Guiding since 2009 from the sea cliffs of Cornwall, to Himalyan Peaks and Alpine climbs

Our friendly team of instructors and guides are passionate about being in the mountains and have a lifetime of experience to pass on to you during your trip. They are trained and qualified to the highest standards so you are in safe hands. Here are some of our main team

 
 
 

Vertical Frontiers Instructors and Mountain Guides

Our passion for Climbing, Mountaineering and Skiing  is evident and is an essential part of the business. The guides who make up our team strive to provide a safe, educational and fun day. Vertical Frontiers has been taking clients on mountain adventures since 2009, from the sea cliffs of Cornwall, to Himalayan peaks and Alpine climbs.

Ben Bradford

IFMGA Mountain guide – Owner and Director of Vertical Frontiers Ltd

Ben lives and works in the alps year round, guiding regular and new clients on a variety of projects and peaks.

Originally from south-west England, Ben started instructing at outdoor activity centres including kayaking, sailing and other water sports in the late 1990’s. After specialising in rock climbing and mountaineering he started guiding on expeditions around the world on many six and seven thousand meter peaks. A passionate ski tourer and ski mountaineer in the winter, and trail runner in the summer competing in both.

Ben qualified as an IFMGA mountain guide in 2014 and has been guiding in Chamonix since then. After moving to Chamonix, endurance events have become a bit of a obsession. Competing for team GB in various ski mountaineering events, and consistently placing in the elite field on international trail running events of 100km – 160km around the alps.

Since 2024, Ben has been involved in coaching, including on trail running training camps and for the GB skimo team.

Matt Knapp

UK Rock Climbing and Mountaineering Instructor

A keen climber, mountaineer, skier and runner, Matt has been working in the outdoor education industry since leaving the Royal Marines.

For a few years Matt lived in the southern French Alps during the winters, returning to Devon in the summer to work and enjoy the UK trad climbing in the south-west. Now based on the edge of Dartmoor year round, he is “forced” to make the odd pilgramage to La Grave or Chamonix just to keep his hand in.

Matt works on our courses and trips in the south-west and Scotland. He holds the highest Climbing and Mountaineering qualification in the UK scheme – MIC.

Alastair Swinton

IFMGA Mountain Guide

Ally is an IFMGA Mountain Guide based in France.

Ally is a British IFMGA mountain guide been based in Chamonix and is a core member of our guiding team both in summer and winter. You will find him guiding on Mont Blanc weeks, Matterhorn and Eiger trips as well as alpine skills courses during the season.

In winter Ally guides on our off piste days as well as ski touring on multi day trips.

Ally was born in Fife in Scotland and learnt the essential skills for skiing and climbing from his father; then at the age of 20, moved to Chamonix where he has lived ever since. Living in the Alps allowed him to develop a broad range of skills to access the mountains, ultimately leading to a career in guiding.

Booking & Enquiry Process

• Browse the scheduled trips above and click View Details to check dates, guide ratios, and indicative pricing.

• Depending on the trip, you can enquire about your preferred dates (so we can confirm suitability and availability) or book online with a deposit (with the balance due six weeks before departure).

• Each participant reads our Terms & Conditions and completes a short medical form (sent by email).

• Once confirmed, final meeting details and logistics are sent out ten days before your trip.

Last-Minute Bookings & Custom Dates

Call us on +33 (0) 787371926 or send us an enquiry for last-minute availability or private guiding.

Please note that indicative prices shown are subject to change and are valid for bookings made at least one month in advance. Last-minute bookings may be subject to an additional charge depending on hut or lift availability.

Google Rating
5.0 ★★★★★ Based on 87
Reviews
@verticalfrontiers
New for 2027: ski touring in Western Finnmark, Norway. From 9–16 May, six days of ski touring among the mountains and fjords.

New for 2027: ski touring in Western Finnmark, Norway. From 9–16 May, six days of ski touring among the mountains and fjords.

 Not every day in the mountains needs to involve a 4,000m summit or a huge objective — classic rock & alpine ridges around Chamonix.

Not every day in the mountains needs to involve a 4,000m summit or a huge objective — classic rock & alpine ridges around Chamonix.

 Guiding the Grand Combin traverse, taking in all three summits in superb high-alpine conditions.

Guiding the Grand Combin traverse, taking in all three summits in superb high-alpine conditions.

 Dent de Tsalion and Aiguille de la Tsa — a brilliant day on steep Arolla granite.

Dent de Tsalion and Aiguille de la Tsa — a brilliant day on steep Arolla granite.

 Summit day on the Matterhorn — classic alpine mountaineering on one of the iconic peaks of the Alps.

Summit day on the Matterhorn — classic alpine mountaineering on one of the iconic peaks of the Alps.

 An early alpine start and a Gran Paradiso ascent in crisp late-summer conditions.

An early alpine start and a Gran Paradiso ascent in crisp late-summer conditions.
+33 (0) 787371926

We are open for enquires 7 days a week all year, we check and respond to emails once a day during the high season

email@verticalfrontiers.com
GET IN TOUCH  ›