Grading
Before signing up for a mountaineering, climbing, or ski course, ensure you match the required fitness & skill level.
You are always welcome to mail or call for advice.
Please follow the links below.
Group courses have minimum fitness and technical level requirements. We aim to build strong, cohesive teams with realistic ambitions so everyone can reach their potential.
Private bookings can be tailored to accommodate individuals and groups of varying fitness levels, experience, and technical abilities. These bookings are typically composed of individuals, couples, close friends, or larger families who want their personalized trips. By booking together, everyone assumes responsibility for the group’s composition and will be more understanding if an itinerary is changed to fit the group’s fitness or technical level.
Mountaineering & Glacier Trekking
The “Overall level” is described roughly as “introduction,” “Intermediate,” etc., to categorize the level of experience needed. The actual level of a course will be noted more accurately on the course page or single activity. It will be based on the more specified “Technical difficulty” and “Fitness requirements” listed below.
Rock climbs, ice fall climbing, and mountaineering routes all have individual gradings. Below, we have included these.
Make note that all our courses and trips require the participants to be in good health, with no problems such as “obesity,” “heart condition,” “joint disorders,” etc.
Overall Level
| Introduction | You are fit and strong but haven’t necessarily done any climbing or alpinism before. |
| Intermediate | You have done quite a bit of hill walking or trekking. You are used to long days and walking in uneven terrain with a backpack. You have done some rock climbing and/or easy mountaineering. You hope to learn more basic techniques for climbing peaks. You train regularly and are in good shape. |
| Advanced | You already have much experience from summer trekking, climbing, and mountaineering. You hire a guide to climb more technical climbs, learn advanced techniques, or climb harder alpine classic routes (AD/D routes) or grade 4-6 rock climbs. |
| Expert | You are a good rock climber and maybe an alpinist doing routes in your spare time with regular partners. You need a partner and are willing to hire a guide for your summer climbing or your more ambitious projects. |
Technical Difficulty
| 1 | Easy : You have done a few treks or back-packing in uneven terrain. You have good balance and mobility. You don’t necessarily have previous experience with climbing and mountaineering or have only scratched the surface of these sports. |
| 2 | Quite difficult: It is not your first time climbing on rocks or in the mountains. You have some knowledge of basic skills like belaying and rappelling. You can climb easy routes of up to 3/4 grade. You have tried using crampons and ice axes on easier terrain but haven’t necessarily done any alpine summits yet. Note – even if you don’t feel quite ready for the challenge yet, we can help you along: 1. Check our “Intro Mountaineering course.” 2. You could also book a guide, e.g. 1-2 days before the requested trip. |
| +2 | Quite difficult – technical training: This is the minimum required level to join our alpine course. On top of the “2” description, you must have some rock-climbing experience. A good reference would be doing an introduction rock-climbing course with instructions on belaying, establishing an anchor, abseiling, etc. |
| 3 | Advanced Level We will be climbing routes of difficulty PD/AD grade. You are trained in using crampons and ice axes and have climbed on rock, snow and ice. You are in excellent physical shape. |
| 4 | Very difficult: Technically difficult routes of grade AD/D. A ratio of one guide to one client is necessary when the technical difficulty is high or the terrain is complicated and exposed. The participant must have previous experience with alpine climbing from other trips and be able to present a log of various climbs.. |
| 5 | Extremely difficult: The most difficult alpine routes. Mountain guides guide these routes with clients, but only after they have done much climbing together. |
Fitness Requirement
| A | In Shape: You train regularly in cardio sports like running, biking, etc. At least 1 or 2 times per week. Day trips with stages of 5-7 hours with 6-8 kg backpacks. |
