June can seem to be the perfect time to trek the TMB. Trekkers hoping to avoid the crowds and enjoy alpine flowers in bloom are often drawn to trek during this early shoulder season before the holiday season kicks in good and proper.
When trekkers tell me they want to trek in June, most are surprised by my one word response. Snow.
Yes. There is invariably snow on the TMB during the last two weeks of June and often into the first week of July. Many people planning an early TMB trek do not realise this.
Snow can mean a totally different experience of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Trekking during this early season should be well thought through with realistic expectations.
This summer (2024) was exceptional on the snow stakes – many trekkers were unable to complete the trail with the Italian side, particularly the Grand Col Ferret being difficult to pass. Many trekkers had to bypass this section entirely.
Laura, one of my zoom clients, climbing the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme in June 2023
Conditions trekking during this 3 week period are hard to predict. Snow levels are dependent on two things – the amount of snow that fell during Winter and two – the melt rate come Spring.
Consider this – Chamonix ski lifts are STILL open into the first week of May for end of season skiing – this puts into perspective how much snow is still up there in May and June.
Given that so many trekkers planning their trek don’t realise this – I thought it would be prudent to write a post about trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc in June so you can decide whether this is the TMB you envisaged, and if so, to help you plan with confidence.
Alex, one of my zoom clients, enjoying the snow on the TMB in June 2023
So what is it like to trek the Tour du Mont Blanc early season?
There are still a large number of trekkers who hike the Tour du Mont Blanc in June but it is quieter than the peak months of July and August.
Chamonix mountain guides do go out on the trail before the opening date to clear sections where possible or put in ropes. The main trail is generally clear mid June however snow fields will still cover the cols (mountain passes) at 2000m plus.
Through the snow fields there will be a visible track for you to follow as others before you hard pack the snow into a route. You’ll follow deep foot tracks in the soft snow. This snow packed route over the high cols will change as the snow melts and the main path becomes again visible.
The two dangers that trekkers should be aware of hiking during this time are:
1/ slipping whilst traversing snow covered sections of the trail with high exposure
2/ melting snow bridges (that often have strong glacial torrents underneath – not something you want to fall into)
What do we mean by high exposure? High exposure means one side of the trail descends very steeply – a slip could mean a long fall down.
There are particular sections of the trail that have exposure that are prone to hold onto the snow a little longer, for example right at the beginning of the traverse to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme setting off from the top of the Col du Bonhomme (see the first two photos below). The third photo is a snow bridge over a torrent on the climb up to the Col du Bonhomme. The last photo shows the whole first traverse section towards the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme taken from the top of the Col du Bonhomme.
Snow filled gullies can also be tricky to cross where there’s a degree of exposure.
There’s a particular tricky one on the way up to Col de la Seigne between Ville des Glaciers and Refuge Mottets on stage 2 (first photo below). The ascent up to Refuge Elena from Hotel Chalet Val Ferret on stage 6 is also prone to snow filled gullies early season! The second photo shows one of these gullies. Both taken mid June 2023.
The third photo is looking back onto the Contamines-Montjoie valley from the beginning of the ascent of the Col du Bonhomme – June 2023. The bottom photo is on stage 4 heading towards Refugio Maison Vieille mid July 2018.
Another thing to note in early season is there can be a fair degree of mud! Melting snow equals mud. Expect to squelch down some descents – this can make going downhill a bit trickier, more prone to slipping and possibly tweaking something so caution is wise.
Some trekkers choose to descend snowy descents by sliding either on their bums or standing up (with invisible skis) – a much more fun alternative.
What early TMB trekkers need to be aware of:
1/ TAKE EXTRA EQUIPMENT TO STAY SAFE
Hiking crampons (with spikes not circular flat discs) are normally required. They don’t weigh a lot so there’s no excuse not to throw them into your bag. You will definitely feel safer with these on when crossing a snowy traverse with a lot of exposure! Mid June you may even want to consider renting a lightweight ice axe. You would hold this in one of your hands whilst crossing a tricky section – its the only thing that would stop you if you fell.
You should not be planning to take any variants if you’re trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc in June, except from perhaps variant stage 1 via the Col du Tricot which is generally always clear during this time. It’s too dangerous to take any of the other variants. If you are staying at Refuge Mottets, you would need to descend down the traditional route via the hamlet of Les Chapieux instead of taking the Col des Fours variant.
3/ VISIT THE HIGH MOUNTAIN OFFICE IN CHAMONIX BEFORE SETTING OFF
Visit the High Mountain Office in Chamonix before setting off to find out about up to date conditions. If you are booking a self guided Tour du Mont Blanc trek then the company you have booked with should be telling you up to date conditions on the trail as well. If in doubt – ask.
The High Mountain Office updates conditions on various trails in Chamonix once a week, normally on a Thursday. You can check this page here. Check this page the week before your trek however there is no substitute for going in and speaking to them.
An example of the High Mountain Office TMB conditions update posted on their website on June 20th 2023
“Only the Col de Tricot can be safely negotiated. On the Col des Fours side, there is a lot of snow, the slopes to be crossed are long, steep and exposed and there are several dangerous torrent crossings (water flowing strongly under the snow with the risk of being swept away). It’s also too early to tackle the Arpette window”But there is still snow on the main passes: Col du Bonhomme – Col de la Seigne – Grand Col Ferret – Col de Balme. Crossing the Col du Brévent is still problematic (see above) and it is preferable to take the Brévent cable car back down to Bellachat or to go around the bottom (Planpraz- Plan Lachat – refuge de Bellachat- Les Houches).Snow-covered sections of the route require appropriate and essential equipment to minimise the risk of slipping: – high waterproof boots – poles – hiking crampons (and mountain feet!)
We did visit the Bureau des Guides in the Maison de la Montagne building. They were very helpful. We purchased a couple of maps from them too.
Corinne and Bill Barnes, Aug 2023
Snow bridges become more unstable as the weather warms. In this photo the snow bridge is quite obvious – in other places you cannot see the conditions underneath so caution is required crossing one at a time
Did you know I offer zoom consultations to help you plan your TMB trek? Any zoom clients trekking in June get added to a private WhatsApp group to share photos & advice on the conditions ..
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Kearston
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I just completed the TMB and this service was worth every penny! I began looking into the trip pretty late and realized I did not have the time to figure out the route and lodging. Mags was so quick at finding a route that worked for me and the zoom call was priceless! She offers so much information on the route and her site is packed with helpful info. This is a great option for those who are having trouble securing beds in huts and still want to own their trip. Mags gives you everything you need but I really enjoyed looking into the resources and feeling a part of the planning. I noticed that those who booked with a self guided tour agency did not know as much about the trek and asked me for information at times. I highly recommend this if you want to be a part of the planning and research of the trip while not having to stress about finding availability late to the game.
