First steps to mountaineering
PERFECT BEGINNERS COURSE
INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE
ALPINISM IN CHAMONIX
Beginner Mountaineering 3 days Course in Chamonix
If you’re eager to embark on your mountaineering journey, our beginner mountaineering course in Chamonix offers the perfect introduction to this exciting and rewarding sport. Designed for newcomers with little or no prior experience, this course will teach you the fundamental skills needed to safely navigate alpine terrain, including rock, snow, and ice.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn essential rock climbing techniques tailored for beginners, helping you build confidence and control on varied surfaces. Our expert guides will introduce you to the most important climbing knots, ensuring you understand their correct usage for safety and efficiency.
A key part of the training covers basic crampon and ice axe techniques, providing you with the tools to move securely on snow and ice slopes. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with fundamental rope work such as belaying and abseiling, critical skills for safe ascent and descent in mountainous environments.
This beginner mountaineering course in Chamonix is structured to offer personalized instruction with a participant-to-guide ratio of 6:1 during the first two days, and a more focused 4:1 ratio on the final day. This ensures you receive the attention needed to develop your skills effectively and safely.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Mont Blanc massif, this course not only teaches technical skills but also introduces you to mountain safety, basic route planning, and the essential mindset for alpine adventures.
Whether you aim to climb classic alpine routes or simply want to experience the mountains confidently, our beginner mountaineering course in Chamonix is the ideal starting point. Join us to build a solid foundation and ignite your passion for mountaineering in one of the world’s most iconic alpine destinations.
From: 590 €
Beginner
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Fitness level 2/5
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Guiding ratio 1/6
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6 person per group maximum
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3 day course
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Available May – October
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Friday 11 July 2025
|
Sunday 13 July 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 18 July 2025
|
Sunday 20 July 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 25 July 2025
|
Sunday 27 July 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 1 August 2025
|
Sunday 3 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 8 August 2025
|
Sunday 10 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 15 August 2025
|
Sunday 17 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 22 August 2025
|
Sunday 24 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 29 August 2025
|
Sunday 31 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 5 September 2025
|
Sunday 7 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 12 September 2025
|
Sunday 14 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 19 September 2025
|
Sunday 21 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 26 September 2025
|
Sunday 28 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 28 September 2025
|
Sunday 28 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 3 October 2025
|
Sunday 5 October 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 10 October 2025
|
Sunday 12 October 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 17 October 2025
|
Sunday 19 October 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 24 October 2025
|
Sunday 26 October 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Friday 11 July 2025
|
Sunday 13 July 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 18 July 2025
|
Sunday 20 July 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 25 July 2025
|
Sunday 27 July 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 1 August 2025
|
Sunday 3 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 8 August 2025
|
Sunday 10 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 15 August 2025
|
Sunday 17 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 22 August 2025
|
Sunday 24 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 29 August 2025
|
Sunday 31 August 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 5 September 2025
|
Sunday 7 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 12 September 2025
|
Sunday 14 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 19 September 2025
|
Sunday 21 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 26 September 2025
|
Sunday 28 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 28 September 2025
|
Sunday 28 September 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 3 October 2025
|
Sunday 5 October 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 10 October 2025
|
Sunday 12 October 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 17 October 2025
|
Sunday 19 October 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Friday 24 October 2025
|
Sunday 26 October 2025
|
Available
|
590 €
| Make enquiry |
Itinerary
Day 1 – Rock
The course will start with rock climbing skills such as rope-work, knots, belaying, and abseiling. There are several possibilities of where you could go, such as Les Gaillands, Servoz, or Vallorcine crags.
Day 2 – Ice
You will take the Montenvers train to reach the Mer de Glace where you will learn crampons and ice axe skills on France’s longest glacier.
Day 3 – Rock & Snow
You will put your skills from the first two days together for your first high alpine climb. Weather permitting, you will take either the Skyway or Aiguille du Midi cable cars to climb a mixed route such as Arête à Laurence or similar.
Learning outcomes
- Beginner rock climbing skills
- Essential climbing knots
- Introduction to crampon and ice axe techniques
- Basic rope work such as belaying, abseiling.
Level requirements
You do not need any previous climbing or mountaineering experience. If you are a keen hiker used to uneven paths, you will enjoy this course!
Good physical fitness is required. Mountaineering involves full days of physical activity, hiking uphill, scrambling, and climbing.























Guiding & Tuition
3 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM gualified 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
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.
Lift passes
Insurance
Search and rescue insurance is obligatory on these trips. We also highly recommend to have a valid travel insurance policy to cover 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.Please check that your insurance will cover your chosen activity.
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.
Additional Transport
Transport out of the Chamonix valley, for example into Italy or Switzerland, is not included. If conditions are better elsewhere your guide will discuss the options and any extra travel costs with you.