LAUNCH
YOUR ICE
OBSESSION

Chamonix-Cogne Ice Climbing Week

Climbing ice waterfalls in France
Smiling woman ice climbing in Lillaz Cogne
Epic Waterfall Ice Climbing in the Cogne Valley Italy

Our Chamonix base for winter ice climbing spoils us with a variety of incredible ice climbing venues.

The duration is designed to enable you to develop good basic skills from which to launch your ice climbing obsession, should you so wish! We take you to climb some of the best ice in France and Italy where you can elect to climb anything from short one-pitch routes through to multi-pitch adventures.

The Chamonix Ice Courses are ideal for climbers who want to progress their ice climbing and enjoy the variety of routes on offer. We start off in Chamonix then travel through to Italy’s ice mecca, Cogne, for its abundance of ice climbing opportunities. This certainly is the most civilised way to climb some incredible routes.

Based from local hotels with short hikes to the start of the routes each day, you have the option to climb the plumb lines in several of the best regions or stick to one region and climb as many routes as possible in your timeframe.

You can come with a friend for 1:2 climbing with a guide, or by yourself for 1:1 climbing and decide whether to utilise the time for learning and developing your skills or you may simply want to get some routes under your belt. You’ll be surprised at how well you progress.

Read More
  • Hotel based ice climbing
  • The fast track to improving your ice climbing skills
  • Learn from and be guided by the professionals

Climbing Ability

Climbing Ability

Any

Elevation

Elevation

1,534m/5,033ft

Duration

Duration

5 days

Location

Location

Italy

CICW CURRICULUM
DAY 0
Arrive into Chamonix. Hotel night
DAY 1
The team meets at 8:00am at the hotel for a briefing. Your guide will go over the activities for the week and answer any last minute questions. After organising any gear you need to hire, we drive drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Italy to the Cogne Valley. We will find one of the many venues in the region to practice ice climbing techniques and get warmed up for the week. Overnight in Cogne Hotel
DAY 2

Although there are some very hard mixed climbs in the region such as the' X Files’; one of the first M10s climbed in 1997 by the eccentric Stevie Haston, there is also an abundance of climbs ranging from the easy training routes through to the desperates! Perhaps today you may attempt Lillaz Gully, a 200m Grade 4. Overnight in Cogne Hotel

DAY 3

Walk half an hour to attempt one of the many routes close to the hotel. There are several routes that are longer but of an easier grade, which help you to consolidate your skills without straining the body too much. Overnight in Cogne Hotel

DAY 4

Perhaps today you may tackle a route such as Patri Classica, a divine 4 pitch route that flows up a series of walls culminating in a stunning last pitch. The trail to the base follows the Valnontey Valley for just over an hour to the base, so you are well warmed up when you arrive. Overnight in Cogne Hotel

DAY 5

Today you will enjoy our last climbs in Cogne Valley before driving back to Chamonix late in the afternoon. Perhaps you will be leading something you have had your eye on to finish the week off on! Perhaps you may decide to climb Cold Couloir, one of the most famous long routes (400m, Grade 4+). Finally it is time to pack up the kit and return to Chamonix. Chamonix hotel night and time to celebrate a great week on the ice

DAY 6

Breakfast and a chance to exchange photos, before departing for home

NOTE

The programme may be subject to change if conditions are more suitable in another region or factors such as weather to lift service precludes access into this region. If this option was to incur additional costs your guide will discuss the options with you prior to any commitment being made

Cogne Map

Departures and Pricing

Note: Dates are subject to change due to many factors out of our control
Start/End Pricing Book
29 Dec - 4 Jan 2025 €4,610 EUR $ Book Now
29 Dec - 4 Jan 2025 €2,520 EUR $ Book Now
5 Jan - 11 Jan 2025 €4,610 EUR $ Book Now
5 Jan - 11 Jan 2025 €2,520 EUR $ Book Now
12 Jan - 18 Jan 2025 €4,610 EUR $ Book Now
12 Jan - 18 Jan 2025 €2,520 EUR $ Book Now
19 Jan - 25 Jan 2025 €4,610 EUR $ Book Now
19 Jan - 25 Jan 2025 €2,520 EUR $ Book Now
26 Jan - 1 Feb 2025 €4,610 EUR $ Book Now
26 Jan - 1 Feb 2025 €2,520 EUR $ Book Now
2 Feb - 8 Feb 2025 €4,610 EUR $ Book Now
2 Feb - 8 Feb 2025 €2,520 EUR $ Book Now
9 Feb - 15 Feb 2025 €4,610 EUR $ Book Now
9 Feb - 15 Feb 2025 €2,520 EUR $ Book Now
16 Feb - 22 Feb 2025 €4,610 EUR $ Book Now
16 Feb - 22 Feb 2025 €2,520 EUR $ Book Now

