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From Dubious Weather to an Epic Summit of the Matterhorn

A Blackbird team fought new snow and uncertain weather on the Matterhorn to reach the summit. Read on for details!

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    Blackbird Team Summits the Matterhorn via Hornli Ridge Route

    Blackbird teams reached the top of the Matterhorn with perfect weather and Route conditions on Friday!  

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      Mont Blanc Summit Climb via the Pope Route

      The Gonella Hut, center of the photo, is the starting point for the Pope Route Climb.  Photo: Zeb Blais   Mont Blanc Summit by the Pope Route July 3, 2025 Mont Blanc 4,810m Our team...

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        Blackbird Teams Summit Gran Paradiso

        The last push to the summit of Gran Paradiso in the Italian Alps. Photo: Zeb Blais   Gran Paradiso Summit!  July 1, 2025 Gran Paradiso 4,061m   Blackbird Mountain Guides reached the true summit of 4,061...

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          Summit of Mont Blanc via the Trois Monts Route

          The sun rising behind the Swiss and French Alps.  In the foreground, climbers ascend the north face of Mont Maudit (4,465m / 14,645') on their way to the summit of Mont Blanc via the Trois Monts...

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            Gran Paradiso Climb – Guided Summit with Blackbird Mountain Guides

            Blackbird teams made the summit of Gran Paradiso again this week, summiting with clear skies and firm snow conditions!

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              Blackbird Summits the Highest Peaks in France, Italy

              Views from the top of Italy.  4,061m Gran Paradiso, June 15, 2025.  Photo: Zeb Blais   First Alps Summits of the Season! Mont Blanc 4,810m & Gran Paradiso 4,061m   Blackbird teams summited the highest...

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                Chamonix Mont Blanc Backcountry Ski Conditions | April 20, 2025

                Current ski conditions in Chamonix Mont Blanc, including the Valley Blanche, the Geant Glacier, the Cosmiques Couloir and the Grand Montets.

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                  Chamonix Mont Blanc Ski Conditions | April 8, 2025

                  Glacier des Periades in Rhône Alps of Chamonix, France 4/02/2025.  Photo by Zeb Blais.  Chamonix Mont Blanc Ski Conditions 2025-04-08  The First Week of April  | Conditions in Chamonix April started with some unsettled and...

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                    Matterhorn Summit | Hornli Ridge

                    Blackbird teams led by IFMGA Mountain Guide Zeb Blais reached the summit of the Matterhorn via the Hörnli Ridge this week. Conditions were near perfect given the stormy start to the season and the snow remaining on the route.
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                      Mont Blanc Summit | Trois Monts June 27 2024

                      Topping out on the Maudit Shoulder on Mont Blanc.  Photo: Zeb Blais Mont Blanc Summit via Trois Monts Traverse 2024-06-27  |  Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit, Mont Blanc Blackbird teams reached the summit of Mont Blanc via the...

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                        Gran Paradiso Summit

                        Climbers approaching the summit of Gran Paradiso in fat springtime conditions earlier this week. Photo: Zeb Blais ~ With an unsettled weather forecast, we wasted no time getting to Italy to have a crack at climbing Italy's highest...

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                          Snowfall Lodge: Openings in January 2024!

                          Openings at Snowfall Lodge in British Columbia this January! We've got a few spots available for this incredible trip of a lifetime!  Read on to see why we love BC lodge trips so much!
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                            Summit Success on Mont Blanc

                            Blackbird teams led by IFMGA Mountain Guide Zeb Blais scored 100% success on Mont Blanc this month.  All members from each team made it to the top and back down safely.  Read on for routes and pictures!
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                              Solo Summit of the Matterhorn via Hornli Ridge

                              A jagged tusk of gneiss towering at an elevation of 14,692' (4,478m), the Matterhorn might be the most recognizable mountain in the world. From Zermatt, the small Swiss town below, it looks impossibly steep.  Surprising as it might seem, the Matterhorn is relatively easy in terms of technical difficulty.  But let's be real, it's no cakewalk. Read on for the lowdown!
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                                Summit of Mont Blanc via The Goûter Route

                                My first trip to Mont Blanc this season was via the Gouter Route and began in a rainstorm.  Not exactly how anyone wants to begin a trip, but with hut reservations at the Tete Rousse and Gouter Huts and an improving forecast, we made moves up the mountain.  
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