Alpine climbing course in Chamonix – Level 1
UIAGM MOUNTAIN GUIDES
SMALL GROUP SIZES
OVER NIGHT IN A MOUNTAIN HUT
5 DAYS OF TUITION, INSTRUCTION AND FUN CLIMBING
If you have always dreamed of climbing mountains and you don’t know where to start, this course is specially designed for you. Our Alpine climbing course is challenging and our professional UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guides are there to teach you all the techniques you will need to tackle different types of mountain terrain. By the end of the week you will be familiar with how to safely travel through glaciers, rocky ridges, rock faces and steep snow slopes.
The course is ideal for beginners but if you already have some experience then that’s great, you will build on what you already know and develop your existing skills. Our guides will adjust the pace and level of the course to suit the participants. This course is a genuine mixture of learning new skills and enjoying great alpine climbs in Chamonix, the capital of Alpinism.
The course is a weeklong journey into the vertical mountain world. The objective is to learn the basics of alpine climbing in the field. There are three essential components – rock, ice, and mixed (snow/ice/rock). An ability to employ the skills learned in these domains allows one to climb the majority of the Alpine summits by their easier or “normal” routes. Welcome to a new world!
The journey starts with a day on the rocks. The fundamentals of rope work – belaying, rappelling, use of anchors, and some basic climbing principles are taught on one of the many cliffs in the Chamonix area. These principles can then be applied throughout the week (and beyond!), as your understanding of the concepts will accompany you in your new career as an alpinist.
Next – Ice! The use of the ice axe and crampons are essential skill sets of a mountaineer. Covered this day – Correct/ Appropriate use of different axe and crampon techniques, using ice screws, and building a belay in the ice. The skills learned here, with the skills from the previous day allow us to move into the high mountain domain and climb mixed routes.
The course moves to the high mountains for some experience with mixed and the basics of safe glacier travel. Orientation fundamentals are taught, and route planning. On the last 3 days of the course the client to guide ratio is 1 guide to 2 clients. The end of the week provides more intimate instruction, tailored to the client. A night in a high mountain hut is included in the course. This allows participants to live the dream they’ve been practicing for, and spend a long day in the mountains climbing one of Chamonix’s summits.
From: 1770 €
Beginner
-
Fitness level 1/5
-
Guide ratio 1:2 on the last 3 days
-
Groups of 6 maximum
-
5 days course
-
Available June – October
-
1 night in a mountain hut
-
Lift passes included in price
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 5 May 2025
|
Friday 9 May 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 12 May 2025
|
Friday 16 May 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 19 May 2025
|
Friday 23 May 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 26 May 2025
|
Friday 30 May 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 2 June 2025
|
Friday 6 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 9 June 2025
|
Friday 13 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 16 June 2025
|
Friday 20 June 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 23 June 2025
|
Friday 27 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 29 June 2025
|
Thursday 3 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 July 2025
|
Friday 11 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 July 2025
|
Friday 18 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 July 2025
|
Friday 18 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 21 July 2025
|
Friday 25 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 28 July 2025
|
Friday 1 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 4 August 2025
|
Friday 8 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 11 August 2025
|
Friday 15 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 18 August 2025
|
Friday 22 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 25 August 2025
|
Friday 29 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 1 September 2025
|
Saturday 6 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 8 September 2025
|
Friday 12 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 15 September 2025
|
Friday 19 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 22 September 2025
|
Friday 26 September 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 29 September 2025
|
Friday 3 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 October 2025
|
Friday 10 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 October 2025
|
Friday 17 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 October 2025
|
Friday 24 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 October 2025
|
Friday 31 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 5 May 2025
|
Friday 9 May 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 12 May 2025
|
Friday 16 May 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 19 May 2025
|
Friday 23 May 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 26 May 2025
|
Friday 30 May 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 2 June 2025
|
Friday 6 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 9 June 2025
|
Friday 13 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 16 June 2025
|
Friday 20 June 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 23 June 2025
|
Friday 27 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 29 June 2025
|
Thursday 3 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 July 2025
|
Friday 11 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 July 2025
|
Friday 18 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 July 2025
|
Friday 18 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 21 July 2025
|
Friday 25 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 28 July 2025
|
Friday 1 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 4 August 2025
|
Friday 8 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 11 August 2025
|
Friday 15 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 18 August 2025
|
Friday 22 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 25 August 2025
|
Friday 29 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 1 September 2025
|
Saturday 6 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 8 September 2025
|
Friday 12 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 15 September 2025
|
Friday 19 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 22 September 2025
|
Friday 26 September 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 29 September 2025
|
Friday 3 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 October 2025
|
Friday 10 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 October 2025
|
Friday 17 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 October 2025
|
Friday 24 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 October 2025
|
Friday 31 October 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1770 €
| Make enquiry |
Itinerary
Summer Mountaineering Itinerary
This itinerary is an example of what could be done with good weather and good conditions. It may be changed by your guide at any point to suit conditions and the ability of the group.
