WINTER MOUNTAINEERING COURSE CHAMONIX - LEVEL 1

- Winter mountaineering courses -

Our most popular winter climbing and mountaineering course. Packed with instruction and fun climbing, this course will teach you all the essential climbing and safety skills of ice climbing, mixed climbing and glacier travel.

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Location

Climb with us in the place where alpinism was invented - in Chamonix

Avalanche awareness

Avalanche awareness basics and companion rescue training

Low guiding ratio

Guiding ratio of 1:2 on last 2 days allows climbing more technical and fun routes.

Winter Introduction to Alpine Climbing in Chamonix - 5 Day Course

REVISED FOR 2023

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 Petite Aiguille Verte - 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 5 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 1,690.00€

Price per person for groups of minimum 2 and maximum 6 clients

View Dates

Beginner tech level

5 days course

Groups of 6 maximum

Available December - April

Lift passes included in price

Dates

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

Level Requirements

Equipment

Included or not

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

A		Spaces available
2		Two More to Guarantee
G		Guaranteed
L		Limited Availability
F		Fully Booked

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WINTER MOUNTAINEERING COURSE CHAMONIX - LEVEL 1

- Winter mountaineering courses -

Location

Avalanche awareness

Low guiding ratio

Winter Introduction to Alpine Climbing in Chamonix - 5 Day Course

From 1,690.00€

Dates

Winter Mountaineering Course Chamonix - Level 1 dates - 2023

Itinerary

Arrival Day in Chamonix

Day 1 - Glacier Travel & Ice Axe and Crampon Techniqiues

Day 2 - Ice Climbing

Day 3 – Mixed Climbing

Day 4 - Aiguille du Midi Cosmiques Arête

Day 5 - Cogne Ice Fall Climbing

Learning Outcomes

The course will focus on the following four main areas:

Level Requirements

EXPERIENCE

FITNESS

TRAINING

Equipment

Clothing

Technical gear

Safety Equipment

Other essentials

Included or not

Included

Guide Fees

Lift passes

Group Equipment

Local Transport

Office Support

Not Included

Accommodation in Chamonix

Personal Equipment

Insurance

Food & Drink

Additional Services

Airport transfers

SHARED TRANSFERS:

PRIVATE TRANSFERS:

Mountain rescue insurance

Equipment hire

Related Courses

Winter Mountaineering Course Chamonix - Level 3

Alpine climbing course in Chamonix - Level 1

Private Mountain Guide

Cogne Ice Climbing Camp - Level 1

CHAMONIX EXPERIENCE MOUNTAIN GUIDE OFFICE CHAMONIX