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First steps to mountaineering

Start your mountaineering adventure with our beginner mountaineering course in Chamonix. Learn essential skills on rock, snow, and ice with expert guides, gaining confidence and safety to explore the mountains with ease and excitement.

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 €

Price per person for a group of minimum 3 climbers

Beginner

  • Fitness level 2/5
  • Guiding ratio 1/6
  • 6 person per group maximum
  • 3 day course
  • Available May – October
Crampon an ice axe training with the First steps to mountaineering course in Chamonix.
Crampon an ice axe training with the First steps to mountaineering course in Chamonix.

Dates

First steps to mountaineering
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Friday 11 July 2025
Sunday 13 July 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 18 July 2025
Sunday 20 July 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 25 July 2025
Sunday 27 July 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 1 August 2025
Sunday 3 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 8 August 2025
Sunday 10 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 15 August 2025
Sunday 17 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 22 August 2025
Sunday 24 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 29 August 2025
Sunday 31 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 5 September 2025
Sunday 7 September 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 12 September 2025
Sunday 14 September 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 19 September 2025
Sunday 21 September 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 26 September 2025
Sunday 28 September 2025
Available
590 €
Sunday 28 September 2025
Sunday 28 September 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 3 October 2025
Sunday 5 October 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 10 October 2025
Sunday 12 October 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 17 October 2025
Sunday 19 October 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 24 October 2025
Sunday 26 October 2025
Available
590 €

Dates

First steps to mountaineering
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Friday 11 July 2025
Sunday 13 July 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 18 July 2025
Sunday 20 July 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 25 July 2025
Sunday 27 July 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 1 August 2025
Sunday 3 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 8 August 2025
Sunday 10 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 15 August 2025
Sunday 17 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 22 August 2025
Sunday 24 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 29 August 2025
Sunday 31 August 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 5 September 2025
Sunday 7 September 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 12 September 2025
Sunday 14 September 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 19 September 2025
Sunday 21 September 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 26 September 2025
Sunday 28 September 2025
Available
590 €
Sunday 28 September 2025
Sunday 28 September 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 3 October 2025
Sunday 5 October 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 10 October 2025
Sunday 12 October 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 17 October 2025
Sunday 19 October 2025
Available
590 €
Friday 24 October 2025
Sunday 26 October 2025
Available
590 €
Technical gear
Mountaineering boots
Clothing
Warm hat
Clothing
Thermal underwear
Clothing
Fleece or woollen layers
Clothing
Light puffer jacket
Clothing
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Clothing
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Clothing
Warm gloves
Clothing
Thin gloves with leather palms for better grip
Clothing
Gaiters
Clothing
Sun hat
Clothing
Climbing shoes
Clothing
Climbing pants
Technical gear
Ice axe
Technical gear
Climbing harness
Technical gear
Belay device
Technical gear
Climbing helmet
Technical gear
35 – 45 litres rucksack
Technical gear
Crampons
Other essentials
Sunglasses
Other essentials
Water bottle – Ideally two 1L bottles
Other essentials
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Technical gear
Screwgate carabiner x 1
Included in price

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.