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Marnie Cahill
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I have been so incredibly impressed with the help I received in planning my TMB trip with Mags. I contacted her in late March for a late August hike and she did an amazing job of preparing a route for me, within my dates, even with 90% of the refuges completely booked out by that stage. She's been responsive to all of my questions and has a wealth of knowledge all things TMB and Chamonix related.
What the support looked like was some initial emails to gather details from me. Mags then worked on an idea for an itinerary, sent it to me and we were able to jump on a call a few days later. She gave me clear instructions and links on how to book things and also talked me through a summary of the trail itself to make sure I was okay with what she had proposed.
Then a few months later, we had a ~90min chat to talk through each stage in detail and she outlined every little detail (what time i should aim to start hiking each day based on buses or gondolas i'm planning to take, which days will need picnics prepared, which places i'll need to bring cash for) including what i'll see on the different variants.
You will find her blog incredibly detailed and informative, but having her by your side while planning a trip like this will be a game changer. Worth every penny.
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Kristine Miller
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Mags Nixon is a gem! She is pleasant, professional, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. Her enthusiasm is contagious! She helped us: find a route through the TMB (including gpx files), procure reservations at refuges (some of which are private), and provided invaluable insights and recommendations. She has provided us with the tools and confidence we need to complete the TMB self-guided. Highly recommend!
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Will Kerscher
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Decided to try and book the TMB last-minute and came across Mags. She is phenomenal and was able to work with me to get everything scheduled. I would never have been able to figure this out without her! Highly recommend!
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MC Richardson
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We booked a 90 min session with Mags for her to review our planned TMB route. I initially wondered whether it would be useful as we had booked all our refuges so wouldn’t have been able to change them. It was the best thing we could have done - she went through each stage, highlighted things we needed to know and various cable cars/buses we could take if we needed to. Also what to do in the event of bad weather. The session was recorded so we could listen properly without feeling that we had to take notes.
We also paid for the map files of the specific route Mags suggested based on our discussions which was also invaluable.
And the help didn’t stop there. During our trip we had various questions which Mags answered really quickly. She even sent more map files when we came upon a hitch half way round.
All in all our TMB was improved massively thanks to Mags’ help. I’d have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone wanting to hike any of the routes she covers.
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Nelson Youth Theatre COMPANY
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We had a fabulously detailed Zoom meeting with Mags, full of very relevant details of every stage of the hike, followed up by a very lengthy email with links to everything we could conceivably need to know about our TMB hike. An extraordinary service - now we can look forward to enjoying ourselves in the mountains! Thank you Mags xx
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Sandra Connors
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If you are planning a trip around Mont Blanc, I cannot recommend this unique guide service highly enough. The personalized attention and responsiveness were incredible from start to finish. Every question was answered quickly and thoughtfully, and the recommendations were far beyond what you find in guidebooks or online forums.
What really sets her apart is her deep local knowledge. She lives in the Mont Blanc region and genuinely loves sharing what she believes is the most beautiful place in the world. She knew hidden gems, quieter routes, special lodging options, and mountain huts that many travelers never even hear about. She also had insider tips and strategies for securing hut reservations that would have been nearly impossible for us to figure out on our own.
Not only did she create a much better experience, but she also saved us a significant amount of money compared to other tour companies that customize trips. She helped us avoid unnecessary expenses both for packing and on the trail. The entire trip felt customized specifically for our ages and fitness level rather than a generic itinerary.
If you want expert local insight, exceptional service, and a truly unforgettable Mont Blanc experience, this is the person to trust.
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Gustav Magrinat
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I made a late decision to try the Tour de Mont Blanc and would not have been able to get everything booked and settled without having Mags to help me out. She knows the entire area and the trails can help you work out alternatives in terms of places to stay and how to get there, where to get a bite or water, what to do if the weather turns really bad, etc. I feel very secure with the plans we made and am looking forward to the Tour later this year
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Lily Totten
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Mags is amazing! She’s incredibly helpful in planning your self guided hike of TDMB. I normally plan my own trips and have done a few of this nature so I hesitated to reach out to her thinking I’d be wasting both her and my time. I started my research and ended up booking the 90 minute zoom after all. I’m SO glad I did!! She has amazing insight, endless knowledge, and goes above and beyond to ensure you’re set up for success. I’d highly recommend reaching out to her if you even have the smallest inkling to. You won’t regret it!
The trail opens on 14th June every year but this is France – there are no rules – there are no physical barriers that are taken down on the 14th June and the trail ‘opens’. What it means essentially is that the infrastructure on the trail opens on the 14th, and whilst some of the public transport options won’t kick in for a few weeks, the refuges are now open and you’ll see trekkers on the trail.
As mentioned above, the guides of Chamonix go out on the trail to clear tricky sections or to put in ropes if necessary before the 14th June. This does not mean it is ‘safe’. If snow is covering sections of the trail which have significant exposure (one side falling away very steeply) then trekkers need to use caution and extra equipment to safely cross (hiking crampons & possibly an ice axe) – as the High Mountain Office phrase it ‘to have mountain feet’!.
I want you to know the risks, what to do and what NOT to do. Tragically a solo trekker perished in June this year on the Cols des Fours by falling through a snow bridge into glacial water. This variant should never be taken early season as the snow covers torrent crossings (glacial streams) which are fast flowing. Snow can completely blanket this water so trekkers are unaware of it. Accidents can happen as snow bridges begin to become unstable as the weather warms.
Lac Blanc is almost still completely covered by snow – photo taken on June 24th 2023. Stages 10 and 11 take some time for the snow fields to thaw. Expect to encounter snow early season at Lac Blanc and Col du Brévent. Lac Blanc can be covered in snow until mid July so if you want to experience the magical reflections in the lake, you need to book for later in the season.
Where are the tricky areas to be aware of hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in June?
In general there are always the same tricky areas when trekking Tour du Mont Blanc in June.
These are (but not limited to):-
Flégère – expect Lac Blanc to have a lot of snow surrounding it with the lake appearing much smaller than normal as ice and snow cover it.
Brévent – there is always a lot of snow still on the Col du Brévent. The High Mountain Office will normally advise hikers to avoid this and take a lower route. If you were planning to hike stage 11 first (which is a good idea if you’re trekking in peak season and you don’t have dodgy knees – as it helps get around the limited accommodation options between stages 10 and 11) I wouldn’t, not if you are planning to trek in June. Instead trek stage 11 as its chronological stage to allow more snow melt by the time you come around to it 11 days later.
Col du Bonhomme / Croix du Col du Bonhomme – whilst the Col du Bonhomme does not have any real exposure once you get to the top and start the traverse to the Croix du Col du Bonhomme – there is a lot of exposure to the right hand side (if you trekking counter clockwise) – the mountain descends steeply to the right and the trail (with snow on) is a very narrow track where caution and concentration is necessary. See the photos further up in this post.
