This is an amazing trip from the Aiguille du Midi on the French side over to the top of the Skyway lift in Italy for coffee. Then skiing the Vallee Noire down to the Montenvers to get back to Chamonix.
We set off with Steffan about mid morning to ski the start of the Classic descent of the Vallee Blanche. At the low point on the glacier between the two lifts we put on climbing skins and roped up to ascend through the seracs and cravasses up to the Helbronner.
The coffee in Italy always seems to taste better, especially when you have had to work to get it.
The descent was lush. A little wind affected at the top then soft snow under the Dent du Geant down into the shade. The Vallee Noire does seem to get steeper each season and a fall will deposit one into the mouth of a waiting crevasse.
It was the first time Steffan had done the route since the new gondola has been installed to get up to the Montenvers. Luxury compared to the 600 odd steps in days past.
