What is the Bossons glacier?
The Bossons glacier is the largest ice fall in Europe. Located in the village of Les Bossons, above the Chamonix valley, the glacier originates on the French side of Mont Blanc (around 4,810 m) and spreads out on its north-western slope between the Roches Rouges (4,363 m) and the Dôme du Goûter (4,304 m).
This ice fall goes from 4,810 m above sea level to 1,420 m in just 7.3 km with an average slope of 28°.
It offers a magnificent setting with its numerous seracs and crevasses.
Its terminal language is retracted from year to year, in 1980, it reached an altitude of 1,200 m.
How and when to get there?
Open only in summer, you can reach the shores of the Bossons glacier by a chairlift that takes you to 1,410 m in 15 minutes, or on foot using a path of about 50 minutes. Car parks are located at the start of the chairlift and the trail.
The Glacier des Bossons chalet is a 5-minute walk from the arrival of the chairlift. From its terrace you can admire the terminal language of the glacier and the enchanting seracs of the Pyramid Plateau.
On site
From the Glacier chalet we then follow the thematic trail that tells the story of the glacier. Each panel that punctuates the trail relates a particular theme such as the life of the glacier, the Little Ice Age, the evolution of the glacier, etc.
This chalet is also the starting point for the Bossons glacier hike, which leads to the Pyramids chalet.
These two chalets offer the possibility of eating, they offer typical cuisine in an idyllic setting.
The Bossons glacier hike
For those who have brought hiking boots and want to get a little closer to the glacier, the Chalet du Glacier is the starting point of the famous Jonction hike, which will take you to the gateway to the high mountains, at 2,589 m, at 2,589 m, to the Chalet des Pyramides.
This itinerary was taken by J. Balmat and Doctor Paccard during the very first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786.
This sporty hike offers incredible views of the seracs and the ice pyramids.
Schedules and prices
Generally open from mid-June to mid-September, subject to favorable weather conditions, the Glacier des Bossons chairlift opens at 8:30am. The last ascent is at 5.30 p.m. and the last descent at 6 p.m.
Here are the prices for this chairlift:
- Free for children under 5
- One way for 5 — 14 year olds: €7.80
- Round trip for 5 — 14 year olds: 10€
- One way for adults: €10
- Round trip for adults: €13.40
- Go for those over 65 years old: €8.10
- Round trip for those over 65: €10.30
- Family package: 35.20 to 46.60€ (2 adults + 2 young people = other young people free, up to 3 free)
- Free for holders of a Mont Blanc multipass (access rink...)
