Our popular Winter Skills course set in October and November, which are wilder, colder, often snowy and far quieter than the busy summer months in the Alps. The focus is on learning essential mountain skills such as crevasse rescue, ice climbing, roping up on glaciers all in a high mountain environment.
While we try and stick to the tried and tested itinerary below, the mountain and the weather sometimes has other ideas. We will always remain as flexible as possible, which is why we only work with experienced and knowledgeable guides, to make sure we can change any plans if required.
DAY ONE:
Arrival Day
Arrive in Chamonix.
You will meet with your guide for a briefing in the evening to go through the plan for the coming days as well as the current weather and mountain conditions. Here you will have a chance to go through your kit under the experienced eye of your guide and can ask any questions that you may have. Then you will get to know the guide and other members of the group over a delicious 3 course evening meal in your hotel. Usually 18:30pm briefing followed by dinner at 19:00 (time will be confirmed).
*If you need to pick up rental boots please pick them up before the briefing – as tomorrow is an early start!
Overnight in the hotel.
DAY TWO:
Approach the Mountain Hut
As all the cable cars are closed during this period, we will hike up on foot to access the high mountains (3hrs) and we will carry our overnight gear and food with gas cookers (the huts aren’t staffed at this time of year). It will feel more like an expedition, and it will be quiet in the mountains making it more of an ‘out there’ experience. In the afternoon we will cover some basic skills before it’s time to cook dinner, enjoy the magnificent sunset and settle in for the night.
Overnight in the mountain hut.
DAY THREE:
Head out onto the glacier
Today we take a full day of learning and progressing essential alpine skills. We’ll cover things like crevasse rescue, ice climbing and general rope techniques to stay safe in wild high mountain terrain. By the end of the day you will have a better understanding of how to be more self-sufficient in the mountains.
Overnight in the mountain hut.
DAY FOUR:
Climb a nearby peak
Our final day is aimed at putting the skills learned together and climb a nearby peak (somewhere around the 3500m altitude mark). During the climb the guide may hand over some of the control to the group at certain times to allow for group members to lead and learn what that is like. The aim is to summit the peak, and then head back to the hut, eat a nice lunch before descending to the valley and back to the hotel for a welcome hot shower and dinner.
Overnight in the hotel.
DAY FIVE:
Departure Day
Departure Day.
After one last hearty breakfast we sadly bid farewell. Check-out is at 10am.