Ice climbing performance course

Join us for 4 days of ice climbing in Chamonix and the Aosta Valley, combining plenty of time on the ice with expert instruction from an experienced UIAGM mountain guide.

Our goal is simple: make ice climbing safe, fun and challenging, while helping you become a more confident and capable ice climber. Your guide will share their experience and knowledge, focusing not only on climbing technique but also on route planning, rope work, safety and mountain risk management.

This Ice Climbing Performance Course in Chamonix is all about your personal progression. You will spend as much time as possible climbing on the spectacular frozen waterfalls around Chamonix and in the neighbouring Aosta Valley, while developing the skills needed to tackle more challenging routes independently.

Develop Your Ice Climbing Skills

Throughout the course, you will work on both technical climbing skills and the practical skills required to plan and safely manage an ice climbing day.

Depending on your experience and objectives, you will learn and practise:

• Improving ice axe and crampon technique.
• Moving efficiently and confidently on steep ice.
• Placing ice screws and building ice anchors.
• Leading ice climbs safely.
• Managing ropes and organising belays.
• Building and using climbing anchors.
• Abseiling and walking off routes.
• Evaluating ice and weather conditions.
• Choosing appropriate routes and objectives.
• Managing objective hazards such as avalanches, falling ice and changing temperatures.

The aim is to help you become more comfortable on ice, make better decisions and develop the confidence to take on increasingly challenging routes.

Ice Climbing in Chamonix and the Aosta Valley

We split the course between Chamonix and the neighbouring Aosta Valley in Italy, giving us access to a huge variety of frozen waterfalls and ice climbing terrain.

Mountain conditions can change quickly, so your UIAGM mountain guide will choose the best climbing areas and routes according to the current ice, weather, avalanche conditions and the abilities of the group.

This flexibility means we can make the most of the conditions and keep the climbing varied, challenging and enjoyable.

Day 1 – Warm-Up and Preparation

The course starts with a warm-up day around Chamonix. We will make sure all your equipment is properly sorted and identify any potential issues before heading further into the mountains.

You will refresh your ice climbing technique and safe belaying skills while your guide assesses the group’s experience and abilities. This is also the ideal time to check boots, crampons, ice axes and other specialist equipment, with shops close by if anything needs changing or replacing.

The guiding ratio on Day 1 is 1 guide to 4 climbers, allowing your guide to assess the group and plan the following days around your individual goals.

Days 2–4 – Maximum Time on the Ice

From Day 2, the guiding ratio drops to 1 guide to 2 climbers, allowing for more personalised instruction, greater flexibility and plenty of time climbing on the ice.

Each day builds on the skills learned previously while introducing new techniques specific to ice climbing. The goal is to develop your skills progressively and, for those who want to, work towards leading an ice climb.

You will get plenty of mileage on the ice to refine your ice axe swings, crampon technique and movement. We will also practise efficient descents, including abseiling and walking off routes, while learning how to recognise and manage the specific hazards associated with ice climbing.

By the end of the course, you should have developed a well-rounded understanding of the fundamental techniques, safety systems and decision-making skills required for ice climbing.