Chamonix · Mont Blanc massif · The wider Alps
Meet the IFMGA mountain guides who work with LHO
This is the roster of fully certified IFMGA, UIAGM and IVBV mountain guides and aspirant guides who work with Life Happens Outdoors on Alpine mountaineering programmes. They guide primarily in Chamonix and the Mont Blanc massif, with experience across the wider Alps.
Certified professionals
26 certified guides
Each profile includes verified certification or association information.
Established with LHO
9 Veteran Guides
Fully certified guides who have worked with LHO for years.
Wider roster
17 Associate Guides
Fully certified guides who work with LHO regularly, seasonally or intermittently, including newer roster members.
What this page shows
The qualified guides behind your LHO programme
Every guide in the main roster is a fully certified professional mountain guide with public credential or national association evidence. Veteran Guides have worked with LHO for years. Associate Guides work with LHO regularly, seasonally or intermittently, and include newer members of the roster.
Three Aspirant Guides are listed separately. They work under fully certified guides and only within the permissions of their training stage and operating jurisdiction.
Where they guide
Chamonix expertise across the Alps
The roster works primarily in Chamonix and the Mont Blanc massif. Guides also work in the Vanoise and Écrins massifs in France, the Valais and Bernese Oberland in Switzerland, and the Valle d’Aosta, Dolomites and Piemonte in Italy.
LHO matches each programme with the right qualification, terrain experience, local knowledge, communication and guest care.
The certified roster
The certified mountain guides who work with LHO
Each profile sets out the guide’s qualification, issuing association or national body, nationality when verified, professional base, published experience and relationship with LHO. The category at the top of each profile shows whether the guide is part of LHO’s Veteran or Associate roster.
LHO Veteran Guide
Grégoire Sauget
- Qualification: Guide de Haute Montagne
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Professional base: La Palud-sur-Verdon / French Alps
Grégoire’s professional work includes Alpine guiding and programme planning. He has led LHO Mont Blanc and private Alpine work, bringing technical judgement and practical programme experience to the Chamonix roster.
LHO Veteran Guide
Frédéric Degoulet
- Qualification: Guide de Haute Montagne
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Nationality: French
- Professional base: Chamonix
Frédéric is a guide based in Chamonix and alpinist whose record includes major Himalayan new routes and a 2018 Piolet d’Or. He has worked with LHO on Mont Blanc and Matterhorn programmes, including lead guide responsibilities.
LHO Veteran Guide
Charalampos “Babis” Marinidis
- Qualification: IFMGA / UIAGM / IVBV Mountain Guide
- Association or national body: HMGA / EEMGA · Greece
- Nationality: Greek
- Professional base: Litochoro and Chamonix
- Public number: EEMGA-G1-003
Babis works between Litochoro and Chamonix across alpine and ski terrain. He has guided LHO Mont Blanc programmes and belongs to EEMGA’s first fully qualified IFMGA generation.
LHO Veteran Guide
David Brouquisse
- Qualification: Guide de Haute Montagne
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Professional base: Grenoble area
David’s professional background combines high mountain guiding, engineering and mountain sports training. He has worked with LHO on Mont Blanc programmes in both paid and summit guide roles.
LHO Veteran Guide
Pavlos Tsiantos
- Qualification: IFMGA Mountain Guide · trained at ENSA
- Association or national body: HMGA / EEMGA · Greece
- Nationality: Greek
- Professional base: Greece / international Alpine work
- Public number: EEMGA-G1-013
Pavlos is president of the Hellenic Mountain Guides Association and part of EEMGA’s first IFMGA generation. He has guided LHO Mont Blanc programming and brings an approach shaped by education and professional standards to technical mountain work.
LHO Veteran Guide
Lucia Guichot Martín
- Qualification: IFMGA Mountain Guide
- Association or national body: Spanish professional pathway
- Nationality: Spanish
Lucia is a guide from Madrid with experience in rock climbing, alpinism and expeditions. She has worked with LHO on Mont Blanc programmes and features in LHO’s editorial guidance on selecting the right mountain guide.
