Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 1
LOCATION
LOW GUIDING RATIO
WINTER INTRODUCTION TO ALPINE CLIMBING IN CHAMONIX – 5 DAY COURSE
Chamonix is one of the best places to explore the world of winter alpinism – world-famous climbing routes and stunning high altitude terrain make the Mont Blanc Massif the dream destination for all mountaineers.
The Chamonix Experience winter alpine climbing course is designed for those with no previous winter mountaineering experience, or for those who want to refresh their existing summer alpine climbing skills and receive an introduction to winter climbing in the Alps.
You will learn essential mountaineering skills such as mixed alpine climbing, ice climbing, glacier travel and avalanche awareness – all amongst the spectacular peaks of the Mont Blanc Massif.
All aspects of the course will be carried out under the instruction of our fully qualified and experienced UIAGM mountain guides; they will teach you how to use equipment such as ropes, harnesses, ice axes, crampons and avalanche transceivers.
Our background in mountain rescue (PGHM Chamonix) means that safety is our highest priority and we will pass our expert knowledge on to you, teaching you how to assess your surroundings and explore the mountains safely.
Our winter alpine climbing course is run with small groups; this allows for greater flexibility, so we can adjust the level to each participant as much as possible.
If 5 days is more than you are looking for, then take a look at our shorter 3 day ice climbing course, or consider a day trip such as the Cosmiques Arete or the Aiguilles Marbrées traverse – both classic Chamonix alpine routes.
More experienced climbers may be interested in our Advanced Winter Mountaineering Course – 5 days of serious ascents over all types of high alpine terrain in the Mont Blanc Massif and surrounding area.
The level 1 five-day course starts with a skills day to introduce and refresh glacier travel techniques, ice axe technique, using crampons on steep snow and ice, crevasse rescue and avalanche awareness.
Over the next two days you will be operating in small groups and putting your new found skills to work with a day of ice climbing and a day of mixed climbing in the high mountains of the Mont Blanc Massif.
The last two days of the course will be carried out in even smaller groups, allowing us to access more technical ice climbing routes and giving you the chance to try out lead climbing. You may also get a chance to do a longer, more technical winter route, depending on weather conditions and the decision of your mountain guide.
The locations used will be decided by your mountain guides based on where the best conditions are at the time; Chamonix is in a fantastic location right on the French/Swiss/Italian border giving us many possibilities including the Chamonix Valley, Trient in Switzerland and Cognes in Italy.
From: 1490 €
Beginner
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Groups of 6 maximum
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5 days course
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Available December – April
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
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Monday 29 April 2024
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Friday 3 May 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 May 2024
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Friday 10 May 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 May 2024
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Friday 17 May 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 May 2024
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Friday 24 May 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 2 December 2024
|
Friday 6 December 2024
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 9 December 2024
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Friday 13 December 2024
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 16 December 2024
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Friday 20 December 2024
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 23 December 2024
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Friday 27 December 2024
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 30 December 2024
|
Friday 3 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 January 2025
|
Friday 10 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 January 2025
|
Friday 17 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 January 2025
|
Friday 24 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 January 2025
|
Friday 31 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 February 2025
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Friday 7 February 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 February 2025
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Friday 14 February 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 February 2025
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Friday 21 February 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 February 2025
|
Friday 28 February 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 March 2025
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Friday 7 March 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 March 2025
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Friday 14 March 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 March 2025
|
Friday 21 March 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 March 2025
|
Friday 28 March 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 31 March 2025
|
Friday 4 April 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 April 2025
|
Friday 11 April 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 April 2025
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Friday 18 April 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 21 April 2025
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Friday 25 April 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 29 April 2024
|
Friday 3 May 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 May 2024
|
Friday 10 May 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 May 2024
|
Friday 17 May 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 May 2024
|
Friday 24 May 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 2 December 2024
|
Friday 6 December 2024
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 9 December 2024
|
Friday 13 December 2024
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 16 December 2024
|
Friday 20 December 2024
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 23 December 2024
|
Friday 27 December 2024
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 30 December 2024
|
Friday 3 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 January 2025
|
Friday 10 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 January 2025
|
Friday 17 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 January 2025
|
Friday 24 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 January 2025
|
Friday 31 January 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 February 2025
|
Friday 7 February 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 February 2025
|
Friday 14 February 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 February 2025
|
Friday 21 February 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 February 2025
|
Friday 28 February 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 March 2025
|
Friday 7 March 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 March 2025
|
Friday 14 March 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 March 2025
|
Friday 21 March 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 March 2025
|
Friday 28 March 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 31 March 2025
|
Friday 4 April 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 April 2025
|
Friday 11 April 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 April 2025
|
Friday 18 April 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 21 April 2025
|
Friday 25 April 2025
|
Available
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
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Av.Space available
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2Two More to Guarantee
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GGuaranteed
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LALimited Availability
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FBFully Booked
Itinerary
This itinerary is an example of what can be achieved with good weather and the right conditions. It may be changed at any time by your mountain guide to give you the best possible experience in the safest conditions.
