www.icicleUK.com
climb@icicleUK.com
UK +44 845 058 98 78
FRA +33 67 55 621 55
inspirational mountain adventures
 
 
 
 
All about Icicle Mountaineering, Ski & Adventure...
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International Clientele
As you can see from this image, our clients come from all over the world.
Key facts about Icicle
Established in 2000, with a UK office, and Chamonix Mont Blanc base too.
All courses guaranteed to be led by qualified IFMGA guides and UIMLA leaders, who are recognised as top professionals in their field. Read about our guiding team.
Great levels of returning clients. In 2008 it was 46%.
Highly flexible courses, with low guiding ratios on many days to offer greater number of summit windows.

Our constant evolution marks us out in the climbing world, and this year new courses feature leashless dry tooling, artificial climbs, as well as trips to the Atlas.

2009 Brochure Download
Click on the image above to
download the 2009 brochure
Missions and Aims
Our Mission... To have the best safety and peak summiting records of any mountaineering company in the whole world.
Our Aim... To exceed the expectations of each client, to realise their ambitions, and to provide the best quality experiences possible.
Our Environment... We aim to minimise our environmental impact, and to preserve, improve & promote the responsible use of the Mont Blanc massif.
Our Ethos... We know that every single client has individual needs, strengths, aims, weaknesses, ambitions, and goals. We care about each one.
Your Money... We have taken every step to protect you both on the mountain, and in your pocket. All funds paid to Icicle are held in trust until you return home. Read more about this here.
What is Icicle?
Icicle is a British registered mountain guiding company offering a wide range of courses in the Alps. These specialise in climbing, skiing, and trekking.

Who are we?
In 2000 a group of keen climbers and skiers set up Icicle. In its first years Icicle won several new business awards but these are as nothing compared to the pride we have in our
team of 40 IFMGA guides & UIMLA leaders. We are honored to work with these top professionals. All our guiding team have been chosen by us for their attitude, ability and personality. Now the company is approaching its tenth anniversary and Icicle has firmly established itself as one of the leading Alpine guiding operators. The aim of Icicle is the same as it always has been 'to offer great trips that we would dream of going on ourselves'. We hope to see you soon in the Alps.
Photo: On summit of Mont Blanc du Tacul, Sarah who runs the Chamonix Office, and Kingsley our head UIMLA guide.
Our personalised approach and the Icicle ethos?
We have a highly personalised, flexible and friendly,
approach to our courses. When you contact us, your calls and queries are answered by fellow climbers and skiers. We are a small specialist company who has a very personal approach. Once you have booked, you don’t need to quote reference numbers, as we will know who you are. Our ethos is simple: you matter to us, and we care.
What is your price guarantee?
We don't spend lots of time and (your) money shouting about how good we are, and we haven’t got the glossiest brochure, or a flashy website, as we believe in keeping costs low, and passing on the savings to you. Our price guarantee states that if you can find a cheaper ‘like-for-like’ course, then we will beat the price. We offer value without sacrificing our standards.

What makes Icicle different?
What we offer far better than any competitor, is a highly specialist approach to the Alps. We don't offer the likes of Everest, and see the Alps as playing second fiddle.
We focus on the Alps, and our local knowledge is second to none. Our base in Chamonix is for you, and the full time staff ensure that the itinerary can be flexed to account for changing weather and conditions, to give you the best summiting chances. This is impossible from an office in the UK, as it requires local contacts and staff to 'make it happen' for you. We know the Alps, and we specialise in the Alps. Demand absolutely nothing less.
Photo: Learning to lead routes on the north face triangle of the Petite Aiguille Verte.
Why choose Icicle?
Two things that really set us apart are our instruction sessions where the aim is to make you more autonomous, and itinerary flexibility that is essential to develop your skills and maximise your summiting chances. We are the only British company to have a full time logistics office and course host team in Chamonix, to support you whilst abroad. This is essential for day-to-day advice and support.
What is included?
We make every effort to include all the required elements of each course, but where some costs are possible avoidable (or could be lower), we tend not to include that element. This is to save you every penny possible. Each course has a detailed list of inclusions and exclusions next to the price.
Recent Testimonials What about you?
Thanks for an absolutely brilliant Alpine Intro Course -I hope to back next year for a crack at Mont Blanc ! All the best for the rest of the season -give Max a big hug from me
Julie, Alpine Intro, July 2008
Just a quick mail to say thanks for a great week. The variety of climbing from ice to alpine and then rock exceeded my expectations and made an interesting and enjoyable week. Please pass on my appreciation to the guides
Neil S, Mont Blanc, June 2008
Having just returned from a Mont Blanc course, I would like to thank you all for providing such an opportunity. I think I speak for myself and Mark by saying that we were ever so impressed with the quality of our guides, each very different but each quite exceptional. Whilst Mark was effectively stretchered off right from the start and I didn't quite make the summit we both feel we have learnt a great deal and so benefited from time in your care
Robin S, Mon
t Blanc, July 2008
Great Trip, thanks for the organisation. Frank’s and my climbing abilities were perfectly matched which helped us both get the most out of the week and take on some really awe-inspiring and challenging climbs in terrain that otherwise we’d never have been able to access. Gilles was great too – so professional and quite tough with us which he needed to be on occasion
Freddie C, Alpine Rock course, July 2008
I did an off-piste course with you in March – it was totally brilliant! I’d love to do another off-piste session next year, but I’m not sure if I can afford it – my wife mentioned that it would cost a divorce. Anyway it’s something to weigh up....
Ian C, Off Piste Performance, March 2008
We may suit you, but will you suit our style? Before looking at the courses ask yourself the following questions... 1) Do you wish to learn skills as well as climbing peaks? 2) Do you enjoy listening and sharing experiences with others? 3) Do you care which route you take to a summit? If you answered “Yes” to ALL of the questions above, we believe you will enjoy a course with us, as we run by climbers for climbers. If you answered "No" to any of the questions, we probably aren't the kind of company that would suit you, but don't worry as for lower standard guided access into the jagged world, there are internationally many schools of mountaineering. At Icicle our aim is to help you achieve your goals, be it a first season in the Alps, or an attempt on Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn or an Extreme level course.
Giving something back...
Each year we help sponsor the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team in the Lake District by donating a major prize to the annual Kern Knotts Fund Raising Auction. This sponsorship helps equip this busy team whose area covers the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike.
We also support the Porter Protection schemes in all the local regions where we run specialist treks and expeditions to.
> Read more here
Latest news from our team in Chamonix
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