LHO Associate Guide
Jean-Benoit Hugeux
- Qualification: IFMGA / UIAGM High Mountain Guide
- Association or national body: French professional pathway · Ski instructor
- Professional base: French Alps
Raised around Briançon, Jean-Benoit has a background in climbing, technical alpinism and skiing. He has worked with LHO on Mont Blanc and Matterhorn programmes in summit guide and lead guide roles.
LHO Associate Guide
Antoine Bertaud
- Qualification: Certified IFMGA Guide
- Association or national body: SNGM · France
- Professional base: Briançon
Antoine is publicly listed as a certified IFMGA guide through the French SNGM. He works with LHO in Chamonix; further biography, languages and preferred specialisms are being collected directly.
LHO Associate Guide
Neil Brodie
- Qualification: IFMGA / UIAGM Mountain Guide · Qualified 1999
- Association or national body: ENSA professional pathway · France
- Nationality: British / Scottish
- Professional base: French Alps
Born in Glasgow and based in France, Neil has decades of Alpine and expedition experience, including work on ENSA training staff. He works with LHO in Chamonix and brings long familiarity with French guiding practice.
LHO Veteran Guide
François-Xavier Woestelandt
- Qualification: IFMGA Mountain Guide · ENSA 2012 to 2016
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Nationality: French
- Professional base: Grenoble / French Alps
François-Xavier has Alpine, ski and international guiding experience. He has worked in lead and supporting roles on LHO Mont Blanc and Matterhorn programmes.
LHO Associate Guide
Yann Grava
- Qualification: Guide de Haute Montagne
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Professional base: French Alps
Yann’s work covers alpinism, skiing and major mountain objectives. He has guided LHO Matterhorn programming and remains part of the Chamonix mountaineering community.
LHO Associate Guide
Maksim Sotnik
- Qualification: IFMGA Mountain Guide · Qualified 2022
- Association or national body: Kyrgyz Mountain Guides Association
- Nationality: Russian
- Professional base: Chamonix
Maksim is a guide based in Chamonix whose work spans alpinism, skiing and major Alpine objectives. He has worked on LHO Mont Blanc and Matterhorn programming.
LHO Associate Guide
Tim “Kel” Rossiter
- Qualification: AMGA / IFMGA Mountain Guide
- Association or national body: American Mountain Guides Association
- Nationality: American
- Professional base: United States / Europe
Kel is a guiding company owner and instructor working across rock, alpine and ski disciplines in the United States and Europe. He works with LHO in Chamonix and brings a strong instructional element to technical guiding.
LHO Associate Guide
Guy Steven
- Qualification: IFMGA Mountain Guide · Qualified 2018
- Association or national body: British Mountain Guides
- Nationality: British
- Professional base: Scotland / Alpine work
Guy combines IFMGA status with UK instructional credentials and experience in Scottish and Alpine terrain. He works with LHO in Chamonix on programmes where adaptable judgement and clear communication matter.
LHO Associate Guide
Kathy Murphy
- Qualification: IFMGA Mountain Guide
- Association or national body: British Mountain Guides
- Nationality: British
Kathy has Alpine, ski and expedition experience and is publicly described as the second British woman to attain IFMGA status. She works with LHO on private mountain programming.
LHO Associate Guide
John McCune
- Qualification: IFMGA Mountain Guide · Qualified 2016
- Association or national body: British Mountain Guides
- Nationality: British / Northern Irish
- Professional base: Chamonix area
Originally from Newry, John works across alpine climbing, rock and ski terrain. He guided an LHO client on the Eiger’s Mittellegi Ridge and has also worked on LHO Matterhorn programming.
