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Whilst there is nothing more embarassing than blowing your own trumpet, some clients ask to see the type of feedback that others have given our courses, and so we have set up this page to provide exactly that. All the comments below have been provided by former clients on the course feedback questionnaire.
       
       


Summer climbing


The course was a week of hard work and blisters - brilliant!!!
Tim D, Mont Blanc Achievements

Course was very well put together to accommodate difficult weather variables. Acclimatisation appeared to work successfully. Varied and interesting activities. Overall excellent with supremely capable people who were very responsive and sensitive to individual needs.
Gerard C, Mont Blanc Summit

Guide was a mountain Yoda! I learnt loads and course gave me good skills to take away with me. It gave me a huge amount of confidence.
Amanda D, Alpine Introduction

A huge learning curve! Challenging, demanding, a great sense of achievement. Thank you.
Tina G, Alpine Autonomy

Icicle were excellent, and I would happily recommend them to anyone else..
Gemma L, Alpine Rock Course

A very serious organisation (in a good way), that I will certainly go back to. Great people, great Guides, but course was a bit short (I needed two weeks time to digest all the instruction)!!! No need to improve anything.
Laura P, Alpine Autonomy

Course was quite hard except for the rock day, but excellent value for money. If it had been easy I would have been disappointed. I came here to train outside my confort zone, and this course put me outside my confort galaxy. Thank you guys!
Helen P, Alpine Intro Course

The course was challenging but fun. I wanted a challenge and focus (Mont Blanc) with some instruction. Icicle are very professional and safe. Very committed to the sport.
Simon T, Mont Blanc Summit

I am just e-mailing to thank you very much again for the wonderful week I had on the Intro Ice and Alpine course. It was one of the most exciting(if not the most exciting) weeks of my life and one that I will never forget. I have a little photograph of the Cosmique Tourette in my office at work to remind me. I would love one day to come back to Chamonix and do some more climbing, maybe go up Mont Blanc, but lots of training first! Take care, Paul
Paul W, Alpine Introduction

Just a quick sign off from last week, to say how much we enjoyed ourselves (with hindsight!!) and how impressed we were with the way you 'managed' us.
Steve R, Mont Blanc Summit

I just wanted to write a wee note to thank you for arranging such an enjoyable week. I'm still gutted that we didn't top out but ce la vie I suppose. None the less it was really worthwhile and both Jean Luc and Stefano were - in very different ways - excellent guides. I also just wanted to say that the evening lectures were a really great add on and very useful, so thanks for that as well
Matthew O, Mont Blanc Summit

That was an absolutely splendid holiday, running through the full range of emotions. It was a pleasure to meet you all and thank you for making it such fun.
Dan N, Alpine Autonomy


Winter climbing

Please pass on my grateful thanks to Jacques for a wonderful few days. No picture can capture what the experience meant to me. Thanks to you and all the team. I had a wonderful time, one that I will cherish for a long time to come.
Peter A, Ice Weekend

An interesting and worthwhile mountain experience.
Richard M, Intro Ice & Alpine

Icicle are thorough and well organised. The course was what it said on the tin. Flexible, adjusted to personal strenghts and weaknesses. Guide was patient, very safe, and helpful.
Bob B, Winter Intro Ice

You warned me that it would be the toughest thing I had ever done, and you sure did not undersell it. Very, very, very hard, but so rewarding. Until the last day I did not think I could make it, but the Guide was so self assured (not arrogant, but confident), that he constantly encouraged and inspired me.
Peter L, Winter Matterhorn
 

Alpine trekking


I'd like to thank your Chamonix team for all their help, and for the fantastic guiding we had on our tour. I highly recommend this trip to anyone, as it is one they will never forget, and is a big achievement.
Rhian Evans , Classic TMB Trek

The views were breathtaking and the group was friendly. A fantastic holiday and one that I will recommend as a must to everyone I know. Thank you so much!!
Sarah J , Everest Base Camp

The amount our leader knew about the region was astounding, and we were shown places that no one could ever hope to find on their own. Really well organised, and extremely friendly
Linda P , Chamonix Treks

