Chamonix & the Alps

With world-class routes and ridges as far as the eye can see, there’s something for every level of alpinist in Chamonix: come and experience the best of the Alps. 

Living year-round in Chamonix, our local knowledge is second to none. It goes without saying that we can guide you around all the classic, iconic alpine routes – but better yet, we can introduce you to the lesser-known, often more interesting hidden gems of the Mont Blanc range and beyond. 

Thanks to the extensive infrastructure of lifts and mountain refuges or huts, climbing routes to challenge alpinists of all abilities are available all year round from our base in Chamonix. 

Whether you’re building skills and gaining confidence on your first AD (Assez Difficile) routes or you have your eye on a classic 1000m+ Grande Course or North Face, contact us to start planning your Alpine adventure. 

Get in touch

Download a sample itinerary

Download a guide to French route grades

When to travel?

  • Alpine climbing: all year round

  • Off-piste & back country skiing: January to May

  • Ice climbing: January and February

 

Guide: client ratio

  • 1:1 or 1:2 for alpinism

  • Up to 1:6 for Off-piste and back country skiing

How long will I need?

  • How long have you got?

Whether you have just one free day, or a fortnight to fill, we’ll design an Alpine itinerary to fit

 

Fitness & experience

  • As all of our alpine courses are tailor-made they can be built to your requirements catering for your level of fitness and experience. See our guide to Fitness and Experience for more details.

Inspire me

Get technical: elevate your climbing from PD to AD, or hone your skills at AD, D and beyond with these technical favourites:

  • Classic alpine ridges: try a traverse of the Entréves, SE ridge of the Tour Ronde or a Cosmique Arete.

  • Ice and Mixed climbing: check out the Triangle du Tacul via the classic Cherè Couloir or Contamines route, or maybe the Gabarrou / Albinoni gouloutte on the Tacul’s east face.

  • 4000m peak: test yourself on the Dent du Geant.

Grandes Courses & North Faces: “Grandes Courses” is the term for the 1000m+ walls and biggest routes in the Alps, and there are surely no finer alpine objectives for the experienced alpinist. Favourites include: 

  • Grandes Paradiso North Face, Italy: a lower-angled north wall climbs directly to the true summit of the Gran Paradiso, the only 4000m peak located solely in Italy.

  • Tour Ronde North Face, French / Italian border. Another popular option when in condition, the sweep of ice up the centre of the north wall also features some mixed and culminates at the summit Madonna statue, one of the finest view points in the Mont Blanc Massif.

  • Frendo Spur, Aiguille du Midi North Face, Chamonix. A lot of peoples first 1000m+ route (including Dave Sharpe’s!), this can be the perfect route for those looking to tackle larger routes with easy access, great bivi sites en-route and a cable car descent from the summit.

Go large: are you ready to tackle one of the ‘Classic’ 6 North Faces of the Alps? Taking in some of the toughest climbing in all of Europe, these are not for the fainthearted:

  • Cassin Route, Piz Badile, Italy.

  • Schmid Route, Matterhorn North Face, Swiss Valais.

  • 1938 Route, Eiger North Face, Bernese Oberland.

  • Grande Jorasses North Face, Chamonix.

  • Dru North Face, Chamonix.

  • Tre Cime North Face, Italian Dolomites.

Or maybe the longest route in the Alps? The Peutérey Integral takes in over 4500m of technical ascent from Italian meadows to the summit of Mont Blanc via a ‘fair means’ ascent over 4 days. A magnificent outing!  

Day rate

From €450 / day

Based on your objectives and trip duration

Our fees include:

  • IFMGA Guiding fees

  • Guide insurance

  • Group equipment (rack, ropes, navigation, first aid, safety kit)

  • Travel within the Chamonix Valley and the immediate area on alpine courses (up to 30 mile)

  • Booking of mountain huts

  • Assistance in arranging valley travel and accommodation

Compulsory expenses not included in our fees: 

  • Guide lift expenses (only payable outside of the Chamonix Valley)

  • Your lift expenses

  • Your insurance

  • Your accommodation

  • Guide accommodation (only payable outside of the Chamonix Valley)

  • Your personal rental equipment (helmet, harness, axes and crampons etc).

Note: day rate is provided for indicative purposes only. Contact us for a detailed quote for your desired activity and dates, at which point estimated costs for compulsory expenses not included in our fee can also be provided.