LHO Veteran Guide
Jehan-Roland Guillot
- Qualification: Guide de Haute Montagne
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Professional base: French Alps
Jehan-Roland has more than two decades of professional experience, including a background in the French national alpinism team and ice climbing coaching. He has guided LHO Mont Blanc programmes, including completed summit work.
LHO Veteran Guide
Philippe Legier
- Qualification: Guide de Haute Montagne · Guiding since 1991
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Professional base: Verdon / French Alps
Philippe is a highly experienced guide associated with the Verdon, with experience across rock, alpine and ski terrain. His LHO work includes Mont Blanc and mixed alpinism programming.
LHO Associate Guide
Julien Marie
- Qualification: IFMGA / UIAGM Mountain Guide · Qualified 2013
- Association or national body: French professional pathway · Ski instructor
- Professional base: French Alps / international ski work
Julien’s professional profile centres on freeride skiing, ski touring and alpinism. He has guided completed LHO programmes and continues to support Chamonix operations.
LHO Associate Guide
Jarmo “Jobo” Metsäkoivu
- Qualification: IFMGA Mountain Guide
- Association or national body: SBO · Sweden
- Nationality: Finnish
- Professional base: Chamonix / Les Houches
Originally from Rovaniemi, Jarmo works across alpinism, skiing, ski touring and trail running. His relationship with LHO includes Chamonix event guiding.
LHO Associate Guide
Jody Laoureux
- Qualification: UIAGM High Mountain Guide
- Association or national body: French professional pathway
- Professional base: France / Alpine work
Jody’s professional work spans alpine climbing, ice, rock and ski objectives. He works with LHO on Chamonix mountain programming.
LHO Associate Guide
Benoît Profit
- Qualification: Certified IFMGA Guide · Qualified 1995
- Association or national body: SNGM · France
- Nationality: French
- Professional base: France
Benoît is a former GMHM member, sophrologist and coach whose guiding approach emphasises communication, risk management and the relationship within a rope team. He works with LHO under Mountaineering.
LHO Associate Guide
Pierre-Idris “Pim” Mehdi
- Qualification: Guide de Haute Montagne
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Nationality: French
- Professional base: Les Houches / Chamonix
Pim is a guide from the Chamonix area and steep skier with a background spanning skiing, climbing and technical alpinism. He is associated with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix and works with LHO in the valley.
LHO Associate Guide
Clément Carpentier
- Qualification: Certified IFMGA Guide
- Association or national body: Active SNGM member · France
- Professional base: Cervières / French Alps
Clément’s public work includes teaching mountaineers greater autonomy on snow, ice and rock. He works with LHO in Chamonix as part of the Mountaineering roster.
LHO Associate Guide
Alexander Nordvall
- Qualification: IFMGA / UIAGM / IVBV Mountain Guide
- Association or national body: SBO · Sweden
- Nationality: Swedish
- Professional base: Romsdalen, Norway
Raised in Gällivare above the Arctic Circle, Alexander specialises in skiing, ice climbing, alpine climbing and rock. He is now based in Romsdalen and works with LHO in Chamonix.
LHO Associate Guide
Alberto Ciannamea
- Qualification: UIAGM Mountain and Ski Guide · Registered 2017
- Association or national body: Valle d’Aosta professional register · Italy
- Nationality: Italian
- Professional base: Champoluc and Ayas / Monte Rosa
- Public number: Professional register no. 308
Alberto works across summer mountaineering, skiing and freeride from the Monte Rosa area. He works with LHO in Chamonix and brings substantial Champoluc and Ayas experience to the roster.
In qualification
LHO Aspirant Guides
Aspirants are still completing recognised national training pathways. They are not yet fully qualified IFMGA guides and work only within the scope permitted by their training stage and operating jurisdiction.
Aspirant guide · 01
Jack Thompsett
- Current status: BMG trainee / aspirant pathway
- Association or national body: British Mountain Guides
- Nationality: British
- Professional base: North Wales / seasonal Alpine work
Jack is progressing through the BMG pathway, with experience in rock climbing, Scottish winter mountaineering and ski touring. He works with LHO only within the permissions of his current training stage.
