Our alpine climbing clinic starts in an outdoor classroom away from the crowded crags in Chamonix valley. We’ll go to either Brévent or Flégère to learn the basic safety on the rock and climb our first pitches. Depending on how comfortable we feel, we might even complete a short multi-pitch route!
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Discover alpine climbing in Chamonix, the birthplace of mountaineering, with a course designed for newcomers to the vertical world. Led by an IFMGA-certified guide and including all necessary safety gear and lift passes, this alpine clinic offers the perfect chance to dip your toes into alpine terrain. Over three dynamic days, we’ll cover the core skills and safety techniques needed to begin your alpine climbing journey—and actually go for a summit on day 3! Come with good fitness and enthusiasm, and leave with a solid foundation for your future alpine adventures.
If you want to dive deeper, opt for this five-day course. You'll get the same foundational training, plus an extra attempt on a classic Chamonix peak to make your skills rock-solid. With the added night at a mountain hut, you'll experience true alpine living
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Crampons and ice axes at the ready! We’ll meet at Montenvers and head to the famous Mer de Glace glacier. Here, we’ll learn ice and glacier safety techniques and practice ice climbing. As we work on our skills, we’ll enjoy stunning views of the north faces of Les Drus and Grandes Jorasses.
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After two days of rock and ice training, it’s time to put our skills to the test on our first summit. Your expert guides will choose a challenging objective that matches the weather, conditions, and abilities of the group. We might aim for the Aiguilles Crochues, the Clocher-Clochetons traverse or another classic Chamonix route. One thing is for sure: your objective will be both exciting and memorable!
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We’ll cap off our alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix with a true alpine experience: an overnight at a mountain hut and an attempt on the Aiguille du Tour. On day 4, we’ll lift up, hike to the hut, and maybe warm up on Aiguille du Genepi or Pointe des Grands if time allows. Our last day will start early. We’ll be up at around 4 AM to tackle the Aiguille du Tour, a classic route that will test your new skills and reward us with spectacular views at the summit. We’ll aim for an afternoon return to Chamonix.
These two extra days pull everything together. We’ll get a true taste of alpine climbing – challenging, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding. As always, we’ll adjust plans based on conditions.
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This itinerary is flexible. Your guide may adjust plans based on weather, mountain conditions, and group abilities. Alpine climbing requires adaptability—we’ll work with nature, not against it.
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Included:
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- An experienced IFMGA-certified Chamonix-based guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 3-day or 5-day alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix
- Lift passes when needed
- Safety equipment (rope, cams, ice screws, etc.)
- Half board in a mountain hut on Day 4 (for 5-day option)
Not included:
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- Transfer to Chamonix
- Accommodation and meals in Chamonix
- Lunch and snacks
- Personal and technical equipment (shoes, crampons, helmet, harness, ice axes, etc.)
- Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
- Repatriation and search & rescue insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout
- Travel insurance — highly recommended, available to add at checkout
- Guide gratuities — optional
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While you don’t need prior alpine climbing experience for this alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix, keep in mind that alpine climbing is physically demanding and requires excellent fitness. Ice climbing demands upper body strength, and calves can take a beating when front-pointing. To prepare, focus on building endurance through hill walks and strength through exercises like squats, step-ups, and stair-climbing with a pack. Your guides will tailor the itinerary to the group’s abilities to ensure a challenging yet enjoyable experience for everyone.
Discover more adventures in Chamonix here!
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Alpine climbing gear (available to rent in Chamonix, please let us know if you need anything):
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- Good quality alpine climbing boots (that allow attaching of crampons)
- Ice axe, crampons, and helmet
Personal clothing:
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- Waterproof shell jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Waterproof shell trousers (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Mid layer (fleece is good)
- Base layers
- Spare clothes for layering
- Clothes for the evening and rest day
- Down layer
- Hat
- Gloves
- Gaiters
Personal items:
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- Backpack (35-50L), big enough to fit all you’ll need for the ascent
- Hiking poles — optional
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Personal medication
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
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Yes, you can! All the essential safety gear (ropes, cams, ice screws, etc.) will be provided by the guide. Everything else you’ll need can be brought from home or easily rented from one of the many gear shops in Chamonix. Check out Sanglard Sports for rental.
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Group sizes and pricing
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- For this alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
- It takes a minimum of 3 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.
An alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join this alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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The starting point of your alpine climbing clinic is Chamonix. To get there, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make the airport transfers hassle-free?
Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!
Make sure to arrive a day prior to Day 1, as your alpine climbing clinic begins in the morning of Day 1. Your guides will get back to you before the tour starts with the exact meeting point.
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Repatriation/search and rescue insurance is mandatory, while travel insurance is highly recommended to join this trip. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
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