Skip to main content

Cogne ice climbing camp – Level 1

Introductory 5 day course in Cogne, the capital of ice climbing. A highly instructional course, ideal for beginners and intermediates. Your UIAGM mountain guide will make sure that you do a lot of great climbing, learn new skills and have a good time!

COMPREHENSIVE COURSE

This course is highly instructional & covers all basic ice climbing techniques & safety skills.

LOCATION

The Cogne Valley is ice climbing paradise with fantastic ice falls for climbers of all levels.

ACCOMMODATION

This course includes 4 nights in a hotel in Cogne (shared accommodation on half board basis).

INTRODUCTORY 5 DAY COURSE ICE CLIMBING IN COGNE – IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS

The Cogne valley

Cogne is a world-class area when it comes to ice climbing. Located in Italy, 1.5 hours drive from Chamonix; Cogne offers stunning ice falls of all grades in a beautiful and wild environment.

There are two valleys to choose from in Cogne; the Valnontey and Lillaz, both of which have an amazing quantity of ice routes. There are over 130 routes in Cogne, ranging from as easy as grade 2 going up to the expert grade of 6.

This 5 day ice climbing course is set in Lillaz, a picturesque village at the end of the Cogne valley. You will stay in a comfortable hotel where you will enjoy delicious Italian cuisine for breakfast and dinner. Don’t miss out on the hot chocolate – a drink that has entirely new meaning in Italy!

Our Course

The goal of our 5 day ice climbing course is to teach you all the essential rope and climbing techniques, build your confidence in climbing on ice and lead you to climb routes that you would never normally attempt without a mountain guide. The days are intense and packed with tuition and single-pitch / multi-pitch ice climbing. The length and difficulty of the routes will be chosen accordingly to your skills and fitness level.

Our UIAGM Mountain Guides will be present at all times during the course to ensure your safety and teach you the best ice climbing techniques. The idea of our introductory ice climbing course is to climb these fantastic ice falls without destroying them! So the right technique to anchor your ice axes and crampons is the most important thing.

Your group will be divided into climbing teams of two, and each team will be led by a qualified UIAGM Mountain guide. There will be an emphasis on teaching basic ice climbing skills, using crampons and ice axes and improving technique with routes from French ice grade 3-5.

If you do not have 5 days to spare then we recommend doing our 3 day ice climbing course in Chamonix. If you already have some ice climbing experience and want to broaden your skills then our Winter Alpine Course will take you to the next level of mixed rock and ice climbing in the high mountains and glaciers of the Chamonix valley.

Course dates

Do not hesitate to contact us if our existing course dates are not convenient for you. We will be happy to customise a set of dates according to your holiday plans. He best time of year is from late December until February (depending on conditions).

Ratio & Group size

There will me maximum 4 participants per guide on day 1, and 2 participants per guide for the rest of the course. We accept maximum 4 participants per course / group.

From: 2590 €

Beginner

You have no previous experience in ice climbing and you have never used crampons and ice axes before. You may have some basic rock / indoor climbing experience.
  • Fitness level 3/5
  • Groups of 4 maximum
  • 5 days of climbing
  • Available December – February
  • 4 nights in a hotel
Top of the first pitch, Ice climbing camp, Cogne, Chamonix Experience
Ice climbing technique practice on the Cogne ice climbing camp
Ice climbing camp in Cogne, Chamonix experience
Ice climbing camp in Cogne
Fantastic ice pitch in Cogne, Italy
Ice climbing course practicing the climbing techniques
Ice climbing course in Cogne
Ice climbing course in Cogne, Italy
Octavio on a snowy ice climb in Cogne
Ice climbing technique practice on the Cogne ice climbing camp
Ice climbing camp in Cogne, Chamonix experience
Ice climbing camp in Cogne

Dates

Cogne ice climbing camp – Level 1
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 16 December 2024
Friday 20 December 2024
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 23 December 2024
Friday 27 December 2024
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 30 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 6 January 2025
Friday 10 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Guaranteed
2590 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 24 February 2025
Friday 28 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €

Dates

Cogne ice climbing camp – Level 1
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 16 December 2024
Friday 20 December 2024
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 23 December 2024
Friday 27 December 2024
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 30 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 6 January 2025
Friday 10 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Guaranteed
2590 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Monday 24 February 2025
Friday 28 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2590 €
Clothing
Mountaineering boots
Clothing
Warm hat
Clothing
Thermal underwear
Clothing
Fleece or woollen layers
Clothing
Light puffer jacket
Clothing
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Clothing
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Clothing
Warm gloves
Clothing
Gaiters
Technical gear
Belay jacket – warm puffer jacket that fits over your layers
Technical gear
Climbing harness
Technical gear
Telescopic poles
Technical gear
Screwgate carabiner x3
Technical gear
Belay device
Technical gear
Climbing helmet
Technical gear
Snowshoes
Technical gear
35 – 45 litres rucksack
Technical gear
Pair of technical ice axes
Technical gear
Ice climbing crampons
Technical gear
Lanyard
Safety Equipment
Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
Other essentials
Sunglasses
Other essentials
Water bottle – Ideally two 1L bottles
Other essentials
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Other essentials
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Other essentials
Washbag and toiletries
Included in price

Guide Fees

5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.

Accommodation (half board)

4 nights in a hotel in Cogne. Accommodation is on shared basis with breakfast and dinner.

Transport

Return transport from Chamonix to Italy.

Group Equipment

Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.

Office Support

Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.

Not included in price

Personal Equipment

Please see the “Equipment” tab to find out what you will need on this trip / course.  For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list.

Accommodation in Chamonix

Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.

Travel to Chamonix

The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.

Insurance

Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). We highly advice to have a policy covering the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

Food & Drink

The price does not include lunch or snacks. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours.