The Skier's Lodge is located 100yds from the Bellevue Cable Car in Les Houches. This is the starting point of what is condsidered to be the easiest route up Mont Blanc. Known as 'The Gouter Route' the ascent is made in two stages to allow for acclimatisation.

On the first day you ascend in the Bellevue Cable Car, then either walk or take the tramway to the Nid d'Aigle (Eagles Nest). From here it takes five hours to reach the Gouter Refuge for your brief overnight stay where you will be woken at 1.30am!

By setting off early you can hope to avoid being in a line of roped teams all the way to the summit. First there's  the monotonous climb to the Dome du Gouter. After this the Vallot emergency refuge is soon quickly reached  from which you can see the final summit ridge.

The traverse of the Bosses can be tricky as they can be quite broken with crevasses. After the Bosses the  ridge narrows and steepens to the summit. Due to a lack of skill and confidence on the ridges many people  turn back before the Tournier Rocks. Here there are two considerations; winds too high to walk safetly, and  also exposure. Finally, all being well, you will reach the summit!

Courses and/or Guides are available for the ascent!