The Italian guides who arrange tours up Mont Blanc have concluded that climbing the mountain involves too many risks.
Early summer heat waves have increased the risk of landslides and falling rocks.
"The glacier is covered in cracks and it is difficult to find the right way up. We decided last week to no longer sell that climb," says Alex Campedelli, president of the Courmayeur Guides Society.
Hikes to the summit are still arranged from the French side.
In Switzerland, a warning has been in place for some time, as melting snow and ice and thawing permafrost have been noted.
