Resort: Aiguille du Midi Cable-car, aka La Vallee Blanche

There is only one piste here, yet a myriad of ways to take it.

This is one of the longuest pistes in Europe, if not the world, and probably the most deadly one. Three-quarters of the piste are situated on the Mer de Glace, a huge glacier where some of the crevasses are 150 metres deep...let's just say that a fall is not recommended! The top is brilliant with a stunning yet intimidating ridge which has to be crossed in order to get to the pistes...with your skiboots and your skis...A lot of skiers decide to call it a day here!
The end of the pistes is a bit slow (very low gradient), but the scenery is breathtaking. It is recommended to take a guide with you if you aren't an experienced skier. The piste is quite easy though, and only the adventurous are punished... Can get a bit crowded in full season. NEVER ATTEMPT IN BAD WEATHER. It is here that Lachenal found death by falling into a crevasse. Basically if the weather gets bad...you're dead!
When there is a lot of snow, you can ski down all 18km down to the bottom. If not you can stop at 1900 metres and take the TRAIN down (Le Montenvers, picutred below)! This makes the Vallee Blanche skiable well into late April if you're lucky.

The intimidating exit to the piste and .......Another view of the Aiguille:

As Mike Hattrup (extreme skier) puts it: "Immediately after exiting the ice tunnel at the top, you're faced with a choice between the puckering 50-degree couloir Poubelle, or a white-knuckle, knife-edged arête walk where a fall down either side means certain death. (How's that guide working out so far?)". Not for the faint-hearted.


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