Beginner tech level |
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3 days of climbing |
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Available December - February |
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4 and 2 persons per guide |
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2 nights in a 3* hotel |
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Located in Cogne, Aosta Valley, Italy |
Located in Italy (Aosta Valley), 1h30 by car from Chamonix, Cogne is a world famous site for the icefall climbing, offering beautiful lines of all difficulties in an environment which is easily accessible and wild.
We designed this course specifically for those who wish to discover the exhilarating and fast-growing sport of ice climbing – no previous experience is required. This course aims to teach you all the basics necessary to practice ice climbing: proper climbing technique using technical ice axes and crampons, handling rope systems, understanding ice protection, selection of clothing and preparing your pack for the day. You will climb top rope in both, single pitch and multi pitch environment under the guidance of our UIAGM Mountain Guide.
This 3 day ice climbing course is set in Lillaz, a picturesque village at the end of the stunning Cogne valley in Italy. 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 which has entirely new meaning in Italy!
If you have more than 3 days to spare then we recommend doing our Cogne Ice Climbing camp - Level 1 for a more in-depth experience.
Start date | End date | Spaces |
Prices
Prices
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December 24, 2020 | December 26, 2020 |
2
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890.00€ |
A
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Spaces available | |
L
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Limited Availability | |
F
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Fully Booked | |
G
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Guaranteed | |
2
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Two More to Guarantee |
Start date | End date | Spaces |
Prices
Prices
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January 01, 2021 | January 03, 2021 |
2
|
890.00€ | |
January 08, 2021 | January 10, 2021 |
2
|
890.00€ | |
January 15, 2021 | January 17, 2021 |
2
|
890.00€ | |
January 22, 2021 | January 24, 2021 |
2
|
890.00€ | |
January 29, 2021 | January 31, 2021 |
2
|
890.00€ | |
February 05, 2021 | February 07, 2021 |
2
|
890.00€ | |
February 12, 2021 | February 14, 2021 |
2
|
890.00€ | |
February 19, 2021 | February 21, 2021 |
2
|
890.00€ |
A
|
Spaces available | |
L
|
Limited Availability | |
F
|
Fully Booked | |
G
|
Guaranteed | |
2
|
Two More to Guarantee |
You will meet your group and your mountain guide in the Chamonix Experience office on the evening before your ice climbing course begins. You will receive all the details about your guide and the meeting in an email a week before start of the course. The meeting is a great opportunity to ask any questions about the course and to check with your guide that you have the right equipment. The detailed itinerary will depend on the weather, snow and ice conditions and these can vary very much from week to week. Therefore right now we can give you only a rough outline of what will happen on your course day to day.
We start bright and early, meeting in Chamonix at 6.30am and driving through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy, the drive is approximately an hour. We will go straight to Valsavarenche, an excellent ice climbing area where there are more than a dozen routes to suit all capabilities. Your guide will spend today teaching you the basic techniques of ice climbing and ensuring that you know how to use the equipment. At the end of the day we will check into our hotel and enjoy a well-earned dinner.
We will continue the instruction and training at another ice climbing crag in the valley. You should be able to use your ice axes effectively to follow longer climbs, to belay your leader and abseil safely by the end of the day.
Today we will climb a multipitch route – one of the amazing ice falls in the valley. The route will be selected according to your level and progress. We will encourage you to push your limits while keeping you happy and safe.
After climbing, at the end of the afternoon we will drive back to Chamonix, aiming to be back by around 6:30pm.
There are no prerequisites to attend this course, but we highly advise to have some rock climbing experience.
You have to have good level of physical fitness. Ice climbing is a relatively athletic activity and spending full days outside in a cold environment is physically tiring.
Rock climbing or indoor climbing is great preparation for this course. You should also do some stamina training such as hiking, running or cycling.
Mountaineering boots
Warm hat
Thermal underwear
Fleece or woollen layers
Light puffer jacket
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Warm gloves
Thin gloves
Gaiters
Belay Jacket - warm puffer jacket that fits over your layers
Climbing harness
Telescopic poles
3 x Screwgate carabiner
Belay device
Climbing helmet
Snowshoes
Pair of technical ice axes
Ice climbing crampons
25-30 litres rucksack
Lanyard
60 cm tape sling or cordelette for prusik
Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
Sunglasses
Water bottle - Ideally two 1L bottles
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Washbag and toiletries
Towel
3 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
2 nights accommodation in a hotel with breakfast and dinner included.
Return transport from Chamonix to Italy.
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
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.
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).
There will me maximum 4 participants per guide on days 1 & 2, and 2 participants per guide on the last day of the course.
You will need to organise your accommodation in Chamonix for the arrival day and for the last day of the course. The course package includes accommodation on days 1 & 2 (inclusive). You will be staying in a basic but comfortable hotel in Cogne in shared rooms.
The accommodation includes breakfast and dinner. Lunches are not included, you can easily organise your pack lunches at the hotel.
We suggest you bring with you or buy in resort snack food that you can take out on the hill with you each day. Things like cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, sugary sweets or your favourite hill snacks. There snack selection can be limited in your hotel.
If you have any food allergies or dietary requirements especially if you are a Coeliac (Gluten free) or have a dairy allergy we strongly recommend you bring some food to supplement your breakfast and dinner.
We are always happy to organise private guiding, tailored to the needs of any sized group. We have lots of experience in organising corporate events, specialist courses and group trips for all kinds of people no matter what your age or experience. Please get in touch if you would like more information.
All Chamex mountain guides are fully qualified, highly experienced and passionate about what they do. Everyone who works as part of the Chamex team has been thoroughly vetting and is trusted by us to give our clients the best experience possible - you are in safe hands! If you would like to know more then you can meet the Chamex team here.
Chamonix is one of the easiest alpine resorts to get to, being just over an hour's drive from Geneva international airport. Lyon, Turin and Milan airports are also all within a few hours drive. The best way to get from Geneva airport to Chamonix is by transfer bus, either shared with other passengers or private. You will be met in the arrivals lounge by your driver and dropped at your accommodation in Chamonix; there is no extra charge for your luggage or equipment. We work only with the most reliable transfer companies in the valley and are happy to organise your journey for you, please contact us for prices and booking.
Please see the list of recommended equipment on the other tab. Most technical equipment can be rented here in Chamonix, please contact us if you would like prices and advice on whatever you need. Chamonix has dozens of outdoor shops selling everything from basic head torches to expedition standard sleeping bags, so whatever you don't already have you can find it here.
We highly recommend that you take out specific insurance for mountain activities. We can organise this at a cost of 8€ per day for EU citizens and 12€ per day for non-EU citizens. This will cover you for search and rescue services, evacuation by helicopter and emergency medical treatment. You should also make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for the usual things such as cancelled flights, lost luggage, hospital treatment, etc. Please contact us to organise mountain rescue insurance for your trip.
If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.
We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.
To book your transfer, we will need the following:
This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.
Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it's a door-to-door service, so you won't be lugging any bags very far. 250€ per car for one-way and 500€ per car for a return trip.