It’s here! Our first TMB conditions report of 2026! Make sure to bookmark our main Trail Updates page so you can get more information next month!

If you’re hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) this year, now is the time to start monitoring the weather and keeping an eye on the snow conditions. Throughout the summer, we’ll publish monthly TMB conditions from around the tour. We’ll include photos and detailed descriptions of any potential challenges, such as snow-bridges, river crossings and landslide debris. Additionally, we’ll fill you in on any cultural events that are happening, such as music festivals or workshops.

We’re a team of local guides living around the Mont Blanc massif, and by sharing our observations, we hope to help you get ready and stay safe in these mountains that we call home.

Disclaimer: Because conditions can change quickly in the mountains, make sure to combine the information here with your own judgment. To hike the TMB without a guide, it’s important that you’re able to change plans accordingly and take alternative routes when necessary.

General TMB Conditions : Winter Overview

On all three sides of the TMB (France, Italy and Switzerland) winter put up a decent fight this year. January and February brought several good snowfalls. March was cold and unsettled, which meant the snowpack could keep ticking along well into spring, despite that fact that April was unseasonably warm,

May has continued in much the same vein. Rather than long stretches of sunshine, we’ve seen a parade of weather systems bringing rain, cool temperatures and fresh snow. The valleys are turning green, and we’ve sweated our way through some hot days recently! But up on the high passes, winter seems reluctant to let go! If you’re hiking the TMB in June, expect snowy stretches on many of the major passes.

Side note : if you are interested in comparing weather patterns year by year, browse the Meteo Blue archives, the Valle d’Aosta articles, or our own TMB condition reports from last year (for example, May 2025).

FAQ : “Which sections should I be most careful about?“

When reading TMB conditions reports, there are certain mountain passes to pay particular attention to. Additionally, there are some fast rivers that you may have to cross, and some snow bridges that you may have to walk around. We’ll list these below…

High Passes : which ones to keep an eye on

Pay special attention to the following mountain passes, or “cols” :

• Fenêtre d’Arpette: the high-level variant between Champex and Trient.
  
  
• Col des Fours: an alternative route linking Les Contamines with Refuge des Mottets and Les Chapieux.
  
  
• Col de la Croix du Bonhomme: one of the key high points on the classic stage from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux.
  
  
• Grand Col Ferret: the major border crossing between the Italian Val Ferret and Le Fouly on the Swiss side.
  
  
• Col de Balme: the final high pass before returning to the Chamonix Valley. While not particularly steep, the north-facing slopes above Trient often hold snow well into the summer.

These passes are generally the last sections of the TMB to melt out. Another area worth keeping an eye on is the traverse towards Lac Chécrouit, where snow frequently lingers into early summer.

Snow Bridges and River Crossings

Snow bridges over streams are a common feature of early-season hiking in the Alps. These can look reassuringly solid from above, especially if they’re well-trodden, but they often melt from underneath first. As the snowpack thins, crossing directly through the stream may actually be the safer option. Keep an eye out for running water beneath the snow and don’t assume that every snowy crossing is safe to walk on. In June 2025, we saw notable snow bridges above Refuge des Mottets and on the climb from Champex to Bovine.

River crossings are another common feature. As the snowpack melts, streams can become surprisingly deep, particularly on the route towards Bovine. In some cases, wading through the water with shoes and socks removed is safer than attempting to cross an unstable snow bridge. It’s a good idea to side-step across the river, facing upstream, as opposed to walking across.

Conditions can change rapidly, so we’ll highlight any significant snow bridges or river crossings in each monthly update.

May 2026 TMB Conditions

Now we’ll share our observations from recent days out around the TMB. We’ve organised the information into sections, following the route in the same order that most hikers tackle the Tour du Mont Blanc. For more information on the typical TMB itinerary, visit our general TMB page here.

TMB Conditions in France

Because none of our guided trips have started yet, we don’t have information on all the sections in France. None of our team have been as far as Croix du Bonhomme or Col de la Seigne, but given the conditions of lower passes, we know there is a lot of snow up there still!

Les Houches & Contamines

30th May : The Bellevue lift will open on June 6th, so anyone hiking the TMB before this will have to hike from the valley bottom. At the moment, the Bionnassy suspension bridge is not in place, but hopefully it will be put back soon! There is a little bit of snow on the north-side of Col de Tricot, and no snow on the south-side.

Col du Bonhomme / de la Croix du Bonhomme

May 31st : Charlie ran up to just below Col du Bonhomme from Les Contamines. The valley is lush and the trails are snow-free until 1,864 metres, near Cascade de la Balme. After this, there are small patches of intermittent snow all the way up to Plan des Dames. There isn’t any snow on the steep climb to Plan des Dames, but meltwater from the snowfields above is flowing down the path. The real snow starts just above Plan des Dames, where the snowpack is thick and continuos.

Based on current conditions, Col du Bonhomme is likely to remain snow-covered for some time yet, while the higher and more exposed Col de la Croix du Bonhomme will almost certainly hold snow well into the season.

