Discover ice climbing in Les Ecrins – 5 days

Discover the magical world of ice climbing in Les Ecrins, France’s premium region for ice! The Hautes-Alpes are full of frozen gems and the conditions often great. Treat yourself to discovering this icy wonderland!

Ice climbing courses

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DISCOVER WHY THE “ECRINS” IS CONSIDERED FRANCE’S FINEST ICE CLIMBING VENUE

You’ve always dreamed of climbing frozen waterfalls? You want to learn how to climb safely in this fragile environment?

Les Ecrins, in the heart of the Hautes Alpes region, hosts many of France’s most sought-after ice climbs. Conditions are often excellent due to the great variety of exposures and the high altitude of it’s many ice-filled canyons and valleys : Ceillac, Crevoux, Les Orres, Fressinières, Le Fournel, La Grave… and many more! Every day you can climb in a new valley.

Over 5 days you will learn how to be a better ice climber, accompanied by the best IFMGA mountain guides. The emphasis will be on your personal progression as an ice climber, while getting the maximum amount of time on the ice. Efficiency and safety are the key words!

For the first two days, you will climb on single pitch ice crags. You will learn about rope manoeuvres specific to ice climbing, will practice ice tool and crampon techniques, and will improve your skills to tackle the second part of the course! The next three days will be spent climbing the plethora of massive ice falls that make the region so great for ice climbing. You will also discover the increasingly popular and fun dry tooling and mixed climbing activities.

During the 5 days you will be staying in a cozy hotel in the town of l’Argentiere. This little town is at the center of the ice climbing frenzy that takes place in winter.

From: 2390 €

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
Guiding ratio: first 2 days 1:4 guiding ratio and last 3 days 1:2
5 days of climbing
Available mid December – March
5 nights Accommodation

View dates

Dates

Discover ice climbing in Les Ecrins – 5 days

Start date	End date	Space	Price
Monday 30 December 2024	Friday 3 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 6 January 2025	Friday 10 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 13 January 2025	Friday 17 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 20 January 2025	Friday 24 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 27 January 2025	Friday 31 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 3 February 2025	Friday 7 February 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 10 February 2025	Friday 14 February 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry

Dates

Discover ice climbing in Les Ecrins – 5 days

Start date	End date	Space	Price
Monday 30 December 2024	Friday 3 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 6 January 2025	Friday 10 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 13 January 2025	Friday 17 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 20 January 2025	Friday 24 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 27 January 2025	Friday 31 January 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 3 February 2025	Friday 7 February 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry
Monday 10 February 2025	Friday 14 February 2025	Two more to guarantee	2390 €	Make enquiry

Itinerary

Arrival day

Meeting at 6pm in your hotel close to L’Argentiere la Besee where your guide will check your gear and brief you for the week. You will have a nice dinner and a good nights rest.

Day 1

Your guide will pick you up at 8.00 for your first day of ice climbing. You will go to Fressinieres or Aiguilles to learn the basics. How to use your axes and crampons, repelling and belaying. On this first day we will work a lot on technique.

Day 2

After a hearty breakfast your guide will pick you up for a second day of practice. You will go to Cervieres where the ice is a bit steeper and you will also try to use your ice tools on the rock, mixed climbing (rock and ice) is great fun! Learn to use screws, make V threads and the basic rope technics we use on multi pitch climbs. You will also have basic avalanche rescue training as this is one of the major risks in ice climbing.

Day 3

Time to go multi-pitch! You will climb your first full sized ice climb. Celliac is a great place for this. If you feel like it you can even try to lead a pitch. We will work on the dangers inherent to ice climbing: how to assess if a climb is safe. This is one of the most important parts of becoming a true ice climber.

Day 4

More ice. By this time you will have become an (n)ice addict. Les Orres has some long and major classics waiting for you. Keep building up your technical skills and work on how to make the right decisions, never easy in the mountains.

Day 5

Early start today (6:00) as we will do a big climb and hit the road to go back to the airport. Fournel or Fressinieres, which host some of the biggest and baddest ice climbs in the world will be you climbing ground. Today you will swing your axes with all the skills you’ve built up during the week. This is the last day of the course, you will be free to leave or stay longer if you prefer.

Please keep in mind that the program is adaptable to ice and snow conditions, your guide will be there to choose the best and safest places for you to climb.

Level requirements

Physical fitness

The 5 days of the course are demanding as some approaches can be more than one hour long and be through deep snow followed by a full day of climbing on ice, which is quite strenuous for the arms. It’s a full body workout so make sure you are fit. You should be able to complete a 6-8 hour day of hiking and climbing and not be too tired the next day.

Experience

If you have some experience with rock climbing and ropes it will certainly help but there are no technical prerequisites for this course.

Training

General fitness is important so any sports that involve cardio training will help : swimming, running, biking etc…
Climbing at the local gym will also help for strength in the arms and upper body.
If you need more info on how to prepare please contact us.

Equipment

Included or not

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

Clothing

Thin gloves with leather palms for better grip

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

30 litres backpack

Technical gear

60 cm tape sling or cordelette for prusik

Technical gear

Snowshoes

Safety Equipment

Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe

Other essentials

Sunglasses

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

Thermos

Included in price

Mountain Guide Fees

Our course includes 6 days of guiding and instruction by experienced UIAGM qualified mountain guide. All our guides have been chosen for their lovely personality and high standard of skills.

Accommodation

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

Local Transport

Any local transport that is required during your course.

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.

Discover ice climbing in Les Ecrins – 5 days

INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE

DISCOVER A NEW VALLEY EVERY DAY

GREAT VARIETY OF CLIMBING