MOUNTAINEERING
First steps on a Glacier
Discover the glaciers and the beautiful landscapes of Mont Blanc, one step at a time starting from the SkyWay in Courmayeur.
The experience
Discover a different side of the mountains on the glaciers of Mont Blanc, where open snowfields, deep crevasses and towering granite peaks create a spectacular setting for your first experience in high altitude.
During this experience, we will get familiar with crampons, learn to walk together as a rope team and explore the glacier at your pace, with time to enjoy the landscape and discover the ice that shapes it.
Level & requirements
Requirements
No previous mountaineering experience required. Some previous mountain hiking experience is recommended.
Level Guide
Each experience has a technical level, indicating the skills required, and a physical level, indicating the fitness and effort involved. Actual difficulty may vary depending on mountain conditions, weather, and the group.
Technical Level
Level 1 — Beginner
No previous mountaineering experience is required, but some experience of mountain hiking is necessary. Suitable for your first alpine ascent, on relatively easy snow, glacier or rocky terrain.
Level 2 — Basic
No previous mountaineering experience is required, but a good level of mountain hiking experience is essential. You should be comfortable on steep, uneven terrain. Routes may involve steeper snow slopes, easy scrambling, exposed sections and more demanding glacier travel.
Level 3 — Intermediate
Previous mountaineering experience is required. Routes may involve sustained snow or ice slopes, exposed ridges, mixed terrain and moderate rock climbing. You should be confident with crampons and using an ice axe.
Level 4 — Advanced
Solid mountaineering experience is essential. Routes involve sustained technical climbing on rock, snow, ice or mixed terrain, often with significant exposure. Good movement skills and confidence in challenging alpine conditions are required.
Level 5 — Expert
Extensive experience on technical alpine routes is required. Climbs may involve steep ice, difficult mixed terrain, sustained rock climbing and highly exposed sections. Strong technical skills, efficiency and experience in demanding mountain environments are essential.
Physical Level
Physical levels for aerobic mountain activities are based on expected activity time, elevation gain and overall sustained effort. Altitude, terrain, weather, pace and backpack weight can increase the physical demands.
Level 1 — Easy
Gentle outings and short ascents up to around 5 hours of activity, usually with less than 600 m of elevation gain.
Level 2 — Easy to Moderate
Around 5–7 hours of activity or 600–1,000 m of elevation gain.
Level 3 — Moderate
Around 7–9 hours of activity or 1,000–1,500 m of elevation gain.
Level 4 — Demanding
Around 9–12 hours of activity or 1,500–2,000 m of elevation gain.
Level 5 — Very Demanding
More than 12 hours of activity or more than 2,000 m of elevation gain.
Practical information
Program
Your first steps on the glaciers of Mont Blanc.
We will meet at the bar of the Skyway Monte Bianco in Courmayeur, with the meeting time arranged according to the cable car opening hours. After a good coffee, we will check your equipment and take the panoramic cable cars to Punta Helbronner (3,466 m). There, we will put on our harnesses and crampons and rope together. A short introduction will help you get familiar with walking on snow and moving as a rope team before we begin exploring the glacier.
Several itineraries are possible, from shorter walks around Col des Flambeaux to longer outings towards Col de Rochefort, Col d’Entrèves or Combe Maudite. We will choose a route suited to your experience and fitness, discovering the glacier’s crevasses, snowfields and surrounding granite spires along the way.
On the introductory routes, the technical difficulty is comparable to walking on snow, with the guide managing the route and rope travel. Depending on the amount of fresh snow, snowshoes may be necessary (particularly during the winter months).
At the end of the outing, we can stop for lunch at Rifugio Torino , a historic mountain hut in the Mont Blanc massif, before returning to Courmayeur.
Walking time: about 2–5 hours, depending on the chosen itinerary.
Elevation gain: approximately +200–500 m.
All times and elevation gains are approximate and depend on the chosen itinerary, which will be adapted to the weather, glacier conditions and group pace.
Equipment
Full mountaineering equipment is required.
Clothing and equipment requirements vary considerably between summer and winter and will be confirmed with the guide before the outing. Dress in layers so you can adjust to changes in temperature, wind and activity.
- Clothes for the upper body: thermal base layer, spare base layer top, warm fleece or insulating mid-layer, warm down or synthetic insulated jacket, waterproof and windproof shell jacket
- Clothes for the lower body: thermal base-layer bottoms, mountaineering pants, waterproof shell pants, and 2 pairs of warm socks
- Warm hat and neck warmer
- 2 pairs of gloves (one lightweight pair and one warm pair)
- Mountaineering boots (compatible with your crampons)
- Crampons (made of steel and compatible with your boots)
- Harness
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4, with good side protection)
- Sunscreen and lip protection
- 1 L water bottle or thermos, and snacks
- Adjustable trekking poles (with standard round baskets)
- Backpack (25-30 L)
- Helmet (optional)
- Ice axe (optional)
Mountaineering boots, crampons, helmets, and harnesses can be rented from different rental shops depending on your location:
- Courmayeur: 4810 Rental
- Aosta: Gal Sport
- Aosta: Montura Store
- Cogne: Ezio Sport
Please contact the rental shop in advance to reserve the items you need, as availability may be limited. I may also have a limited number of helmets, ice axes, and harnesses available to lend.
I provide the additional group equipment needed for the experience. All the equipment listed above is mandatory.
Booking & Conditions
A 50% deposit confirms your booking.
Get in touch with your preferred dates and group size to check availability. A 50% deposit confirms your booking. Participants are strongly advised to have insurance appropriate to the planned activity and geographical area. For full details, including information about the special partner insurance rate, please refer to the Booking & Conditions.
The program is indicative and may be adjusted according to weather, glacier conditions and the group’s level. Reaching the summit cannot be guaranteed.
Prices
| Group size | Price per person | Total price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €400/pax | €400 |
| 2 people | €210/pax | €420 |
| 3 people | €150/pax | €450 |
| 4 people | €120/pax | €480 |
| 5 people | €100/pax | €500 |
| 6 people | €90/pax | €540 |
Included
- Guiding service
- Professional liability insurance of the guide
- Technical equipment loaned by the guide on request
Not included
- Round-trip Skyway cable car ticket from Courmayeur to Punta Helbronner: about €63 per adult
- Equipment rental
- Food and drinks
Any other expenses needed for the experience that are not expressly listed under “Included”, for you and the guide.
Gallery
