PGHM · EMHM · Guides
Rescuers, guides, ski patrollers and rangers. In Chamonix, mountain rescue is done by the gendarmerie's PGHM — not the Foreign Legion.
The mountain-rescue unit of the French gendarmerie (not the Foreign Legion). Born from the 1956 Vincendon & Henry tragedy on Mont Blanc, the first specialised group was created in Chamonix on 1 November 1958. It carries out around 1,300–1,500 rescues a year in the Mont-Blanc massif. Emergency: 112 or +33 4 50 53 16 89.
Source · Checked 2026-10-15
The French Army's high-mountain school, based in Chamonix. It trained the early gendarmerie rescuers until 1988 and is one of the actors that historically took part in rescues alongside guides and the ENSA.
Source · Checked 2026-10-15
Founded in 1821, the world's oldest mountain-guide company. Its guides lead clients safely on glaciers, off-piste and summits every day.
Source · Checked 2026-10-15
The ski patrollers of each ski area: they open and secure the pistes every morning, trigger avalanches when needed and are first on scene for accidents on the slopes.
Source · Checked 2026-10-15
Chamonix's mountain safety and prevention association: up-to-date conditions, advice and prevention campaigns for everyone who goes out in the mountains.
Source · Checked 2026-10-15
Rangers of the Nature Reserves (e.g. Aiguilles Rouges, a national nature reserve since 2010 decree) protect wildlife and enforce the rules, together with the OFB, ONF and gendarmerie. Hunting is fully banned in the Aiguilles Rouges reserve.
Source · Checked 2026-10-15
Respect their work: check conditions, stay on open pistes, carry safety gear off-piste.
