Summit: Mont Blanc 4810m is the highest summit in
Western Europe. To get to the 'roof of the Alps',
we normally ascend via the classic Gouter route on the French / NW aspect, starting from Les Houches in the Chamonix valley. The week starts with a 2 day acclimatisation and training ascent of Gran Paradiso 4061m.
USP:Our primary focus is on getting you to the
summit, no faffing, no discussion, no fuss.
If you train hard, are focused, and the weather
plays ball, we'll get you up there. If you
want us to wave a magic wand, and not put
in the training before, this really isn't
the mountain for you! We are doers, not dreamers.
Skills: Pre-requisites: 2+ days of crampon use, graded rock scrambles, and ideally a 4000m Alpine peak. Great balance, and the
ability to move quickly and efficiently over
broken mountain terrain, is essential. You
should be confident on steep ridges. You are taught any necessary
ropework skills during the week.
Effort: Due to the altitude and the length of the
climb, we never declare the ascent to be easy.
It is an unforgettable experience to reach
the summit, and you will test the skills you
have learnt along the way. You need excellent
fitness, aerobic endurance, stamina and determination. Acclimatisation: Our itinerary starts with an ascent of Gran Paradiso 4061m, to help you to acclimatise, with the night spent in a mountain hut at altitude. You are then ideally prepared for your main ascent of Mont Blanc, climbed over three days, with two more nights spent in mountain huts on the mountain. Briefings: A
principal feature of this course are the course specific route / weather briefings and kit checks for your climbs. The principle sessions are the welcome briefing on Saturday, a Gran Paradiso briefing and kit checks on Sunday before you set off, and a Mont Blanc briefing on Monday evening before your ascent. Preparation: To help prepare for an attempt on Mont Blanc, we recommend you book on at least one or more of these training and skills courses. Experience
helps increase flexibility in terms of weather windows,
routes, speed, and safety. Higher experience
will help raise summiting chances. Train hard, climb easy!
Lakes Training
Winter Toubkal
Rock Climbing
Winter Skills
Lake District weekend mountain training trips to develop footwork and hill fitness. 1:6 ratio; link
Climb the highest peak in the Morrocan Atlas, and develop crampon skills on the climb; link
Weekend of roped scrambles & multi pitch rock climbing, on a 1:2 instructor ratio ; link
Fort William based winter skills course. 2 days guiding 1:4 to build your crampon skills; link
Experience: Icicle
has been offering guided ascents on Mont Blanc for nearly three decades, so we have excellent
local contacts and detailed knowledge of conditions
to optimise your summitting chances, not to mention
being highly aware of the localised objective risks, and how best to keep you safe too.
Permits:
For the past few years, a new 'permit' system was introduced
on Mont Blanc, where proof of hut bookings was required
and checked by Gendarmerie on the mountain. This
changed nothing for our groups, as hut spaces are
guaranteed. It does help enforce a 1:2 guiding ratio
(1:1 on Traverse) for safety.
Flexibility: After
climbing Gran Paradiso (1:3 on summit day, compared to 1:4 by most competitors), the rest of the week at a 1:2 guiding ratio. This gives flexibility on the mountain for your summit attempt, or to adapt to suit your training needs / weather / conditions, to help maximise your summit chances.
Ethics:We
only offer honest and ethical ascents of Mont Blanc.
Read
our blog post about it (click
here). We only accept bookings from adults aged over 18 on this course, due to the significant objective risks. Our course itinerary has been significantly updated for the 2026 summer season. Seasons: All our trips are offered in the core season, when all the mountain infrastructure is open. We have found that by trying to push the season to start in late May or early June is generally too snowy and unsettled, as it is in mid to late September, when it's too cold (-24C in mid Sept 2024). Our season is deliberately condensed to offer you only the weeks of season where your summit chances are maximised. Huts: On
the normal route there are two huts you could stay
in; the Tete Rousse 3167m or Gouter 3835m. To reach
the Tete Rousse takes approximately 2 hours from
the Nid d’Aigle, and the Gouter is a further
2-3 hour climb above. We elect to use the Gouter 3835m / Cosmiques 3613m / Tete Rousse 3187m (hut / base camp) / Gonella 3071m, choosing a hut dependent on conditions, spaces, ratios, and weather. Principles: By
sticking with our principles, we are making the
summit a more realistic goal for you, and we are
focusing on safety. We believe that for those of
you who really do their research, you will be more
attracted to a company who wants you to succeed
more than the others. It isn’t therefore a
case of how often we operate this trip, but when
and how we operate it. Your safety and success are right at the forefront.
