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.
This course provides an introduction to the exciting art of ice climbing on a 2-day weekend course.
You can arrive Friday night into Chamonix, then travel through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Cogne, Italy to climb Saturday and Sunday on some outstanding introductory-level ice climbing areas! You have the flexibility to adapt the programme to cater to your preferences so first timers can approach the weekend as a learning experience, or if you are already an ice climber, your guide can lead you up some of the classics or help you progress to leading.
Cogne in Aosta, Italy enjoys the luxury of easily accessible venues with an array of absolutely classic routes at an appropriate grade.
Following the initial period of skill development, you will get to ascend a classic multi pitch route as a finale to your weekend.
Enjoy the vibrant evening life in Chamonix on Friday night, climb for 2 days in Cogne then catch a flight home Sunday night after your second big day out climbing.
We operate on a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio so you have the full attention of your guide so you can make the most of your weekend which is preferable to the large group approach as you get so much more achieved in your action packed weekend.
- Weekend course
- Hotel based ice climbing
- Learn from and be guided by the professionals
Climbing Ability
Climbing Ability
Any
Elevation
Elevation
1,534m/5,033ft
Duration
Duration
2 days
Location
Location
Italy
Arrive into Chamonix. Hotel night
Your guide will meet you at 8:00am at the hotel for a briefing and to discuss the activities for the course. After organising your equipment hire and climbing gear, we drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy and spend the day climbing in the Cogne Valley. There are several great routes here from easy to hard so it is a perfect place to try out new techniques, and get to know how well the ice tools work. Cogne hotel night |
We spend the day climbing in the Cogne Valley before returning to Chamonix for a de-brief with your guide and departing for home in the evening |
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
Departures and Pricing
Start/End | Departing from | Quantity | Pricing | Notes | Book |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 Jan - 5 Jan 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:1 guide to climber ratio | €1,890 EUR $ | Book Now | |
3 Jan - 5 Jan 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:2 guide to climber ratio | €1,050 EUR $ | Book Now | |
10 Jan - 12 Jan 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:1 guide to climber ratio | €1,890 EUR $ | Book Now | |
10 Jan - 12 Jan 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:2 guide to climber ratio | €1,050 EUR $ | Book Now | |
17 Jan - 19 Jan 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:1 guide to climber ratio | €1,890 EUR $ | Book Now | |
17 Jan - 19 Jan 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:2 guide to climber ratio | €1,050 EUR $ | Book Now | |
24 Jan - 26 Jan 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:1 guide to climber ratio | €1,890 EUR $ | Book Now | |
24 Jan - 26 Jan 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:2 guide to climber ratio | €1,050 EUR $ | Book Now | |
31 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:1 guide to climber ratio | €1,890 EUR $ | Book Now | |
31 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 | Chamonix, France | 1:2 guide to climber ratio | €1,050 EUR $ | Book Now |
Looking for a longer trip? Book the Chamonix Cogne Ice Climbing Week
PREPARE
This 2-day course is perfect for introductory-level ice climbing, and it will be helpful for your skills progression to have done some rock climbing prior, but you do not need to have ice climbed before. If you are already an ice climber, your guide can lead you up some of the classics or help you progress to leading.
No altitude experience required.
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.
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.