Alpine Introduction - Arolla

Overview

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Aim of the week

This course introduces newcomers to the Alpine environment, teaching you the fundamental skills of Alpine Mountaineering. Whether your goal is to venture into the mountains on your own, join an expedition to the Himalaya, or attempt more difficult routes with a Guide, the course provides a solid foundation.

Who is it for?

The course is designed for summer hill walkers, or those who have completed an introductory winter skills course in Scotland. No previous climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary.

Course Base - Arolla

Our introductory courses have been based in Arolla, Switzerland since 1999. In our view the valley is the best location in the Western Alps for an introductory course. Why? It offers an excellent variety of suitable training peaks and it is much quieter than other, more 'honeypot' resorts. Course participants really enjoy the environment. There are no cable cars or mountain railways in Arolla, so none of the additional costs or unsightly ski industry infrastructure. When in the valley we stay at the superb Hôtel du Glacier Arolla Arolla in an apartment. You will be accommodated in a twin-share room, with a shared lounge and kitchen. Breakfast and dinner is served in the hotel dining room.

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Outcomes

On completion of the course, you will have learnt to:

• Consider factors affecting route selection (for example, team composition, weather and snow conditions).
• Recognise and avoid hazards in the alpine environment.
• Contribute to decision-making in the alpine environment and in an expedition context.
• Select appropriate clothing and equipment (crampons, ice axes, boots).
• Be a competent member of a rope team for travelling across a glacier.
• Take coils and move together as a roped team in a variety of terrain.
• Use ice axe and crampons.
• Identify and place reliable snow, ice and rock anchors.
• Participate in a crevasse rescue scenario.
• Rock climb (belaying, including holding a fall).
• Use Alpine huts.
• Climb routes graded Alpine F to PD. (learn more about Alpine Grades here).

What Next?

• Why not attempt Mont Blanc? Our 3-day Mont Blanc Extension to this course...
• On completion of this course, you might consider the Saas 4,000ers or Zermatt 4,000ers course to consolidate your skills.
• To develop your mountaineering further, a rock climbing or scrambling course in the UK would be a good next step.
• You could join a Jagged Globe expedition with the technical grade of 1 or 2.

Mountain routes

Pointe de Vouassan (3,489m)
This is a good, introductory summit reached from the Aigulles Rouges Hut. The 'voie normale' via the left bank of the Aiguilles Rouges glacier valley (F) is an excellent climb for alpine novices on glaciated terrain, with a rocky summit.

La Luette (3,548m)
Climbed from the Dix Hut, this is a popular and relatively short climb via the normal route. The south east ridge from the Upper Cheilon Glacier is graded F+ and can even be free of snow in a really dry year. There are excellent views from the summit of the Pigne D'Arolla and Mont Blanc de Cheilon.

Pigne d'Arolla (3,796m)
An ascent of the Pigne d'Arolla is a good introductory-level climb. We make a traverse of the mountain from the Dix Hut via the West Flank (F), descending the ESE flank back down to the valley. The summit gives wonderful views of our valley base of Arolla and, on a clear day, of the Mediterranean.

Itinerary

Please note that the course is flexible. We are not restricted by hut bookings and the guides will make the best of the weather and conditions in the mountains, of which they have an intimate knowledge.

Day 1:	Saturday. Course participants meet at the course base at 7pm. Briefing on the week's activities.
Day 2:	Sunday. Ascent to hut. The afternoon will be spent introducing basic glacier rope work and an introduction to crevasse rescue techniques. Overnight mountain hut.
Day 3:	Monday. Ascent of the Pointe de Vouasson (3,489m). Descend to Arolla and overnight in the valley.
Day 4:	Tuesday. A valley-based day. Technical skills and rock climbing, including belaying, abseiling and self rescue. Overnight valley.
Day 5:	Wednesday. Mountain walk to Dix Hut with continuing mountain skills practice.
Day 6:	Thursday. Ascent of La Luette (3,548m). Below the summit we will do realistic crevasse rescue on the glacier. Return to Dix Hut.
Day 7:	Friday. Traverse of Pigne d'Arolla (3,976m), desend to valley.
Day 8:	Saturday. Dispersal. Breakfast will be provided on the last morning before you leave the course.