Col des Fours – this always holds a lot of snow until the beginning of July. There is a very steep descent from the top of the Col des Fours which can be tricky with snow on but the much bigger danger are the unstable snow bridges crossing the glacial torrents (see above). No-body should consider taking the Col des Four variant in June or the first week of July. Tragically there have been deaths on this section early season.
In the one main snow section, I think my micro spikes, a crucial item and honestly unsafe without. I did see a couple folks without, and think in the moment, each agreed they wish they had them. It was super steep and side hill. The snow was crusty early, but got soft rapidly in the sun. Many of the folks I spoke with had no idea what a fall arrest was, let alone practiced in them. That particular section just passed the Col Du Bonhomme, if someone slipped and wasn’t able to immediately arrest, they would be traveling far too fast and seemed everything looked to end in a vertical fall or large boulders. Simply a prime example of where not to risk it. Spikes in that section should be a mandatory safety item.
While I only wore my spikes twice, and only once for any real distance, I’d never go that time of year without them. That said, the torrents are what personally unnerve me more than anything else. When the rotting snow bridges start to give way, I take particular note. I’m over 6 feet tall and not what one would consider petite, so when also carrying a heavy pack, I always imagine if a snow bridge is going to collapse with someone crossing it, I have a higher probability of being that someone. There were a few that I personally found unpleasant to cross, and honestly the only remotely sketchy parts of my trek. With spikes, the snow fields were actually quite enjoyable, even with the steep grades, but there isn’t really any safeguarding a torrent other than going around which at times isn’t an option. I didn’t have any problem though, opting to take my time, and on a couple moving up slightly to clearly thicker snow that was less traveled, and therefore less rotten without the darker prints from previous hikers soaking up the sun’s warmth and growing softer in the mid-day.
If you have trekked the Tour du Mont Blanc early season, we would welcome your comments below to help other people planning their TMB to decide whether trekking in the second half of June or first week of July might be something they would consider.
Really really good post! I’m going next week (3rd of June), and yes I know is super early, but my husband and I are backpackers since more than 15 years and have experience. Nevertheless I think it’s important to be prepared, so I wrote down all your tips! We will also do only half of TMB, starting in Courmayeur. But will make a stop in Chamonix to talk to the mountain office. I will comment once again after the trips and tell about my experience. Thanks again, I love your blog!
Hi Maca. There remains a lot of snow on the trail – particularly in Italy. Please take an ice axe and microspikes. The guides have only just departed yesterday. There is still a risk of avalanche. You must NOT take any variants apart from the Col du Tricot on stage 1 which is clear of snow. Many setting off now are returning ….. Take care. Mags
The High Mountain Office updated their website on Friday with this message:-
Pour la randonnée pédestre, il ne faut pas aller au-dessus de 2000m si vous voulez être tranquilles ! Pensez à nous appeler pour vérifier ensemble la faisabilité de votre projet ! L’activité démarre très doucement sur le Tour du Mont Blanc (début d’ouverture des refuges, les premiers randonneurs pointent les bouts de leurs bâtons). Les cols et sections en altitude sont très enneigés. Il ne s’agit pas de névés mais bien de longues parties enneigées ce qui implique : – sentiers et balisages non visibles = risque de se perdre – marcher longtemps dans la neige = étapes plus physiques voire épuisantes si il faut (re)tracer, avoir de bonnes chaussures de rando montantes + guêtres (la neige ça mouille!!!) – risque de glissade/dévissage : emporter et savoir utiliser les crampons voire petit piolet (la neige ça glisse!!!) – faire attention en traversant les torrents/ruisseaux de ne pas passer au travers et se faire emporter Dans ces conditions, il est réservé aux randonneurs très aguerris, entrainés et adéquatement équipés. La plupart des randonneurs qui partent actuellement font demi-tour (pensez à le faire avant qu’il ne soit trop tard !!!).
Hi Maca, I am looking to hike the TMB in early june this year too! Could you share your experience hiking it and any tips you may have? Thank you so much in advance :)
I fly out to start the trail this Thursday 🥴 I’m more than a bit apprehensive as I’m a solo trekker. I have my spikes but no axe 🪓 can I get a axe in chamonix? I’m planning to do 25/30k on some of the days, I did the Edmund Hillary route to base camp last October in 17 days so I’m aware of the slog I’ve got to contend with 😭 I hope this snows not as bad as I’ve been reading about
Hi Jimmy. You will definitely need to rent an ice axe. You can book online in advance if you wish on Ravenel Sports, Snell Sports or Technique Extreme. However you can also rock up and rent one when you get here. The snow is actually quite an issue. I would visit the High Mountain Office in Chamonix before departing. This is their update on Friday just gone for the TMB …. For hiking, don’t go above 2000m if you want to be safe! Don’t forget to give us a call to check out the feasibility of your project!
Hiking on the Tour du Mont Blanc is off to a very slow start (refuges are opening and the first hikers are warming up). The cols and high altitude sections are very snowy. These are not névés but long stretches of snow, which means : – paths and markings not visible = risk of getting lost – walking for a long time in the snow = more physical or even exhausting stages if you have to (re)track, have good hiking boots + gaiters (snow gets wet!!!) – risk of slipping/falling: carry and know how to use crampons or even a small ice axe (snow is slippery!!!) – Take care when crossing streams and torrents so as not to fall through and get swept away. In these conditions, it is only for very experienced, trained and adequately equipped hikers. Most hikers who set off at the moment turn back (remember to do so before it’s too late!!!).
The weather has finally turned nice this morning here in Chamonix and looks to be sunny for the next few days however storms are predicted towards the weekend. Good luck. Don’t be too proud to turn back if you are unhappy with conditions and DO NOT take the Col des Fours – in fact all the variants apart from variant 1 via the Col du Tricot – this one is okay. Expect to put crampons on at the top of the Col Du Bonhomme to start the traverse to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. This is a notoriously exposed stretch when there is snow on it. Best. Mags
Hi Mags! Thank you SO much for all the info you provide to the community. I have been devouring your blog for a few days. We are set to start the hike now on the 10th (unfortunately we were not able to book another date due to work). I did get in touch with the Chamoniarde office via email and they basically told me that crampons are a must, but ice axes are optional. They said, in these words “if you have hiking poles you should be okay”.
I am not sure what to make of this… In fairness, I have ZERO experience using an ice axe. What would you recommend? We plan to go there in person to speak to them on saturday as well.
Also, gaiters are probably advised, correct?
We are going to take our time in this hike (more than 11 days, if needed) and are planning to keep safe and not take any variants.
