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Activities

Mountaineering Course – Margherita hut

Level: 1
Season: Summer
Duration: 3 days
Participants: Max 5

My goal

The Monte Rosa introduction to mountaineering course is designed for anyone who wants to start moving in high-mountain and glaciated terrain, even without previous mountaineering experience. Over three days, you will learn the basics of using crampons, travelling roped together and managing pace and altitude, putting these skills into practice directly on the mountain. Your IFMGA Mountain Guide does more than lead the way: they observe how you move, explain the decisions made during the day and adapt the activities and route to the conditions and the level of the group. The goal is not to make you fully independent in three days, but to build solid, practical foundations for your next experiences above 3,000 metres and to prepare you, step by step, for climbs such as the Margherita Hut or other 4,000-metre peaks on Monte Rosa.

Tips for success

2 alpinists: € 980/ person
3 alpinists: € 760,00 / person
4 alpinists: € 680,00 / person
5 alpinists: € 610,00 / person

Are you alone and want to join a group? Click here.

The price incluedes: 3 days  with IFMGA mountain guide, half-board accommodation at Rifugio Città di Mantova for 2 nights, round-trip cable car ticket, technical equipment if needed (harness, crampons), half-board for the guide.

Day 1 – Rifugio Mantova and equipment

Meet at 14:30 at Passo dei Salati, check your equipment and take the lifts to Punta Indren. From here, we walk for about one hour to Rifugio Mantova, keeping an easy pace to begin adapting to the altitude.

At the hut, we introduce the main technical equipment: rope, harness, carabiners and ice axe.

Dinner and overnight stay at Rifugio Mantova.

Day 2 – Glacier skills

The day is dedicated to practical training on the glacier. You will learn how to move with crampons, use an ice axe, tie essential knots and travel roped together.

We also introduce the basics of crevasse rescue, adapting the exercises to the glacier conditions and the level of the group.

Dinner and overnight stay at Rifugio Mantova.

Day 3 – High-altitude ascent

We leave at dawn to put the skills from the previous days into practice. Depending on weather, glacier conditions and the group’s level, the objective may be the Margherita Hut or one of Monte Rosa’s 4,000-metre peaks.

Your IFMGA Mountain Guide chooses the most suitable route for the day.

  • mountaineering clothing
  • mountaineering boots
  • 30–35 litre backpack
  • category 3 or 4 sunglasses
  • warm gloves
  • headlamp
  • SPF 50+ sunscreen

Crampons, harness and helmet are provided by Monterosa Booking.

After booking, we will send you the complete equipment list based on the course and expected conditions.

Mountaineering, ski touring, off-piste skiing and trekking take place in a natural, uncontrolled environment.
Weather conditions, snow, ice, terrain, visibility, altitude and physical fatigue can change rapidly and directly affect the course of the activity. For this reason, there is always an inherent level of objective risk, which cannot be eliminated but only managed.

All our activities are led by IFMGA Mountain Guides and Certified Hiking Guides (AMM).
The guide continuously assesses environmental conditions and the physical and mental state of participants, sets an appropriate pace, manages progression and ensures the correct use of equipment. If conditions require it, the guide may modify the itinerary or interrupt the activity, always in the interest of individual and group safety.

Participants are required to be in good physical and mental condition, adequately prepared for the level of the activity, and to follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Group activities

During group outings, the pace is set according to the slowest participant. In case of fatigue or discomfort, the guide may decide to adjust the programme or return early. In the mountains, the group ascends and returns together.

? Learn more here

FAQ #1 – Can altitude sickness be a problem during the course?

Yes. Some of the activities take place above 3,000 metres, where altitude can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue or other symptoms even in fit people. Acclimatisation helps, but everyone responds differently. Your IFMGA Mountain Guide monitors the group and can adjust the pace or programme when needed.

FAQ #2 – What happens if I feel unwell during the course?

Tell your guide as soon as you start feeling unwell. Your IFMGA Mountain Guide will assess the situation and decide whether to slow down, stop, change the programme or descend. At altitude, we do not continue simply to complete a planned objective.

FAQ #3 – Can I join if I am travelling alone?

Yes. If a suitable group departure is available, you can book a place even if you are travelling on your own. We will place you with other participants following the same programme and with a compatible level.

FAQ #4 – Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

No. Mountain huts provide blankets or duvets, so you do not need a traditional sleeping bag. A sleeping bag liner is compulsory, and we recommend bringing a lightweight, reusable one.

FAQ #5 – What happens if we cannot complete the planned programme? Will I get a refund?

The exact programme cannot be guaranteed. Weather, glacier conditions, altitude or the condition of individual participants may require the guide to change an activity, choose a different route or stop the day early. The guiding service is still considered provided, so no refund is due solely because a planned objective was not completed.

FAQ #6 – How fit do I need to be for the mountaineering course?

You need good general fitness and experience walking for several hours. You do not need previous mountaineering experience, but you should be comfortable with sustained uphill walking and ready to spend several hours moving at altitude. The course is designed to teach the technical skills progressively; arriving physically prepared allows you to focus more on learning and less on fatigue.

Populate the form and secure your spot now!
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Mountaineering Course – Margherita hut

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Insurance

Before departure, check that your insurance policy specifically covers mountaineering, glacier travel, altitude, trip cancellation, repatriation, and personal liability. For more information, read our complete guide to mountain insurance.

WINTER

Level 1 – Explore
First freeride experiences. Controlled turns and a relaxed pace on accessible terrain.

Level 2 – Advanced
Confident skiing on ungroomed snow and able to maintain a good pace throughout the day.

Level 3 – Technical
Regular freeride experience, including on steeper terrain and in more exposed situations.


SUMMER

Level 1 – First experience
You should be comfortable with normal mountain hiking. No previous mountaineering or glacier experience is required.

Level 2 – Basic experience
You should already have completed hikes of several hours on mountain trails. Previous glacier experience or use of crampons is not required, but you should be ready to use them for the first time.

Level 3 – Mountaineering experience
Previous experience using crampons and travelling roped together on a glacier is required. The route may include short exposed sections.

Level 4 – Advanced experience
Solid experience using crampons and travelling roped together is required. The route may include exposed ridges, steep slopes and mixed terrain.

Level 5 – Experienced mountaineer
Strong experience on technical high-mountain routes is required. The route may include very exposed sections, climbing on rock, ice or mixed terrain, and may require knowledge of the main rope techniques.

The level indicates the technical experience required, not the physical effort.
The actual difficulty may vary depending on mountain conditions and the route.