Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 2
Chamonix Winter Alpine Mountaineering Progression Course
Our 5-day Winter Mountaineering Progression Course in Chamonix is designed for climbers who have already completed a winter mountaineering course or an ice climbing course and want to develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to climb in more challenging winter alpine environments.
The course is an ideal progression after Winter Mountaineering Level 1 or one of our Ice Climbing courses. Throughout the five days, you will build on your existing experience while developing more advanced climbing, ropework, glacier travel and mountain safety techniques.
Build Your Winter Mountaineering Skills
The course begins with a thorough refresher of the essential skills covered during your previous training. We review:
- Mountaineering equipment and its correct use
- Essential rope skills
- Basic ice climbing techniques
- Crampon and ice axe techniques
- Fundamental winter mountain safety skills
We assess the experience and technical ability of the group at the beginning of the course and adapt the itinerary accordingly. This allows us to create a progression that matches the conditions, objectives and experience of each group.
More Technical Climbing and Greater Independence
During the final three days, the guiding ratio is reduced to 1 guide for 2 participants, allowing for more personalised coaching and greater focus on technical climbing and independent decision-making.
You will develop the skills required to move efficiently and safely through increasingly challenging winter alpine terrain, including:
- Advanced crampon techniques on steep snow and ice
- Glacier travel and glacier safety
- Rope techniques for teams of two or more
- Rope management, rope loops and braking knots
- Crevasse rescue techniques
- Ice and mixed climbing
- Alpine route finding
- Protection placement using ice screws, friends, stoppers and slings
- Multi-pitch ropework
- Advanced belay and anchor techniques
- Dynamic belaying
- Abseiling and techniques for managing stuck ropes
The emphasis throughout the course is on efficiency, safety and developing the skills needed for greater autonomy in winter mountaineering.
Winter Alpine Skills and Camping
Depending on the weather, mountain conditions and interests of the group, we may also introduce **winter camping and high-altitude mountain skills**.
These can include:
- Choosing and placing a winter shelter
- Building a suitable snow shelter
- Cooking at altitude
- Selecting appropriate winter camping equipment
- Managing equipment and personal safety during overnight outings
These skills provide valuable preparation for longer winter mountaineering objectives and multi-day alpine adventures.
Ski Touring Option
If you ski tour, please let us know when booking. Ski touring is not mandatory, but it can significantly enhance your winter mountaineering experience by providing faster access to climbs and objectives that may be difficult or impossible to reach on foot.
Ski touring will only be incorporated into the course itinerary if everyone in the group is comfortable with it and conditions are suitable.
Guiding Ratios
To maximise progression and individual instruction, the guiding ratio becomes progressively smaller throughout the five-day course:
- Day 1: 1 guide : 6 participants
- Day 2: 1 guide : 3 participants
- Days 3–5: 1 guide : 2 participants
This progressive reduction in group size allows us to provide increasingly personalised instruction as the technical demands of the course increase.
From: 1785 €
Intermediate
