Basic Skills Course Mountaineering
Our basic skills mountaineering course is ideal for those who want to get into mountaineering or have some prior experience and want to develop their skills further. This 2-day course addresses basic knowledge and skills, in theory and in practice. You’ll focus on rope techniques: knots, belaying, and rapelling, and also glacier techniques: using crampons and ice axes. This course will educate you on the specific kind of gear you need for your mountaineering endeavours.
Tour Details
- Knots
- Gear check/ packing a backpack
- Belaying techniques
- Climbing technique on rock and ice
- Use of Crampons
- Use of ice axe
- Trip planning
- Weather science
Group Course (4-6 participants)
| With accommodation | CHF 470 per person |
| Without accommodation (only possible if the course is in Grindelwald) | CHF 395 per person |
Private Course
| 1-3 people (with accommodation) | CHF 1830 per group |
| 1-3 people (without accommodation) | CHF 1590 per group |
| 4-6 people (with accommodation) | CHF 470 per person |
| 4-6 people (without accommodation) | CHF 395 per person |
To book a private course please contact us:
The course takes place at either the Gleckstein hut (when it is open: July to September) or in the Grindelwald area (when the hut is unavailable). Please note the locations for the respective course dates. For courses in the Grindelwald area, you can book an overnight stay with half board at the Hotel Alpenblick.
Day 1: Rock climbing
On the first day the focus is on rock training. We go to the climbing garden at the Gletscherschlucht or at the Glecksteinhut. Your first day will focus on knot theory, belaying methods, climbing technique, and tour planning.
Day 2: Glacier training
The second day of the course is dedicated to the glacier. If you spend the night in the Gleckstein hut you will go to the Chrinnen Glacier. If the course takes place in Grindelwald, we visit the glacier on Jungfraujoch. The second day will focus on the use of ice axes and crampons, belaying methods, behaviour on the glacier and crossing crevasses, and glaciology. Journey home from Grindelwald in the late afternoon.
| Season | May - October |
| Departures for official tours | See "Closest Bookable Dates" |
| Departures for private tours | Private tours can be booked daily |
| Meeting point | 8:45 am at the Outdoor Shop and Café - Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald |
- Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
- His or her expenses
- 1 night in bunk room with half-board, Tea for the next day (if booked with accommodation)
- Course Certificate
- Your expenses
- Snacks
- Rental equipment
- Ticket to Jungfraujoch, when course is held in Grindelwald
- Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guides share)
Backpack
- 25-30l
Clothing
- Warm, functional clothing
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Mountaineering or hiking pants
- Sunhat
- Gloves
- Beanie or headband
- Extra underwear and socks
Footwear
- Crampon proof mountaineering boots
The basics
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
- Thermos flask, drink bottle
- Silk sleeping bag liner (if the course takes place at the Gleckstein hut)
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- SAC/DAV permit (if you have one and if the course takes place at the Gleckstein hut)
- GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Technical Equipment
- Harness
- Crampons with anti-snow plates
- Ice axe
- Helmet
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Descender
- Prussik and 4m accessory cord
- 120cm sling
- 3-4 locking carabiners
- Snapgate carabiner (if you have one)
- Ice Screw (if you have one)
If you don't own any technical gear, you can rent everything for a special price of CHF 35. Please let us know when booking.
General Information for Mountaineering School
Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!
OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103
3818 Grindelwald
Switzerland
Trip status for group courses
1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.
Minimum of participants (group tours)
As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.
Cancellation
If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.
Equipment
Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.
Clothing
Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.
Lunch
Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.
Huts
A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.
Safety
Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.
General terms of contract
Our General Terms and Conditions apply.