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Ice climbing Beginner ice cimbing course
Duration:
2 days
Price from: 455€
Fitness:
Infobulle physique
Physical Level 1: For individuals who engage in occasional physical activities, positive elevation gain of up to 300m.
Physical Level 2: For individuals who engage in regular physical activities, positive elevation gain of up to 600m or routes above 3500m.
Physical Level 3: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain of up to 900m or routes above 4000m.
Physical Level 4: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain of up to 1300m.
Physical Level 5: For individuals who engage in intensive endurance activities, positive elevation gain exceeding 1300m.
Technique:
Infobulle technique
Technical Level 1: For regular hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route is not very steep and is well-marked, or the activity may also take place in beginner-friendly areas.
Technical Level 2: For experienced hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route includes short, steep sections and may involve scree or rocky ridges, requiring surefootedness.
Technical Level 3: For occasional mountaineers (2 to 5 recent outings). The route includes steep sections requiring prior climbing experience at a French grade 3c level and/or mastery of crampons and ice axe use.
Technical Level 4: For regular mountaineers (5 to 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing at a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and an ice axe, as well as basic roping and belaying techniques.
Technical Level 5: For experienced mountaineers (more than 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing above a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and ice axes for ice climbing, as well as advanced roping and belaying techniques.
General information
Learn Ice Climbing in Chamonix
This 2-day course introduces you to ice climbing with no previous mountaineering or ice climbing experience required. Accompanied by a mountain guide, you will progressively learn how to use crampons and ice axes and develop the essential techniques for climbing on ice. The program combines two complementary locations: the Mer de Glace and the Bérard ice climbing site in Vallorcine.
Technical equipment is provided thanks to our partner Grivel: crampons, ice axes, helmet and harness. You only need to bring your own mountaineering boots. If you would prefer to discover ice climbing in a single day, we also offer one-day ice climbing trips.
🎯 Course objectives
- Discover the equipment and basic techniques of ice climbing
- Learn belaying techniques
- Become independent as a second on ice routes graded 3-4
- Learn the basics of lead climbing on ice
Group booking
The group option brings together participants who may not know each other. It allows you to follow a set program on fixed dates while benefiting from an attractive price and the friendly atmosphere of a group.
Dates
See the group booking module below.
Price 2027
€480 per person based on a minimum of 3 participants.
Participants aged 16 and 17 may join only when accompanied by an adult.
✅ This price includes
- IFMGA English-speaking mountain guide
- One night in an inn in a dormitory or shared room, including breakfast
- Technical equipment: crampons, ice axes, helmet and harness
❌ This price does not include
- Dinner
- Picnic lunches
- Transportation
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Mountaineering boots
Private booking
The private option allows you to take this course with your own group and benefit from a guide dedicated exclusively to you. You can choose your departure date subject to accommodation availability, and the program can be adjusted according to your level, conditions and expectations.
Prices 2027
2 people: €785 per person
3 people: €565 per person
4 people: €455 per person
✅ This price includes
- IFMGA English-speaking mountain guide
- One night in an inn in a dormitory or shared room, including breakfast
- Technical equipment: crampons, ice axes, helmet and harness
❌ This price does not include
- Dinner
- Picnic lunches
- Transportation
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Mountaineering boots
Further information
To prepare for your trip, read our guides’ tips, which provide useful advice and recommendations for our mountaineering trips.
Meeting point
Meet at 9:15am at the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, 190 place de l’Église, Chamonix.
Technical level
No previous ice climbing or mountaineering experience is required.
Fitness level
Regular participation in a sporting activity is recommended.
Guiding policy
3 to 4 participants per guide. Participants aged 16 and 17 may join only when accompanied by an adult.
Accommodation
One night at Le Chalet, including accommodation and breakfast. Before and after the course, you can benefit from preferential rates with our hotel partners in Chamonix.
⚠️ Formalities
Mountain sports insurance with repatriation cover is mandatory. If you are not insured, insurance including repatriation assistance and cancellation cover can be taken out when booking. A valid ID document is also mandatory.
Documents available for download
Equipment
Equipment
- A backpack of approximately 35 litres
- Mountaineering boots with rigid soles
- Crampons *
- A pair of technical ice axes *
- A harness *
- A helmet *
* This equipment will be provided if you do not have your own.
Clothing
- A warm hat
- A neck warmer such as a Buff
- A technical long-sleeve base layer
- A fleece or lightweight down jacket
- A waterproof hooded jacket such as Gore-Tex
- Thermal leggings
- Ski trousers or waterproof and breathable overtrousers such as Gore-Tex
- Gaiters if your trousers do not have integrated gaiters
- Ski gloves and a pair of mittens
- A change of clothes
Accessories
- Sunglasses
- A water bottle of at least 1.5 litres, preferably insulated
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- A valid ID document or passport
Our Rental Partners
You can rent equipment at preferential rates from our partner shops Millet (excluding crampons, ice axes and helmet), Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co and Concept Pro Shop.
Our Equipment Partners
Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel and Monnet.
Itinerary
Day 1
Ice Climbing on the Mer de Glace
We reach the Mer de Glace by the Montenvers train followed by the Glacier gondola. After approximately 30 minutes of walking, we reach our training area. The variety of terrain allows you to progressively discover the techniques of ice climbing, from gentle slopes to steeper sections. The day is also an opportunity to learn more about the glacier environment by observing moulins, meltwater channels and moraines, as well as the effects of climate change on Alpine glaciers.
Day 2
Ice Climbing at Bérard in Vallorcine
After a short train journey to Vallorcine, we walk for approximately 20 minutes to reach the Bérard ice climbing site. This man-made site provides an excellent environment for learning ice climbing techniques. We continue working on movement and belaying techniques with top-rope climbing before an introduction to lead climbing. We return to Chamonix in the middle of the afternoon.
Booking
Book your activity
Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 27 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 27 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 2.7€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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