Course
itinerary For the full itinerary
of this course, click
here
to view the trip in greater detail on the main website.
Sun
Travel
to Chamonix, course briefing
Mon
Briefing then drive to Val Savaranches, to climb to mountain hut for the night.
Tue
Alpine start to climb Gran Paradiso 4061m. Descent & return to Chamonix for night.
Wed
Start Mont Blanc ascent over up to 3 days, typically ascending to Tete Rousse hut.
Thu
Summit Mont Blanc 4810m, and typically descend to Gouter hut for the night.
Fri
Descend to Les Houches, and return to Chamonix for last
night celebrations!
Sat
Breakfast,
check out and depart
N.B.
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.
Course Dates Mont Blanc
[5+] 20 - 26 Jun 2026
[5+] 27 Jun - 3 Jul 2026
[5+] 4 - 10 Jul 2026
[ 4 ] 11 - 17 Jul 2026
[5+] 18 - 24 Jul 2026
[5+] 25 - 31 Jul 2026
[5+] 1 - 7 Aug 2026
[ 4 ] 8 - 14 Aug 2026
[5+] 15 - 21 Aug 2026
[5+] 22 - 28 Aug 2026
[5+] 29 Aug - 4 Sep 2026
[ 0 ] 5 - 11 Sep 2026
Course
spaces
The numbers in brackets next to each course date
indicate the remaining spaces. Please contact us
of you require more spaces, as often we can release
extra places, subject to availability.
The Hard Facts Many of those who are thinking of booking a Mont Blanc trip, find our 'The Hard Facts' booklet a useful and honest reality check. We encourage all climbers to give it a read; click
here
Climbed Gran Paradiso?If you've already climbed Gran Paradiso, and want an alternative objective, we offer a 2 person Mont Blanc week (2 people booking together) on every week we offer Mont Blanc. On the first two days of the trip, you climb Aiguilles Marbrees and Aiguilles d'Entreves, with the night in the Rifugio Torino to acclimatise.
This course is 5 days of 1:2 guiding, and is bookable until 31 Dec 2025, so we can book extra hut spaces. Contact us to upload a private date for you. The cost per person for this option is £2795.
FREE
podcast
Training for Mont Blanc
A no holes barred podcast, where we explain
exactly what an ascent entails physically
and technically too, with examples of good
UK hill training...
Early bird bookings Book your 2026 trip before 01 Nov 2025, and receive a £50 *voucher for equipment purchases from the Icicle Windermere shop. Voucher expires 01 April 2026. *Note: voucher is your course invoice, showing date of booking. Voucher is non transferable. Can be appllied to any order over £100 in total.
Standard
Course Inclusions
1) Hand picked IFMGA Mountain Guide
for 5 days (2x days 1:3, 3x days 1:2)
2) Chamonix course hosts for briefings, logistics, expert advice, and support
3) Pre course information dossier, with training plans and specific kit lists
4) Safety briefing on the first evening, with latest updates and weather reports
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3)
Cable cars & uplift for last 3 days (c.40€ total return for Bellevue cable car and Mont Blanc tramway) for you and your guide,
4) Lunches & snacks for during the days, 5) Evening meals in Chamonix, & any purchases in mountain
huts, 6) Activities insurance.
Discounts:
If you book an upgrade from our shared accommodation (details) or have your own accommodation in Chamonix, let us know at the time of booking, and we will apply a £200 discount to your balance.
Summit: Mont Blanc 4810m is the highest summit in
Western Europe. To get to the 'roof of the Alps',
we normally ascend via the classic Gouter route on the French / NW aspect, starting from Les Houches in the Chamonix valley. The week starts with a 2 day acclimatisation and training ascent of Gran Paradiso 4061m.
Lakes Training