Further Information

Find out more about our Guides and Ratios, Alpine Grading and Equipment... read more

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the course or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
Sat 11 Jul – Sat 18 Jul 2026	Arolla		Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Head of Course Andy Owen Course Guide/Instructor Richard Dupont 1 place left	£1,695
Sat 1 Aug – Sat 8 Aug 2026	Arolla		Available Book now »
	£1,695
Sat 8 Aug – Sat 15 Aug 2026	Arolla		Available Book now »
2 more required	£1,695
Sat 22 Aug – Sat 29 Aug 2026	Arolla		full Enquire »
Head of Course Andy Owen Course Guide/Instructor Caroline Ogden	£1,695
Sat 19 Jun – Sat 26 Jun 2027	Arolla		Available Book now »
2 places left with £75 early booking offer	£1,745 £1,670
Sat 10 Jul – Sat 17 Jul 2027	Arolla		Available Book now »
1 place left with £75 early booking offer	£1,745 £1,670
Sat 31 Jul – Sat 7 Aug 2027	Arolla		Available Book now »
2 places left with £75 early booking offer	£1,745 £1,670
Sat 7 Aug – Sat 14 Aug 2027	Arolla		Available Book now »
2 places left with £75 early booking offer	£1,745 £1,670
Sat 21 Aug – Sat 28 Aug 2027	Arolla		Available Book now »
2 places left with £75 early booking offer	£1,745 £1,670
Sat 4 Sep – Sat 11 Sep 2027	Arolla		Available Book now »
	£1,745

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Group size: 2 – 12 people.

Single room supplement: £120

For comparison, this course starts from £242 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

What the price includes

• 4 nights' private apartment in Arolla on a twin-sharing, half-board basis
• 3 nights' mountain hut accommodation in a shared dormitory bunk, half-board basis
• 6 days guiding and instruction with a qualified IFMGA Mountain Guide. Ratio 1:4 maximum
• Transport (by public means, private hire vehicle, minibus or guides' cars) to fulfil the course programme
• Group mountaineering equipment such as ropes and other technical equipment
• Boots, Ice axes, crampons, harnesses & helmets, when booked in advance

What the price does not include

• Travel to/from Arolla
• Lunch
• Cable cars, mountain railways and mechanical uplift (N/A in Arolla)
• Personal climbing equipment and clothing
• Mountaineering and travel Insurance

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Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• ‘Good humour, great expertise, and all-round support from both guides. Will likely be booking onto another course with Andy in the near future.’ CB, Introductory Alpine Techniques - Level 1, July '16
• ‘Andy was always professional but made the experience personal and fun. He was fantastic at monitoring and adapting the pace of the course. CM’ Introductory Alpine Techniques - Level 1 - July '15
• ‘Andy was exceptional, and was always on hand to answer any questions and give pointers. TS’ Introductory Alpine Techniques - Level 1
• ‘The guiding by Andy was thorough and enjoyable without being overbearing. We were taught the necessary skills and given the opportunity to use them at our own pace. JR’ Introductory Alpine Techniques - Level 1, July 2014
• ‘This course exceeded my expectations. I took a lot from the course which gave me a fresh view on different climbing styles. The instructors were great. Experienced and great fun.’ SB, 2013
• ‘The guiding was outstanding and delivered constant opportunities to exceed expectations of the course and of myself – whatever the weather did!’ SM
• ‘A superb course, well organised and fulfilling. The guides were all very friendly and passed over a wealth of knowledge.’ BB

Leader Reports

• WN, Alpine Introduction '11
  “It was an amazing week. Andy and Pelle are fantastic instructors. They left us to get on with stuff and gave us space to learn the new skills. I really enjoyed staying at the huts and summiting Pigne de Arolla, it was a beautiful...”
  report added 05/Aug/11
• Alpine Season 2001 - selected courses roundup
  “So what was achieved on Jagged Globe's Alpine Courses in 2001? IFMGA Guide, Dave Walsh gives a brief overview from the courses that he directed Alpine Introduction - Week 1. A week of generally fine weather and a new hotel...”
  report added 15/Nov/01

Travel & Venue

Fly to Geneva or Zurich. For Arolla, you can travel from the airport using the efficient Swiss Rail and coach network (travel time from Geneva is 3.5 hours). Plan you journey at www.sbb.ch. You should try and arrive at Geneva Airport before 14:00, as the last train to Arolla is at 14:54.

Valley accommodation is in Hôtel du Glacier Arolla. The accommodation is in private rooms and is provided on a twin-share, half-board basis. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the hotel dining room. The twin-share rooms also have a shared lounge and kitchen, meaning you have more space and can make tea/coffee for yourself. Should you want to have a room to yourself, this will be in the main hotel and a single room supplement is payable.