| B | Feeling pretty Fit: You train 2-3 times per week with cardio sports. You can do 4-5 hours of walking, 2-3 hours MTB, or up to 70km of biking without being too tired. Single or consecutive days with 8-10h stages with 6-10kg backpacks. |
| C | 1/2 Marathon: You train 2-4 times a week with cardio-sports. You can manage trekking for 7-8 hours, run steadily for 2 hours, and go on mountain bike tours for 4-5 hours. You should be able to do these activities at a moderate pace without overexerting yourself. You should be in the category if you recently have done a half-marathon or something similar. We can be on days from 8-12 hours carrying an 8-10kg backpack. |
| D | Marathon: You love training and train most days running or doing some exercise. You can run a marathon at about 3h30mn or quicker and will not be afraid of going for long-distance bike rides or long walks in the mountains. You have tried doing sports where you were active for 8h-10h non-stop (E.g. ultra-runs). You can “dig deep” when needed. We could potentially do very long mountain trips with 10-14 hours of exercise, with 8-10kg backpacks. |
| E | Ultra-marathon: You are in the top 1-2%. Super fit, endurance athlete and ready for any long-distance challenge. |
Grading examples from courses and various known routes
| Technical Level | Fitness Grade | Route Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Normal non-technical trekking routes around Chamonix, easy Via Ferrata, Via Corda, single-pitch rock climbing (top-roping) |
| 1 | B | Travers of the Vallée Blanche, Intro mountaineering course, Aiguille du Toule, Col des Entreves |
| 2 | A | Travers of Marbrés, Cosmique ridge |
| 2 | B | Aiguille du Tour, Travers of the Chrochues, grade 4 multi-pitch rock climbs |
| 2+ | B | Alpin introduction course |
| 2 | C | Haute Route Glacier trek, Berner Oberland Glacier trek, Grand Paradiso 4063m |
| 3 | B | Chapelle de la Gliere, Travers of the Perrons, Aiguille du Peigne, Aiguille de l’M, Travers of the Entreves, grade 5b rock climbs |
| 3 | C | Saas 4000m, Berner Oberland 4000m |
| 3 | D | Mont Blanc 4810m |
| 4 | C | Arete Fleche Rousse, Dent du Geant, Aiguille du Chardonnet by Forbes arete, Arete des Rochefort, Aiguille du Chardonnet Migot, grade 6a rock climbs |
| 4 | D | Matterhorn Hörnli Rigde, Eiger Mittellegi Ridge |
| 5 | D | Aiguille Verte, Kuffner ridge |
Alpine Grade – Mountain Routes
The alpine grade is often followed by a + or -. This will indicate if a grade is inbetween or approaching a lower or higher grade. This was introduced as the jump from one grade to another often is quite significant.
| F: Facile (easy) | Straightforward routes with easy rock-scrambling. These sections can mostly be climbed without using the rope. They usually present manageable glaciated sections where you are travelling roped up. |
| PD: Peu difficile (slightly difficult) | Routes may be longer at altitude, with snow and ice slopes up to 45 degrees. Glaciers are more complex, scrambling is harder, climbing may require some belaying, and descent may involve rappelling—more objective hazards. |
| AD: Assez difficile (fairly difficult) | Physically demanding routes for more experienced climbers presenting snow and ice sections at an angle of 45–65 degrees, rock climbing in big boots up to UIAA grade III-IV—Many shorter sections need belaying, but you also find longer sections on the easy rock where you can be moving together—you can have some objective hazards present. |
| D: Difficile (difficult) | This is a hard and more serious route presenting difficulties on rock (grade IV and V), snow,z and ice slopes at 50–70 degrees. Routes may be extended, sustained, or harder but shorter—serious objective hazards. |
| TD: Très difficile (very difficult) | Hard, more serious with rock climbing at IV-VI, snow and ice slopes at 50–70 degrees. Routes may be extended, sustained, or harder but shorter—serious objective hazards. |
| ED1/2/3/4: Extrèmement difficile (extremely difficult) | Extremely hard, exceptional objective danger, vertical ice slopes, and rock climbing up to VI to VIII, with possible aid pitches. |
Via Ferrata
Via Ferrata, ratings vary slightly from region to region, but there are two rating systems: the Hüsler and Schall ratings. Hüsler’s classification is written, whereas Schall’s classification is done with letters. The most straightforward rating is an A rating, meaning “easy,” while the most difficult is an E rating, meaning “extremely difficult.”.
