There’s more to the mountains than skiing and hiking! From one season to the next, they offer a varied range of outdoor activities, many of them thrilling and spectacular.
Climbing, for example, is becoming increasingly popular, both indoors and out. And this sport is not just for experts! Climbing makes a perfect family activity that you can try in the glorious setting of the Alps.
On a beautiful spring day, we plucked up courage and went to meet the mountain guides at Le Grand-Bornand, for an unforgettable rock climbing session in the Alps. Here’s what we discovered…
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Introduction to rock climbing in the Alps
Why try rock climbing?
Climbing consists of scaling rock faces (or artificial walls indoors) using your hands and feet, while staying safe at all times. The sport has become much more popular in recent years, with routes of varying difficulty available to people of all ages and abilities.
This all-round physical activity develops strength, flexibility and endurance by working the muscles of the arms, legs, stomach and back. It improves balance and agility while teaching climbers to manage their energy to avoid fatigue.
Climbing also stimulates concentration and strategy and challenges participants to test their limits. When practised outdoors, contact with nature reduces stress, stimulates creativity and even improves memory.
Introducing La Compagnie des Guides des Aravis
The Compagnie des Guides des Aravis is an association of mountain professionals, all of whom hold a state diploma in mountaineering and high-mountain guiding. The association is also a member of the International Union of Mountain Guides.
The association has offices in Le Grand-Bornand, Thônes and La Clusaz. All the guides are local residents who love the Aravis region and know it inside out. They are happy to share their favourite spots, some of which are not known to the general public.
Good to know: There are eight mountain guide companies in the Alps, the oldest of which is Chamonix, founded in 1821.
The experience of our team
Here’s what several members of our team had to say after climbing in the Alps with the Guides du Grand-Bornand…
Overcoming the fear of heights: a challenge open to all
“I’d only tried rock climbing once before, in the Calanques near Marseille, last year. I was with a friend who explained the basics to me, but I didn’t manage to climb very high because to get back down, you have to have real confidence in the equipment and be able to lean backwards into the void. That stopped me in my tracks.
This time, our guide, Gaël, gave me a few exercises to do beforehand so that I could get used to the feeling of leaning back. He also started us off on easy routes, and all that helped me a lot. I managed to climb to the top of several routes and that feeling of progress after overcoming a huge fear of heights was great!”
— Raphaële
Fearless children: a family adventure
“We really enjoyed our sporty morning in Le Grand-Bornand, surrounded by some magnificent scenery! The children, aged 7 and 8, were able to climb the cliffs in complete safety, guided by Gaël, who adapted his advice and encouragement to suit each child.
Victor, Matéo and Julien also learnt a lot about the equipment used, the different routes and the technique for belaying their friends.
With professional supervision, the children managed to overcome their fear and surpass themselves. They went home very proud of their exploits, with their heads full of memories!”
— Julia, Victor, Matéo and Julien
From bouldering to climbing cliffs: discovering new thrills
“I’ve been bouldering regularly for several months now, but I’d never tried climbing outdoors before. The experience is really different at different levels.
The height was pretty impressive and the descent isn’t easy, even if you’re not afraid of heights. You can give free rein to your ideas, climbing how you want to rather than following a set route.
My favourite part was reaching the end of the line and resting to admire the magnificent view of the Aravis mountain range. That’s the biggest difference from bouldering: being able to enjoy the fresh air, the views and the good weather.”
— Capucine
A challenge for the more experienced: improve your skills
“We spent a superb morning on the cliffs of Le Grand-Bornand with our guide Gaël, a passionate and competent professional.
I climbed a lot of routes when I was younger, so I have a good grounding. Gaël was able to adapt the choice of routes to increase the challenge, while making sure that everyone felt confident enough to climb together and in good spirits. I was able to work on my positioning and benefit from Gaël’s advice and knowledge of the region.”
— Natasha
Why go rock climbing in the Alps?