TMB Conditions in Italy

Grand Col Ferret

3rd June : Charlie rand her dog ran up to Grand Col Ferret from Arnuova. At this time of year, there are rivers flowing down from the snowfields on Plan de Golliat, and the gullies hold a lot of snow. Because of this, the usual TMB route can be dangerous, as snow bridges cross over steep streams. Charlie took the 4×4 track up to Rifugio Elena, which has been snowploughed by the refuge to carry up supplies. The trail was snow-free until around 50 metres below the pass. From there, a thick snowpack covered the trail, and it continued for about 40 minutes on the other side.

TMB Conditions in Switzerland / France

Col de Balme

29th May : Charlie ran from Le Tour to Col de Balme via Aiguillette des Posettes. The temperature was high (30°c) but there are still small patches of snow on the Posettes ridge, with a few avoidable snow bridges. There are larger, unavoidable patches of snow between Col des Posettes and Col du Balme, but the angle is very mellow. The northern side of the pass is still holding lots of snow, and there aren’t any obvious tracks coming up from Trient yet.

La Flégère & Le Brévent

30th May : Charlie ran from Tré-le-Champ to Lacs des Chéserys. There isn’t any snow until just below the Lac des Chéserys. From there, the track is covered in a thin layer of snow pretty much all the way to Lac Blanc (this info came from other hikers who Charlie got chatting to!)

Summary : what this all means for Early hikers

For early-season hikers, the TMB is currently a tale of two seasons. Down in the valleys, it feels like summer is on the way, but many of the higher passes are still holding substantial snow. With a bit of flexibility and careful planning, it’s possible to enjoy some fantastic hiking, but anyone tackling the full circuit should be prepared for lingering snow, changing conditions and the occasional route adjustment. We would definitely recommend micro-spikes and hiking poles, and make sure to read our post on TMB shortcuts.

Nature update : what’s out in May?

No TMB conditions report would be complete without a quick nature update!

Spring has well and truly arrived in the valleys, and the mountainsides are bursting into colour. Wild strawberries are beginning to appear along the trails, providing plenty of excuses to stop. Keep an eye out for delicate Alpine Snowbells (Soldanella), purple and white Crocuses, and the striking Alpine Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla alpina). We’ve even spotted our first Gentians of the season.

The wildlife is making the most of the changing season too. Marmots are busy emerging from their burrows, while ibex seem to be thoroughly enjoying the remaining snowfields. It’s one of our favourite times of year to be in the mountains, when winter and spring briefly share the same landscape.

What’s on in June 2026 : life around the trail

The Tour du Mont Blanc isn’t just about mountain passes and trail conditions. Throughout the summer, the villages along the route host festivals, sporting events and local celebrations that can add an extra dimension to your tour. Here are a some highlights coming up over the next few weeks :

• 6th June : Folk Concert, Trient
  The Corsican folk group I Campagnoli will perform an evening concert in Trient. Formed in 1989, the group is known for its traditional polyphonic singing and has become one of the best-known ambassadors of Corsican musical culture. If you’re spending the night in Trient, this could be a memorable way to experience a different side of mountain life on the TMB. The concert will take place at 19H30 in the Trient church, and you can buy tickets in advance here.
  
  
• 10th – 14th June : Chamonix Film Festival, Chamonix
  The sixth edition of the Chamonix Film Festival brings five evenings of mountain films, workshops, talks and exhibitions to the heart of the valley. Screenings take place at the Vox cinema and Plan B, with a program focused on adventure, climbing and mountain culture. Find the full program on the festival website, Chamonix Film Festival
  
  
• 14th June : Les Traditionnades, Chamonix
  One of the valley’s most charming traditional events. Expect folk music, Alpine costumes, local crafts and plenty of Savoyard atmosphere in Place du Mont-Blanc.
  
  
• 21st June : Fête de la Musique, Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentiere
  The summer solstice brings live music to villages across the French side of the TMB. Chamonix, Argentière and Les Houches all host free concerts, street performances and open-air events throughout the afternoon and evening. If you’re spending a night in the valley, expect a festive atmosphere and music drifting through the streets long after sunset.
  
  
• 19th – 21st : MDS Crazy Loops, Courmayeur
  Courmayeur hosts this unusual mountain-running event, where participants complete repeated trail loops above town over three days. It’s part race, part mountain festival, and brings a lively atmosphere to the Italian side of the massif. Find out more here : MDS Crazy Loops Courmayeur
  
  
• 26th – 29th June : Marathon du Mont-Blanc, Chamonix, Argentière, Le Tour
  One of the Alps’ biggest trail-running weekends returns to Chamonix. Thousands of runners take part in races ranging from the Vertical Kilometre to the legendary 90km event. If you’re hiking the TMB during these dates, you may cross paths with runners around Flégère, Le Brévent or the Posettes ridgeline. You can find out more here : Marathon du Mont-Blanc
  
  
• 27th – 28th June : Champexstival, Champex-Lac
  This small music festival takes place on the shores of beautiful Champex-Lac. The programme features a mix of live music, food stalls and a relaxed alpine atmosphere, making it a great place to spend an afternoon or evening. With the lake, forests and surrounding peaks as a backdrop, it’s one of the more scenic festival settings you’ll find anywhere on the route. You can find more information here.