Getting started
Info
Local guides, clubs, courses, indoor walls, chat groups, and events — how to plug into climbing in the valley.
Local Guides ∙ Clubs ∙ Courses ∙ Indoor Climbing ∙ Chat Groups ∙ Events
Local Guides
Clubs
CAF
The Club Alpin Français (CAF) is the simplest way to find partners at any level. The Chamonix section meets at Les Gaillands every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm — a well-run, registered club whose membership includes insurance. Full details are on their climbing page (in French).
The surest start is simply to call in at the centre, open daily from 4pm:
Passy Escalade
For indoor climbing beyond the valley, Passy Escalade offers good-value annual memberships, with a limited sign-up window each year. Details are on their site (in French).
Courses
- Evolution 2 — Chamonix
- Mont Blanc Escalade — Les Houches
Indoor Climbing
- Mont Blanc Escalade — Les Houches
- Le Topo Mont-Blanc — Passy
- Passy Escalade — Passy
Chat Groups
Events
- Ascensions Festival — around May, Chamonix
- Arc'Teryx Festival — around June, Chamonix