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Mountaineering Beginner mountaineering course 5 days
Duration:
5 days
Price from: 1 145€
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
This 5-day beginner course builds on the program of our 3-day course, with the addition of two extra days and an overnight stay in a refuge. It still guarantees a gradual introduction to the exceptional setting of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont-Blanc Massif, but the night in a high-altitude refuge will provide an even more intense experience. It’s also an opportunity for a more in-depth exploration of mountaineering techniques. A hallmark of our courses, with a special ratio of 3 to 4 participants per guide, ensures personalized guidance and a high level of adaptation to your specific needs. The course includes the enchantment of the surroundings, effective teaching, and a program tailored specifically for beginner mountaineers.
This course is part of a series of mountaineering programs designed to guide you from your first alpine adventures to lead climbing. It’s an essential step in acquiring the fundamental skills needed before progressing to the "Autonomy and Safety" courses, which are the natural next step. If you prefer a shorter introduction to mountaineering, our 3-day introductory course is ideal for you!
The objectives of the beginner mountaineering course
- Full immersion in the high mountain environment
- Master basic mountaineering techniques: crampons, ice axe
- Learn basic rope skills: basic knots, roping, and elementary belaying
Group booking
Group booking associates several people who don’t know each other. It allows for a planned program to benefit from an attractive price on fixed dates. This formula is ideal for people looking for the friendliness of a group.
Dates : See below for the group booking module
Price 2025 : 1145€ per person, based on minimum 3 people
Minors aged 16 and over must be accompanied by an adult
Included in the package :
- IFMGA English speaking mountain guiding service
- half-board to the Torino hut (dinner, breakfast and night)
- transfer go & back Day 4 & 5
- lift access as per programme
Not included in the package :
- personal drinks and other personal expenses (we recommend you bring Euros)
- take out lunches and daily snacks
- cost of getting to meeting point
- personal technical equipment including your mountaineering shoes
Private booking
Private booking is the historical relationship that binds a guide to his/her client. It allows you to be alone, or in a constituted group, with your guide that meets your specific needs. It is undoubtedly the ideal formula to realize your projects because it guarantees you a maximum of comfort. You are free to choose your departure date (depending on the availability of the huts) and the itinerary can be adjusted, according to your specific expectations.
Prices 2025 :
2 people : 1865€ per person
3 people : 1340€ per person
4 people : 1075€ per person
Included in the package :
- IFMGA English speaking mountain guiding service
- half-board to the Torino hut (dinner, breakfast and night)
- transfer go & back Day 4 & 5
- lift access as per programme
Not included in the package :
- personal drinks and other personal expenses (we recommend you bring Euros)
- take out lunches and daily snacks
- cost of getting to meeting point
- personal technical equipment including your mountaineering shoes
Further information
In this section, find all the information about this activity. To prepare your trip effectively, refer to the guides’ tips. They share their expertise and recommendations, ensuring you have a great experience.
Meeting point : Meet at 8.30am at the Chamonix Guides Company: 190 place de l’église
Physical Level : Designed for individuals who regularly engage in sport activities. The route involves effort lasting up to 5 hours per day
Technical level : No mountaineering or climbing experience necessary
Guiding policy : 3 to 4 people. The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix's guiding policy guarantees the most balanced groups as possible as well as high-quality personalised advice. Minors aged 16 and over must be accompanied by an adult
Accommodation : One half-board in hut (on Day 4) includes. For the other night, benefit from specials prices with our hotel partners in Chamonix
Documentation : Participants must have mountain sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance when you sign up. Participants must also take valid ID with them
Documents available for download
Equipment
We recommend you take particular care over you choice of equipment, as it plays a large role in the success of your trip. Weight is critical, and you must always evaluate the weight-to-comfort ratio to find the best compromise.
Equipment
- 35-litre backpack
- Climbing shoes, rentable
- Mountaineering boots, rentable
- Gaiters, if needed for your trousers
- Telescopic trekking poles, rentable
- Crampons with anti-balling plates; helmet, harness and straight ice axe, rentable
- Bring the technical equipment you have (belay device, carabiners, slings...)
Clothing
- Warm hat that can be worn under a helmet
- Sun hat or cap
- Neck protection such as a ‘Buff’
- ‘Micro-fibre’ style long-sleeve base layer
- Fleece
- ‘Gore Tex’ style shell jacket with hood, rentable
- Down jacket
- Base layer leggings
- Durable summer mountaineering trousers (not ski trousers)
- ‘Gore Tex’ style over-trousers, rentable
- Warm specialist walking socks
- Lightweight specialist walking socks
- Ski gloves or good quality mitts
- Leather or fleece gloves
- Change of clothes at your discretion
Accessories
- Category 4 sunglasses
- Headtorch plus spare batteries
- Sheet sleeping bag
- Water bottle (minimum 1.5l) and thermos bottle
- Personalised first aid kit with a minimum of: sun cream, lip balm, cotton buds, blister kit, antisickness medication
- Watertight bag to contain your ID/passport and Euros
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Millet, Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Rock Climbing Basics
We leave Chamonix for the Gaillands climbing crag. Top rope climbing: figure of eight knot, belaying, double-check. Lead climbing: use of quickdraws, setting up a top rope belay. Gear to bring with you: climbing shoes, harness, and helmet.
Day 2
Mountaineering Basics
Discovery on the Mer de Glace of walking with crampons: exercises to get used to them and to gain confidence. You'll also discover how to use an ice axe. Gear to bring with you: mountaineering shoes, harness, helmet, crampons, and ice axe.
Day 3
Via Corda
On this third day, you will embark on a route that combines short climbing sections with roped hiking. It’s the best way to apply what you've learned over the past two days while getting used to walking roped together. Gear to bring with you: mountaineering shoes or walking shoes, harness, and helmet.
Day 4
Outing in the mountains | Overnight at Torino Refuge (3371 m)
You will embark on a complete immersion in the high mountains, surrounded by the exceptional landscapes of the Glacier du Géant and the Vallée Blanche. This area offers a wide range of destination, ideal for a first experience in the high mountains. The night at Torino Refuge will also provide a special opportunity for convivial exchange with your guide. Examples of routes include the Vallée Blanche traverse and the Col d’Entrèves. Gear to bring with you: mountaineering shoes, harness, helmet, crampons, and ice axe.
Day 5
Outing in the mountains
Last day to enjoy the area after a night spent at over 3,300 m! Examples of routes include the Vallée Blanche traversen and the Col d’Entrèves. Return to Chamonix in the early afternoon. Gear to bring with you: mountaineering shoes, harness, helmet, crampons, and ice axe.
Booking
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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: 79 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 79 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 7.9€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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