The base of hiking on a glacier
Mountaineering Security training

HIGH ALPINE ADVANCED Fundamentals of Glacier Travel

Sorties et stages
Ortovox takes you on a glacier discovery tour with the SAFETY ACADEMY high mountain hiking course! Thanks to our comprehensive training programme, you'll be able to acquire the skills you need to progress in an alpine environment in complete safety. Careful planning and preparation are essential if you are to identify potential alpine hazards early on and avoid them. We focus in particular on the choice of equipment and safety aspects, as well as the knots needed to master the most diverse situations. Our experienced mountain guides will teach you not only how to handle your rope, ice axe and crampons, but also how to move and find your way around glaciers safely and independently. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the high mountains, and learn the skills you need to become more independent and safer. With us, safety in the mountains comes first!
Chamonix
Intermediate
3 journées
Next training :From 15 June To June 17, 2026
Price per participant3 journéesInformation at +33 450 57 82 59
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From725.00€
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For more information, contact us at
+33 450 57 82 59
Guides
Experts chevronnés de la montagne
Sécurité
Équipement de qualité, mesures strictes
Adaptabilité
Vous accompagner à votre rythme
The base of high mountaineering

The base of mountaineering

3 Days to Learn How to Move Safely in the Mountains, Supervised by a High Mountain Guide

Course Overview

This course aims to teach the fundamental knowledge and skills required to move safely and independently on glaciers, ice, and in high mountain terrain. You will learn fall arrest techniques, rope handling, equipment use, and basic rescue techniques.

This program is designed for occasional or regular mountaineers who want to acquire the technical fundamentals of glacier mountaineering and move toward autonomy.

Course Objectives

  • Acquire the essential skills for safe glacier travel
  • Learn to move on ice and in high alpine environments
  • Master crampon techniques (vertical and front-point)
  • Understand fall arrest, proper rope techniques, and gear management
  • Learn basic rescue methods (self-rescue, team pulley systems, hauling)

Course Schedule – 3 Days / 1 Night at Refuge Albert 1er & 1 Night at Trient Hut

The program may be adjusted depending on weather and snow conditions.

Day 1

  • Welcome, course briefing, and ascent to Refuge Albert 1er
  • Review of basic glacier travel techniques
  • Introduction to various rope techniques

Day 2

  • Glacier travel from the Tour Glacier to Trient Hut
  • Equipment handling and glacier travel practice
  • Deepen understanding of fall arrest, rope work, and gear use

Day 3

  • Practice basic rescue techniques (self-rescue, team hauling, pulley systems)
  • Return to the valley in the late afternoon

Educational Content in Partnership with Ortovox

  • Alpine hazards and mountain weather
  • Knot knowledge and equipment use
  • Route planning and glacier navigation
  • Rope techniques and glacier travel
  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Vertical and front-point crampon techniques
  • Anchor building in snow and ice
  • Crevasse rescue
  • Fall arrest techniques
  • Independent glacier travel

Why Choose the Bureau des Guides d’Annecy?

  • A personalized and educational approach
  • An exceptional and wild learning environment in the heart of the Aravis
  • The safety and experience of passionate, certified high mountain guides

Liste du matériel.
Conditions générales & particuliéres de vente.
 

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Good to know about the training
HIGH ALPINE ADVANCED Fundamentals of Glacier Travel

