Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 1
LOCATION
Flexible itinerary
LOW GUIDING RATIO
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 €
Beginner
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Fitness level 2/4
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Groups of 6 maximum
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5 days course
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Available December – April
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Chamonix
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 2 December 2024
|
Friday 6 December 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 9 December 2024
|
Friday 13 December 2024
|
Guaranteed
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 16 December 2024
|
Friday 20 December 2024
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 23 December 2024
|
Friday 27 December 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 30 December 2024
|
Friday 3 January 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 January 2025
|
Friday 10 January 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 January 2025
|
Friday 17 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 January 2025
|
Friday 24 January 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 January 2025
|
Friday 31 January 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 February 2025
|
Friday 7 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 February 2025
|
Friday 14 February 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 February 2025
|
Friday 21 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 February 2025
|
Friday 28 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 March 2025
|
Friday 7 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 March 2025
|
Friday 14 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 March 2025
|
Friday 21 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 March 2025
|
Friday 28 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 31 March 2025
|
Friday 4 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 April 2025
|
Friday 11 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 April 2025
|
Friday 18 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 21 April 2025
|
Friday 25 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 2 December 2024
|
Friday 6 December 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 9 December 2024
|
Friday 13 December 2024
|
Guaranteed
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 16 December 2024
|
Friday 20 December 2024
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 23 December 2024
|
Friday 27 December 2024
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 30 December 2024
|
Friday 3 January 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 January 2025
|
Friday 10 January 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 January 2025
|
Friday 17 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 January 2025
|
Friday 24 January 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 January 2025
|
Friday 31 January 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 February 2025
|
Friday 7 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1520 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 February 2025
|
Friday 14 February 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 February 2025
|
Friday 21 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 February 2025
|
Friday 28 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 March 2025
|
Friday 7 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 March 2025
|
Friday 14 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 March 2025
|
Friday 21 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 March 2025
|
Friday 28 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 31 March 2025
|
Friday 4 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 April 2025
|
Friday 11 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 April 2025
|
Friday 18 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 21 April 2025
|
Friday 25 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1490 €
| Make enquiry |
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, 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.