Dôme des Glaciers ascent

An easy climb, far from the ski lifts in a secluded atmosphere.

|Tour du Mont Blanc par les glaciers avec la compagnie des guides de Saint-Gervais / Les Contamines|Tour du Mont Blanc par les glaciers avec la compagnie des guides de Saint-Gervais / Les Contamines|Tour du Mont Blanc par les glaciers avec la compagnie des guides de Saint-Gervais / Les Contamines|Tour du Mont Blanc par les glaciers avec la compagnie des guides de Saint-Gervais / Les Contamines|Randonnée glacière Hauts Glaciers Mer de Glace avec les Guides de Saint-Gervais et Les Contamines|Randonnée glacière Hauts Glaciers Mer de Glace avec les Guides de Saint-Gervais et Les Contamines

Duration

Destination

Season

Difficulty

The ascent of Dôme des Glaciers is an ideal introductory climb, far from the ski lifts in a secluded atmosphere. Between Beaufortain, Tarentaise and the Mont Blanc massif, on the French-Italian border.

Program

Day-by-day detailed program for the Dômes des Glaciers ascent.

The day before

Appointment at 6.30 pm at the guides' office.

Day 1
Climb to Robert Blanc 2750m

Departure from Saint Gervais, to reach the hamlet of Chapieux (1,550m) (about 1.5 hours drive) at the start of the Vallée des Glaciers, at 1960m. Ascent to the Robert Blanc mountain hut (2,750m).
Height difference: + 790m

Day 2
Dôme des Glaciers ascent 3592m

Dôme des Glaciers (3592 m): snow trail.
Height difference: + 842 / - 1632m

The guides could be led to change the program depending on the weather conditions, the mountains and the level of the participants.

Download the information file

Registration

You can register from October 9th either directly online below, or by returning the completed 2024 registration form by e-mail, dated and signed.

For further information, please contact us by e-mail or telephone on +33 (0)4 50 47 76 55 (Saint-Gervais) or +33 (0)4 50 47 10 08 (Les Contamines). We’ll be happy to guide you in the realization of your project.

Details

All the practical information for the Dôme des Glaciers ascent.

2024 dates

Group sessions: Every Friday from mid-June to mid-September depending on the conditions
Private sessions: Every day from June to mid-September depending on the conditions and the availability in the hut.

2024 rates

If you are alone and want to benefit of a better price, you can choose the group formula.

Price of the group formula:
€480 / person (guaranteed departure from 3 subscriptions)

Private sessions:

1 participant: €1200
2 participants: €680/ person
3 participants: €490 / person
4 participants: €410/ person
5 participants: €570/ person
6 participants: €490/ person

The price includes

  • Supervision by a mountain guide
  • Half-board at Robert Blanc
  • 1 lunch and 1 picnic

 

The price does not include

  • Beverages, cereal bars and other personal expenses
  • Transportation to Chapieux and back (it is customary for clients to transport the guide)
  • Your personal insurance
  • Rental of technical equipment
  • Everything not mentioned in "the price includes"

Requirements

The Dome des Glaciers ascent requires good physical preparation; it is intended for sporty people. On the second day, you will have to walk for about 6 hours, so you should prepare by practicing "cardio" during workouts. Endurance sports such as cycling, running or long walks are an ideal preparation. Endurance sports such as cycling, running or long walks are an ideal preparation.
Also remember that you will be hiking for 2 days with an 8-kilo backpack, which significantly increases the effort required, so if you do go out, exercise with that extra weight.

You will evolve on an unmarked mountain route, you must be aware of the dangers associated with this activity (glacier crevasses, serac falls, rock falls, avalanches, very low temperatures).

We are available to answer your questions.

Guiding

Max. 4 people per guide.
Guaranteed departure in group sessions from 3 subscriptions.
You will be supervised by a UIAGM-certified mountain guide or mountain guide in training.

Insurance

To be covered by an insurance «assistance-repatriation» is mandatory to participate in our stays. If you do not have «assistance-repatriation» insurance, we can offer you one at the price of €10 (5€/day). We also offer optional «cancellation» insurance at the price of €24 (€12/day). This insurance does not take into account the sporting character of our stays. More information in the cancellation and assistance repatriation insurance booklets.

Rendezvous

Appointment at 6.30 pm at the Saint-Gervais guides' office (in the tourist office of the village) where you will meet your guide. If you cannot be present, the briefing can be done by phone. More details about how to travel by public transportation can be found on our "contact" page.

Equipment list

Technical equipment

  • Helmet
  • 35/40-liter rucksack
  • Two telescopic walking sticks with washers
  • Harness
  • Ice axe
  • Gaiters
  • Mountain boots with stiff soles to put crampons
  • Semi-automatic crampons equipped with anti-boots

 

You can rent the technical equipment at:
For Saint Gervais : Blanc Sports or Sports Unlimited
For les Contamines : Intersport

Clothing

  • Hat and headscarf or buff®
  • Thermal underwear, long and short sleeves No cotton
  • Fleece jacket
  • Down jacket
  • Gore-Tex® jacket or similar (an insulated ski jacket is not suitable)
  • Thermal underwear tights
  • Technical hiking trousers
  • Gore-Tex® trousers or similar (water- and windproof)
  • Warm socks

 

Essential equipment

  • Glacier sunglasses (cat. 4)
  • A pair of light walking shoes
  • Ski goggles (in case of snow or strong winds)
  • Cap
  • Headlight and batteries
  • Drinking bottle that can hold at least 1L of water. Camelbak bags are not recommended
  • 2 pairs of gloves : a thin pair (fleece or leather) and a warm pair like waterproof mittens
  • Sleeping bag liner (blankets are available in the hut)
  • Sunscreen for body, face and lips
  • Thermos flask (0.5 L minimum)
  • Energy bars or dried fruits
  • Small personal first-aid kit (aspirin, compeed®, earplugs)
  • Small toiletry bag (small toothpaste, toothbrush, wipes)
  • Identity papers, insurance papers, health insurance
  • Cash for extra expenses in the hut (drinks, sleeping bag liner, snacks)

 

Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like advice on your physical preparation, the choice of your equipment or the organization of your stay.

Summary