Hi Thalia good to hear from you. I would take your advice from the HMO so yes visit them in person. Crampons are definitely a must and yes also gaiters. An ice axe can seem scary but really it’s just there to have in hand if you slip whilst crossing snow in an exposed section. The trail is steep and sometimes there is nothing to stop your fall at all. If you were to fall on these sections, having an ice axe in your hand would give you purchase and would be the only thing to stop that fall. Above 2000m it is still snow – not patches of snow but long long stretches. Bear in mind that you will get much more tired than normal so don’t assume that normal trek times will apply, they won’t. We are still gaining information on the snow conditions. I trekked stage 10 yesterday and the ladders are free of snow which is good. It’s melting everyday but obviously way behind other years. The most dangerous section from what I’m hearing is actually the Grand Col Ferret. Italy had a lot more snow than us here in Chamonix so the Italian cols have more snow. You will be okay to trek variant 1 via the Col du Tricot – it’s beautiful and safe. There are a couple of snow patches towards the top but the steep descent into Miage is free from snow. No crampons required on the easy climb up to Tricot. If the weather is good take it. However we have a lot of storms predicted over the next week and even though I want to get on the trail to test the conditions before I leave to trek the Dolomites next weekend I’m carefully watching the weather. Do not take any other variants and you may need to take public transport around from Courmayeur to Champex Lac. Good luck and stay safe. Mags
Hi dear Mags, Thanks for your reply. I read your reply way too late (by the time we were already on the trail, hehe) so we didn’t have time to get ice axes. We finished the TMB a few days ago, it took us 10 days to complete it.
Here are my thoughts/advice for people doing this in the upcoming days: – Absolutely no way you can be safe without crampons right now. They were literally life savers in many difficult sections. In my opinion, the most dangerous sections were: the path between Val Veny and Courmayer (really narrow icy paths right next to steep cliffs), everything Col Ferret related (poor visibility up there, way too much snow covering the path signs, we nearly got lost) and also the very last day, on the climb to Le Brevent. I am not sure what’s going on in there. After the cable car, we had to climb really steep rocks, got up there and it was just snow and almost no visible paths. I am not sure whether the path is usually really like this (more like a climbing with your hands type of thing). We met at least three groups turning around and giving up. My husband wanted to push through and we somehow managed it. I think we either missed the actual path or the path itself got a bit “destroyed” by natural elements this season and they probably need to work on clearing it up a bit.
We did the entire route by the map and didn’t use public transport. But we also didn’t take any variants except from Col Tricot.
In regards the last stage (Brevent), I’d advise people to use the cable car and skip that section at least for now. We regretted halfway through, but then there was no turn around. It was already dark when we finally reached Les Houches.
It was an amazing experience and I don’t mean to scare people, but you really need to know what you are doing if you want to complete the entire route with this amount of snow. We got lost up in the mountains many times, thanks God we always met people in the hike and most of them were happy to help. The positive side is that you can always get public transport alternatives for the crazy snowy sections.
Overall, we had a great time, the views were amazing. It was definetly a memory for a lifetime. But if I could go back and choose, I would have preferred to do this in late summer. I was not experienced enough in snow hiking when I launched myself into this. Lesson learned!
Thanks for this great article. We are doing an 8 day hike of the TMB in last week of June 2025, so all very relevant for us. Would you suggest buying crampons in Australia before we come, or buying/hiring them in Chamonix?
Hi Daryl good to hear from you. I would suggest waiting to see what the conditions are like. Some years there is no need for hiking crampons (micro spikes) so it’s best to wait. I expect you will need them but you can buy them in Chamonix easily the day before you depart after ideally popping into the High Mountain Office to check the weather forecast and the trail conditions. Note that you cannot rent hiking crampons in Chamonix only the mountaineering crampons which are not suitable for walking the TMB. Have a great trek. Mags
Mags, thank you for your website. Like many, I have read and re-read it and found it to be incredibly informative. The zoom we had with you was also very helpful and I love that you recorded it so I can spend time before our hike going back through it to take notes. As you know, my twin sons ran the TMB two summers ago in August for their 21st birthday and loved it. Although, they did experience some tough sections and particularly hit a lot of snow fall on the Swiss side which they (and other hikers they ran into) were not expecting when they set out that morning. They wished they had crampons and reported that there were many times they had a hard time finding the trail (and this was in August!). This coming summer, June 13-19 myself, my husband, our 19 year old son and 15 year old daughter will be hiking the TMB and are anxious to hear about the conditions. Thank you for providing such thorough information so that we can arrive as prepared as possible. I’m looking forward to reporting back once we finish the hike.
So exciting you will be trekking the TMB this June Nan! I’ll add you to my early trekker zoom client WhatsApp group where everybody shares photos & trail conditions. If someone’s trekked a few days before you it can really help know what’s ahead. At least you will be prepared with spikes in June – that was crazy weather last August! – rare that we see snow in August but these are the mountains and can be unpredictable.
Hi Mags, just stumbled over your valuable blog, thanks a lot!!
Is there any prediction for this year? Due to work I would only be able to do the TMB beginning of June! I found all the accommodation. But after reading your blog I am wondering, if that’s a good idea at all to start that early.. (June 1st)
Thanks for the feedback. June 1st is very early Julia! Are you trekking solo and what experience do you have? There has not been as much snow this spring as last year and the weather is very warm at the moment. Unless we have some serious snow in the next two weeks which is looking doubtful (we are due some rain but the freezing line will be high at around 2500m) so June at the moment is looking good for trekkers in general, however June 1st is very early. You will certainly still have snow on the trail. I will probably be venturing out onto the trail around this time. You must pack hiking crampons and go into the High Mountain Office to get advice before you begin. You MUST not do the Col des Fours or any variants apart from variant stage 1. I would also check in with someone everyday on arrival so they can send an alert if you have not arrived. Note that from Col de la Croix du Bonhomme to Col de la Seigne there is zero phone signal – its a black out zone for phone and wifi so if you are staying in Les Chapieux or Mottets you will not be able to contact anyone to tell them you are safe (although the little shop in Les Chapieux, if open so early, sells satellite wifi). Please feel free to email me directly.
Thank you for all the useful information. I was thinking on doing the TMB trek solo starting on June 10th, but after reading the possible downsides to this, I am a bit apprehensive as to whether I should go ahead with it or cancel altogether. I am particularly hesitant to do it alone. Any suggestions?
