Climbing

I offer bespoke climbing and mountaineering experiences in the Alps, from single-day objectives to week long itineries. I can offer advice on techniques and general mountain safety to help you on your way to becoming an independant alpinist. Or you can sit back, enjoy the ride and leave all the descision making up to me. Every experience is tailored to your individual goals and wishes, whether you want to tackle challenging alpine routes or build the skills and confidence to explore independently.

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FAQ

What is the best time of year to come?

The best time of year depends on your chosen objective. Typically, the ski season runs from December to May, while the alpine climbing season is usually from August to October. Within these periods, what can be achieved will vary depending on conditions.

It’s worth noting that climate change is increasingly affecting snow, ice, and glacier conditions. This means that climbing objectives that were once classically done in the hottest part of summer are now better attempted earlier or later in the summer when the conditions are more favorable.

Similarly, early season snow conditions can often be fickle, so for longer ski touring objectives, spring conditions will offer better success rates.

I’m happy to advise on the best timing for your goals to make the most of your trip.

Group size depends on the activity and the difficulty of the objective. For summer objectives, easier summits or glacial trekking can be guided with up to four people, while more technical objectives, such as the Matterhorn, are guided on a 1:1 basis. Generally, more than two people will rule out technical objectives, so it’s best to get in touch to discuss what’s possible for your chosen route. If your group is larger than this, I would be happy to organise a second guide to help accommodate your objectives.

For skiing, the largest group size I can work with independently is six. This size works well for objectives that don’t involve technical passages of skiing and where the skiing isn’t difficult to access. For more complex or technical ski objectives, smaller groups are recommended to ensure safety.

Please get in touch and I can help make recommendations specific to your group size and objectives.

Absolutely! I love it when clients come to me without a fixed plan. It gives me the chance to share some of my favourite parts of the Alps — hidden corners and quiet routes that you might never have heard of. Together, we can design a trip that matches your experience, interests, and goals, making the most of your time in the mountains.

There’s no specific level of experience required to book a guided trip or course — whether you’re new to the mountains or already confident, I can tailor the day to your abilities. For more serious or technical objectives, some prior experience is necessary. This can be demonstrated by completing an easier trip with me first or by providing a reference from another IFMGA guide.

The level of fitness required depends on the objective. Easier routes and shorter days are accessible to most people with a reasonable level of fitness, while longer or more technical objectives naturally require greater stamina and strength. It’s also important to remember that altitude can amplify fatigue, so regardless of fitness, you will feel tired more quickly in high mountains. I’m happy to discuss your goals and help assess whether a chosen objective is suitable for you.

The equipment you’ll need depends on the activity and the specific objectives of your trip, but if you end up booking a trip, I’ll guide you through exactly what’s required.

For ski-based activities, at minimum you’ll need your personal skis, boots, and helmet, along with avalanche safety gear — a transceiver, shovel, and probe. If the day involves ski touring, you’ll also need touring skis, boots, bindings, skins, and ski crampons. Even if there isn’t a specific touring objective planned, having this equipment gives us the most flexibility to make the day as enjoyable and adventurous as possible. All items can easily be rented from local ski shops.

For climbing, all participants should bring a harness and helmet. If the course involves snow, ice, or glacial travel, crampons and an ice axe are also required. Please inquire if you need to rent any of this kit as I may be able to supply it. If not, it can also be easily rented from any local sports shop.

On top of this, everyone will need suitable clothing and a backpack large enough to store their equipment for the day. I’ll provide a full kit list before your course or guided trip, so you know exactly what to bring.

All technical equipment, including ropes, emergency equipment and other climbing gear will be supplied by me.

The cost of a guided trip or course varies depending on the seriousness of your objective and the number of people in your group. For a standard private day of guiding, the rate is €550. Multi-day trips, more technical objectives, or larger groups are priced accordingly, and I’m always happy to discuss your plans and provide a tailored quote.

Safety always comes first. If the weather is not suitable for your planned objective, we’ll find an alternative that is appropriate for the conditions. This may involve travelling to a different location to find the best snow, rock, or alpine conditions. The aim is always to make the most of your day while staying safe and comfortable.

Please see my T&Cs page for more information about changes to itinery and cancelations.

Yes. All participants must have suitable rescue and medical insurance for the countries in which their itinerary takes place. This ensures you are covered in the event of an accident or emergency while in the mountains. It is recommended that you purchase insurance which covers you in across all the alpine countries in case we have to change plans due to conditions.

Please see the T&Cs for more information