Aspirant guide · 02
Freja Shannon
- Current status: Aspirant mountain guide / SBO candidate
- Association or national body: SBO · Sweden
- Nationality: Swedish and Irish
- Professional base: Alps and Scandinavia
Freja’s climbing spans rock, ice, mixed terrain and ski mountaineering in the Alps and Scandinavia. She works with LHO only within the permissions attached to her current training stage and jurisdiction.
Aspirant guide · 03
Rhys MacAllister
- Current status: British Mountain Guides Aspirant
- Association or national body: British Mountain Guides
- Nationality: Irish
- Professional base: Chamonix
Rhys is a BMG Aspirant based in Chamonix with a background in climbing, skiing and Alpine terrain. He works with LHO only within the permissions attached to his aspirant status.
Experience in practice
Years of Alpine guiding with LHO
Our Veteran Guides have worked with Life Happens Outdoors for years. Guests see them leading teams, teaching skills and making decisions throughout the photography on our website and across our social media.
During the 2026 Alpine season, Pavlos Tsiantos has led multiple Mont Blanc climbs, John McCune and François-Xavier Woestelandt have led Eiger climbs, and Babis Marinidis and Frédéric Degoulet have led Matterhorn climbs. These examples sit within a wider programme of Alpine ascents, private guiding, glacier travel and technical mountaineering.
A summit is never promised. This experience is reflected in preparation, acclimatisation, route selection, communication, alternatives and decisions made for the conditions on the day.
Guide assignment
How LHO assigns your mountain guide
The guide assigned to a programme depends on the objective, required guide to guest ratio, availability, season, group profile, route and current mountain conditions. A specific guide is confirmed in writing when assigned.
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
Who are the IFMGA guides working with Life Happens Outdoors in Chamonix?
LHO works with an international roster of IFMGA, UIAGM and IVBV mountain guides on its Chamonix programmes. The verified people shown here are drawn from the LHO Mountaineering roster and supported by public credential or member association evidence.
Are Life Happens Outdoors Chamonix guides IFMGA certified?
The Veteran and Associate guides in the main roster are fully qualified IFMGA, UIAGM or IVBV guides, or active members of the relevant IFMGA national association. Aspirant guides are shown separately because they are still completing the qualification.
What is an LHO Veteran Guide?
An LHO Veteran Guide is a fully certified mountain guide who has worked with Life Happens Outdoors for years and has a proven record across our Alpine programmes.
What is the difference between an IFMGA guide and an aspirant guide?
An IFMGA guide has completed the full professional qualification. An aspirant is still in the recognised training pathway and may work only within the permissions of their stage, national scheme and local jurisdiction.
How does LHO select mountain guides?
LHO looks for the right qualification and permitted scope, relevant terrain experience, local knowledge, clear communication, guest care and calm judgement. Technical ability matters, but so does the ability to explain decisions and adapt when the conditions, team or objective change.
Will one of the guides on this page lead my trip?
The page shows guides who work with LHO, but it does not guarantee a particular assignment. Final guide allocations depend on the programme, required ratio, availability, group profile, route and conditions.
Why does Chamonix and Mont Blanc experience matter?
The Mont Blanc massif combines glaciers, altitude, rock, snow, ice, complex access and rapidly changing conditions. Familiarity with the valley supports efficient planning and informed alternatives, while never replacing conservative decisions based on the actual day.
How can I verify a mountain guide’s qualification?
Ask to see the guide’s current IFMGA, UIAGM or IVBV membership card, or check the relevant national member association directory. The international badge and official membership card are the clearest verification signals.
Your next move
Plan your Alpine mountaineering programme
Start with an honest conversation about your experience, fitness and goals. Whether you are preparing for a first day on glaciated terrain or working towards Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn or another technical Alpine objective, LHO will help shape the right next step.
