Winter
Alpine Intro, Chamonix 2026
New itinerary | 1:2 & 1:4 ratio | Inc. guiding & accommodation  |
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| Course
overview |
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This
is our most popular winter course, and it's
easy to see why. It is designed to launch
your winter mountaineering career, and you'll
develop skills for ice climbing and alpinism
too. With an updated itinerary to include 3 training days at 1:4 ratio, then 2 climbing days at an excellent 1:2 ratio mountain guiding.. |
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Even
with no previous climbing experience, by the
end of the week you should have climbed grade
3 or 4 waterfall ice, and a famous Alpine
PD / AD route in full winter conditions. The last couple of days are super flexible to allow you to climb multi-pitch ice routes, or classic winter mountaineering routes. |
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This
course is suitable both for Alpine novices
and for those who want to learn winter mountaineering and waterfall
ice climbing (such as those who have attended
a Scottish introductory or a summer Alpine
introductory course). The itinerary is flexible
at the end of the week. |
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Technical
skills taught on the course include glacier
travel, ice climbing, crevasse rescue, ice
axe belays and anchors, ropework, crampon
and ice axe use, avalanche prediction and
using tranceivers, and
equipment selection. You'll build an appreciation of safe route choice in winter conditions too. |
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You
learn key skills of waterfall
ice climbing and mountaineering, and there
is the option of a night in a mountain hut,
if you select a route where an Alpine start
is required. If you'd prefer not to stay in
a hut, don't worry as valley accommodation
is provided anyway. |
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There
is a focus on selecting routes
in reaction to the avalanche forecasts each
day, and each day you will need to decide if you need to be equipped
with avalanche tranceiver, probe and shovel, as some routes (e.g. valley icefalls or mountain ridges) may be avalanche safe, so each day could be a different choice. |
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Dates: these
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine
Information Booklet, course specific kit list
and invoice. |
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Brief
Course Itinerary
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Day 1 | Sunday
Travel to Chamonix. Accommodation check in at 17:00. Course specific mountain safety and itinerary briefing at 17:30.
There is time for kit checks or fitting rental equipment after.
Briefings are over by 18:30 and then you are free to go out for dinner / drinks. Many clients opt
to travel out a day or two early to start their acclimatisation at Aiguille du Midi or with a night in a mountain hut (e.g. Cosmiques or Torino). Night in Chamonix.
 Gallery: Chamonix town |
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Day 2 | Monday
Meet your guide, and catch mountain railway to Montenvers 1913m. Day
to learn and practice using crampons and ice axes
on the Mer de Glace glacier (c.2000m). You climb
vertical ice, create ice anchors, and learn glacier
travel skills. This is one of your most important
days of the course in terms of skills development
as it is essential to have good footwork with crampons. Guiding ratio 1:4 (max). Night in Chamonix.
Gallery: Mer de Glace |
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Day 3 | Tuesday
Today you head to one of the amazing valley icefalls such as La Cremerie / Berard / Les Contamnes, for a day of ice climbing. You use two technical ice axe tools to ascend frozen waterfall ice, learn how to place ice screws, create ice anchors and Abalakov threads. There may be the opportunity for some multi-pitch, or setting up multiple top roped routes, so you can climb to your hearts content. Guiding ratio 1:4 (max). Night in Chamonix.
Gallery: Chamonix ice climbing |
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Day 4 | Wednesday
It's time to head to altitude today for winter mountaineering. There's plenty of choice, from a day on Col du Midi via the Midi lift, or Punta Helbronner on the Skyway. You are straight out onto a snow covered glacier, and can learn crevasse rescue, or glacier travel skills, and maybe climb on a route like Lachenal, Laurence, or Toula. It's worth getting your layering right. Expect it to be cold! Guiding ratio 1:4 (max). Night in Chamonix.
Gallery: Winter Alpine Intro |
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Day 5 | Thursday
Today
and on Friday, you have two days that are very flexible for your choice of either mountaineering
or waterfall ice climbing. You can choose the objective,
dependant on conditions. There is also the option
of spending a night in a mountain hut (not included),
if an Alpine start is required for a route. An example
night be using the Torino hut for climbing Aiguilles Marbrees. Night in Chamonix / hut. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max).
