What Is an IFMGA Mountain Guide? IFMGA, UIAGM & IVBV Explained

Short answer: IFMGA, UIAGM and IVBV are the English, French and German names of the same organisation, the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. A guide with this certification holds the highest international standard in mountain guiding, trained to lead clients on rock, ice, glaciers and skis.

IFMGA, UIAGM, IVBV: one qualification, three names

• IFMGA: International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations
• UIAGM: Union Internationale des Associations de Guides de Montagnes
• IVBV: Internationale Vereinigung der Bergführerverbände

You will see all three on guide websites and badges in the Alps. They mean the same thing. The federation brings together national mountain guide associations and sets a common standard for how guides are trained, assessed and certified, so a certified guide meets the same standard whichever member country they come from.

How guides qualify

Becoming an IFMGA mountain guide takes years. According to the IFMGA's training and assessment standard:

• Candidates first need a documented record of at least 55 varied routes in disciplines such as rock climbing, ski touring and ice climbing, and must pass an entrance exam.
• The training is a minimum of 94 days, of which at least 84 are practical training in alpine terrain.
• It covers mixed terrain (snow, ice and rock), ski mountaineering and avalanche safety, rock climbing and rescue, theory, and country-specific training.
• Between the aspirant course and the final mountain guide course, aspirants complete at least 14 days of practical learning under the direct supervision of experienced IFMGA guides.

The result is a guide trained for the whole mountain, not just one discipline.

What is an aspirant guide?

An aspirant guide has passed the entrance exam and the aspirant course and is in the final phase of the training, working under supervision before the final assessment. Aspirants are already experienced mountaineers and skiers.

On Guidezone, an IFMGA aspirant guide sometimes leads tours they are qualified for.

Why it matters for your off-piste day

On an off-piste or ski touring day, the guide makes a long series of decisions: which slopes to ski given the avalanche bulletin and the snowpack, how to move on a glacier, when to turn around, and what to do if something goes wrong. That is exactly what the IFMGA training is built around:

• Route choice: picking terrain that matches the conditions and your group's level.
• Avalanche assessment: reading the snowpack, the weather and the terrain through the day.
• Glacier skills: roping up, crevasse awareness and crevasse rescue.
• Rescue and first aid: knowing what to do and doing it fast.

A guide decreases the risks of skiing off-piste; nobody can remove them. Off-piste skiing comes with inherent dangers, and all tours are at your own risk. We strongly advise rescue and evacuation insurance.

How to check that a guide is certified

Certified guides are members of their national mountain guide association, which is a member of the IFMGA, and they usually carry the IFMGA badge. If you are unsure, ask the guide which association they belong to. On Guidezone, you can see each guide's certification on their profile.

What to talk about with your guide before the day

A good guide will ask you a lot of questions before the day, and it helps to have the answers ready:

• What you want from the day: deep powder, big lines, a tour or simply your first off-piste turns.
• Everyone's ski level and fitness, honestly described.
• What avalanche gear you have, and whether you know how to use it. Your guide will go through it with you either way.
• Whether you have touring gear, or need to rent it.
• Your insurance: make sure it covers off-piste skiing.

On Guidezone you talk to your guide directly over WhatsApp after booking, so you can sort all of this out in advance.

How Guidezone works with IFMGA guides

Guidezone is a digital guide office: we work only with IFMGA-certified mountain guides, and partner directly with local guides in each resort. You book online, we connect you with the guide, and the guide plans the day with you. Prices are per group of one to six skiers; see our ski guide price overview. Not sure whether you need a guide or an instructor? Read mountain guide vs ski instructor for off-piste.

Ready to book? Find a guide in Verbier, Chamonix or any of our other resorts.

FAQ

What do IFMGA, UIAGM and IVBV mean?

IFMGA, UIAGM and IVBV are the English, French and German names of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. A mountain guide with this certification holds the highest international standard of mountain guiding, trained for rock, ice, glaciers and ski mountaineering. Guidezone works only with IFMGA-certified guides.

How long does it take to become an IFMGA guide?

It usually takes several years. According to the IFMGA standard, candidates need at least 55 varied routes before the entrance exam, then complete a minimum of 94 training days, at least 84 of them practical, plus at least 14 days of supervised practical learning as an aspirant before the final assessment.

Does Guidezone use certified guides?

Yes. Guidezone works only with IFMGA-certified mountain guides, the highest international standard in mountain guiding. Sometimes an IFMGA aspirant guide, in the final phase of the IFMGA training, leads tours they are qualified for. You can see each guide's certification on their Guidezone profile.