You should also consider the information about length, time, and the minimum height of the participants. Children under 1m40cm are often too small to make the clip onto cables, assuring the balancing walk over cables.
Make note that all our courses and trips require the participants to be in good health, with no problems such as “obesity,” “heart condition,” “joint disorders,” etc.
| French rating | Schall | Hûsler | Terrain | Security & Features | Physical / Mental needed | Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F (Facile) | A (Easy) | K1 | Generally, it’s not very steep. Only a few exposed sections. | Easy to use, metal cables, chains, and short ladders ensure passages on the few exposed passages. Longer sections do not need protection. | Introduction to Via Ferrata. Easy and the least demanding routes. Not recommended for anyone with vertigo. | |
| PD (Peu difficile) | B (Moderat difficulty) | K2 | Steeper rock walls with more exposed sections. The Via Ferrata is rarely very long, and the challenging sections are pretty short. | Steep or vertical passages are fitted with ladders and/or iron steps. Steel cables and chains secure the climber, even in less challenging terrain. You can meet most of the know features from Via Ferrata, but they will be relatively short and well-protected. | For children and beginners. Sound footing and absence of vertigo are required. Several steep sections require some strength in the arms and legs. | |
| AD (Assez difficile) | C (Difficult) | K3 | Longer and steeper rock walls, where the holds are smaller and have more exposed sections. Some technical climbing, where you might need to use the rock to progress. | The protection and equipment are good and while the exposure on some features can feel high, the Via Ferrata is very secure. Features such as cable walks can be extended and feel very exposed, but they will always be well-protected. The most difficult sections can sometimes be avoided. | Beginners need supervision by professionals. Sound footing and absence of vertigo are required. Good physical condition and strength in arms and legs are required. | |
| D (Difficult) | D (Very difficult) | K4 | Steep to vertical rock, even some well-secured overhanging sections. In many cases, the route feels exposed, natural steps and handholds are often small. | Steep terrain with continuous steel cables to attach to. Artificial aids (iron steps, handholds) on most challenging sections. In some sections, you might need to use the rock, but it could also be an intricate series of iron rungs, crazy ladders, and even ‘spider webs’, with maximum exposure | Demands experience from other Via Ferratas. Arm and leg strength are required to overcome lengthy, steep passages and overhangs. Footing can be tricky on small rocky holds, and the metal rungs can be spaced. | |
| TD (Très difficile) | E (Extremely difficult) | K5 | There are very steep and long sections of exposed and overhanging terrain. | Vertical or exposed terrain may only have cables for safety but little in the way of artificial steps; these are reserved only for places that would otherwise be impossible to cross. | Via Ferrata in challenging and consistently steep terrain. Upper body strength, good technique, and good fitness are prerequisites. | |
| ED (Extrement difficile) | F (the highest difficulty) | K6 | Harder or longer than any above-mentioned terrain. | Long, sparsely secured gymnastic circuits that require real stamina. Climbing/approach shoes may be useful. Additional security to be provided by rope/ belaying (recommended) | Very physical and demanding routes. An excellent physical and nerves of steel. For athletes and professionals. |
Altitude: valley/ low mountain range/ high Alps?
Terrain style: sheltered by forest/ short steps through alpine meadows/ steep cliffs/ ridges.
Length and exposure of the route—commitment value.
Route characteristics: type and regularity of attachment points/ safety cables.
Ascent plus descent i.e. total route length
Path used for approach and descent: paved paths/ gravel footpath/ pathless
Orientation: is it well marked?
Off-piste & Ski Touring
The “Overall level” is described roughly as “introduction,” “Intermediate,” etc., to categorize the level of experience needed easily. The actual level of a course will more accurately be noted on the course page or single activity. It will be based on the more specified “Technical difficulty” and “Fitness requirements” listed below.
Make note that all our courses and trips require the participants to be in good health, with no problems such as “obesity”, “heart condition”, “joint disorders” etc.
