Alpine Improvers

Overview

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Aim

Our Alpine Improvers course aims to build on existing climbing and mountaineering skills, through both teaching and practice. The course is designed to turn you into a fully-fledged, independent mountaineer. You will come away competent to lead a rope team on moderate and rocky Alpine terrain at grade PD or above (learn more about Alpine Grades here).

Who is it for?

The course is designed for those who have climbed in the Alps previously for no less than one week on routes graded PD or above (for example, on our Saas 4,000ers course). If you have completed an intermediate-level Alpine Course, but do not lead on rock, we recommend that you complete a Rock Introduction course in Snowdonia before the Alpine Improvers week. You may also join this course, having not climbed in the Alps, if you are a competent rock climber who regularly leads British grade 'Severe' or above. If you have climbed in Scotland in winter, but have not been to the Alps before and do not lead British grade 'Severe' or above, we recommend that you join our Alpine Introduction course.

Course Base

Our base is Chamonix, the birthplace of European Alpinism. The Mont Blanc Range offers a huge variety of climbing venues, from valley rock climbing to mixed alpine routes in the high mountains. Our base whilst in the valley is the Hotel La Chaumiere, a comfortable 2-star hotel, popular with guides, with a relaxing bar area.

Course Overview

The emphasis for this course is on instruction, rather than bagging peaks. The first half of the week is guided at a 1:4 ratio, with the second half at a 1:2 ratio. This allows course participants to put their technical skills into practice on climbs up to Alpine AD.

The programme is flexible, depending on the forecast, the conditions in the mountains and the objectives of course participants, but typically we begin the week by focussing on technical rock climbing and rope work. From there, we head up into the high mountains and base ourselves at a hut for a night. On Monday and Tuesday we'll cover route choice, alpine navigation, ropework and anchors, moving together and crevasse rescue. We put these skills into practice with the ascent of a suitable peak. In the latter half of the week we attempt more challenging routes up to Alpine grade AD.

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Outcomes

On completion of the course, you will have learnt to:

• Assess conditions in the mountains and select appropriate routes.
• Choose the right rack for the right route.
• Recognise hazards and reduce risks in the alpine environment.
• Be a competent rope leader on glacial and rocky terrain.
• Rope up as a climbing team, move together, short-pitching and pitching.
• Use ice axe and crampons on steep, mixed ground.
• Create and use reliable anchors on mixed terrain.
• Use basic aid climbing techniques for rapid progress.
• Manage descents, including multiple abseils and rope retrieval.
• Carry out a crevasse rescue.
• Understand helicopter rescue protocol.
• Climb routes graded PD to AD (learn more about Alpine Grades here).

What Next?

• On completion of this course, you might consider the Alpine Climber or Alpine North Faces course to consolidate your skills.

Typical Programme

Day 1:	Saturday. Course participants meet at the course base 7pm. Discuss the week's activities in the evening.
Day 2:	Sunday. A multi pitch rock-climbing day in and around the Chamonix Valley. We look at efficient movement over steep ground in both rock shoes and big boots. We will look at a variety of belay techniques, safe abseiling, setting up anchors, placing protection and leading. With of course as much sunlit rock as we can get in on the way! Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Monday. Ridges day in the Aiguille Rouges. This will be a day spent looking at the fundamentals of moving together on scrambling terrain with use of the rope to safeguard the team whilst maintaining quick and efficient movement. Traverse of the Aiguille Crochues (2,840m) will be the aim for the day. Overnight hotel.
Day 4:	Tuesday. In the morning we’ll drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel and take the lift to Hellbroner. From here we will walk to the Col des Flambeaux and climb the West Ridge of the Petit Flambeaux (3,367m). In the afternoon you will refresh crevasse rescue. Descend to the valley and return to Chamonix. Overnight hotel.
Day 5:	Wednesday. We’ll take a morning cable car to the Aiguille du Midi and in conditions allows, cross the Vallee Blanche. The aim for the day will be a coached self-led ascent of the Aiguilles Marbrees or Aiguille d'Entreves. Overnight Refugio Torino.
Day 6:	Thursday. The following day we’ll have a coached and self-led ascent of the initial section of the Dent du Geant, then guided to the top. The classic route on the Dent du Geant is AD. Overnight at the Cosmique Hut.
Day 7:	Friday. Options on Friday may include a guided ascent of the Left Edge route (Contamine Grisolle) on Mont Blanc du Tacul. This is a classic AD mixed climb, taking in the summit of a 4,000m peak. Alternatively, a route on the South Face of the Midi or a coached, self-led ascent of the Cosmiques ridge. Descend to the valley, overnight hotel.
Day 8:	Saturday. Dispersal. Breakfast will be provided on the last morning before climbers leave the course.

Further Information

Find out more about our Guides and Ratios, Alpine Grading and Equipment... read more

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the course or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
Sat 27 Jun – Sat 4 Jul 2026	Chamonix		Available Book now »
	£2,325
Sat 25 Jul – Sat 1 Aug 2026	Chamonix		Available Book now »
	£2,325
Sat 15 Aug – Sat 22 Aug 2026	Chamonix		Available Book now »
	£2,325

This course is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
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Group size: 2 – 8 people.

Single room supplement: £275

For comparison, this course starts from £291 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

What the price includes

• 5 nights hotel accommodation in Chamonix on a twin-sharing (occasionally triple/quad), half-board basis
• 2 nights mountain hut accommodation in a shared dormitory bunk, half-board basis
• 6 days guiding and instruction with a qualified IFMGA Mountain Guide. Ratio 3 days at 1:4, 3 days at 1:2 maximum
• Transport (by public means, private hire vehicle, minibus or guides' cars) to fulfil the course programme
• Group mountaineering equipment such as ropes and other technical equipment
• Ice axes, crampons, harnesses & helmets, when booked in advance

What the price does not include

• Travel to/from Chamonix (a shared transfer from Geneva Airport can be booked through Jagged Globe)
• Lunch
• Cable cars, mountain railways and mechanical uplift (estimated cost £75 - £90)
• Any costs associated with travelling outside of the Chamonix Valley
• Personal climbing equipment and clothing (including boots, which can be hired locally)
• Mountaineering and travel Insurance

Please note that the costs for mechanical up-lift are not included in the overall course cost because these can vary, depending on the weather and routes selected. This means that we are not restricted by a budget. Also, if we spend less on up-lift than expected, you make the saving rather than us.

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Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• ‘

  Alex Lee joined an Alpine Improvers course in 2024 and then went on to climb the Matterhorn with a friend. You can read Alex's review of the week on his website.

  ’ Alpine Improvers 2024

Leader Reports

• Alpine Techniques - 3 Aug to 10 Aug '19
  “Directed by Mountain Guide Jim Kerr, Jez, Flavia and Kit laid the foundations for leading their ascents in the latter half of the week, with training days on rock, multi-pitch climbs, glacier travel and crevasse...”
  report added 20/Aug/19

Travel & Venue

Fly to Geneva. A 50 minute airport transfer to Chamonix can be booked through Jagged Globe via your on-line account.

Valley accommodation is in La Chaumière Mountain Lodge. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share (or occasionally, triple/quad), half-board basis. A single room supplement is payable should you want to have a room to yourself.