides
  • Gear Shopping Assistance
  • LHO Base Camp (Office) Support

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP

  • International Flights and Entry Visas
  • Tips/Gratuities to the Local Team
  • Personal Gear and Rentals
  • Personal Medical/Travel/Cancellation Insurance
  • Any Extra Nights Beyond Those Listed in the Itinerary
  • Individual Departure from the Itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1: WELCOME TO CHAMONIX

Today is arrival day. If you are flying into Geneva, our trusted transfer partners will meet you at the airport and bring you straight to our hotel in the Chamonix Valley. Airport transfers are included between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm. Please make sure to share your travel details with LHO Base Camp. If you are meeting us directly at the hotel, your LHO Team Leader will be there to welcome you. Hotel check in begins at 3 pm, but early arrivals can store their bags and explore. If you need to rent gear, we recommend arriving early as most shops close by 7 pm. Your Team Leader will coordinate gear checks throughout the day and host our official team briefing and welcome dinner at 7:30 pm. This is when you will meet your fellow adventurers, review the plan, and get excited for the days ahead.

DAY 2: INTO THE GLACIER

Distance: Approx 4 KM | Ascent: 250 M | Max Altitude: 3466 M (Punta Helbronner)

After breakfast, we drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Courmayeur on the Italian side of the massif. There, we take the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car up to Punta Helbronner, a high alpine station perched above the glacier. From there, we walk through a tunnel and descend by elevator to reach the Torino Hut, our base for the night. After settling in, we head straight onto the glacier for our first training session. You will learn how to walk in crampons, travel in rope teams, and use basic mountaineering equipment while exploring the stunning Italian side of the Vallée Blanche. We end the day with a team dinner at the hut and a night in the high mountains.

DAY 3: CROSSING THE VALLÉE BLANCHE

Distance: Approx 6 KM | Ascent: 300 M | Descent: 250 M | Max Altitude: 3613 M (Refuge des Cosmiques)

After breakfast, we rope up and begin the full traverse of the Vallée Blanche, one of the most iconic glacier routes in the Alps. This is where your training comes to life as we move across sweeping snowfields, navigate crevassed terrain, and pass beneath dramatic alpine peaks like Dent du Géant and the Grandes Jorasses. With time to take in the views and capture photos along the way, we make our way to Refuge des Cosmiques, perched beneath the Aiguille du Midi. There we spend the night in one of the highest huts in the Alps, reflecting on an incredible day of glacier travel.

DAY 4: AIGUILLE DU MIDI AND RETURN TO CHAMONIX

Distance: Approx 1 KM | Ascent: 230 M | Max Altitude: 3842 M (Aiguille du Midi)

After a final breakfast at altitude, we make a short but steep climb up to the Aiguille du Midi, one of the highest lift stations in Europe. The climb is short in distance but high in atmosphere, often surrounded by light, ice, and clouds. Once at the top, we explore the Aiguille du Midi complex and enjoy sweeping views of the Mont Blanc range and the glacier we just crossed. From there, we descend by cable car back to Chamonix. After returning to the valley, the afternoon is yours to rest, explore, or unwind. That evening, we gather once more for a farewell dinner to celebrate the journey and everything you have achieved.

DAY 5: AU REVOIR!

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. Airport transfers to Geneva are included and will be arranged based on the departure details you provided in your team form. If your plans change, please inform your LHO Team Leader in advance. Whether you are heading home or on to your next adventure, you leave with new skills, unforgettable memories, and the experience of stepping into the high mountains the LHO way.

OUR COMMITMENT

OUR COMMITMENT

We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone involved in our services receives a fair living wage in their respective countries. We invest in our team members, fostering upward mobility within the adventure travel industry, expanding educational opportunities, and offering support wherever we can. By joining an LHO adventure you are directly impacting the incredible people and the remote communities that make these life-changing experiences possible.

LEARN MORE
HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES

HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES

We do our best to ensure your wellbeing on LHO adventures. That's why the facilities we use throughout our trips are required to meet our health and safety standards. We also follow the laws and protocols of every country that hosts our adventures. This extends to national regulations requiring Covid-19 testing, vaccination certificates, mask wearing or any other local guidelines that may apply. Contact us for the most up to date protocols related to your destination.

LEARN MORE

Not sure what you are looking for?

CHECK ALL ADVENTURES CHAT WITH US

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to cross the glaciers of the Vallée Blanche?

The best time to cross the glaciers of the Vallée Blanche is between June and September, when conditions are most stable and the weather is ideal for glacier travel. During these summer months, the snowpack has settled, crevasses are more visible, and temperatures are milder—making it the perfect season for a beginner friendly alpine adventure like the Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey. This window also offers the clearest views of the surrounding Mont Blanc massif, creating optimal conditions for both safety and photography.