I am now back at work after the trip to Kili with you recently. It was brilliant! All logistics were seamless – Evans and the crew were superb, the food was great, and we all summitted. What could be better!
David Fletcher , Kilimanjaro

Just a little note to say I had a great time in Morocco last week. From Mohamed, who I thought was both competent and professional but also approachable and fun, to the great accommodation (even the Nelter Hut wasn't as bad as I'd heard or feared). The food was tip-top. Also I feel a mention needs to go to madam at the riad in Marrakesh who was an absolute joy, she couldn't do enough for us.
David Kemble , Winter Toubkal

This trek was truely superb, and it was an experience I will remember forever.
Linda Poe , Classic TMB Trek

An unforgettable holiday for all the right reasons. Watching the sun rise across the plains from the summit was amazing. You have a great local team, who love working for you, and looking after us so well
Samantha Budd , Kili & Mt Meru

An amazing week where we saw marmots, chamois and dinosaur footprints!
Kirstie S , Chamonix Treks


Snowshoeing

I booked as I was obsessed with Saint Bernard dogs, and I love snowshoeing too, so it was an obvious trip for me. Thanks for giving us such a great guide, who knew so much about the area, and clearly loved their job so much.
Sue N , Swiss Snowshoe Weekend

A great choice of bases that we stayed in that gave us access to brilliant snowshoe treks and summits. Thank you for all the organisation and the top guiding.
Matt W , 3 Countries Snowshoeing

A brilliant week exploring hidden the gems of the region. I will definately be back next year for more of the same. A huge thanks to you all so much.
Jill Wheldon , Snowshoeing

Brilliant, exciting, fun, perfect! Not bad platitudes for a weekend. The hut was amazing, and I think you undersold it - no mention of the four course meal and the duvets!
Anita T , Italian Snowshoe Weekend

Please pass on my thanks to Kingsley who guided us, for looking after us so well, and his incredible local knowledge. We will be back next year for more!
Babs S , 3 Countries Snowshoeing

Meticulously planned, and extraordinarily knowledgable. A brilliant holiday led by a guide who so obviously loved every minute of his job, and looked after us very well.
Brian Atkinson , Snowshoeing

I have just arrived back in Dublin, I would like to thank you for a fantastic week, it definitely exceeded my expectations , and my limitations , I did not realise I could walk so much and so high in such remote areas (mainly due to Kingsley's skill and style of motivation in such a positive way). And to trek in three countries in one week was amazing (France, Switzerland , Italy). I was interested to see what it would be like to go alone on trip, and met with a great and interesting group of people the week passed very quickly. It was excellent to learn about avalanches and such a vast amount about general mountaineering Kingsley's knowledge is endless. The organisation and communication was excellent, even down to simple things and where to find things, restaurants etc. Once again thank you for a fantastic week.
Niall, Snowshoeing

 

Off Piste skiing


A great mixture of teaching, skiing and socialising with a fun group. Learnt loads, and had a ball of a time
Josei S , Chamonix Off Piste Course

Zermatt is brilliant as everything is so accessible and compact. Skiing past the North Face of the Matterhorn was fantastic
Tanya S , Zermatt Off Piste

Amazing week of skiing, with intimate local knowledge to find the best powder for us. Great teaching from our guide, so my skiing went up several gears
Wayne W , Chamonix Off Piste Course

You wouldn't believe how many books I had read about avalanche awareness before the course, but the way it was taught, and the amount of great tips we were given, made it really come alive to me, and explained it so clearly and effectively. Thanks.
Alison Green , Avalanche Weekend

This week really opened my eyes to the possibilities of accessing the real back-country, and gave me the skills to escape all the busy areas in the future, even if I visit a popular ski resort
Joe B , Intro Backcountry

It's amazing how little you really know about snow, and this course really made me aware of the risks I had been taking
Rob Garstang , Avalanche Weekend

I hadn't realised how remote some of the areas I would visit could be, and was stunned by the landscapes we skied
Darren V , Intro Backcountry

What a week of amazing powder! I love skiing couloirs and can't wait to come back. Thanks for a great week
Julie T , Verbier Off Piste


Ski touring courses

Guide was very good, knowledgeable, and with excellent people skills. A great holiday.
Mike T, Paradiso Tour

