Mont Blanc, French for White Mountain, straddles the French-Italian border and rises to more than 15,700 feet above sea level. This behemoth of jagged rock and endless snow is Western Europe's tallest mountain, thus earning its popular moniker "The Roof of Europe" and its place amid the world's most popular mountaineering enterprises. Climbers come to Mont Blanc from all over the world to measure their skills against the continent's harshest high altitude exposure in an attempt to plant their ice axe at the top of Europe and observe the saw-toothed Alps that stretch out in every direction.
The most popular routes, including the Gouter Hut Route and the Cosmiques Route, are multi-day itineraries, encompassing sections of easy walking and not-so-easy scrambling along with difficult glaciated terrain, steep snow-covered slopes, breathtaking exposure and bottomless crevasses that threaten to swallow unworthy climbers. And while the mountain is accessible to a wide range of mountaineering types, including both the well-weathered expert and the mid-level climber who dreams of reaching higher, this mountain requires a wealth of technical know-how and equipment. But don't be daunted just yet; tours of the area are available, and if you acquire enough high-altitude mountaineering experience, then the summit of Mont Blanc is an attainable goal. Just ask the guides at Backwoods Adventures in Austin.
Backwoods Adventures has been leading tours of the Mont Blanc area for more than eight years, and this year they are heading to the summit. Tour Du Mont Blanc is a seven-day trek around Mont Blanc, passing through unique cities and villages in France, Italy and Switzerland. You'll hike through unmatched scenery, experience the historic local culture and feast on the finest European cuisine while a knowledgeable guide leads the way. Backwoods Adventures" Mont Blanc Climb Extension is the optional cherry on top of the Mont Blanc tour. This two- or three-day trek to the summit includes climbing gear, meals and a veteran mountain guide.
If you don't have enough high-altitude mountain experience for a Mont Blanc summit attempt, consider still-challenging treks like the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges. This shorter, less-crowded hike, while not for beginners, offers preparation (and acclimatization) for bigger hikes while offering equally spectacular panoramas along the way.
Not a climber? That's OK. The landscape around Mont Blanc is broad enough for all types of adventure-seekers looking for winter and summer fun. Skiers and snowboarders can carve turns at the area's many resorts, including the family-friendly slopes of Le Brevent, La Flegere and Les Grand Montets, while plenty of off-piste and heliskiing opportunities abound from peak to peak. In the warmer months, the Arve and Giffre Rivers offer great whitewater rafting and kayaking, while the mountains act as a playground for rock climbers, mountain bikers, paragliders and easy-going hikers.
Adding yet another layer to this rich European setting is the French town of Chamonix. Like the snow-covered mountains that loom overhead, Chamonix, and its extensive valley of quaint European townships, is a world-class venue where highland recreation and alpine beauty reign supreme. So no matter what adventures you choose or what direction you ramble, Chamonix should be your first choice for a Mont Blanc base camp.
Accommodations in Chamonix are seemingly unlimited from hotels and alpine chalets to mountain huts and campsites. But a Mont Blanc trek isn't just any mountain hike, so where you rest your head shouldn't be just any feather pillow. Book a room at Hotel Mont-Blanc and enjoy classic European architecture and savory French and Italian cuisine in the heart of this elegant city. When you return, and you certainly will, drop your bags at the Grand Hotel des Alpes, built in 1840, or kick back amid the quintessential mountain-living experience of Le Hameau Albert 1er.
But don't be deceived; while the name Chamonix, a three-syllable arrangement certain to furnish any speaker with at least the slightest resonance of a French accent, may suggest little more than a chic Aspen-esque village, it's a town where mountain adventure trumps the trappings of alpine flair. In fact, plenty of outdoor adventure lies within walking distance of anywhere in Chamonix. Walking, running and biking paths cover the valley floor, including loads of riverside trails, calm forest strolls and easily accessible natural sights like the Bosson Glacier, visible from almost anywhere in Chamonix. For adventure beyond Chamonix, take advantage of the area's wealth of public transportation and explore the wonders of the Montenvers Ice Cave or set out into the river-carved Gorges de la Servoz.
Public transportation throughout the area is free to guests staying in the Chamonix Valley, so make time to venture beyond Chamonix and the shadow of Mont Blanc to visit the scattered hamlets and mountain streams of les Houches, the lush wilderness and abundant wildlife of Vallorcine on the Swiss border and authentic mountain village of Servoz before you leave. The Mont Blanc Express is the local mountain train service passing through some of Western Europe's most beautiful scenery, stretching from the French station in St. Gervais to Martigny in Switzerland with numerous stations along the way.
So make Mont Blanc and Chamonix your next European destination and discover why so many people flock here. If you're a climber, step into your crampons and take that first step toward the top. If you're not experienced enough just yet, come anyway and gaze up at the majestic peak, but know this: While the soreness of your muscles will subside and the blisters will heal, the view from the top of a towering mountain summit will stay with you the rest of your life. Climb on.
