This
course is 1:2 guide ratio throughout, to enable
you to climb a range of classic mountaineering
routes in the winter months, based in Chamonix.
There is a huge range of routes to choose
from, and the level of the course is aimed
at climbers wanting to ascend PD+, AD and
even some D grade routes.
The
course is designed to provide a good balance
of climbing winter classic routes, such as
Chere Couloir, the Chevalier Couloir, Arete
des Cosmiques via Couloir-en-S, and also being
taught skills and techniques to advance your
knowledge and abilities.
Apart
from Chamonix valley you have the option of day
climbs in Switzerland or Italy if the conditions
are better. All the climbing is set within
some of the most magnificent scenery of the
Alps.
You
discuss your itinerary with your guide at
the start of the week, and they develop a
great program for the week, to suit your skills
and aspirations. The week is highly flexible
and tailored to you.
For those not requiring accommodation, price
can be reduced by £100 per person (course
accommodation not available Christmas week,
New Year week or the middle two weeks of February).
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.
Bespoke: if
the scheduled dates don't suit, and there
are two of you, we can operate an bespoke
course just for you on any date at the same
course price. Get in contact with your prefered
dates.
Brief
Course Itinerary
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
Day 2 | Monday
A
key feature of this course is that you have 5 days
of 1:2 guiding, so can climb pitched or Alpine style
routes all week. The 1:2 ratio is ideal for the
guide, as they can belay two people simultaneously,
and it is also ideal for abseiling. An ideal first
route might be the North Face of the Petite Aiguille
Verte, or the Arete des Cosmiques via the Couloir-en-S
gully approach. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night in
Chamonix. Gallery: Cosmiques Arete
Day 3 | Tuesday
Popular
climbs include Aiguilles
Marbrees traverse, the Aiguilles d'Entreves, or
Aiguille du Floria traverse. The first two options
are situated on the Franco-Italian border, and are
accessed from the Helbronner cable car. The third
option is in the Aiguilles Rouges above Chamonix,
which offers a wide choice of routes to climb. All
of these are mixed winter climbs. Guiding ratio
1:2 (max). Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Petite Aiguille Verte
Day 4 | Wednesday
You
could tackle another of the options outlined yesterday,
or other ideas that are the most popular include
the Couloir Chevallier or Pepite Goulotte on the
Grands Montets. Both routes are easily accessed
from the cable car, and there is a short route to
the start point for both routes. Chevallier is a
snow gully with a steeper exit, and Pepite is a
mixed line to the right. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max).
Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Mini Couloir
Day 5 | Thursday
Options
to consider for today include Chere Coloir or Perroux
gully on the north face triangle of Mont Blanc du
Tacul. These are accessed from the Aiguille du Midi
cable car, and are famous classic multi-pitch routes
that run parallel to each other. As you will have
discovered by now, there is such an amazing choice
of routes, you are spoilt for choice each day.
Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Chere Couloir
Day 6 | Friday
Today
is your last day of guiding, and some options include
a traverse of the Gros Rognon or Point Lachenal
or climbing the Goulotte Cosmiques. Again your guide
will outline the options with you, and you can decide
together which style and grade of routes appeal
to you most. It's your last evening in Chamonix, so you may wish to go out for drinks and a
celebratory meal. Your final night is spent in Chamonix. Gallery: Winter Alpine Classics
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
ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionally
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
Prices
Standard
course
5 days IFMGA guiding, 1:2 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday
£1995
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
How to book
Secure
payments, bonded tour operator
Details of how to book, click
here
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.
Notes:
This course assumes 1:2 guiding throughout. Note that
is there is just one person on a course, less 1:1 guiding
days can be offered, however accommodation will be provided
for the whole week, and guiding options and locations
will be discussed with you within the budget paid.
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.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Winter Alpine Classics
[ 2 ] 8 - 14 Mar 2026
[ 2 ] 29 Mar - 4 Apr 2026
[ 2 ] 19 - 25 Apr 2026
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are two who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
My
partner and I were looking for a Guide
for a week of ice and routes, and we
found this course excellent, as we climbed
loads in the day, and learnt loads more
each evening. This format is so much
more than a private Guide can ever provide Linda
E , Winter Alpine Classics
Please
pass on my thanks to Julian for guiding
me last week. I learnt so much, and
really appreciated his great local knowledge
and connections Joanne
I , Winter Alpine Classics
Thanks
to you all, both in Windermere and in
the Alps, for everything before and
during my course last week Edward
R , Winter Alpine Classics
Testimonials
Press
& media
Films
& videos
Photo
gallery
Location
data for this trip
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.
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here
Goulotte Cosmiques
Why
choose our trips?
See
our Alpine blog, by clicking on the Word-press logo
to the right.
Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather windows on any day, to maximise your
summit chances.
Our
prices are fixed in £ Sterling, to protect
you from euro fluctuations, so you can budget accurately.
There
is a choice of routes to opt for, depending on the
weather, conditions, and your experience.
Any further questions?
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.
Gallery: 