Guide was excellent, talkative, and attentive. All the instruction was good, especially the snow skills.
Kris H, Intro Touring

Stunning scenary, excellent weather, brilliant Guide. Fresh tracks each day. Great back up support from Chamonix team, and a fun group. Cannot wait to meet up again for a beer!
Richard W, Haute Route Tour

A really different ski tour from the likes of the Haute Route. I couldn't get my head around using climbing walls in the huts on a couple of evenings. Random, but really fun and a great way to bond better with our team, and to learn some skills
Neil P, Silvretta Ski Tour

Our ski ascent over the Col du Passon and down the La Tour glacier was a great finale. The instruction we received from the guides was superlative
Mick C , Intro Ski Touring

A well matched group of people, with an inspirational Guide. We learnt loads and had a great time on our way to Zermatt. Your logistical support was great, as was the attention to detail
Suzanne T , Haute Route Ski Tour

It was so good to get to the summit on skis, and to enjoy the long ski down. As you can imagine, this kind of tour is a dream in my country! Great week
Anders P , Gran Paradiso Ski Tour

Thanks to everyone involved in making this happen for us; the guides, Chamonix team, and the UK office for putting up with my endless queries before the course. You were all great, and I can't thank you enough
Josephine T , Haute Ski Route Tour

A wondeful week that really convinced us that ski touring can be a treat of a holiday, as well as great skiing and big days out. The meals were well earned each day!
Darren & Susan , Gourmet Ski Tour

First can I thank you for organising a fantastic trip. S was just what I want in a guide, good fun, keen to teach and happy to shout at you when you do something stupid. The trip was a good mix of skinning and scrambling, more adventurous than a normal tour. I know it is early but I will welcome more of the same next year
Charles A, Oberland Ski Tour
 

Trail & fell running


My legs are slightly sore today, but it was worth it! It was a great weekend and I really enjoyed it, even being up in the snow yesterday :-) Thanks for all your patience with us and excellent coaching. Just need to keep practicing all the hints and tips now!
Anna H, Intro Fell Running Weekend

Thanks for the photos, they're great. Also thanks for an excellent weekend. Its been a Eureka weekend for my running and I am totally converted to Fell Running. Will definitely be looking into races to do and will keep in touch regards the possibility of your Alps Running weeks. Many thanks again.
Marion M
, Intro Fell Running Weekend

A fantastic week. Thank you so much for looking after me so well, whilst challenging me so much. Brilliant
Tina C , Winter Trail Running

Thank you for the CCC training sessions. They really helped me to learn the route, and to develop a good race plan and strategy for the event. I finished just outside my target time, but that was due to a problem with my shoes in the last 10km or so. I was really happy though, and your efforts to train me made all the difference
Per J , Mountain Fitness

Just a quick note to say a belated thanks to you for the trail running tuition I received the other week. I found the session very useful and learnt quite a lot in a just a few hours. This was invaluable in helping me complete my first trail race (The Mont Blanc Marathon) last Sunday. I did the race in 7 hrs 27 which was not too bad for my first outing – and would have been quicker but for a knee problem I developed half way round which slowed me down for the rest of the race. I would certainly recommend Icicle to anyone looking to develop their trail running skills
Richard L , Trail Running Personal Training

Great to see you again, and thanks as ever for all the support and for a tough day out in the hills. The weather made it a tad harder, but that's all part of the fun isn't it?
Adam L , Mountain Fitness

Just wanted to says thanks so much for link to photos from the weekend. I had an excellent time and really enjoyed the runs particulary the snowy section. Im looking forward to using some of the techniques in my running. Marion and I have decided our road running days are over! Hoping to get back sometime this year for another course.. Thanks again
Laura A, Intro Fell Running Weekend

A brilliant experience, and I didn't know what to expect beforehand, but I really learned a lot and had a great time. You'll see me again for more night running
Rachel D , Lakes Night Runner

I had been on several running camps before, but this far exceeded my other experiences in terms of how much I learned and how it was tailored to me
Grant W , Trail Running

I heard about your guys from a friend who had run with you. They sang your praises, and I am joining your fan club. It was a perfect week
Helen McG , Skyrunning

