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Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 1

Our most popular beginner winter mountaineering and climbing 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.

LOCATION

Climb with us in the place where alpinism was invented – in Chamonix.

Flexible itinerary

As the winter progresses, the ice and snow conditions change. We will adapt the itinerary to current conditions got get most out of our time in the mountains.

LOW GUIDING RATIO

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

beginner winter mountaineering course in Chamonix

Chamonix is one of the best places to explore the world of winter mountaineering – world-famous climbing routes and stunning high altitude terrain make the Mont Blanc Massif the dream destination for all mountaineers.

Our Chamonix Experience beginner winter mountaineering course is tailored for individuals with no prior winter climbing experience, as well as those looking to refresh their summer alpine skills. You will learn essential mountaineering techniques, including mixed alpine climbing, ice climbing, glacier travel, and avalanche awareness, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Led by our fully qualified UIAGM mountain guides, you will gain hands-on experience with vital equipment such as ropes, harnesses, ice axes, crampons, and avalanche transceivers. Our background in mountain rescue (PGHM Chamonix) ensures that safety is our top priority. We are committed to sharing our expert knowledge, teaching you how to assess your surroundings and navigate the mountains safely.

Our beginner winter mountaineering course runs with small groups, allowing us to tailor instruction to each participant’s needs.

The five-day Level 1 course starts with a skills day focused on glacier travel techniques, ice axe handling and crampon use on steep terrain. In the following two days, you will practice your new skills in small groups, with a day dedicated to ice climbing and another to mixed climbing in the high mountains. The final two days feature climbing teams of two climbers per guide, enabling access to more technical ice climbing routes and opportunities for lead climbing. Depending on conditions, you might tackle longer, more challenging winter routes.

Your guides will select locations based on the best conditions, taking advantage of Chamonix’s unique position near the French, Swiss, and Italian borders. Explore options like the Chamonix Valley, Trient in Switzerland, and Cognes in Italy.

If a five-day commitment isn’t for you, consider our shorter three-day ice climbing course or day trips like the Cosmiques Arete or Aiguilles Marbrées traverse—both classic Chamonix alpine routes. For more experienced climbers, our Progression Winter Mountaineering Course offers five days of intermediate-level climbing and technical instruction across various high alpine terrains in the Mont Blanc Massif and surrounding areas.

Guiding ratios:

  • D1 1:6
  • D2 1:3
  • D3 1:3
  • D4 1:2
  • D5 1:2

From: 1490 €

Price per person for groups of minimum 2 persons

Beginner

You have no experience in the high mountains but you have already done some basic rock climbing or scrambling. You’re confident walking on exposed non – technical trails. You are physically very fit You are happy with vertical exposure.
  • Fitness level 2/4
  • Groups of 6 maximum
  • 5 days course
  • Available December – April
  • Chamonix
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Dates

Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 1
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 2 December 2024
Friday 6 December 2024
Two more to guarantee
1520 €
Monday 9 December 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
Guaranteed
1520 €
Monday 16 December 2024
Friday 20 December 2024
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 23 December 2024
Friday 27 December 2024
Two more to guarantee
1520 €
Monday 30 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 6 January 2025
Friday 10 January 2025
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
1520 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Guaranteed
1520 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1520 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 24 February 2025
Friday 28 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 3 March 2025
Friday 7 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 10 March 2025
Friday 14 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 17 March 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 24 March 2025
Friday 28 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 31 March 2025
Friday 4 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 7 April 2025
Friday 11 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 14 April 2025
Friday 18 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 21 April 2025
Friday 25 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €

Dates

Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 1
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 2 December 2024
Friday 6 December 2024
Two more to guarantee
1520 €
Monday 9 December 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
Guaranteed
1520 €
Monday 16 December 2024
Friday 20 December 2024
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 23 December 2024
Friday 27 December 2024
Two more to guarantee
1520 €
Monday 30 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 6 January 2025
Friday 10 January 2025
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
1520 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Guaranteed
1520 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1520 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Guaranteed
1490 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 24 February 2025
Friday 28 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 3 March 2025
Friday 7 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 10 March 2025
Friday 14 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 17 March 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 24 March 2025
Friday 28 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 31 March 2025
Friday 4 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 7 April 2025
Friday 11 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 14 April 2025
Friday 18 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 21 April 2025
Friday 25 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Clothing
Mountaineering boots
Clothing
Warm hat
Clothing
Thermal underwear
Clothing
Fleece or woollen layers
Clothing
Light puffer jacket
Clothing
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Clothing
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Clothing
Warm gloves
Clothing
Thin gloves with leather palms for better grip
Clothing
Sun hat
Clothing
Gaiters
Technical gear
Ice axe
Technical gear
Climbing harness
Technical gear
Climbing helmet
Technical gear
Crampons
Technical gear
Telescopic poles
Technical gear
Pair of technical ice axes
Technical gear
Ice climbing crampons
Technical gear
25 – 30 litres rucksack
Technical gear
Screwgate carabiner x3
Technical gear
Belay device
Technical gear
Lanyard
Technical gear
60 cm tape sling or cordelette for prusik
Other essentials
Sunglasses
Other essentials
Water bottle – Ideally two 1L bottles
Other essentials
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Included in price

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, by means of local public transport and private cars.

Office Support

Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguille 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.