Tour du Mont Blanc Trial Conditions June 2026

TMB Col du Bonhomme Conditions Update – 3 June 2026

With the start of the Tour du Mont Blanc season just around the corner, we have begun our annual trail condition checks on some of the key sections of the route.

Over the next week, Vic Chelton and I will be heading into the mountains to assess conditions on the higher passes, paying particular attention to any remaining snow, trail accessibility and potential route issues that may affect trekkers starting their journeys in the coming weeks.

While the valleys are now looking beautifully green and summer-like, winter is not quite finished in the high mountains. As always, conditions can vary considerably above 2,000m and it is important not to assume that conditions in the valleys reflect what you will encounter on the cols and higher sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Micro-spikes and walking poles are strongly recommended and will make crossing the remaining snow patches much safer and more comfortable. Particular attention is needed between the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, where snow remains on exposed slopes. A slip here could be consequential, so care and concentration are essential.

The Col des Fours is not recommended in early-season conditions. This route is steep, snow-covered in places and potentially dangerous, particularly on the descent.

If you are staying at Refuge des Mottets, we advise descending via Les Chapieux and continuing along the road to Ville des Glaciers instead.

The good news is that our first inspection has been encouraging. Yesterday I walked from Les Contamines to the Col du Bonhomme to assess conditions on one of the key early-season sections of the route. There is still snow present on the upper slopes and around the col itself, but I was pleasantly surprised by how manageable conditions were overall. The trail remains largely accessible and conditions were considerably better than I had expected for early June.

Over the coming days we will continue to inspect the main areas that traditionally hold snow the longest, including the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Col de la Seigne, Grand Col Ferret and other key sections of the circuit. We will publish a full detailed report next week, complete with photographs and route-specific advice for trekkers planning to start the Tour du Mont Blanc in the coming weeks.

Watch this space for further updates.