How hard is it to cross the Vallée Blanche?

Crossing the Vallée Blanche is considered a beginner friendly glacier trek, especially when done with expert guidance and proper support. While it doesn’t require previous mountaineering experience, it does involve walking on uneven glaciated terrain in crampons, staying roped up as part of a team, and spending extended time at altitude. With the support of an experienced LHO Team Leader and our selected IFMGA certified guide, the Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey is designed to make this iconic traverse accessible to those with good fitness and a sense of adventure, offering the perfect introduction to the world of alpine travel.

How long does it take to cross the glaciers of the Vallée Blanche?

The full glacier crossing of the Vallée Blanche typically takes 4 to 6 hours, depending on weather conditions, group pace, and route variations. On the Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey, we spread this traverse across three days to include skill building, acclimatisation, and exploration of the Italian side of the glacier. This slower, more immersive approach ensures you gain confidence on crampons, travel safely as part of a rope team, and fully experience the beauty of the Mont Blanc massif rather than simply rushing from point A to B.

What do you need to cross the Vallée Blanche?

To cross the Vallée Blanche safely, you need the right gear, guidance, and preparation. Essential equipment includes crampons, harness, helmet, mountaineering boots, and glacier travel gear which are all provided as part of the Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey. You will also need warm layered clothing suitable for high alpine conditions, a backpack, and a reasonable level of fitness. Most importantly, the crossing should always be done with experienced guides due to crevasse risk and shifting glacier conditions. Our journey includes full support from an LHO Team Leader and a selected IFMGA certified guide, ensuring you have everything required to complete this iconic glacier traverse with confidence and safety.

Will there be training on how to use crampons and other technical gear during the Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey?

Yes, the Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey is specifically designed to include hands on training in using crampons, harnesses, helmets, and other essential glacier travel gear. Before the full traverse begins, you will spend time on the glacier learning how to move safely on ice, travel as part of a rope team, and build confidence with the technical equipment. This journey is ideal for beginners, and no previous mountaineering experience is required. With guidance from your LHO Team Leader and our selected IFMGA certified guide, you will gain the foundational skills needed to enjoy the glacier environment safely and comfortably.

Is it possible to rent gear in Chamonix for the Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey?

Yes. There are many options in Chamonix to rent or buy gear for your Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey. From crampons and harnesses to mountaineering boots and helmets, the town is well equipped to support your glacier trekking needs. If you plan to rent or purchase essentials upon arrival, we recommend arriving at least a day earlier to ensure you have enough time to get everything you need before the journey begins.

I've never done anything like this before. What kind of expectations should I have?

Expect to be challenged and deeply rewarded. The Vallée Blanche Glacier Journey is designed for beginners, but it will still take you outside your comfort zone in the best possible way. You will learn new skills, navigate a wild and beautiful landscape, and experience what it means to move as a team in the high mountains. Be prepared to let go of certain comforts in the mountain huts, but in return you will gain access to truly spectacular locations and unforgettable shared moments. You will be physically and mentally pushed but supported every step of the way. Most of all, expect to come back different.

PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

FROM 3,642

3,276
on selected dates only

TELL YOUR FRIENDS
An adventure holiday for anyone with a pulse. No fitness requirements or prerequisites. Come as you are. Great for those who already train 1-2 times per week or would like to use this upcoming adventure as an opportunity to kickstart a fitness journey. Joiners should be comfortable with their physical fitness and regularly train at least 2-3 times a week in the lead up to this adventure. Joiners should be comfortable with their physical fitness and regularly train at least 2-3 times a week in the lead up to this adventure.Joiners should be comfortable with their physical fitness and regularly train at least 2-3 times a week in the lead up to this adventure. Need we explain further? No prior experience is required. Basic skills may be taught during this adventure. The skills necessary to safely complete this adventure will be taught as a part of this experience. This adventure requires prior experience, pre-requisite skills or certifications. See below for details. We aim to strike a balance between unique local experiences and international standards of comfort and hygiene. Hostels are dorm-style accommodation used during certain legs of our trips and expeditions. They can be quite trendy with common areas, restaurants and cafes. Expect rooms to include a bed and a mattress as well as a common dining area with chairs and tables. You’ll need to bring a sleeping bag and an optional pillow. When the experience includes camping we provide the tents, sleeping mats, common dining tents, camping chairs and camping tables. The only thing you’ll need to get is a sleeping bag and an optional camping pillow. Please refer to the LHO gear list for more information specific to the trip you’re on. Mountain Lodges are usually well equipped, providing beds with duvets and pillows. They also include a common restaurant area. Some lodges require a sleeping liner.

Invite & Earn

X
Signup to start sharing your link
Signup
background banner image
loading gif

Available Coupon

X
Select your currency