BC Summits

Hike and ride from some of Chamonix Mont Blanc's most famous and inspirational summits including, if conditions allow, an ascent and descent of the mighty Mont Blanc 4810m itself.

On the Summit of Mont Blanc after and early start.

This is our most Advanced Backcountry High Mountain course offering big ascents and extreme descents blending the skills of the Advanced Backcountry rider with those of the experienced winter mountaineer.


Nearing the shoulder of Monte Rosa on route to the summit, Zermatt.

This is the real deal, a hardcore week that brings you the ultimate Backcountry High Mountain experience!

Course Overview.

6 days of hiking and riding around the Mont Blanc Massif with the aim of climbing and riding from the summit of Mont Blanc. Warm up peaks might include the Aiguille d' Argentiere or the Grand Paradiso in Italy. Heli drop and The 'Dome du Miage'.

We have three potential routes for the Mont Blanc ascent.

• Route 1 - From the Aiguille du midi with a hut nightin the Cosmiques at 3600m. An early 2am start to climb the three summits route over Mont Blanc du tacul, Mont Maudit and finally Mont Blanc. This is a long and hard route with a board on your back and some quite technical pitches at this time of year. It needs good conditions but if favourable this is our route of choice.
• Route 2 - Heli drop on the Italian side of Mont Blanc at the 'Col des Aiguilles grises' 3800m. This is considered to be the safest option for climbing Mont Blanc at this time of year and is proving more andmore popular as it can be done in a day trip from an early start. At first glance this might be considered a non ethical ascent but then if you consider that the classic Cosmiques 3 summits route from the Aiguille du Midi also also starts from a lift to 3800m it maybe isn't so bad!
• Route 3 -  This is the spring classic 'Grand Mullets' route. This route is endangered by Serrac fall over the Petite plateau and can be considered potentially too dangerous. A hard variant up the North east ridge of the Dome du Gouter offers some possibility. This ascent takes 2 days with a hut night in the Grand Mullets refuge.

The descent.

The Mont Blanc descent rides down the North Face overlooking the Chamonix valley. Whilst we plan to ride from the summit conditions ofetn make riding from just below the Vallot hut above the Dome du Gouter a more attractive option. The descent is long and technical, riding down the North Face, the Grand plateau, the Petit Plateau down past the Grand Mullets refuge to the junction. Across the Bossons Glacier and on down to finish at the Mont Blanc tunnel.

Please note: Whilst the ascent of Mont Blanc will be our main objective we reserve the right to change our goals and schedule to suit the conditions.

Price Includes:

• 6 days on snow Guidance with fully qualified ISIA Snowboard Teacher and UIAGM Mountain Guide Neil McNab (ratio 1:2).
• Avalanche safety equipment and avalanche search and rescue training.
  
• Crevasse rescue and rope technique training for glacier travel and climbing as needed.
  
• All Backcountry and high mountain access equipment and training.
• Transport to and from the mountain.

Price does not include:

• Accommodation or Mountain Refuge nights.
  
• Lift pass.
• Flights (nearest airport is Geneva).
• Airport transfers.
• Personal insurance.
• Personal snowboarding equipment and backpack capable of carrying your board (25L minimum)
  

Please Note
Our Backcountry Summits course is both a technical and physically demanding course suitable for Advanced and Experienced Backcountry snowboarders who have previously attended our Backcountry intro course. A very good fitness level and a minimum of 8 weeks riding experience is essential.

Whilst the ascent of Mont Blanc will be our main objective we reserve the right to change our goals and schedule to suit the conditions.

For safety reasons ‘Riders unable to meet the required criteria for their chosen course may be unable to complete that course at the discretion of the course leader’. For more information on course requirements please read our Choosing a Course & Course Prerequisits section.