ÉLISE PONCET BREAKS MONT BLANC
SKI RECORD WITH A 30-MINUTE LEAD!
It took 12 years for Élise Poncet to return to her roots. Twelve years since she left Paris, drawn by her deep love for the mountains. Twelve years of patience, learning, races, peaks, injuries, and victories…
A slow, deliberate journey—because in high-altitude mountaineering, as in elite sport, there are no shortcuts. For Élise, every step mattered. In the mountains, experience is the key to confidence and safety.
A Champion Living a Double Life
Well known to the public for her trail running achievements—World Vice-Champion in 2019, French Champion in 2022—Élise Poncet has also been quietly cultivating a second passion: mountaineering. Away from the spotlight, she honed her skills on snowy ridges and glacial slopes. Now at 30 years old, she’s ready to unite her two worlds—trail running and ski mountaineering—in one bold, poetic project.
A Legendary Climb, A Historic Record
On Friday, May 16, at 5:00 a.m., Élise left from Chamonix church, aiming to complete a round trip to Mont Blanc’s summit (4,809 m) on skis, in full autonomy. A brutal physical and mental challenge: 35 kilometers of distance and 3,800 meters of elevation gain.
A Champion Living a Double Life
Well known to the public for her trail running achievements—World Vice-Champion in 2019, French Champion in 2022—Élise Poncet has also been quietly cultivating a second passion: mountaineering. Away from the spotlight, she honed her skills on snowy ridges and glacial slopes. Now at 30 years old, she’s ready to unite her two worlds—trail running and ski mountaineering—in one bold, poetic project.
A Legendary Climb, A Historic Record
On Friday, May 16, at 5:00 a.m., Élise left from Chamonix church, aiming to complete a round trip to Mont Blanc’s summit (4,809 m) on skis, in full autonomy. A brutal physical and mental challenge: 35 kilometers of distance and 3,800 meters of elevation gain.
6 hours, 54 minutes, and 47 seconds later, Élise crossed the finish line. The verdict? Record shattered, with over 30 minutes shaved off the previous women’s time of 7h29. She now holds the fastest female time ever recorded, across all categories, for this iconic route. Following in the Footsteps of Pioneers
Following in the Footsteps of Pioneers
For this record attempt, Élise followed the historic route first taken by Jacques Balmat in 1786, via the Grands Mulets Hut.
This route spans all alpine zones in a single go: forest trails, glaciers, crevasses, and knife-edge ridgelines. A full sensory and physical journey. Starting at 1,000 meters and reaching 4,810 meters, the climb demands meticulous preparation and strict respect for mountain rules: glacier gear, crampons for the Bosses ridge, and rope protection across crevassed areas. Élise wore all her gear from start to finish, including her Julbo Edge Cover goggles with Reactiv 0-4 High Contrast lenses.
A Quest for Performance… Rooted in Friendship
Despite the focus on performance, this was above all a human adventure. It was the support of friends, climbing partners, and loved ones that lifted Élise throughout the journey—through doubt and triumph alike. At the heart of it all was the spirit of the rope team, the driving force that elevated this feat to something truly unforgettable.
