313: Chamonix Mont-Blanc | More Than a Ski Resort

313: Chamonix Mont-Blanc | More Than a Ski Resort

From The Ski Podcast by The Ski Podcast

May 29, 2026 · 58 min

About this episode

The episode explores the unique aspects of Chamonix Mont-Blanc, featuring insights from local experts.

Today we focus on one of the most famous resorts in the world – Chamonix Mont-Blanc. Host Iain Martin talks with Chamonix locals to get behind what makes this resort so special, from history to high mountain, glaciers to guides. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this episode, including Bernadette Tsuda, Brad Carlson, David Webster, Sam Haddad, Sasha Rayazantsev, Benoit Borrell, Sam Morton and Iona Halley, as well as Nathalie Tortora. SHOW NOTES Bernadette Tsuda is a heritage guide in Chamonix William Windham and Richard Pococke ‘discover’ the Mer de Glace in 1741 (2:00) The statue of de Saussure and Jaques Balmat (5:00) The statue of Michel Paccard (7:40) The mural at Place des Alpes (12:00) Marie Paradis was the first woman to summit Mt Blanc in 1808 (12:30) How to qualify as a mountain guide, with Brad Carlsson (17:30) ENSA is the École Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme (19:00) How to become a member of the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix (21:30) The ski areas (24:00) The Aiguille du Midi (27:00) Changes to the Vallee Blanche over the years, with David Webster (29:30) Dangers of crevasses, with Sam Haddad (31:00) The kit you need for glacier skiing, with Brad Carlsson…

People in this episode

Host: Iain Martin

Topics covered

  • Chamonix Mont-Blanc
  • skiing
  • mountain guides
  • climate change
  • glacier skiing
  • local history

Keywords

  • Chamonix Mont-Blanc
  • ski resort
  • mountain guides
  • climate change
  • glacier skiing
  • local history
  • Vallee Blanche

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: École Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme, Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix

Places: Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Mer de Glace, Mt Blanc, Vallee Blanche, Aiguille du Midi

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