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Mountaineering Winter mountaineering course
Duration:
3 days
Price from: 785€
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
Develop Your Winter Mountaineering Skills in Chamonix
Our Winter Mountaineering Course is the winter counterpart of our Autonomy & Safety Level 2 course. Over 3 days, you will develop the techniques required for mixed ridge climbing, where snow, ice and rock combine. After a first day dedicated to ice climbing, you will complete two mountaineering routes in the Mont Blanc massif, selected according to conditions.
This course is designed for mountaineers looking to become more independent in winter conditions. You must be confident with climbing belay techniques, be able to lead French grade 4c and have previous experience using crampons. Ideally, you have completed our Autonomy & Safety Level 1 course or have equivalent experience. With 3 to 4 participants per guide, the routes and learning objectives can be adapted to the level of the group.
🎯 Course objectives
- Master the fundamental techniques of ice climbing
- Master essential safety techniques for mixed ridge climbing
- Develop decision-making and risk management skills
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
€785 per person based on a minimum of 3 participants.
Registration possible from age 18.
✅ This price includes
- IFMGA English-speaking mountain guide
- Lift tickets mentioned in the program
- Round-trip transfer to Italy
- Technical ice axes provided
- Snowshoes provided
❌ This price does not include
- Accommodation in Chamonix during the course
- Picnic lunches
- Transportation to the meeting points
- Personal technical equipment
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, and the program can be adjusted according to your level, mountain conditions and expectations.
Prices 2027
2 people: €1330 per person
3 people: €970 per person
4 people: €785 per person
✅ This price includes
- IFMGA English-speaking mountain guide
- Lift tickets mentioned in the program
- Round-trip transfer to Italy
- Technical ice axes provided
- Snowshoes provided
❌ This price does not include
- Accommodation in Chamonix during the course
- Picnic lunches
- Transportation to the meeting points
- Personal technical equipment
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 8:30am on the first day at the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, 190 place de l’Église, Chamonix.
Technical level
You must be confident with climbing belay techniques, be able to lead French grade 4c and have previous experience using crampons. Ideally, you have completed the Autonomy & Safety Level 1 course or have equivalent experience.
Fitness level
This program is designed for people who regularly take part in physical activity. Days may involve up to 6 to 7 hours of physical effort.
Guiding policy
3 to 4 participants per guide. Registration possible from age 18.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in 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
We recommend paying particular attention to your choice of equipment, as it directly contributes to your comfort during the course. Choose equipment suitable for winter conditions and use several layers to provide effective protection from cold and moisture.
Equipment
- A backpack of approximately 35 litres
- Rigid mountaineering boots compatible with semi-automatic crampons
- Gaiters if required with your trousers
- Crampons with anti-balling plates
- A helmet
- A harness
- A classic mountaineering ice axe
Mandatory technical equipment
- 1 lanyard, preferably adjustable, with a screwgate carabiner
- 1 directional screwgate carabiner
- 1 reversible belay device, excluding figure-eight devices, with 2 screwgate carabiners including 1 HMS carabiner
- 2 x 120cm slings with straight-gate carabiners
- 2 quickdraws
- 1 additional HMS screwgate carabiner
- 1 Machard or Prusik cord with a straight-gate or screwgate carabiner
Clothing
- A warm hat suitable for wearing under a helmet
- A neck warmer such as a Buff
- A technical long-sleeve base layer
- A fleece
- A waterproof hooded jacket such as Gore-Tex
- A down jacket
- Thermal leggings
- Waterproof mountaineering trousers such as Gore-Tex (avoid ski trousers)
- Warm socks
- Close-fitting gloves allowing you to handle equipment easily
- Ski gloves or mittens
Accessories
- Category 4 sunglasses
- An insulated bottle of at least 1 litre
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Blister treatment
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 in the Valley
We dedicate the first day to learning and developing ice climbing techniques at the Bérard training site in Vallorcine. Depending on conditions, this day may also take place on the Mer de Glace.
Day 2
Mountaineering Route from Pointe Helbronner (3,462 m)
We complete a mountaineering route in the Vallée Blanche area, focusing on ridge climbing techniques. Depending on conditions, possible routes include the Petit Flambeau (3,407 m), Aiguille de Toule (3,534 m) or Aiguilles Marbrées (3,535 m).
Day 3
Mountaineering Route from the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m)
We continue developing ridge climbing techniques with another mountaineering route in the Vallée Blanche area. Depending on conditions, we may climb the Pointes Lachenal traverse (3,613 m). We return to the valley 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: 44 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 44 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 4.4€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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