Overall Level
| Introduction | You are fit and reasonably strong. You are a good piste skier and can handle any marked ski run within the resort without any problems. You haven’t got that much experience skiing off-piste, but you will always practise just outside the piste after a snowfall. You might have done a few off-piste descents with mountain guides, but you would still consider yourself a beginner. You have most likely not started ski touring yet or just tried it on a few occasions. |
| Intermediate | You are a resonably good off-piste skier, but can get challenged if the snow is difficult. You are comfortable skiing steeper slopes in good snow, but will need more practise skiing steep slopes if the snow is hard og difficult. You have either tried ski-touring or are looking forward to getting into this type of off-piste adventures. |
| Advanced | You are a good off-piste skier and can handle most snow conditions. Depending on the snow, you are comfortable on steeper slopes of 35-40 degrees. You can make a controlled side-slipe when needed. You have done single-day ski tours and maybe tried a hut trip with one or more nights. You know the basic technics of ski touring and are familiar with the equipment. |
| Expert | You are very fit, strong, healthy, and have a high stamina. You can tackle even the steepest slopes with good control and easily adjust your turns and speed to the terrain. Ski touring and climbing up couloirs are your thing; you are good and swift in transitions. You have your own gear, refined toward your ski/touring/climbing profile. You have some general climbing/abseiling knowledge. |
Technical Ski Difficulty
| S1 | Easy : You are a good piste skier and are comfortable skiing any of the marked runs in a ski resort. After a snowfall, you ski off-piste near the marked runs and might even have done a few days of off-piste skiing with mountain guides. You have good control when the snow in the off-piste isn’t too changeable. You are capable of doing turns in 35-degree steep terrain. You wish to get more mileage in the off-piste and improve techniques. We are in classic off-piste terrains, like open forest runs, powder bowls, easy couloirs, and glaciated terrain without much exposure. We can try short, steep sections but will generally not look for any exposure. You wish to learn more about the use of avalanche beacons and route choice in avalanche terrain. |
| S2 | Quite difficult: You are a very good piste skier and have had ski instruction to perfect your style and technique. You can do the most difficult piste runs and get down any mogul run. You have already done a fair bit of off-piste skiing and have most likely done a few guided off-piste tours already. You have good control when the snow in the off-piste isn’t too changeable. You are capable of turning in 35-degree steep terrain. You wish to get more mileage in the off-piste and improve your techniques. We are in classic off-piste terrains, like open forest runs, powder bowls, easy couloirs, and glaciated terrain without much exposure. We can try short, steep sections but will generally not look for any exposure. You wish to learn more about the use of avalanche beacons and route choice in avalanche terrain. |
| S3 | Difficult : You are a good off-piste skier with lots of experience. You have already been skiing off-piste with mountain guides. You should be able to make controlled turns in 40-degree steep terrain or side-slip controlled down if the snow is difficult or you are not “feeling it”. We are in all off-piste terrain: Forest, open slopes, couloirs, and often on glaciated runs. We access straight from the lifts, hike, or use ski touring equipment. We can encounter steep sections with hard snow, where you need absolute control. You most likely have your own avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe and have been trained to use them. You also know of skiing in avalanche terrain and can help in an avalanche situation. |
| S4 | Very difficult : You are an expert off-piste skier with many years of experience. You ski controlled and safely in steep terræn, even when the snow is hard or difficult. You are used to skiing in terrain presenting some avalanche risk. Your behavior and ski-style in off-piste terrain is perfected through many years of skiing experience. Your skis are very possibly equiped with touring bindings and you are more than willing to skin to get the best snow. You are familiar with the use of avalanche transceivers and can help in an avalanche situation. |
