Winter Alpinism

The official winter season in the alps runs from mid December to mid March but winter conditions for Alpine Climbing can be found from September to May. There are many different advantages to alpine climbing in the winter, great ice conditions and less stonefall to name but a few and what better place than the Chamonix valley to come!

Take the first telepherique up to the Aig du Midi at 8a.m. then ski to the bottom of your route, climb 500m of perfect ice and ski back down almost to the door of the bar! This is just one example of an itinerary for Alpine Climbing in this fantastic area, and there can be objectives both longer and shorter.

Goullote style routes such as the Chere Couloir, Gabarou Albinoni and the Modica Nouri on the Mt Blanc d Tacul or Madness Tres Mince and the Charlet Ghilini on the Pres d bar are classic examples of ice routes or icy mixed routes that have abseil descent. There are also classic harder Alpine Climbing routes with abseil decent such as Pinochio on the Mt Blanc du Tacul and a number of routes on Point Lachenal.

Ideally you would have experience seconding up to scottish grade IV on ice or experience ice climbing on frozen waterfalls or summer alpine experience. Although not essential the ability to ski off piste and ski tour is very desirable, some objectives can be approached using snowshoes although its much slower. For Goulotte style routes a ratio of 1 guide to 1 client is used but for shorter or less serious routes 1 guide to 2 clients maybe used.

I am happy to guide on larger objectives (Grande Courses) subject to your experience and conditions in the mountains at that time. The guiding fee will be subject to the objective so please contact me to discuss what you would like.