High Mountain Guides

Mountaineering in Chamonix

Chamonix. The capital of world mountaineering. 'The Valley of Dreams'. A mecca for climbers and mountaineers who come from all over the world to sample the quality and variety of alpine mountainering available. From simple rock scrambles in the Aiguilles Rouges to the Himalayan scale mixed faces on the wild Italian side of Mont Blanc. Chamonix, has it all. (more…)

Skiing in Chamonix

Chamonix is a world class venue for off-piste skiing, touring & ski mountaineering. With a huge vertical height interval, skiing on all aspects & massive potential for mountain and glacier skiing, Chamonix, has it all! The valley is also a great base camp for exploring the superb ski touring and off-piste skiing available across the borders in the Italian Valle d'Aoste, Swiss Rhone Valley or just down the Arve Valley in to the Aravis & Evasion Ski Area. (more…)

Ski Evasion Aravis

To the west of Mont Blanc, and at the far north western end of the Alps, lies the wonderful 'Evasion' ski area featuring the brilliant ski resorts of Combloux, St. Gervais, Megeve & Les Contamines. This area is also part of the wider Massif des Aravis and we are delighted to offer quality off piste and ski touring guiding to help our guests enjoy the superb skiing available here. (more…)

UK Mont Blanc & Matterhorn Training Weekends

If you are keen to develop your mountaineering skills and fitness or you are heading off to the Alps in future, a great way of enhancing your enjoyment, mountain performance and summit chances is to do some UK based training before you go. Our open group weekend courses offer quality relevant technical & physical training as part of an enjoyable & sociable weekend in the mountains... (more…)

Alpine Mountaineering

Our alpine courses are based around some of the great peaks of the High Alps....Mont Blanc, The Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa, Weissmies, Matterhorn, Eiger or, for an even longer & tougher challenge you could try & climb the 3 highest peaks in the Alps ('The Mission') or the 3 most iconic alpine peaks, Mt Blanc, The Matterhorn & The Eiger ('Mission Impossible'). Read on, and prepare to be inspired.... (more…)

Ski Mountaineering

Ski Mountaineering blends the three fantastic activities of ski touring, mountaineering and off piste skiing and, in doing so, creates the ability to complete long, elegant journeys through the mountains in winter and spring. Ascending on skins is an aesthetically pleasing and physically rewarding activity and with the addition of ice axe and crampons many alpine peaks become highly attractive ski objectives. (more…)

Rock Climbing In Chamonix

The rock climbing in the Chamonix Valley is amongst the finest in the world. From the famous golden granite cracks and slabs of the Mont Blanc Massif to the lower and sunnier gneiss of the Aiguille Rouges. Not only is the Chamonix Valley referred to as the 'capital of world climbing' it is also surrounded by other superb & easily accessed areas in the nearby French Aravis, Swiss Rhone Valley and Italian Valle d'Aoste. (more…)

Expedition Training

Climbing a peak in the 'Greater Ranges' can be the 'high point' of your mountaineering career. The Chamonix Valley is an ideal training venue to ensure you are well prepared for your trip. Preparing for your forthcoming expedition with some specific training will improve your performance, enjoyment and chances of success on your trip. (more…)

Mountain Walking & Physical Training

Walking through the high alpine mountains is not only a simple pleasure it's a great way of building good mountain endurance; leg muscles and building basic movement skills. We specialise in guiding tough mountain walks in high mountain country and even with glacier crossings or technical passages. A magnificent way to enjoy the high & great training for expeditions. (more…)

18 January 2021, Ice Climbing & Ski Conditions In The Aravis & Mt Blanc Massifs

20 January 2021, Rive Gauche Ice Climbing, Glacier d’Argentière Hats off 18 January 2021, Bérade Valley Ice Climbing Training Hats off to the Chamonix Guides company for making […]

2 January 2021, Le Môle Ski Tour, Arve Valley

Various storm events over the Christmas holidays left the welcome present of thick blankets of fresh snow down to around 700m and covering much of the Aravis, Chablais and Mont […]

Autumn & Early Winter 2020 Chamonix & Alpine Ski & Climb Reports & Snow Conditions

30 December 2020 – Great Snow For Ski Touring In The Aravis & Mont Blanc Massifs – Happy New Year! Plenty of recent snow down to below 500m at times […]

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I’m in the early stages of training to become a middle-aged mountain guide. Water ice climbing was a gaping hole in my skillset. I contacted Rob to help fill that hole and he structured two perfect days of active, hands-on instruction. Rob tailored our time on the ice to maximise our objectives over the two days and is a highly professional, thoughtful, diligent, and communicative guide.

Solid ice making for secure but not rapid climbing and sometimes more of a north face atmosphere than a cascade!

He was able to balance the sometimes competing demands of moving efficiently and smoothly through a fun multi-pitch route where a dropped belay plate (me) and some ensuing rope tangles from the Italian Hitch slowed us down while carving out enough time to explain to me the “industrial” (to use Rob’s great descriptor) nuances of water ice climbing. Highly recommend High Mountain Guides whether you’re out for recreation, professional training, or somewhere in between! Michael.

Chamonix Ice Climbing Guiding & Training

Michael Henson, Jan 2021

Thank you for a great weekend and the pictures, Really magical! An amazing introduction weekend to mountaineering!

It gave me a great insight to what mountaineering entails; hiking/climbing up peaks while challenging yourself physically and mentally to reach the summit and have a breath taking view and realizing how much more there is to explore. Would love to go again…Sophie