Hi Sabrina. I would always encourage solo female trekkers to just do it. Prepare adequately and go for it. It’s important to keep up to date with the weather and trail conditions so be sure to visit the high mountain office in the centre of chamonix. They speak English and will be able to assist. The 10th June is only a few days before mid June when the trail ‘officially’ opens. This is France however and the trail is never ‘closed off’. We had a lot of unexpected snow around 10 days ago down to the valley floor. I was worried initially about June trekkers however the weather is insanely hot now and has been for the whole week – I am outside in my chalet garden and its too hot to come out from under the shade!! I can’t imagine that snow is going to last long! Of course it does also depend on the weather in May also so it is always hard to predict how much snow there will be but there is not as much as last year that is for sure! There will be plenty of trekkers on the trail in June. The first day on variant stage 1 you will encounter no snow at all. It is your choice as to whether you feel able to trek given your experience – I’m not sure how much experience you have? Feel free to email me. Best Mags
Hi Julia, I’m just emailing again because I am now concerned about your very early potential start date. We have had a couple of metres of snow unexpectedly fall all the way down to the valley a couple of days ago. This took everyone by surprise and the whole town fell into chaos – something we rarely see. It turns out that Chamonix had let go most of its seasonal snow clearing teams as it is the end of the season – all the ski slopes are now shut! We had fallen trees across the road and traffic backed up in uncleared roads. Crazy – it’s normally so efficient. Anyhow the upshot of this is that this new level of snow will now potentially cause a little more trouble for early trekkers. It does depend on the melt rate now from now on. We are forecast extremely warm weather so that hopefully will make the difference that we didn’t have last year with the bad weather we had in May. Please feel free to email me directly to discuss. Starting on June 1st is too early now but I could suggest perhaps staying in Chamonix and doing some day hikes and potentially getting up to some of the TMB. Best. Mags
Hello, thankyou for your amazing site. We are doing a 6 day walk starting on June 23rd, D1 Chamonix – Argentière D2 Argentière – Trient – Champex D3 Champex – Grand Col Ferret – Val Ferret – Courmayeur D4 Courmayeur – Val Ferret – Val Veny – Col de la Seigne – Les Chapieux D5 Chapieux – Col des Fours – Les Contamines D6 Les Contamines – Mont Joie – Les Houches – Chamonix
Which areas would you expect us to have issues with?
Hi Daryl ah you’re going clockwise – you’ll have each morning to yourself on the trail! It’s hard to say exactly as I haven’t yet been up and checked the conditions. We had a lot of unexpected snow around 2-3 weeks ago down to the valley floor – around a metre on the valley floor! It’s been very hot since – up around 27-28 degrees on some days but in the last week more rain and I can see the snow level looking up from the valley. I will be checking out sections of the trail in late May so will have a better idea then. Normally there is a small section on the bovine route on your D2 that can sometimes be tricky. Grand Col Ferret was impassable last year for a week in mid June – Italy got a lot of snow last year. There’s a snow bridge between Col de la Seigne and La Ville des Glaciers and YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BE DOING THE COL DES FOURS. I don’t even considering crossing this until after the first week of July. If you are aiming to hike stage 11 the Col du Brevent will probably not be passable either but you can take the cable car from the summit down to Plan Praz.
My zoom clients gain access to a private early trekkers WhatsApp group where trekkers share their photos and trail conditions which helps trekkers coming a few days after them. During a zoom consultation I walk you through your itinerary day by day on a map discussing potential issues, lunch stops, water stops, variants, short cuts and exits etc. The zoom is recorded and you would also receive unlimited email access to me until the date of your trek. If you would like to book a zoom you can here https://tourdumontblanchike.com/tmb-zoom-consultation/
Col du Tricot passable. A little snow left but no need for crampons – this is the ONLY variant you can take in June
Croix du Bonhomme is snowy from 2000m no crampons required. The traverse to Col du Bonhomme is very snowy and gets hard/slippery if the night was clear. I’d recommend carrying small crampons just for this section.
A small portion (15m?) of the track in Les Chapieux valley has fallen into the river. If passing under rain, people must be very cautious! I’d recommend taking the road from Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers in this case. If one takes the bus from Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers this can be avoided.
Col de la Seigne, not so much on the French side, lots of snow on the italian side but easy non exposed descent
Col de Chécrouit still lots of snow & avalanche debris. Tricky section.
Planpincieur/Bertone/Courmayeur = almost snow-free ; the track is in good condition
A lot of avalanches all the way down to the valley on the Bonatti traverse
The high track to go from La Peule to La Fouly is tricky, with steep avalanche snow still present in the north-facing gullies. Grand Col Ferret still has a lot of snow! Definitely more than 120cm.
The track between Trient and Champex-Lac is not yet cleared of rock and tree falls. Some parts are tricky to avoid. Quite a few avalanches as well.
Col de la Balme is snowy on the Swiss side, but not that much. Nothing to worry about.
The ladders on stage 10 are clear. Snow from Lac Chesery up to Lac Blanc
Hi Mags, This blog and your replies to the comments are great. A friend and I are planning the walk to start on the 14th June this year (2026). I believe snow fall this year has been good if you ski, any thoughts on how it will be by the beginning of June for the walk? We’re camping. Many thanks if you can share any advice. Best wishes, Adrian
Hi Adrian, thanks I’m glad my website is helpful. Yes lots of snow this winter and its a question on everyone’s lips (as is every year) as to how much snow will there be on June 14th (the official open date of the TMB trail). Whilst we have had epic proportions of snow this year it is now very very hot so we are not sure at this point what the snow will be like. Normally you can expect snow above 2000m so generally just at the top of the cols. Last year we had a heat wave for 7 weeks during May and beginning of June so the trail was clear of snow. The year before June trekkers had difficulty getting over the Grand Col Ferret and many had to take public transport. The best way to keep updated is to check social media. Also if you want to talk through your trail day by day with info on camping (I have camped the trail but am yet to write it up) consider booking a private zoom with me as my June trekkers get added to a private WhatsApp group just for my zoom clients. We/they all share conditions of the trail to give info for the next group setting off. It helps to reassure. Cheers. Mags
HI there. I’m looking to scout this hike in 2027 or 2028. I love snow, but have little experience hiking in it, and don’t want to have to carry an ice axe. I also want to avoid crowds. So if you could pick the best time for doing the walk with these considerations, which time frame would you suggest?
Hi Trica. It’s rare that you need to carry an ice axe – only extremely early season but yes if you want to avoid the snow then June and early July are out. The best time to trek to avoid crowds is September. Not the first week as thats still peak season. After the 15th some of the refuges close but not all of them and it’s generally really good weather. The only thing about trekking in September is that there is no extra transport working ie cable cars or shuttle buses so you might want to cut the trail up into shorter chunks if you were relying on taking any of those. If you want help planning a Sept itinerary just get in touch. Thanks. Mags
Hi Mags, Thank so much for this website. The information is so useful. My mum and I (17&56 both female) are setting out on June 11th this year. I was not aware of the official opening date when booking the Refugio’s unfortunately. Now it’s in a week and we are in panic mode. We are starting in Courmayeur and going counter clockwise over 12 days. Would we be able to do the Col du Ferret on the first day? If not what are our alternatives going to La Peule for the first night? We are both experienced hikers but are from Australia so we aren’t familiar with snow. I understand now we would need micro spikes, where would be the best place to get them? Are there any other things we should be aware of? Thank you again
28 Comments
Maca
May 30, 2024 at 10:44 amReally really good post! I’m going next week (3rd of June), and yes I know is super early, but my husband and I are backpackers since more than 15 years and have experience. Nevertheless I think it’s important to be prepared, so I wrote down all your tips! We will also do only half of TMB, starting in Courmayeur. But will make a stop in Chamonix to talk to the mountain office. I will comment once again after the trips and tell about my experience. Thanks again, I love your blog!