Prefer a shorter trip? Book our Cogne Ice Climbing Weekend

PREPARE

Fitness

To make the most of your climbing experience we encourage you to work on your fitness prior to the trip. For general mountain fitness you will find that training on hills with a 10kg + pack on is the best preparation for the mountains, with the aim of building your endurance. Ice climbing does require an amount of upper body fitness so time at the rock gym will help get you honed for the ice. Your guide will be attuned to your fitness levels and will select appropriate routes for your ability. See our Fitness Training Programs for information on how we can help you prepare for your trip.

Technical Experience

The 5 day course is designed for people who are new to ice climbing and always wanted to give it a try. The duration of the course is designed to enable you to develop good basic skills from which to launch your ice climbing obsession, should you so wish!

A climber approaches the top of a huge frozen waterfall
Why Adventure Consultants?

We offer focused guide attention to ensure consistency across the program. Whilst other operators combine you with large groups on training days we know your safety will be better protected and the learning progressions will be enhanced with the attentive care of your guide and smaller guide to climber ratios.

Adventure Consultants guides are BMG/NZMGA and / or IFMGA-UIAGM qualified mountain guides. They are professional mountaineers and operate to the highest industry standards. Being a technically proficient climber alone is not enough to work with us; our standards demand that trip leaders are great guides as well. You will find your guide friendly, approachable and focused on providing a safe and enjoyable trip in line with your objectives and comfort level.

Success with the highest margin of care is always a hallmark of our approach; promoting the realisation that even extreme pursuits such as high altitude mountaineering can be undertaken safely.

Adventure Consultants only employs IFMGA qualified guides for European ascents and courses and this is the only certification that is recognised in the French Alps. In order to gain these qualifications guides must undergo rigorous training and assessment on climbing skills, instructional skills, avalanche training and assessment, wilderness first aid, rescue training and much more. The qualification takes many years to attain and ensures you are getting a world class professional service.

Ice climber in Cogne with big smile
Inclusions

The price of your trip includes the following:

  • Qualified mountain guide
  • Group technical equipment
  • Hotel accommodation on a B&B basis in Chamonix and on a half board basis in Cogne
  • Local ground transport as per the scheduled itinerary
  • Breakfasts during the course
  • Evening meals during hotel nights in Cogne.
The size of the frozen waterfalls brought into perspective by a tiny climber mid way up the climb

One week of ice climbing will be very beneficial to your technical skills. As well as being extremely good fun!

GALLERY
Climbers belay from the base of a frozen waterfall

Our teaching venues are perfect for instruction and training.

A climber framed by frozen ice on Antares Val Savaranche

Frozen waterfalls and spectacular ice formations, is there a more spectacular playground?

Our Guides
Sandy Allan
View Profile
IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide
Jo Clark
View Profile
Europe Liaison
Gabriel Mazur
View Profile
Europe Operations Coordinator/ IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide
Blow SL

"I really enjoyed this course and got SO much out of it. AC was awesome – professional and informative!"

Andrew Quinn, New Zealand
Flip 2 SL

"The support from the team at the office, the quality guides and the itinerary for each trip (providing ample acclimatization period before summit) always make me come back. On the trips, AC offers a good balance of climbing expertise and a concern for safety along with lots of fun and a bit of luxury."

Heidi Rockwood, United States
P1100616 Guy Cotter

"AC did a wonderful job. I'd 100% recommend them to anyone looking for an accommodating and professional experience."

Spencer Hall, United States
Ladder crossing on Island Peak summit day

Take your climbing to the next level and head to the Himalaya! Join an AC 6,000m peak expedition to climb Island Peak or the Three Peaks Nepal!

WHAT NEXT?
DISPATCHES
Aconcagua #1 2024/25
November 29 2024
Join us for the first of our 2024/25 southern summer expeditions to climb South America's highest peak, Aconcagua (6,962m/22,840ft). Read More
Three Peaks Nepal 2024
November 02 2024
Follow dispatches, news and updates from Adventure Consultants' Three Peaks Nepal Expedition 2024, as the team climbs Lobuche East, Pokalde & Island Peak. Read More
Island Peak & Khumbu Trek #2 2024
October 14 2024
Follow our Island Peak and Khumbu Trek #2 teams as they journey through the spectacular Khumbu Valley to Everest Base Camp and Island Peak... Read More
Enquire Now