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 accommodation 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 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, typically around 15:00. Guiding ratio 1:2. Most
arrange their airport transfers to leave around
16:00 or 17:00, to catch a flight from Geneva about 3 hours later. 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 days IFMGA guiding, 1:2 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday
£2195
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
How to book
Secure
payments, bonded tour operator
Details of how to book, click
here
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) One night
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.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Val de Cogne Ice
[ 2 ] 11 - 16 Jan 2026
[ 2 ] 8 - 13 Feb 2026
[ 2 ] 1 - 6 Mar 2026
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are two who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
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
Testimonials
Press
& media
Films
& videos
Photo
gallery
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.
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here
Any further questions?
A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an expert climber
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, for 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. Arrange a meeting,
and come in for a coffee to discuss your course in person, or online,
with a trip
advisor.
Many people opt for this,
and it is an integral part of what we offer, to ensure
that you are prepared as possible.
As
well as talking though your course, most clients have
queries about the kit they will require, to avoid expensive
mistakes, and we can show you some examples of that to
consider.
Others have training queries, about how to best
prepare for your trip, and we will be able to steer you
in the right direction.No question is too silly, and
we'll have heard them all before!
An integral part of
booking is the ability to get good knowledgable advice,
and a highly personal service. Unlike companies that only
exist virtually in cyberspace, we are staffed by real
people, in a real office, who offer real honest advice.
Because we are tangible, we are accountable, and we take
great pride in that and the service that we offer you.
Get in touch to come in for a chat soon.