Gallery: Deferlante icefall climbing |
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Day 6 | Friday
Your
second day of flexible itinerary,
for you to select another route. Popular
objectives for technical ice climbs
such as Deferlante and Mini Couloir. Mountaineering
route favourites include the Arete des Cosmiques from the Aiguille du Mid, or Aiguille du Floria, to put your skills in practice. Most teams opt to meet up to go out for drinks and a celebratory meal. Your final night is spent in Chamonix. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max).
Gallery: Arete des Cosmiques |
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Day 7 | Saturday
Breakfast then the accommodation check out by
10:00. Most arrange transfers for around this
time for a flight from Geneva about midday. Some
opt to book a tandem paraglider flight in
the morning, or to go rafting, mountain biking, or trail running, if you still have the energy! Our resort team can advise you on where to arrange any of this, or routes. For those departing late, bags can be stored during the day. Depart for home.
Gallery: Icicle Windermere office |
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| ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly
we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case,
suitable alternatives are offered. Please use this itinerary
as a guide to the types of route / activity you attempt. |
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| Course
Prices |
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| Standard
course |
5 days guiding, 7 days holiday in total
IFMGA mountain guides for 5 days |
£1595 |
| Live
availability |
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
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| How to book |
Secure
payments, bonded tour operator
Details of how to book, click
here |
Book
online |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions |
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1) Hand picked IFMGA Mountain Guide(s), for 3 days 1:4, & 2 days 1:2 ratio |
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2) Chamonix course hosts for briefings, logistics, expert advice, and support |
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3) Pre course information dossier, with training plans and specific kit lists |
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4) Safety briefing on the first evening, with latest updates and weather reports |
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5) Equipment discount voucher for our Windermere mountain shop / online |
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6) Self-catered flat in Chamonix for 6 nights, with no moving out when in huts |
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7) Road transport with your guide within the Chamonix valley, as required |
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8) Free 36 page
technical Course Instruction Booklet of Alpine safety skills |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3) Cable cars & uplift for you, and your guide (if required), 4) Lunches & snacks for during the days, 5) Road transport outside Chamonix valley, 6) Breakfasts and evening meals in Chamonix, & any purchases in mountain
huts, 7) Activities insurance. |
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Standard
course accommodation - normally clients are based
in self-catered flats (details),
so take a look, and decide if it's for you. For
more luxury, contact us for quotes in higher standard
apartments, or hotels of any standard required.
If you have / source your own course accommodation,
or we cannot provide an upgrade, the standard course
price has a £200pp reduction applied on your
invoice. |
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Current
course availability
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| Testimonials |
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| Press
& media |
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| Films
& videos |
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| Photo
gallery |
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| Location
data for this trip |
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| The
trips are based in the Chamonix valley in the French Alps,
at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a
90 minute transfer from Geneva airport. |
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Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
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Local
Currency
€ Euros
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Travel
from UK
1hr flight
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| Suggested
reading and kit |
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View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here |
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| Why
choose our trips? |
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See
our Alpine blog, by clicking on the Word-press logo
to the right. |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather windows on any day, to maximise your
summit chances. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ Sterling, to protect
you from euro fluctuations, so you can budget accurately. |
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There
is a choice of routes to opt for, depending on the
weather, conditions, and your experience. |
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| Trip
report & article |
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| An
article written about this trip written by Suzanna Shute
was published in the Adventure Travel magazine - Link
to article. It can also be viewed by clicking
the image below...
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| Any further questions? |
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A key part
of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about
your plans with an experienced course advisor face to
face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients
value speaking to real people, getting open and honest
advice. The vast majority of our clients are British,
and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere
in the English Lake District.
 
Get in
contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor.
Many people opt for this service, and it is an integral
part of what we offer, as we are keen to ensure that you
are prepared as possible, and that you select a course
that is suitable for you. It makes it easier and more
enjoyable for you and us, if you are on the right trip. |
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