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Ice climbing progression course in “Les Ecrins”

You’ve already been ice climbing and want to take it to the next level? Your palms get sweaty and your heart rate accelerates when you think of big ice falls, mixed route and steep ice? The this course is for you. Les Ecrins hosts France’s best ice.

LONG ICE AND MIXED CLIMBS

Major itineraries of all grades up to 400m high.

WILD VALLEYS

Escape the crowds and climb barely touched icefalls.

ICE PERFORMANCE

Push you technical skills and risk awareness to the next level.

PERFECT YOUR ICE SKILLS ON WORLD CLASS ICE-FALLS IN “LES ECRINS”

This course is made for climbers who want to live the full experience of climbing serious and long ice falls – mixed or pure ice.

Why is the “Ecrins” region such a haven for ice climbing? Because it has so many deep valleys of all orientations and altitude, filled with gushing waterfalls in the summer. A page of Ice climbing history has been written there in Fressinieres’s ultra famous Gramussat wall, 300m of steep ice streaks, from grade 5 to 7! And so many other valleys : Ceillac, Crevoux, les Orres, Fressinières, Le Fournel, La Grave, Val d’escrins…and many more!

5 days with a passionate IFMGA mountain guide to teach you about managing risk, assessing danger, climbing efficiently, how to get out of sticky situations…and having a blast! Your forearms should be sore by the end of the week.

The first day will be a refresher on a single pitch crag. We’ll work on ice and rock technique and rope maneuvers. The next four days of the course will be spent climbing the plethora of massive ice falls that make the region so great for ice climbing.

A cozy hotel close to the little town of L’argentiere , in the heart of the ice climbing region, will be your home for the 5 days of the course.

From: 2690 €

Intermediate

You have some prior experience in ice climbing. You know basic techniques (climbing with crampons/ ice axes) and basic maneuvers (belaying, rappelling, basic knots). You can follow grade IV ice.
  • Fitness level 4/5
  • Guiding ratio 1:2 last 4 days
  • 5 days of climbing
  • 5 nights accommodation
Ice climbing course
Ice climbing progression course with Chamex guides
Ice climbing in Les Ecrins
Getting to the next pitch - ice climbing progression in Les Ecrins
Ice climbing progression with Chamonix Experience
Ice climbing progression course in Les Ecrins
Ice climbing progression course with Chamex guides
Tricky icicles - ice climbing progression in Les Ecrins
Fantastic ice structures in Les Ecrins
Ice climbing progression course Les Ecrins
Ice climbing progression course with Chamex guides
Ice climbing in Les Ecrins
Getting to the next pitch - ice climbing progression in Les Ecrins

Dates

Ice climbing progression course in “Les Ecrins”
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 30 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 6 January 2025
Friday 10 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €

Dates

Ice climbing progression course in “Les Ecrins”
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 30 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 6 January 2025
Friday 10 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
2690 €
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
Thin gloves with leather palms for better grip
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
Pair of technical ice axes
Technical gear
Ice climbing crampons
Technical gear
Lanyard
Technical gear
60 cm tape sling or cordelette for prusik
Technical gear
30 litres backpack
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
Other essentials
Towel
Other essentials
Earplugs
Other essentials
Thermos
Included in price

Guide Fees

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

Accommodation

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

Local Transport

Local transport provided in accordance with instructor/guide’s available car capacity

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.

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.

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.

Transport to L’Argentière-la-Bessée

Transport is not included. Closest airports to arrive there are Torino (2h drive), Grenoble (3h drive), Lyon (3h30 drive). Best way to get from any of the airports is to rent a car and drive to L’Argentière-la-Bessée.