Technical Ski Touring Difficulty
| T1 | Easy : It can be your first ski touring experience or a refresher. |
| T2 | Quite difficult : You have tried ski touring before on single-day trips. You have some knowledge of the different techniques (kick-turns, gear handling, etc.). You still have plenty of room to improve. If you don’t already have your touring setup, you are looking for advice to figure out what you need. |
| T3 | Difficult : You have done several single-day tours and at least 1 hut-to-hut trip. You most likely have your ski touring equipment, built with an emphasis on being lightweight (tech/pin binding setup) for use on more extended day tours and hut-to-hut trips. You are used to handling skins, ski crampons, ice axes, and crampons. You can do kick-turns on slopes of 30-35 degrees. You are okay with climbing steeper terrain with your skis on your backpack, using crampons and an ice axe for progression. |
| T4 | Very Difficult : You are skilled in using your equipment and are efficient and quick during transitions from skis to crampons. Your skinning technique is very good, which enables you to save energy on long days, keeping a sure footing and good security, such as when doing kick-turns on steep ground or skinning on a challenging track. You have done several tours using the alpine gear (harness, crampons, ropes, and ice-axe). You are familiar with glacier skiing, crevasse rescue, and self-arrest and have done avalanche training. |
Fitness Requirement
| A | Base fitness level: You train regularly in cardio sports like running, biking, etc. At least 1 or 2 times per week. You can manage skiing every day on a ski trip but need more stops and can only do shorter days when the conditions are challenging. When ski-touring, expect up to 500m of climbing and rarely more than 1-2 hours of skinning carrying a small day-pack. |
| B | Top fitness level: You are in the top 1-2%. You are a super fit endurance athlete and ready for any long-distance challenge. |
| C | High fitness level: You train at least 2-4 times a week and would be ready to run a half-marathon or a similar effort in other sports. You wouldn’t have a problem doing 4 to 5 days of off-piste skiing in a row. On hut-to-hut ski tours, you are ok with doing 800-1200 height meters on average daily with an 8-10kg backpack. |
| D | Very high fitness level: You love training and train most days running or doing some exercise. You can run a marathon at about 3h30mn or quicker and will not be afraid of going for long-distance bike rides or long walks in the mountains. You have tried doing sports where you were active for 8h-10h non-stop (E.g. ultra-runs). You can “dig deep” when needed. We could potentially do long mountain trips with 10-14 hours of exercise, using 8-10kg backpacks. You are ready to do long ski tours of 1200-1500 height meters/day. |
| E | Top fitness level: You are in the top 1-2%. Super fit, endurance athlete and ready for any long-distance challenge. |
Grading examples from courses and various known routes
| Ski Grade | Touring Grade | Fitness Grade | Route Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | A | Vallée Blanche, Private off-piste guiding, Private ski touring guiding | |
| S1 | B | Chamonix Offpiste Course | |
| S2 | T1 | A | Chamonix ski touring skills course |
| S2 | T1 | B | Argentiere ski touring, Heli skiing, Various shorter ski tours |
| S2 | T2 | B | Chamonix ski touring course |
| S3 | T2 | B | Ski tours such as “Col du Passon”, “Col du Beaugeant”, “Pt. Ronde” |
| S3 | T3 | C | Haute Route – Chamonix-Zermatt |
| S3 | T3 | C | Mont Blanc ski from the summit (Ski touring the North Ridge of Dome de Gouter). Patrouille des Glacier (Zermatt – Verbier) |
| S3 | T3 | D | Patrouille de Glacier (Zermatt – Verbier) |
| S4 | T2 | C | Couloir Marbrés, Couloir Cosmiques, Glacier Ronde, Couloir Poubelle |
| S4 | T3 | C | Chamonix – Zermatt Group Ski Tour, Mont Blanc ski from the summit (w. helicopter lift to Piton des Italienne). |
| S4 | T4 | D | Mont Blanc ski from the summit (Ski touring up the North Ridge of Dome de Gouter). Patrouille des Glacier (Zermatt – Verbier) |
| S4 | T4 | D | Advanced ski touring. E.g. Couloir Capucin, Aiguille d’Argentiere (Milleu glacier), Couloir Hannibal |
| SX | T4 | E | Mont Blanc ski from the summit (Ski touring the North Ridge of Dome de Gouter). Patrouille des Glacier (Zermatt – Verbier) |