tourdumontblanchike
June 2, 2024 at 5:37 amHi Maca. There remains a lot of snow on the trail – particularly in Italy. Please take an ice axe and microspikes. The guides have only just departed yesterday. There is still a risk of avalanche. You must NOT take any variants apart from the Col du Tricot on stage 1 which is clear of snow. Many setting off now are returning ….. Take care. Mags
The High Mountain Office updated their website on Friday with this message:-
Pour la randonnée pédestre, il ne faut pas aller au-dessus de 2000m si vous voulez être tranquilles ! Pensez à nous appeler pour vérifier ensemble la faisabilité de votre projet !
L’activité démarre très doucement sur le Tour du Mont Blanc (début d’ouverture des refuges, les premiers randonneurs pointent les bouts de leurs bâtons). Les cols et sections en altitude sont très enneigés. Il ne s’agit pas de névés mais bien de longues parties enneigées ce qui implique :
– sentiers et balisages non visibles = risque de se perdre
– marcher longtemps dans la neige = étapes plus physiques voire épuisantes si il faut (re)tracer, avoir de bonnes chaussures de rando montantes + guêtres (la neige ça mouille!!!)
– risque de glissade/dévissage : emporter et savoir utiliser les crampons voire petit piolet (la neige ça glisse!!!)
– faire attention en traversant les torrents/ruisseaux de ne pas passer au travers et se faire emporter
Dans ces conditions, il est réservé aux randonneurs très aguerris, entrainés et adéquatement équipés. La plupart des randonneurs qui partent actuellement font demi-tour (pensez à le faire avant qu’il ne soit trop tard !!!).
phoebe
February 8, 2026 at 1:12 pmHi Maca, I am looking to hike the TMB in early june this year too! Could you share your experience hiking it and any tips you may have? Thank you so much in advance :)
Jimmy
June 3, 2024 at 10:00 pmI fly out to start the trail this Thursday 🥴 I’m more than a bit apprehensive as I’m a solo trekker.
I have my spikes but no axe 🪓 can I get a axe in chamonix? I’m planning to do 25/30k on some of the days, I did the Edmund Hillary route to base camp last October in 17 days so I’m aware of the slog I’ve got to contend with 😭 I hope this snows not as bad as I’ve been reading about
tourdumontblanchike
June 4, 2024 at 11:06 amHi Jimmy. You will definitely need to rent an ice axe. You can book online in advance if you wish on Ravenel Sports, Snell Sports or Technique Extreme. However you can also rock up and rent one when you get here. The snow is actually quite an issue. I would visit the High Mountain Office in Chamonix before departing. This is their update on Friday just gone for the TMB …. For hiking, don’t go above 2000m if you want to be safe! Don’t forget to give us a call to check out the feasibility of your project!
Hiking on the Tour du Mont Blanc is off to a very slow start (refuges are opening and the first hikers are warming up). The cols and high altitude sections are very snowy. These are not névés but long stretches of snow, which means :
– paths and markings not visible = risk of getting lost
– walking for a long time in the snow = more physical or even exhausting stages if you have to (re)track, have good hiking boots + gaiters (snow gets wet!!!)
– risk of slipping/falling: carry and know how to use crampons or even a small ice axe (snow is slippery!!!)
– Take care when crossing streams and torrents so as not to fall through and get swept away.
In these conditions, it is only for very experienced, trained and adequately equipped hikers. Most hikers who set off at the moment turn back (remember to do so before it’s too late!!!).
The weather has finally turned nice this morning here in Chamonix and looks to be sunny for the next few days however storms are predicted towards the weekend. Good luck. Don’t be too proud to turn back if you are unhappy with conditions and DO NOT take the Col des Fours – in fact all the variants apart from variant 1 via the Col du Tricot – this one is okay. Expect to put crampons on at the top of the Col Du Bonhomme to start the traverse to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. This is a notoriously exposed stretch when there is snow on it. Best. Mags
Thalita
June 5, 2024 at 10:57 amHi Mags! Thank you SO much for all the info you provide to the community. I have been devouring your blog for a few days. We are set to start the hike now on the 10th (unfortunately we were not able to book another date due to work). I did get in touch with the Chamoniarde office via email and they basically told me that crampons are a must, but ice axes are optional. They said, in these words “if you have hiking poles you should be okay”.
I am not sure what to make of this… In fairness, I have ZERO experience using an ice axe. What would you recommend? We plan to go there in person to speak to them on saturday as well.
Also, gaiters are probably advised, correct?
We are going to take our time in this hike (more than 11 days, if needed) and are planning to keep safe and not take any variants.
THANK you THANK you THANK you!
tourdumontblanchike
June 7, 2024 at 4:20 amHi Thalia good to hear from you. I would take your advice from the HMO so yes visit them in person. Crampons are definitely a must and yes also gaiters. An ice axe can seem scary but really it’s just there to have in hand if you slip whilst crossing snow in an exposed section. The trail is steep and sometimes there is nothing to stop your fall at all. If you were to fall on these sections, having an ice axe in your hand would give you purchase and would be the only thing to stop that fall. Above 2000m it is still snow – not patches of snow but long long stretches. Bear in mind that you will get much more tired than normal so don’t assume that normal trek times will apply, they won’t. We are still gaining information on the snow conditions. I trekked stage 10 yesterday and the ladders are free of snow which is good. It’s melting everyday but obviously way behind other years. The most dangerous section from what I’m hearing is actually the Grand Col Ferret. Italy had a lot more snow than us here in Chamonix so the Italian cols have more snow. You will be okay to trek variant 1 via the Col du Tricot – it’s beautiful and safe. There are a couple of snow patches towards the top but the steep descent into Miage is free from snow. No crampons required on the easy climb up to Tricot. If the weather is good take it. However we have a lot of storms predicted over the next week and even though I want to get on the trail to test the conditions before I leave to trek the Dolomites next weekend I’m carefully watching the weather. Do not take any other variants and you may need to take public transport around from Courmayeur to Champex Lac. Good luck and stay safe. Mags
Thalita
June 21, 2024 at 9:36 amHi dear Mags,
Thanks for your reply. I read your reply way too late (by the time we were already on the trail, hehe) so we didn’t have time to get ice axes. We finished the TMB a few days ago, it took us 10 days to complete it.
