The World's Longest Ski Run

Chamonix's Vallée Blanche is the most iconic ski run in Europe. With a claimed vertical drop of up to 9,000 feet, this French Alps run at @chamonixmontblanc has made a name for itself as the longest lift-served ski descent in the world.

We hired a guide to take us down this backcountry descent, but the Vallée Blanche is far from your typical ski run.

Not only does it not technically exist within the bounds of a ski resort, but the descent is so dangerous that you need to hire a guide and bring specialized equipment to make your way down in one piece.

Oh, and about that 9,000 foot vertical descent, it turns out that depending on snow conditions, there's a little bit more to that story.....

#peakrankings #werankpeaks #skieurope #skivacation #mountains #winter #skitrip #travel #landscape #snowboarding #wintertrip #skiusa #skiingisfun #powder #visitfrance #skifrance

[JustinBullock-hw]

You don’t need a guide but it’s definitely recommended

[AlexFox-]

I stayed on top of the Valley Blanch at the refuge de cosmique.
Left the hostel in the morning in the dark, everyone else was climbing, we were the only skiers.
We skinned all the way to the top and hung out a little before our descent. Absolutely amazing.
We had a ton of snow that year, the most in the last 25

[Huldru]

My wife and I dis this on Feb 24 this year. We would highly recommend the experience.

[drummerAVA]

Looks like you’re lifting up into a Bond villain’s lair lol

[MrWolfyWolfy]

But it’s not just one run! There are four main routes/itineraries (the 'voie normal', Le Vrai Vallée Blanche, the Petit Envers du Plan and the Grand Envers du Plan) plus other less well known routes.

[LifeExotics]

How hard was the run compared to other runs?

[utubesgreatme]

One of the best ski experiences of my life was doing this with professional mountain guide Fred Bernard.

[wobbecraft]

More european alps pls

Do paradiski! Top 3 world in size

[mrsmartypants_]

It would be amazing in good snow conditions which I suspect is rare and getting rarer by the decade.

[allanfifield]

Did it without a guide. I was a strong intermediate. Saw some nasty looking crevices, but just stayed in the main tract.

I have no idea what the "special equipment " might be.

[borndrum]

But then you have to deal with the French