The price include
Led by 1 U.I.A.G.M.-certified high-mountain guide for a maximum of 6 participants
Ski lifts at the start of the tour (return journey)
Half-board accommodation in mountain huts booked by us
Overnight stay in a mountain hut / half-board included (mixed dormitory with bunk beds available); dinner and breakfast included at the hut.
Picnic or light hot meal on days 2 and 3.
Mineral water in the mountain huts
Loan of safety kit including shovel, probe and avalanche transceiver if required
Loan of ice axes, crampons, harnesses and helmets if required, subject to availability (if you have your own equipment, please bring it)
The price doesn't include
Transport to the course starting point (it is customary for clients to provide transport for the guide)
Mountain rescue, search and repatriation insurance (compulsory)
Cancellation, trip interruption and luggage insurance (recommended)
Hire of any technical mountaineering equipment
Drinks, alcohol, food for the climb and extras
Shower at the refuge (€5 per shower – please bring cash)
Anything not mentioned under ‘the price includes’
Time and meeting place
Your guide will contact you to confirm the exact time and place ( in Chamonix) of the meeting on D1, but in general the meeting is scheduled for around 8.30am on day 3 and the course finishes around 3pm.
Level required
This course is aimed at people who are physically fit and enjoy walking in the mountains. You must be able to cover an elevation gain of around 400 to 600 metres in a day, which equates to 3 to 5 hours of walking at a steady pace.

Mountain experience

No mountaineering experience is required.
Regular mountain hiking (on trails with elevation gain) is recommended.
Some initial experience on snow (snowshoeing, ski touring or walking on firn) is an advantage, but is not essential.

Recommended physical preparation

To get the most out of the course:

Cardio: 1 to 2 sessions per week (brisk walking, jogging, cycling) lasting 45 minutes to 1 hour
Endurance: focus on continuous exercise at a moderate pace
Elevation gain: hikes with 300 to 600 m of elevation gain
Strength training: leg work (thighs, calves) and core exercises

Altitude acclimatisation

Even though the exertion remains moderate, the altitude (over 3,000 m) requires proper acclimatisation:
Ensure you are well-rested in the days leading up to the trip
Stay well-hydrated throughout the trip
Maintain a **slow and steady pace**
Listen to your body

An accessible level for a first mountaineering experience, with no technical requirements but requiring a good hiking foundation.
Important
If bad weather is forecast prior to departure, your guide will suggest postponing your climb until later in the summer or the following summer, subject to mountain hut availability.

As a mountain professional, the guide reserves the right to adapt, modify or shorten the route depending on weather conditions and/or the ability of one or more participants. In this case, no refund will be given.

Any additional day of guiding added to the originally proposed programme will be charged at €500 per day (excluding accommodation, meals and transport costs).
Highlights
Stage axé sur l’apprentissage et la pédagogie.
Petit groupe pour un enseignement de qualité et un maximum de sécurité (6 personnes maximum par guide).
Une capacité d’adaptation à votre niveau et à vos envies.
Accommodations
Albert I Refuge

Altitude: 2,707 m
Capacity: approx. 140 beds (30 in winter)
Comfort: renovated refuge, good standard of comfort for high-altitude conditions
Water: water available
Toilets: shared washrooms and toilets
Shower: none or very limited
A relatively accessible refuge, ideal for a first experience at high altitude.


Cabane du Trient

Altitude: 3,170 m
Capacity: approx. 90 beds
Comfort: simple, authentic high-altitude refuge
Water: drinking water available
Toilets: toilets (often dry)
Shower: no
A more challenging high-altitude refuge, offering a wilder alpine experience.
NOMBRE DE PARTICIPANTS
Stage confirmé à partir de 4 participants
Groupe limité à 6 participants par guide
Accréditations & garantie
Organisation of the trip
This trip is designed and supervised by the Annecy Guides’ Office.
It is marketed under the tourism licence of its partner association:
QUARTZ ORGANISATION

SIRET: 809 875 578 00019
VAT: FR 40 809875578
APE code: 7911Z

QUARTZ ORGANISATION is an organisation affiliated with APRIAM and registered with Atout France (IM073100023), ensuring a legal framework compliant with regulations governing travel operators.

Financial guarantee: Groupama – policy no. 4000713451
Professional liability insurance: MMA IARD – policy no. 103.056.234

In summary, your course is organised on the ground by the Annecy Guides’ Office and sold within a regulated framework via QUARTZ ORGANISATION’s tourism accreditation.
The base of high mountaineering
The base of high mountaineering
The base of high mountaineering
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