Here are my thoughts/advice for people doing this in the upcoming days:
– Absolutely no way you can be safe without crampons right now. They were literally life savers in many difficult sections. In my opinion, the most dangerous sections were: the path between Val Veny and Courmayer (really narrow icy paths right next to steep cliffs), everything Col Ferret related (poor visibility up there, way too much snow covering the path signs, we nearly got lost) and also the very last day, on the climb to Le Brevent. I am not sure what’s going on in there. After the cable car, we had to climb really steep rocks, got up there and it was just snow and almost no visible paths. I am not sure whether the path is usually really like this (more like a climbing with your hands type of thing). We met at least three groups turning around and giving up. My husband wanted to push through and we somehow managed it. I think we either missed the actual path or the path itself got a bit “destroyed” by natural elements this season and they probably need to work on clearing it up a bit.
We did the entire route by the map and didn’t use public transport. But we also didn’t take any variants except from Col Tricot.
In regards the last stage (Brevent), I’d advise people to use the cable car and skip that section at least for now. We regretted halfway through, but then there was no turn around. It was already dark when we finally reached Les Houches.
It was an amazing experience and I don’t mean to scare people, but you really need to know what you are doing if you want to complete the entire route with this amount of snow. We got lost up in the mountains many times, thanks God we always met people in the hike and most of them were happy to help. The positive side is that you can always get public transport alternatives for the crazy snowy sections.
Overall, we had a great time, the views were amazing. It was definetly a memory for a lifetime. But if I could go back and choose, I would have preferred to do this in late summer. I was not experienced enough in snow hiking when I launched myself into this. Lesson learned!
Daryl
February 23, 2025 at 11:52 amThanks for this great article. We are doing an 8 day hike of the TMB in last week of June 2025, so all very relevant for us. Would you suggest buying crampons in Australia before we come, or buying/hiring them in Chamonix?
Mags Nixon
February 23, 2025 at 1:51 pmHi Daryl good to hear from you. I would suggest waiting to see what the conditions are like. Some years there is no need for hiking crampons (micro spikes) so it’s best to wait. I expect you will need them but you can buy them in Chamonix easily the day before you depart after ideally popping into the High Mountain Office to check the weather forecast and the trail conditions. Note that you cannot rent hiking crampons in Chamonix only the mountaineering crampons which are not suitable for walking the TMB. Have a great trek. Mags
Nan
March 29, 2025 at 2:14 amMags, thank you for your website. Like many, I have read and re-read it and found it to be incredibly informative. The zoom we had with you was also very helpful and I love that you recorded it so I can spend time before our hike going back through it to take notes. As you know, my twin sons ran the TMB two summers ago in August for their 21st birthday and loved it. Although, they did experience some tough sections and particularly hit a lot of snow fall on the Swiss side which they (and other hikers they ran into) were not expecting when they set out that morning. They wished they had crampons and reported that there were many times they had a hard time finding the trail (and this was in August!). This coming summer, June 13-19 myself, my husband, our 19 year old son and 15 year old daughter will be hiking the TMB and are anxious to hear about the conditions. Thank you for providing such thorough information so that we can arrive as prepared as possible. I’m looking forward to reporting back once we finish the hike.
Mags Nixon
March 29, 2025 at 6:04 amSo exciting you will be trekking the TMB this June Nan! I’ll add you to my early trekker zoom client WhatsApp group where everybody shares photos & trail conditions. If someone’s trekked a few days before you it can really help know what’s ahead. At least you will be prepared with spikes in June – that was crazy weather last August! – rare that we see snow in August but these are the mountains and can be unpredictable.
Julia
April 9, 2025 at 2:58 pmHi Mags,
just stumbled over your valuable blog, thanks a lot!!
Is there any prediction for this year?
Due to work I would only be able to do the TMB beginning of June!
I found all the accommodation. But after reading your blog I am wondering, if that’s a good idea at all to start that early.. (June 1st)
Happy for any advice,
thanks a lot, Julia
Mags Nixon
April 10, 2025 at 5:54 pmThanks for the feedback. June 1st is very early Julia! Are you trekking solo and what experience do you have? There has not been as much snow this spring as last year and the weather is very warm at the moment. Unless we have some serious snow in the next two weeks which is looking doubtful (we are due some rain but the freezing line will be high at around 2500m) so June at the moment is looking good for trekkers in general, however June 1st is very early. You will certainly still have snow on the trail. I will probably be venturing out onto the trail around this time. You must pack hiking crampons and go into the High Mountain Office to get advice before you begin. You MUST not do the Col des Fours or any variants apart from variant stage 1. I would also check in with someone everyday on arrival so they can send an alert if you have not arrived. Note that from Col de la Croix du Bonhomme to Col de la Seigne there is zero phone signal – its a black out zone for phone and wifi so if you are staying in Les Chapieux or Mottets you will not be able to contact anyone to tell them you are safe (although the little shop in Les Chapieux, if open so early, sells satellite wifi). Please feel free to email me directly.
Sabrina
April 19, 2025 at 3:28 pmHi Mags!
Thank you for all the useful information. I was thinking on doing the TMB trek solo starting on June 10th, but after reading the possible downsides to this, I am a bit apprehensive as to whether I should go ahead with it or cancel altogether. I am particularly hesitant to do it alone. Any suggestions?
Mags Nixon
May 1, 2025 at 12:23 pmHi Sabrina. I would always encourage solo female trekkers to just do it. Prepare adequately and go for it. It’s important to keep up to date with the weather and trail conditions so be sure to visit the high mountain office in the centre of chamonix. They speak English and will be able to assist. The 10th June is only a few days before mid June when the trail ‘officially’ opens. This is France however and the trail is never ‘closed off’. We had a lot of unexpected snow around 10 days ago down to the valley floor. I was worried initially about June trekkers however the weather is insanely hot now and has been for the whole week – I am outside in my chalet garden and its too hot to come out from under the shade!! I can’t imagine that snow is going to last long! Of course it does also depend on the weather in May also so it is always hard to predict how much snow there will be but there is not as much as last year that is for sure! There will be plenty of trekkers on the trail in June. The first day on variant stage 1 you will encounter no snow at all. It is your choice as to whether you feel able to trek given your experience – I’m not sure how much experience you have? Feel free to email me. Best Mags
Mags Nixon
April 20, 2025 at 7:00 amHi Julia, I’m just emailing again because I am now concerned about your very early potential start date. We have had a couple of metres of snow unexpectedly fall all the way down to the valley a couple of days ago. This took everyone by surprise and the whole town fell into chaos – something we rarely see. It turns out that Chamonix had let go most of its seasonal snow clearing teams as it is the end of the season – all the ski slopes are now shut! We had fallen trees across the road and traffic backed up in uncleared roads. Crazy – it’s normally so efficient. Anyhow the upshot of this is that this new level of snow will now potentially cause a little more trouble for early trekkers. It does depend on the melt rate now from now on. We are forecast extremely warm weather so that hopefully will make the difference that we didn’t have last year with the bad weather we had in May. Please feel free to email me directly to discuss. Starting on June 1st is too early now but I could suggest perhaps staying in Chamonix and doing some day hikes and potentially getting up to some of the TMB. Best. Mags
Daryl
May 10, 2025 at 7:08 amHello, thankyou for your amazing site. We are doing a 6 day walk starting on June 23rd,
D1 Chamonix – Argentière
D2 Argentière – Trient – Champex
D3 Champex – Grand Col Ferret – Val Ferret – Courmayeur
D4 Courmayeur – Val Ferret – Val Veny – Col de la Seigne – Les Chapieux
D5 Chapieux – Col des Fours – Les Contamines
D6 Les Contamines – Mont Joie – Les Houches – Chamonix
Which areas would you expect us to have issues with?
