As the course includes technical climbing with specific training in terrain that changes during the winter season, this itinerary is just an example. The exact itinerary will be decided during the course depending on the weather forecast, conditions and the overall level and progress of the group. Your mountain guide will carry out a daily assessment of the conditions and your capabilities to decide on the best routes to climb.

You will meet with your mountain guide and the other members of your group on the evening before the course starts. The exact time will be communicated to you by an email few days prior the course. The purpose of this meeting is for you to ask any questions you may have regarding the course and to verify that you have all the equipment required.

Your guide will check what skills you already know and are confident at and what skills you need to know but are unsure or not very familiar with. You will practice those skills to gain the full confidence. We will go to one of Chamonix ice climbing areas to do the training.

La Flegere and the Index area offer a great terrain to practice mixed climbing, ridge climbing, route finding and the protection placement. You will learn the short and long rope skills and climb a fun route.

You will also start planning your climb for the day 5. There will be one aspect of the trip planning covered every day.

Today is designated to the hazard evaluation and rope / climbing skills, which increase efficiency while climbing. You will learn the various tricks, which prevent a potential rope drag. This is also a great terrain to practice quick swapping between short rope and long rope techniques.

The 4th day will be dedicated to safety skills such as the climbing rescue and emergency retreat techniques. The evening in the hut will be dedicated to the final stages of the climb planning for the next day.

Finally, you will climb the route your team have chosen and planned for. Your trip planning will be supervised by your guide and you will be always secured during the climb. This is a great exercise putting together all the mountaineering skills you have learned until now.

We return to Chamonix at the end of the day for a celebratory drink together!

We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well established airport transfer companies using new and comfortable vehicles, with 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:

• Full name
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• Your destination address
• 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.

We don’t include mountain rescue insurance in any of our courses but we strongly recommend that you have it. Mountain rescue may be very expensive, particularly if helicopters are involved. Check with your travel insurance provider if you are covered for the specific activity you are going to do with us.

However, we can organise the mountain rescue insurance for you. Details of the insurance cover are different for EU and non-EU residents; please contact us for more information.

We highly recommend that you book any equipment with us at least 2 weeks in advance as the hire shops can have limited availability in the busy season.

You can collect your equipment the evening before the start of the course and return it in the evening at the end of your course. We work with the Concept Pro Shop that is conveniently located directly next door from our office. Open 7/7 08:00-19:00

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.