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Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 1

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.

LOCATION

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

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

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

You have no experience in the high mountains or rock climbing. You’re comfortable walking on exposed non – technical trails (not requiring the use of the hands, or “scrambling.”) You’re looking for new challenges in steeper terrain.
  • Groups of 6 maximum
  • 5 days course
  • Available December – April

Dates

Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 1
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 29 April 2024
Friday 3 May 2024
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 6 May 2024
Friday 10 May 2024
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 13 May 2024
Friday 17 May 2024
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 20 May 2024
Friday 24 May 2024
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 2 December 2024
Friday 6 December 2024
Available
1490 €
Monday 9 December 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
Available
1490 €
Monday 16 December 2024
Friday 20 December 2024
Available
1490 €
Monday 23 December 2024
Friday 27 December 2024
Available
1490 €
Monday 30 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 6 January 2025
Friday 10 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 24 February 2025
Friday 28 February 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 3 March 2025
Friday 7 March 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 10 March 2025
Friday 14 March 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 17 March 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 24 March 2025
Friday 28 March 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 31 March 2025
Friday 4 April 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 7 April 2025
Friday 11 April 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 14 April 2025
Friday 18 April 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 21 April 2025
Friday 25 April 2025
Available
1490 €

Dates

Winter mountaineering course Chamonix – Level 1
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 29 April 2024
Friday 3 May 2024
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 6 May 2024
Friday 10 May 2024
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 13 May 2024
Friday 17 May 2024
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 20 May 2024
Friday 24 May 2024
Two more to guarantee
1490 €
Monday 2 December 2024
Friday 6 December 2024
Available
1490 €
Monday 9 December 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
Available
1490 €
Monday 16 December 2024
Friday 20 December 2024
Available
1490 €
Monday 23 December 2024
Friday 27 December 2024
Available
1490 €
Monday 30 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 6 January 2025
Friday 10 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 24 February 2025
Friday 28 February 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 3 March 2025
Friday 7 March 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 10 March 2025
Friday 14 March 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 17 March 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 24 March 2025
Friday 28 March 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 31 March 2025
Friday 4 April 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 7 April 2025
Friday 11 April 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 14 April 2025
Friday 18 April 2025
Available
1490 €
Monday 21 April 2025
Friday 25 April 2025
Available
1490 €
  • Av.
    Space available
  • 2
    Two More to Guarantee
  • G
    Guaranteed
  • LA
    Limited Availability
  • FB
    Fully Booked
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
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.

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.