Arrival Day: Welcome Meeting
You should arrive in Chamonix the day before the first full day of your course. The course starts with an evening meeting between the course participants and the guide at our office. Your guide will go though the plan for the week and answer any questions you have.
Day 1: Rock Climbing, Rope Work & Abseiling
First day on the rocks in the Chamonix area. The goal is to familiarize with the gear while learning basic rope and rock skills – belaying, rappelling, and general climbing technique.
Day 2: Glacier, Crampons & Ice Axe Skills
Day two takes the group onto the glacier. Correct use of the ice axe and crampons, ice screws plus a review of the skills from day one. Chamonix has some of the best access to calculated terrain, and provides the perfect terrain for practicing.
Day 3: Mixed climbing
An easy mixed route in the mountains. The addition of another guide(s) allows us to envision more advanced objectives and focus on your progression. The culmination of the previous day’s techniques allows us to move toward the application stage. Climbing longer routes, moving together with a short rope, efficiency, safety, and route finding are skills practiced on this day. A typical example: Traverse of the Crochus Arete in the Aguilles Rouges, good climbing and great views!
Day 4: Two Day Climb & Overnight in a Mountain Hut
The week finishes with two consecutive days in the high mountains and a night in a mountain hut. The goal is to apply the week’s experience into two high altitude summits. Snow and high alpine rock are on the agenda for the first day, with a traverse of the Aiguilles Marbrées. Great views and high exposure make a very complete route, and a short approach doesn’t hurt. Orientation, route finding, and glacier travel proficiency are all looked at it. A night in the Torino hut is a good introduction to a high mountain refuge, and allows for an early start to the next day’s adventure.
Day 5: High altitude climbing
The Tour Ronde! A high altitude summit using all of the week’s new skills- reaching the summit Madonna is always satisfying, and is the perfect culmination to a week of climbing. An early start gets the team onto the glacier, and a beautiful sunrise just after breakfast is an unforgettable experience. Crampons on, ice axes at the ready, and the ascent begins- finishing at 3792 meters with 360° view of the Mt. Blanc range- a great place to pick out a goal for next time! Descent to the Skyway lift for a quick espresso and a debriefing, then a van through to Chamonix- the week has finished but your career as an alpinist is just beginning!
Learning outcomes
This is a hands on week and you’ll be learning as you go; topics covered will include but are not limited to:
- Basic rock climbing skill
- Belay technique (from the ground and from the anchor
- Rappel/ Abseil technique
- Introduction to Alpine mixed climbing
- Crampon and ice axe techniques
- Multi-pitch climbing skills
You will also learn about route planning, using maps and compasses, analysing weather forecasts to plan trips, planning and carrying out overnight trips, and more. For the last two days of the course you will be joined by a second guide, this will enable you to climb some more demanding routes.
Level requirements
Participation in this course does not require prior experience. Nevertheless, it is important to be in good physical condition. Course participants should be able to walk for 5 hours (not including break times, etc.) at a regular, sustained pace, without difficulty. Your appreciation of the alpine environment and your ability to learn are linked to your fitness. If you’d like additonal advice on how to best prepare for the course, please contact us. We’ll be happy to give you some training guidelines.
Additional services
Equipment hire
Please see the list of recommended equipment on the other tab. Most technical equipment can be rented here in Chamonix, please contact us if you would like prices and advice on whatever you need. Chamonix has dozens of outdoor shops selling everything from basic head torches to expedition standard sleeping bags, so whatever you don’t already have you can find it here.
Insurance
We highly recommend that you take out specific insurance for mountain activities. It will cover you for search and rescue services, evacuation by helicopter and emergency medical treatment. You should also make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for the usual things such as cancelled flights, lost luggage, hospital treatment, etc. Please contact us to organise mountain rescue insurance for your trip.
Accommodation in Chamonix
If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.
Airport transfers
We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies, using new and comfortable vehicles , who have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.
To book your transfer, we will need the following:
- Your full name
- Mobile phone number
- Email address
- Your destination address
- Your flight details (date, time and flight number)
SHARED TRANSFERS:
This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.
PRIVATE TRANSFERS:
Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it’s a door-to-door service, so you won’t be lugging any bags very far.
Guide Fees
5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
Mountain hut
1 night in a mountain hut with breakfast and dinner included.
Lift passes
The cost of any lift access that is required during the course for the itinerary described above.
Local Transport
Any local transport that is required during your course.
Group Equipment
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Office Support
Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.
Not included in price
Personal Equipment
Please see the “Equipment” tab to find out what you will need on this trip / course. For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list.
Food & Drink
The price does not include lunch or snacks. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours.
Accommodation in Chamonix
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
Travel to Chamonix
The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.
Insurance
Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). We highly advice to have a policy covering the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.