Ski Duo Breaks Speed Record on Mont Blanc, Skiing All 4 Faces and Climbing 24,000 Vertical Feet in Stunning 21 Hours Record-setting alpinist Benjamin Védrines, 32, and partner Nicolas Jean recently conquered all four of Mont Blancs incredible faces in an impressive 21 hours. While that accomplishment might be incredible enough, the fact that these two mountaineers conquered the amazing feat in June makes it even more astonishing. Mont Blanc, sitting at an elevation of 15,777 feet, hold snow near its […] Climbing Joseph Kaufmann | June 19, 2025 0 Comments
Canadian Wildfire Smoke Crosses the Atlantic, Affecting Air Quality Index Across Europe Summer is officially here, meaning longer days, drier conditions, and warmer weather. While all of those factors make for a great day on the beach, it can wreak havoc on North America’s drier areas, especially the prairie provinces of Canada such as Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. I currently reside in Michigan, a state not commonly associated with wildfires due to […] Fire Joseph Kaufmann | June 11, 2025 0 Comments
Val d’Isère, France, Opens for Summer Skiing on the Pisaillas Glacier This Weekend Perched high in the French Alps and framed by the dramatic peaks of the Vanoise National Park, the Pisaillas Glacier at Val d’Isère, France, is once again opening for summer skiing. Accessible only via the Col de l’Iseran—the highest paved pass in Europe—this seasonal tradition offers a rare chance to ski above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) well into July. The […] Industry News Julia Schneemann | June 5, 2025 0 Comments
No Lifts, Just Legs: British Pair to Walk 801 Miles From London to The French Alps in Ski Boots On Friday, June 13, at noon, Reuben Gray—known from Britain’s Got Talent—and Matt Brinkley, a British Army reservist and Exeter University alumnus, will commence a unique endurance challenge: an 801-mile walk from Oxford Circus, London, to Val Thorens in the French Alps. Distinctively, both participants will undertake the entire journey wearing full ski attire, including ski boots—footwear in which most […] SnowBrains | June 4, 2025 1 Comment
Italian Mountaineer Smashes Mont Blanc Fastest Known Time (FKT) With Combination of Running and Skiing On Saturday, May 31, Italian mountaineer William Boffelli carved his name into the record books, completing the round trip from Chamonix, France, to the summit of Mont Blanc and back in an astonishing 4 hours, 43 minutes, and 24 seconds. The Mont Blanc FKT, achieved with a combination of running and ski mountaineering, eclipsed the previous record set last week […] Climbing CragBrains | June 2, 2025 0 Comments
20-Year-Old Speedrider Dies After 1,000-Meter Fall on North Face of Aiguille du Midi, France A 20-year-old speedrider died Tuesday, May 13, after falling nearly 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) while descending the north face of the Aiguille du Midi, one of the most iconic peaks in the Mont Blanc Massif in France. The accident occurred late Tuesday morning despite calm weather and fresh snow conditions that had attracted several local thrill-seekers to the high alpine […] Industry News SnowBrains | May 15, 2025 0 Comments
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