Replying to Aiguille du Midi in January

Hello,

My son and I, (he's 14, I'm 68) are flying to Chamonix for a 7 day ski trip on January 7th. We would like to ski down the normal route on Vallée Blanche from Aiguille du Midi, if conditions are right, with a guide. I have been skiing for my entire life, and have lost some ability 5 years ago due to back surgery and leg pains, but I had no trouble on red and blue runs, with some easy blacks, during our ski trip last year, but I did not try hiking in ski boots, the closest thing I have done to that recently, (I used to be an avid mountaineer) is hiking the Mt. Whitney trail until summit which is 36km and 1860m of elevation gain 2 months ago, which included many narrow snow crossings with approximately 70 degree gradient, and carrying 45lbs of gear (I don't know if I will still have the tenacity,) anyways, I would like to know the costs associated with guides, any pre-ski training including off-piste, (which I have not done in 18 years,) crevasse rescue, self arrest etc. Also, if any additional equipment or technical knowledge is required, belay, crampons, and what the costs of renting those would be and time involved for training.

Thank you.

**This thread was edited on Nov 14th 2017 at 8:13:22pm