Alpine climbing course in Chamonix – Exclusive experience
FLEXIBILITY
UIAGM MOUNTAIN GUIDES
FAST PROGRESS
CLIMB SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING AND DEMANDING ROUTES IN CHAMONIX
Our Mountain Advanced Course – Level 3 is the door to the biggest, most demanding routes. The curriculum is focused on pushing your limits to achieve more exclusive summits by honing your abilities. Specific, personal coaching on your technical climbing ability and your aptitude with climbing equipment allow you to gain a good level of autonomy on more committing climbs. It is the logical follow up to the Level 1 and 2 courses; the gradual progression toward becoming a mountaineer.
The objective of the Level 3 is to improve and perfect a solid basic alpine skill set. The Alps are full of great routes for climbers of all abilities- the world’s best alpinist frequent the Chamonix valley for quick access to cutting edge terrain. This allows your UIAGM guide to find the perfect route for you- stretching your capacities and providing a rich learning ground. You’ll participate in the planning, function, and safety measures necessary to climb big, high altitude itineraries.
To accomplish this the guide to client ratio is always 1:2, or 1:1 depending on the routes chosen. The result is an efficient and performance oriented alpine team. The week’s program targets big, remote routes, 4000m summits, and big alpine granite rock climbs. Big routes, big mountains, big fun!
The level 3 course aims to improve and perfect personal skills in the high mountains, climbing some of the bigger routes around the Alps. The goal is to transform from an advanced second on the rope to a safe, secure, and confident lead climber. A good alpinist progresses by making decisions with accurate terrain, weather, and group evaluation, while using efficient and appropriate techniques on rock, ice, and mixed ground of all difficulties.
From: 3990 €
Expert
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Guiding ratio 1:2 and 1:1
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5 days of climbing
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Available May > October and also in winter from December until April
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1 night in a mountain hut
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 9 June 2025
|
Friday 13 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 16 June 2025
|
Friday 20 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 23 June 2025
|
Friday 27 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 30 June 2025
|
Friday 4 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 July 2025
|
Friday 11 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 July 2025
|
Friday 18 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 21 July 2025
|
Friday 25 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 28 July 2025
|
Friday 1 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 4 August 2025
|
Friday 8 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 11 August 2025
|
Friday 15 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 18 August 2025
|
Friday 22 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 25 August 2025
|
Friday 29 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 1 September 2025
|
Friday 5 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 8 September 2025
|
Friday 12 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 15 September 2025
|
Friday 19 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 22 September 2025
|
Friday 26 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 9 June 2025
|
Friday 13 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 16 June 2025
|
Friday 20 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 23 June 2025
|
Friday 27 June 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 30 June 2025
|
Friday 4 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 July 2025
|
Friday 11 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 July 2025
|
Friday 18 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 21 July 2025
|
Friday 25 July 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 28 July 2025
|
Friday 1 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 4 August 2025
|
Friday 8 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 11 August 2025
|
Friday 15 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 18 August 2025
|
Friday 22 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 25 August 2025
|
Friday 29 August 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 1 September 2025
|
Friday 5 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 8 September 2025
|
Friday 12 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 15 September 2025
|
Friday 19 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 22 September 2025
|
Friday 26 September 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
3990 €
| Make enquiry |
Itinerary
The described program is an example from which to draw ideas. It envisions a perfect week, with fit clients and good weather, as well as correct mountain conditions. You’ll decide with your guide which routes are best given all the different variables, to allow for a fun, educative week.
Arrival day
Rendez-vous with your guide in the evening before the course begins. The guide will answer your questions to start out the week smoothly.
Day 1
Multi-pitch rock climbing in the Aiguilles Rouges or from the Plan de l’Aiguille. Classic Chamonix- lift accessed rock climbing allows us to kick start the week. An endless choice of routes, both bolted and traditional, allows the guide personalize your day according to your needs, optimizing your time and getting the roped teams coordinated for the rest of the course. Rock climbing skills, placement and removal of cams and wired stoppers, rope organization, anchors, and safe lead climbing methods are all covered.
Day 2
Mixed climbing from the Aiguille du Midi! More classic, hard, alpine terrain. Gully mixed climbing on snow, rock and ice, with the application of techniques previously learned and an emphasis on the specific skills used on ice and in high mountain climbing.
Day 3
High altitude granite! Some of the best climbing in the world- lift accessed granite crags in the Mt. Blanc range are among the best anywhere. The Salluard on the Point Adolph Rey, the Lepiney on the Trident du Tacul, or the Contamine on the Pointe Lachenal – Chamonix’s finest granite cracks beckon! The emphasis isn’t solely on the lovely climbing and working your crack climbing skills, but also on the placement of protection, building anchors, doing multiple rappels and moving safely and efficiently over alpine rock.
Days 4 & 5
You’re off into the mountains for a 2 day ascent of a big route in the Alps, with a night in a high mountain hut. The objective- put everything together for an ascent of one of the best lines in Chamonix (or elsewhere depending on the conditions and the team’s goals). It could be a long mixed route or a brilliant alpine arète. Some examples- The Forbes arete or the Eperon Migot on the Aiguille du Chardonnet, The Aretes du Diable or the Kufner Arete on the Mt. Maudit, traverse of La Meige, Traverse of the Breithorn or the Lyskam, etc.
You’ll actively participate in the route planning and the route ascent. All your skills are put to the test, and your guide’s input helps steepen the learning curve. An unforgettable ascent and an important stepping stone toward becoming a competent alpinist.
Learning outcomes
- Perfecting technical skills and moving efficiently on high altitude rock, ice, and mixed terrain.
- Advanced belay and safety measures on varied terrain
- Learning to be autonomous on traditional, naturally protected routes. (Natural anchors, reinforcing existing anchors, posing and extracting cams and wired stoppers)
- Special techniques (losing a belay device, ascending a rope)
- Vertical rescue technique (escaping a belay, descending with an injured climber)
- Complete preparation and realization of a multi day, high mountain itinerary. (Planning, orientation, reading mountain conditions, identifying risk, decision making)
- Logistics and material necessary for a bivouac.
Level requirements
This week is tailored for climbers who have completed the Mountain Progression courses 1 and 2, or have acquired solid and consistent experience in the mountains. The week requires an autonomy on each type of alpine terrain. One should be able to belay, rappel, and climb in a safe and efficient manner on rock, snow, and mixed routes. Familiarity climbing with rock shoes or mountain boots on alpine rock, and with crampons and ice axe on mixed ground. You should be able to follow up to French level 5 in mountain boots, French 6b (5.10+) in rock shoes, and mixed/ alpine French grade D (M4+). The prerequisite physical condition allows movement in the high mountains for 8-10 hours at a continuous pace for consecutive days, on route grades as described above. If you need advice for preparing for your course, or are curious about your own level relative to the course requirements don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll help as best we can.
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:
- Your full name
- Mobile phone number
- Email address
- Your destination address
- Your 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.
Chamonix accommodation
If you need help to find a place to stay in Chamonix, don’t hesitate to let us know! We work with a network of excellent chalets, hotels, gites and B&Bs offering Chamonix accommodation to suit all tastes and all budgets.
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.
Guide Fees
5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
Mountain hut
1 night in a mountain hut with breakfast and dinner included.
Local Transport
Any local transport that is required during your course.
Group Equipment
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
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
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.
Accommodation in Chamonix
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
Travel to Chamonix
The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.
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.
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.
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.