Accessibility and a great choice of sites
The Alps offer an incredible variety of climbing sites for all levels of ability and endurance.
With cliffs over 1,000m high, Orpierre in the Hautes-Alpes is known as the “climbing village”. Freissinières, in the Briançonnais region, is ideal for spring climbing, while the boulders of Ailefroide and the 400 routes in Céüse are ideal for summer climbing.
The more experienced climbers will enjoy the unspoilt scenery of the Mercantour National Park, while the Méolans site offers easy access and an exceptional experience.
A little further north, you’ll get a taste of the extreme in the high mountains of the Écrins National Park, the Haute Tarentaise and the Aravis.
Professional supervision and safety
Whatever your experience of rock climbing, it’s important to follow strict safety rules. That’s why it’s best to work with qualified mountain guides.
Your guide will give you a complete introduction: learning knots, belay techniques, abseiling or top-roping, and mastery of climbing techniques. This advice ensures that climbing is safe and supervised for all levels.
The La Culaz site in Chinaillon is the perfect place for beginners and those with little experience. With routes ranging from a few metres to around 20m high, we were all able to build our confidence in a friendly atmosphere.
Natural beauty and breathtaking scenery
Climbing in the great outdoors gives you a front-row seat to the beauty of nature. Rock climbing in the Alps not only lets you enjoy the benefits of the mountain air, it also gives you the chance to get up high and admire the splendour of the landscape.
By explaining what he loves about his job and sharing his knowledge with us, our guide Gaël passed on his love of the region. And despite our safety harnesses, we also gained an awareness of our true place in the universe…
Practical advice for your climbing session
Spring and autumn – the best times to climb in the Alps
Spring and autumn offer the best conditions for rock climbing in the Alps, with mild temperatures, clear skies, fewer crowds and excellent grip on the rock. September is particularly recommended, as the cooler temperatures improve grip, enabling you to tackle more difficult routes with confidence.
In summer, seek out the cooler conditions at high-altitude sites while avoiding the hottest hours and staying well hydrated. It’s a unique and memorable experience, even for experienced climbers!
Good to know: It is also possible to climb icefalls in winter, with suitable equipment.
The right equipment
If you’re heading out for a day’s climbing, opt for light clothing such as shorts or leggings, sports shoes for getting to the crag and climbing shoes, and an extra layer or windproof jacket in case of a breeze. You should also bring water, a snack (fruit or a protein bar) and sun cream.
All essential technical equipment, including helmet, harness and ropes, is provided by the support team.
Safety advice
If you are properly supervised, the essentials are already covered. Remember, though, that this is an intense activity that requires you to be in excellent physical condition. Don’t take any risks if you’re pregnant, ill or suffering from pain. It is also advisable to take out insurance to cover this type of activity.
Finally, we can’t talk about rock climbing in the Alps without mentioning the environment. Be careful to minimise your impact on the flora and fauna by following local recommendations, such as not climbing on fragile rock or in prohibited areas.
Conclusion
Invitation to try climbing with La Compagnie des Guides des Aravis
If this article has inspired you to try family climbing on your next trip to the Alps, get in touch with La Compagnie des Guides des Aravis.
Their professional guides will be able to give you the support and advice you need to make the most of your adventure. If you’re a beginner, they’ll help you build confidence, and if you’re already experienced, they’ll teach you new techniques.
Good to know: The Compagnie des Guides also offers a wide range of other activities, including canyoning, via ferrata, several types of hiking, and skiing across the famous Vallée Blanche, in the heart of the Chamonix peaks.
How to book and prepare for your own adventure
You can book your rock climbing trip online, on the official website of Les Guides du Grand-Bornand:
We advise you to book your session at the beginning of your holiday, in case of postponement due to bad weather.
Our morning of climbing in the Aravis mountains was unforgettable, both for those of us who were just starting out and for those who already had some experience in the discipline. We felt perfectly safe and were able to appreciate the effort of the activity and the beauty of the natural surroundings. Some of us even discovered a new passion!
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