The day before – Welcome in Saint-Gervais
Welcome at 6:30 pm at the Saint-Gervais Guides’ Office. Meeting with your guide and presentation of the course. Equipment check and final instructions before departure.
Day 1 – Ice school and glacier discovery
A first day of immersion on the high glaciers of the Mont-Blanc massif. Learning the fundamentals: roped travel, use of crampons, and movement on glacial terrain. A hot meal at a mountain hut punctuates this discovery-filled day.
(Overnight stay in a lodge optional)
Day 2 – Rock climbing and mixed terrain
A day dedicated to learning on rock and varied terrain. Climbing exercises on snow and rock, in mountaineering boots, with or without crampons. Objective: to build confidence and master essential techniques.
(Overnight stay in a lodge optional)
Day 3 – Ascent to the Albert 1er Hut (2,702 m)
Early departure from the village of Le Tour. Ascent to the Albert 1er Hut. Settling in, lunch at the hut, then afternoon training: ice school or ridge route depending on conditions. High-mountain atmosphere and overnight stay at the hut overlooking the Tour Glacier.
Jour 4 – Ascension de l’Aiguille du Tour (3540 m)
Grande journée d’application et d’émotion : ascension de l’Aiguille du Tour, sommet emblématique du massif. Progression sur glacier, passages mixtes neige-rocher, et panorama saisissant sur les versants de Trient et Saleinaz. Retour en vallée dans l’après-midi. Débriefing avec le guide pour faire le point sur vos acquis et envisager la suite de votre progression vers le Mont Blanc.
The guides may adjust the program according to the weather, mountain conditions, and the participants’ skill level.
This Mont Blanc preparation course is designed for those who wish to discover the world of mountaineering while laying the essential technical foundations for a future ascent of Mont Blanc. Supervised by a high-mountain guide, you will progress step by step on snow, ice, and rock in the spectacular landscapes of the Mont-Blanc massif. The objective is to become familiar with handling equipment, roped travel, and moving on a glacier.
Over four days, learning takes place in a friendly and motivating atmosphere, combining ice school, ridge travel, and a first summit ascent above 3,500 meters. This formative trip will help you better understand the mountains and prepare your Mont Blanc ascent project under the best possible conditions.
Group option: every Friday from mid-June to mid-September, depending on conditions, except for the 1st weekend of August, which coincides with the Val Montjoie Guides’ Festival.
Private option: every day from mid-June to mid-September, depending on conditions and hut availability, except for the 1st weekend of August, which coincides with the Val Montjoie Guides’ Festival.
Directly on our website or using the dated and signed registration form, accompanied by a 40% deposit and any optional insurance fees. The balance must be paid 60 days before departure.
Maximum 4 people per guide. Group departures guaranteed from 3 participants. You will be supervised by a mountain guide.
Good physical preparation is required for this ascent; it is intended for fit, athletic participants. On the fourth day, you may be required to hike for up to around 8 hours, so you should prepare by practicing long-duration cardio activities. Endurance sports such as cycling, running, or long hikes are recommended. Do not forget that you will be walking with an 8 kg backpack, which significantly increases the effort required, so during your training outings, practice hiking with this additional weight.
You will be on an unmarked high-mountain route, and you must be aware of the hazards associated with this activity (crevasses, rockfall, avalanches, very low temperatures).
We are available to answer any questions you may have.
Price for the group option:
€1,110 per person (departure guaranteed with a minimum of 3 participants)
Prices for the private options:
1 participant: €2,540 per person
2 participants: €1,490 per person
3 participants: €1,150 per person
4 participants: €950 per person
5 participants: €1,260 per person
The price includes
The price does not include
Repatriation
Having “assistance–repatriation” insurance is mandatory to take part in our trips: it must cover you in high mountains for search and rescue by helicopter. If you do not have “assistance–repatriation” insurance, we can provide one at a rate of €5/day.
Cancellation
We also offer optional “cancellation” insurance at a rate of €12/day. This insurance does not take into account the sporting nature of our trips. It must be purchased at the time of registration to take effect. As a reminder, the cancellation insurance covers you from the moment you register until the day of your course, in case something happens and you are unable to attend. We apply cancellation fees as specified on our registration form and in our terms of sale. These fees may be reimbursed by the cancellation insurance if your reason for cancelling is covered.
If you pay by credit card, feel free to check the insurance included with it.
As a reminder, in the event of cancellation you must file your claim with the insurer within 5 days of the accident or reason for cancelling, otherwise it will not be valid (then check whether the reason for cancellation is covered).
Insurance fees are non-refundable.
Technical equipment
Technical equipment is available for rent from our partners:
For Saint Gervais : blanc-sport-saintgervais.com/ www.unlimited-saintgervais.com,
For les Contamines : www.intersport-lescontamines.com/
Clothing
Essential accessories:
Feel free to contact us if you need advice on physical preparation, gear selection, or organizing your trip.
You will meet the guides the day before departure at the Saint-Gervais Guides Office (43 rue du Mont Blanc, 74170 Saint-Gervais), located inside the tourist office in the village center, at 6:30 p.m. Please let us know if you cannot attend; the briefing can be done by phone.
For all the latest news, you can follow us on social networks, here are the upcoming events.
Site under construction
Our website is currently in its finalization phase.
If you notice any issue or error, please feel free to let us know!
You can call us at (+33)4 50 47 76 55.
