Activities

Approaching the hike on the Bionnassay Glacier

Saint-Gervais-les-Bains is a thirty minute drive west of Chamonix, France, where ASIC 2022 was held. To orient visitors to this site, Chamonix is due north of Mont Blanc and Saint-Gervais-les Bains is due west of Chamonix and basically at the foot of the Bionnassay Glacier descending from Mont Blanc to the west. Half-way between Saint-Gervais and Chamonix is Les Houches.

https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/en/tramway-montblanc is a website describing the Mont Blanc Tramway, a cog wheel train that starts in Saint-Gervais, and makes several stops, including one in Les Houches en route to Nid d’Aigle (a refuge serving as the starting point for the normal climb of Mont Blanc). The stops on the tramway also give access to hiking, parasailing, and mountain biking.

Because Saint-Gervais is close to Chamonix, most or all of the activities listed on the 2022 website are available for 2025 attendees. We invite 2025 attendees to visit the 2022 website, and its activities page, found on the ASIC portal at https://asic.cogs.indiana.edu.

Park de Merlet between Saint Gervais and Chamonix

Hiking:

In addition to the uncountable hikes in the immediate Chamonix region, there are many near to Saint Gervais.

https://www.komoot.com/guide/1460558/hiking-around-saint-gervais-les-bains for one listing and see

https://www.alltrails.com/france/haute-savoie/saint-gervais-les-bains for a listing of 46 hikes.

Part of the hike Le Crozat-Bellevue

Mountaineering:

There are numerous options everywhere surrounding Mont Blanc. For some near Saint Gervais, see:
https://tourism.saintgervais.com.

Note: Mountaineering in these enormous mountains will not be possible for day adventures and a return to ASIC for talks at 4.

These adventures, meant for those with considerable experience best be left for days prior to, or after, ASIC.

Part of the knife edge en route to Aiguille de Bionnassay

There are numerous ‘small’ peaks in the general area. One peak accessible from Saint Gervais is Tete du Colonney, with a long approach and a 1.6 km ascent and descent taking 5-6 hrs. See: https://fatmap.com/discover/route/france/haute-savoie/hiking/tete-du-colonney/43755. This site lists a few other possibilities as well.

Another possibility is Mont Lachat, albeit one can reach the Col du Mont Lachat from the Mont Blanc Tramway.

Rock Climbing:

Again there are too many possibilities to list. In addition to the possibilities laid out on the 2022 website, there are others near and to the west of Saint Gervais. These will be listed here soon.

For experienced climbers we can highly recommend a (long) day climbing the backside of the Aiguille du Midi. When we held ASIC in Aosta, we visited Chamonix, took the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, walked down the knife edge snow ridge, and climbed the famous Rebuffat route back to the cable car. See several routes of varying difficulty in the picture below.

An easier alternative from the Aiguille cable car station is the equally spectacular Cosmique Ridge Route at a difficulty of only 4

See: http://www.chamonixtopo.com/alpine-climbing/cosmiques-arete-aiguille-du-midi/

Cosmique Ridge Route

As is our usual practice, we will offer one or two group climbing days (at reduced pricing). These are organized at attractive and scenic venues. Tentatively the first day will be June 24. These days are aimed at all climbers, but particularly newcomers and novices. The novices are taught how to climb on easy routes with topropes in place. The better climbers come and enjoy climbing on the more challenging routes in the same area.

Novice Climbing near Chamonix

Via Ferrata

Another favorite activity in which high mountain exposure and scenic views are available without technical climbing skills and with considerable safety: Each participant walks along, up, and down cliffs and canyons attached to and holding on to iron cables affixed to the rock faces. This is often done by families and children, though the more difficult ones might be facilitated by a guide.

In addition to the via ferrata near Chamonix there is a nice via ferrata in two sections in the Bonnant gorges near Saint Gervais: Via Ferata du Parc Thermal. See:

Canyoning

The participants don wetsuits and with the help of guides enter and descend a mountain stream in a narrow canyon. This exciting activity requires no experience and is suitable for families and children. There are several possibilities near Saint Gervais: E.g. see: https://www.yumping.fr/canyoning/isere/saint-gervais?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItMH-xL3HhgMVi1n_AR3e2QeNEAAYASAAEgJ0WPD_BwE

Parasailing (Parapente in France):

This is another exciting activity that can be enjoyed by novices, when done in tandem with an expert guide. One lifts off typically from a hillside or cliff (usually after a cable ride to reach the start), using a parasail large enough to lift and sail both the guide and the client. The two ascend thermals (often following birds) and eventually descend and land in a field. See: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g562747-d10769772-Reviews-A2L_Parapente-Saint_Gervais_les_Bains_Haute_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

Road Biking and Mountain Biking:

The Saint Gervais and Chamonix areas have many opportunities for both forms of biking. For Saint Gervais, See: https://www.komoot.com/guide/1460560/road-cycling-routes-around-saint-gervais-les-bains

White Water Rafting

Another favorite activity for families and individuals. Take a look at: https://tourism.saintgervais.com/i-want-to/an-activity/water-activities/white-water-activities/

Leisure Activities:

The areas near this conference have many offerings of leisure activities.