 Poster: A snowHead
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Our motley crew of "lads" (actually no-one under 50) are heading for the first time to Chamonix on 12th Jan. Just wondering if The vallee Blanche is likely to be open then, and if so, is a guide required to ski it? All fairly competant piste skiers but not so hot on the off piste. All helpful comments welcome! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You need a guide. The local guide company does a package: https://www.chamonix-guides.com/en/activities/category/ski/vallee-blanche .
The arete may or may not be equipped by the time you get there. Someone in the Chamonix conditions thread will be well placed to advise on whether or not that's likely.
A guide may be reluctant to take people who are not already skilled with crampons etc down the arete that accesses the skiing from the cable car without the safety lines in place.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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almost there,
I'm not sure if the VB will be open then but, if it is, you will definitely need a guide.
You will need to be roped together to descend the ridge, before you start skiing (as theres a drop of a couple of thousand feet at each side); and, although its an easy ski, people die every year on the VB, falling into unmarked crevasses on the glacier.
Its a brilliant experience though- and one I recommend.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I spoke to a couple who had skied it over Christmas week, but from the Italian side (they went through the tunnel to Courmayeur, then took the Helbronner lift), and they also said they had a long hike out.
So, it might be possible, but I don't know how easy it would be. Based on your description of the party, you'd definitely need a guide
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The arete doesn't usually get equipped until late Jan/early Feb. There are people skiing it now but they are generally pretty experienced. Given that it hasn't snowed in a while and none on the horizon the crevasses may be pretty open and it may not be possible to actually ski back to Montenvers, meaning a schlep on foot across the glacier. Feb is generally start of the VB season tbh
If you're not that experienced in either off-piste skiing and/or alpinism (use of crampons etc) then you will 100% need a guide. Stuart is good but knowing him I wouldn't have thought he would be taking people down yet (I could be wrong!)
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@gorilla, thanks Gorilla, just checked out chamonix guides. Doesn't seem to be any availability for our dates or any in january. not sure if this is because it is booked out or wether the route isn't open yet! looks amazing on the video
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@snowdave, “non trivial” ...
Titter!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| gorilla wrote: |
https://www.instagram.com/p/B601ADeIVO1/?igshid=1izqs7s877dtv
Ok- that's from today. Looks like it's game on. |
Call this guy when you are ready to go down the front 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| almost there wrote: |
| @gorilla, thanks Gorilla, just checked out chamonix guides. Doesn't seem to be any availability for our dates or any in january. not sure if this is because it is booked out or wether the route isn't open yet! looks amazing on the video |
They don't start until Feburary
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| albob wrote: |
| almost there wrote: |
| @gorilla, thanks Gorilla, just checked out chamonix guides. Doesn't seem to be any availability for our dates or any in january. not sure if this is because it is booked out or wether the route isn't open yet! looks amazing on the video |
They don't start until Feburary |
Roue open, has been since the lift opened.
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You know it makes sense.
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Yup, skied it last week. Arete needed a health disregard for ones life, or crampons and 2 axes (and not those lightweight aluminum things). Skiing up high was very nice, a but wind affected above and around the Requin. And wind scoured n nasty below the Sall a Manger, ski out through the woods was remarkably good!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@almost there, for your ability I suggest you emphasise that you want to do the easy route. Also make clear whether you want to stop at the cafe (if so, set off early). Wax your skis (for the flat run out at the end). If any of you are boarders, you will have to make this clear when seeking a guide. The arete is the scariest bit, followed by skiing through a crevasse field (like a crumpet).
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Poster: A snowHead
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Other than the arete, the usual route has easily been skied by my elderly mother in law who isn’t at all aggressive. Like an easy blue with amazing views. But I think you really want the ropes in place.
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