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Val de Cogne Italian Ice 2024
Italian ice Mecca | 5 days ice climbing guiding | Half board in Italy hotel
Climbing on Cascade Lillaz in Val de Cogne
Course overview
For those looking to climb waterfall ice routes of Grade III+ or above, this course will provide the challenge you've been looking for! You spend the full week in Italy, in the beautiful Cogne valleys.
From long multi-pitch waterfall ice routes to shorter more technical routes, there is a route to suit every style. There is also usually the opportunity to try mixed climbing or some dry tooling routes.
Your previous experience would likely be seconding on gullies and ice climbs up to grade III, or Alpine experience up to PD (such as Mont Blanc by the traverse or an Alpine Intermediate course).
Many people use these courses as an opportunity to gain or increase their experience of leading confidently on ice at this level so that they can attempt similar routes in the Alps or the UK.
Included in the course price are four nights half board hotel (based on 2 or max 3 sharing) accommodation in the Val de Cogne which enables you to spend five days climbing in this ice mecca. The hotels are within walking distance of many of the ice climbs.
Dates: these are listed in the column on the right, and they show the live availability from our secure online booking system. When you book online, you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice.
Bespoke: if the scheduled dates don't suit, and there are two of you, we can operate an bespoke course just for you on any date at the same course price. Get in contact with your prefered dates.


Brief Course Itinerary
Sun Travel to Chamonix to arrive for your accommodation check in from 16:00 on the Sunday afternoon, for those staying in with Icicle. In the early evening there is a course safety and itinerary briefing. There is time for kit checks or rental of equipment, including the hire of any boots or personal climbing equipment. Briefings and sorting equipment is over by 19:00 and then you are free to go out for dinner / drinks. Night (room only accommodation) spent in Chamonix.
Mon
to
Thu
The guide will meet you after breakfast, to drive you through the Mont Blanc tunnel and to Val de Cogne. The focus of the week is a brilliant five days of ice climbing, to allow you to push your climbing grade in this famous region. Small 1:2 guiding ratios give you the opportunity to climb technical multi-pitch ice at the highest grade you can find, develop your technique on different types of ice, and maybe try some mixed or dry tooling routes. Popular climbs in Val de Cogne include: Patrie, Thoule, Cold Couloir, Stella Artice, Archeronte. The four nights are spent on a half board basis in a hotel in Cogne.
Fri Final day in Cogne, and you push the grades to the max to use your increased confidence and technique for a more difficult ice route, before returning to Chamonix (room only accommodation) for the night.
Sat Breakfast then the accommodation check out is by 10:00. Most arrange their airport transfers to leave around this time, to catch a flight from Geneva about midday. Depart for home. Some people opt to book a tandem paraglider flight in the morning to celebrate the weeks efforts, and prices for this are from c.100€ for a c.30 minute flight. These flights can be booked in resort up to the day before. Depart for home.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to the types of route / activity that you will attempt.

Course Prices
Standard course
5 full days IFMGA guiding, 1:2 ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday
£1999
Live availability
Click on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Latest Availability
Secure online booking system
Standard Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide for five days, 2) Alpine course hosts for logistics, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 5) Two nights room only accommodation in Chamonix (inc. bedding & towels), 6) Four nights half board accommodation in Val de Cogne, 7) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Road transport in Cogne valley, and to / from Val de Cogne from Chamonix.
Exclusions: 1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (not usually needed), 3) Equipment hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) Sunday pre-dinner drinks & Friday celebratory meal & drinks, 6) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges.
Notes: This course assumes 1:2 guiding throughout. Note that if there is just one person on a course, less 1:1 guiding days and half board nights in hotels can be offered, however accommodation will be provided for the whole week, and guiding options and locations will be discussed with you within the budget paid.
Upgrade options
Single Accommodation
From £200 (per week)
If you would like single accommodation, contact us for an exact quote, as in the winter season the upgrade prices vary slightly dependent on the week.
Climbing a curtain of mushroom ice in La Grave, France
Current course availability

Course Dates
Val de Cogne Ice
  • No Dates Available
NOTE: This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are two who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
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Price: £1999 Book online

Alternative courses
Technical Ice & Classics
Winter Alpine Intro course
Chamonix Technical Ice
Winter Alpine Classics

Client feedback


Before this week, I had spent two seasons ice climbing in Chamonix, and thought it an ice mecca, but I was not prepared for the massive range of routes on offer when I visited Cogne!

Sally C , Val de Cogne Ice

Just what I was after. A really well structured course

Bekky F , Val de Cogne Ice

I really appreciated the flexibility of the instructor to allow me to learn to place ice screws and to construct anchor systems

Clive Y , Val de Cogne Ice
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Location data for this trip
The trips are based in Cogne in the Italian Alps, but meet and depart from the Chamonix valley in the French Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a 90 minute transfer from Geneva airport.
Time Difference
GMT +1hr
Local Currency
€ Euros
Travel from UK
1hr flight
Pro top tips - geeks corner!
Suggested reading and kit
View full course equipment list, with examples of kit, click here
Why choose our trips?
See our Alpine blog, by clicking on the Word-press logo to the right.
Icicle Blog
Itinerary flexibility to allow you to take full advantage of the weather windows on any day, to maximise your summit chances.
Our prices are fixed in £ Sterling, to protect you from euro fluctuations, so you can budget accurately.
There is a choice of routes to opt for, depending on the weather, conditions, and your experience.
Any further questions?
A key part of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients value speaking to real people, getting open and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are British, and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere in the English Lake District.



Get in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor. Many people opt for this service, and it is an integral part of what we offer, as we are keen to ensure that you are prepared as possible, and that you select a course that is suitable for you. It makes it easier and more enjoyable for you and us, if you are on the right trip.


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