ELISE PONCET BREAKS MONT BLANC SKI-RECORD BY 30MIN!
RECORD
On Friday, May 16th, just before noon, French trailrunner and ski mountaineer Élise Poncet
achieved an impressive athletic milestone on Mont Blanc. Starting at 5 a.m. from the church
in Chamonix, the 29-year-old embarked on a record attempt on skis. Her goal: to reach the
summit of the Alps’ highest peak—the 4,809-meter Mont Blanc—and complete a full round
trip as fast as possible. After 6 hours, 54 minutes, and 47 seconds, it was clear she had
shattered the previous record of 7 hours and 29 minutes, setting the fastest all-category
female time ever recorded on the 35-kilometer route with over 3,800 meters of elevation
gain.
HISTORY
It took Élise Poncet twelve years to return to her roots—twelve years since leaving Paris for
her love of the mountains, during which she honed her skills and gained the experience
necessary for such an ambitious challenge. The journey may seem long, but in the
mountains—as in elite sports—there are no shortcuts. Experience is the foundation of safety
and confidence in this demanding environment.
Better known with running shoes on her feet and the French national team jersey on her
back, Élise has quietly practiced alpinism alongside her trailrunning career, where she
claimed numerous titles including Vice World Champion in 2019 and French Champion in
2022. Now, in her thirtieth year, she feels ready to unite her two passions and attempt the
Mont Blanc ski round-trip record.
The Mont Blanc ascent holds a special allure. It has already been the stage for exceptional
feats, with legends like Kilian Jornet (record: 4h57), Mathéo Jacquemoud, and Hillary
Gerardi, who set the women’s foot ascent record at 7h25 in 2023. Most recently, in June
2024, American athlete Anna DeMonte claimed the women’s ski record from Chamonix to
Mont Blanc and back in 7h29.
THE ROUTE
Élise chose the historic route first taken by Jacques Balmat in 1786, via the Grands Mulets
refuge. This path crosses the notorious Jonction glacier, climbs through the Petit and Grand
Plateaux to the Vallot shelter, and follows the Bosses Ridge to the summit—the rooftop of
Europe. Her descent weaves through crevasses on the North Face before rejoining the
ascent track at the Grand Plateau. While technically moderate (a subjective term), the route
presents serious hazards: glacier travel, avalanche risks, falling seracs, and hidden
crevasses.
Beyond the poetic appeal of traversing all Alpine zones in one push amid stunning scenery,
the Mont Blanc ascent demands meticulous preparation—especially to manage the altitude.
Starting at 1,000 meters and reaching 4,810 meters involves many factors: acclimatization,
snow conditions, route changes due to the mountain’s constant evolution, ski line planning,
and gear choice. In full respect of traditional mountaineering ethics, Élise carries all her
equipment from start to finish and strictly follows mountain safety protocols—roping up on
crevassed sections, carrying glacier gear, and using crampons on the Bosses Ridge.
Although this is clearly a performance-driven effort, the spirit of the rope team remains at the
core of Élise’s project. The support of friends and climbing partners fuels her motivation and
elevates the experience to something extraordinary.
Élise is ready to take on this challenge—a dream she has quietly nurtured for years. It marks
a major milestone in both her personal and professional journey.