General information

The loan of standard technical equipment (helmets, harnesses, and possibly crampons and ice axes) is included in the service upon request.

Personal technical equipment to be provided by the customer: crampons, ice axe, warm technical boots, etc.

Personal equipment to be provided by you depending on the activity: boots, skis, skins, avalanche kit (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe), pants and tights, fleece or warm sweater, down jacket, waterproof jacket, gloves, sunglasses, hat, food, thermos or water bottle, small personal first aid kit (sunscreen, paracetamol, Compeed, etc.).

physical Condition :

Hiking in the mountains requires good physical condition (basic training or regular exercise), but it is possible to adapt the outing to suit your fitness level so that you can enjoy it to the fullest. It is therefore important to let me know your fitness level so that I can suggest a suitable program.

For high altitudes (3,500 m and above), it may be useful to spend one or more days in the mountains beforehand to gradually acclimatize your body to the altitude. If you have any medical conditions, it is essential to seek medical advice beforehand, as altitude can have significant effects on the body.

Weather :

In case of uncertain weather conditions, the guide may suggest, for the same price, an alternative route in a neighboring mountain range that is spared by the weather. In all cases (whether you choose to attempt the planned route or opt for an alternative route), the total amount for the trip will be due, even if conditions deteriorate and cause the trip to fail.

In the event of bad weather that makes any ascent objectively impossible (including in a neighboring mountain range), a postponement of the ascent will be proposed, doing what is best for everyone.

It is the guide who determines whether the weather is “uncertain” or “bad.”

Prices :

• Daily rate for mountaineering/skiing/ice climbing: €450 per day
• Daily rate for climbing (excluding high mountains): €400 per day          

Depending on the planned route, the minimum rate is set by the daily rate and the maximum rate by the guide office’s price list per route. This applies to large-scale or special routes (e.g., Mont Blanc).

The services I offer are not “all-inclusive” as I am not a travel agency. The rates correspond to the cost of guiding and the possible loan of equipment.

Please note: a day that has begun is a day that must be paid for, regardless of whether it is interrupted due to weather, conditions, physical fitness, or other reasons.

other expenses :

Your personal expenses (mountain huts, half-board, ski lifts, tramway, etc.) are paid directly by you at the ski lift ticket offices and mountain huts.

In addition to this, the guide’s expenses are to be shared among the participants. These are often slightly lower thanks to discounts for guides.

Please note that mountain huts do not necessarily accept credit cards.

risks :

Outdoor activities, particularly in high mountains, involve risks (avalanches, crevasses, rockfalls, seracs, etc.). The guide’s job is to minimize these risks as much as possible, but they cannot be completely eliminated.

Before each outing, the risks of the day will be explained to participants so that everyone can make an informed decision about the potential consequences.

Depending on the conditions on the ground or the weather, the guide may decide at any time to modify or cancel the outing in order to ensure everyone’s safety.

Insurance :

I take out professional insurance through the National Union of Mountain Guides, which includes civil liability coverage.

Participants are advised to take out personal insurance. Many standard insurance policies exclude mountain sports from their coverage, so it is important to check this point.

Personal insurance policies specializing in mountain sports in France:

• Au Vieux Campeur “club” card (€35/year)
• FFCAM or FFME: personal insurance to be taken out in addition to membership