Arrival Day in Chamonix
Your group will meet at our Chamonix office at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi the evening before the course begins. Your mountain guide will check your equipment and discuss the conditions and plans for the week ahead. You will have the chance to ask any questions that you may have.
Day 1 – Glacier Travel & Ice Axe and Crampon Techniqiues
A lot of mountaineering, especially in the Alps, involves crossing glaciated terrain where there is the inherent danger of crevasses and seracs. Today your mountain guide will take you on to the glacier to introduce and refresh the technical skills you need to keep safe in Alpine terrain. You will learn essential skills such as crevasse rescue and how to move safely across glacial terrain using crampons and ice axes.
Day 2 – Ice Climbing
Today will be your introduction to technical ice climbing on either the frozen waterfalls at the Crèmerie in Argentiere or in the Swiss village of Trient. Your mountain guide will decide which location has the best conditions for the day; both places are beautiful and have very nice and fairly easy ice climbing routes to start on.
Day 3 – Mixed Climbing
Climbing over mixed (snow, ice and rock) terrain requires a wide range of climbing skills. Today is dedicated to this complex climbing discipline. La Flegere or Aiguille du Midi stations offer terrain suitable for the training. We will also cover skills such as safe rappelling techniques and snow anchors.
Day 4 – Aiguille du Midi Cosmiques Arête
For these last two days you will have a maximum of 2 participants per guide, allowing for even greater progression and personal instruction. Today you will take the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi. There are many great routes accessible from here including the Cosmiques Arete and other mixed climbing routes on the Vallee Blanche. Your mountain guide will choose a suitable route for you to do some lead climbing on, high up in the Mont Blanc Massif overlooking the Chamonix Valley.
Day 5 – Cogne Ice Fall Climbing
The goal today is to climb more ice – this time in Italy. We will take the short drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to the village of Cognes, which is a paradise for ice climbers. There are approximately one hundred routes to choose from! We will spend the day exploring the ice falls and then return to Chamonix. The course will end with a coffee and debriefing at our office.
Learning outcomes
The course will focus on the following four main areas:
Glacier travel
- Crampon techniques (10 points)
- Self arrest
- Understanding glaciers, recognition of hazards and risk management
- Basic glacier roping techniques
Climbing
- Mixed climbing – basic techniques
- Ice climbing – basic techniques
- Belaying techniques, belay devises, setting up safe belays and communication
- Rappelling, safety techniques, use of belay devises and use of the prussik
- Placement and recovery of ice screws, friends and stoppers
- Building snow and ice anchors (Deadman, Abalakov, etc)
- Climbing knots workshop
Basic avalanche rescue skills
Preparation for the climb – what to pack in your bag
- How to chose appropriate safety equipment for a given itinerary (single or double ropes, ice screws, friends & stoppers, technical or alpine ice axes, etc.)
- Food & water for mountaineering
- How to chose the right clothing, other essentials for a day / days in the mountains.
Level requirements
EXPERIENCE
No previous mountaineering skills are required to join this course. Rock climbing, hill walking and summer mountaineering experience are all helpful but not required. The small ratios enable participants to progress very quickly.
FITNESS
You need to have a high level of fitness. To enjoy this course you need to be happy doing a 6-8 hour hike in the mountains without being destroyed the next day. The fitter you are, the more you will get out of the course. This is a course for people who want to learn and you will be expected to show initiative – it’ll be challenging but a lot of fun!
TRAINING
Regular hiking and/or long distance running, swimming and/or cycling are great forms of training for this course. Remember that you have to include some uphill hiking and/or running – training on flat terrain will not give you the same kind of fitness, however it is better than no training at all! If you live in a city and have limited access to the outdoors, ask for advice at your local gym as many gyms have mountain climbing specific training programs.
If you need further advice on how to prepare for this course, please contact us on info@chamex.com
Additional services
Airport transfers
We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which 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:
- 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.
Mountain rescue insurance
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.
Equipment hire
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 following Chamonix ski hire and mountain shop:
• Concept Pro Shop that is conveniently located directly next door from our office. Open 7/7 08:00-19:00
Guide Fees
5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
Group Equipment
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Local Transport
Any local transport that is required during your course.
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
Accommodation in Chamonix
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
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.
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.
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.
Lift passes
To keep the itinerary flexible, we do not include the lift passes in the course price. We will advise you what lift passes you will need on day to day basis and organise them for you. The total price will vary depending on the weather, conditions and the selected climbs.