Mags Nixon
May 10, 2025 at 8:38 amHi Daryl ah you’re going clockwise – you’ll have each morning to yourself on the trail! It’s hard to say exactly as I haven’t yet been up and checked the conditions. We had a lot of unexpected snow around 2-3 weeks ago down to the valley floor – around a metre on the valley floor! It’s been very hot since – up around 27-28 degrees on some days but in the last week more rain and I can see the snow level looking up from the valley. I will be checking out sections of the trail in late May so will have a better idea then. Normally there is a small section on the bovine route on your D2 that can sometimes be tricky. Grand Col Ferret was impassable last year for a week in mid June – Italy got a lot of snow last year. There’s a snow bridge between Col de la Seigne and La Ville des Glaciers and YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BE DOING THE COL DES FOURS. I don’t even considering crossing this until after the first week of July. If you are aiming to hike stage 11 the Col du Brevent will probably not be passable either but you can take the cable car from the summit down to Plan Praz.
My zoom clients gain access to a private early trekkers WhatsApp group where trekkers share their photos and trail conditions which helps trekkers coming a few days after them. During a zoom consultation I walk you through your itinerary day by day on a map discussing potential issues, lunch stops, water stops, variants, short cuts and exits etc. The zoom is recorded and you would also receive unlimited email access to me until the date of your trek. If you would like to book a zoom you can here https://tourdumontblanchike.com/tmb-zoom-consultation/
Daryl
June 3, 2025 at 2:25 amHi Mags,
Any update on how things are looking?
Mags Nixon
June 5, 2025 at 1:07 pmHi Daryl here is an update of current conditions.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Col du Tricot passable. A little snow left but no need for crampons – this is the ONLY variant you can take in June
Croix du Bonhomme is snowy from 2000m no crampons required. The traverse to Col du Bonhomme is very snowy and gets hard/slippery if the night was clear. I’d recommend carrying small crampons just for this section.
A small portion (15m?) of the track in Les Chapieux valley has fallen into the river. If passing under rain, people must be very cautious! I’d recommend taking the road from Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers in this case. If one takes the bus from Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers this can be avoided.
Col de la Seigne, not so much on the French side, lots of snow on the italian side but easy non exposed descent
Col de Chécrouit still lots of snow & avalanche debris. Tricky section.
Planpincieur/Bertone/Courmayeur = almost snow-free ; the track is in good condition
A lot of avalanches all the way down to the valley on the Bonatti traverse
The high track to go from La Peule to La Fouly is tricky, with steep avalanche snow still present in the north-facing gullies.
Grand Col Ferret still has a lot of snow! Definitely more than 120cm.
The track between Trient and Champex-Lac is not yet cleared of rock and tree falls. Some parts are tricky to avoid. Quite a few avalanches as well.
Col de la Balme is snowy on the Swiss side, but not that much. Nothing to worry about.
The ladders on stage 10 are clear. Snow from Lac Chesery up to Lac Blanc
Col du Brevent not passable.
Daryl
June 6, 2025 at 5:03 amThanks so much, amazing information.
Adrian
April 13, 2026 at 7:12 amHi Mags,
This blog and your replies to the comments are great.
A friend and I are planning the walk to start on the 14th June this year (2026). I believe snow fall this year has been good if you ski, any thoughts on how it will be by the beginning of June for the walk? We’re camping.
Many thanks if you can share any advice.
Best wishes,
Adrian
tourdumontblanchike
April 19, 2026 at 2:12 pmHi Adrian, thanks I’m glad my website is helpful. Yes lots of snow this winter and its a question on everyone’s lips (as is every year) as to how much snow will there be on June 14th (the official open date of the TMB trail). Whilst we have had epic proportions of snow this year it is now very very hot so we are not sure at this point what the snow will be like. Normally you can expect snow above 2000m so generally just at the top of the cols. Last year we had a heat wave for 7 weeks during May and beginning of June so the trail was clear of snow. The year before June trekkers had difficulty getting over the Grand Col Ferret and many had to take public transport. The best way to keep updated is to check social media. Also if you want to talk through your trail day by day with info on camping (I have camped the trail but am yet to write it up) consider booking a private zoom with me as my June trekkers get added to a private WhatsApp group just for my zoom clients. We/they all share conditions of the trail to give info for the next group setting off. It helps to reassure. Cheers. Mags
Tricia
May 21, 2026 at 5:21 pmHI there. I’m looking to scout this hike in 2027 or 2028. I love snow, but have little experience hiking in it, and don’t want to have to carry an ice axe. I also want to avoid crowds. So if you could pick the best time for doing the walk with these considerations, which time frame would you suggest?
tourdumontblanchike
May 28, 2026 at 7:46 amHi Trica. It’s rare that you need to carry an ice axe – only extremely early season but yes if you want to avoid the snow then June and early July are out. The best time to trek to avoid crowds is September. Not the first week as thats still peak season. After the 15th some of the refuges close but not all of them and it’s generally really good weather. The only thing about trekking in September is that there is no extra transport working ie cable cars or shuttle buses so you might want to cut the trail up into shorter chunks if you were relying on taking any of those. If you want help planning a Sept itinerary just get in touch. Thanks. Mags
Johanna Guo
June 1, 2026 at 11:45 pmHi Mags,
Thank so much for this website. The information is so useful. My mum and I (17&56 both female) are setting out on June 11th this year. I was not aware of the official opening date when booking the Refugio’s unfortunately. Now it’s in a week and we are in panic mode. We are starting in Courmayeur and going counter clockwise over 12 days. Would we be able to do the Col du Ferret on the first day? If not what are our alternatives going to La Peule for the first night? We are both experienced hikers but are from Australia so we aren’t familiar with snow. I understand now we would need micro spikes, where would be the best place to get them? Are there any other things we should be aware of?
Thank you again
tourdumontblanchike
June 2, 2026 at 8:11 amHi Johanna don’t panic. Email me direct on mags@tourdumontblanchike.com