Thank you for looking after me so well. This was an amazing week, where I achieved so much. I never thought I could do this sort of thing, but now I am hooked
Alison H , Trail Running

I'll never look at the Lake District hills in the same way again. You have got me hooked on trail running
Susan E , Lakes Trail Week

Your intimate knowledge of the trails was superb, and really made the week of skyrunning even better
William T , Skyrunning

We had really enjoyed your Summer trail running camp, and couldn't wait until the next year for more. This week was even better and inspirational
A & D , Winter Trail Running

Thank you all so much for a great week, and for looking after us so well in the office and on the runs
Katie N , Lakes Trail Week

What a weekend! In all the good ways of course. I really was amazed how much I learned during the weekend, and I never imagined how much fun it would be too
Tim O , Intro Fell Running
 

Pre-booking advice


Icicle - you undersell yourselves. A very high standard of input, advice, and guiding, which should be leveraged more. An excellent course. I achieved exactly what I wanted.
David C, Mont Blanc Summit

A good website and communication skills through e-mail, feedback / info. Stretched my knowledge, and the quality of safety with the Guides was excellent.
Grey McD, Achievements

Very friendly head office, good quick responses to questions, good itinerary.
Anja C, Mont Blanc Achievements

Very good - organised, knowledgable, helpfull. Take the pain in the neck bits out of the 'holiday'. Course was more challenging than expected but within capabilities, but this is good. I am definately more confident.
Janette S, Classics

A note of thanks for the time that we had with you. Both Kevin and myself were very taken by the friendly way that you managed the course, and felt that the assistance that you offered went far beyond that required of merely administering to our original expectations.
Ander P, Tailor Made Ice

All staff, both in the UK and Chamonix were very helpful, both before and during the course.
Jason H, Winter Intro Ice


Guide team & reps

Enjoyed the course, very intensive, and a lot to take in. Guide had good very good rapport with clients.
Steve M, Achievements

Guide made me feel safe at the same time as being fun and entering into the team spirit.
Will S, Mont Blanc Summit

Icicle offer a fair deal. Team in Chamonix is very experienced and professional. Kingsley in particular is an excellent instructor and has a way of putting things across clearly and practically. Excellent, thank you!
Jon R, Achievements

Icicle are well organised, with a 'can do' approach.
Nick W, Monte Rosa

Got the itinerary right exactly. Kingsley was very good on instruction, without the didactic tone of a school master!
Robert T, Alpine Intro

Icicle were very competant and well organised. Reps very experienced and good at passing on skills and information. Learned new skills each day. Course was very good - no negative aspects.
Bill W, Alpine Intro

I want to thank you very warmly for the climbing holiday I had with you this summer. In particular I want to say my thanks for being able to work with such excellent guides. I am glad for the opportunity to climb with real expertise because I learned so much. But also I had an chance to fulfill an ambition because of the weather knowledge that gave us a small, perfect window of opportunity. To fulfill a dream in such rare sunny, still and uncrowded conditions is a priviledge and for that I am eternally grateful.
John McD, Mont Blanc

The preparation routes were well selected to push us and develop our skills, so that we were ready for the Matterhorn, and it did not phase us. We were well acclimatised and quick at moving over steep mixed ground. The Guiding team was first rate, disciplined, organised, and professional.
Mark V, Matterhorn


Windermere shop

It's a rare find these days to visit an outdoor shop where anyone knows anything. When I visited you, everyone knew about all of the items, and I received very good advice. I'm writing to you, to commend you on giving such a great service, and for setting standards that others have sadly forgotten or not prioritised in recent times. Thank you
Elaine , Windermere mountain shop

Good advice from your staff, and a saved a load on my purchases both with my client discount, and with the tips I got in the shop on what expensive kit I really didn't need. You saved my an absolute packet. Cheers
Brian B, Windermere mountain shop

Thank you for ordering in my snowshoes the other week. I've just used them on my trip to the Alps, and they were great. Thank you for your recommendation
Emma J , Windermere mountain shop
Pre-course
"Icicle take all the pain in the neck bits out of the 'holiday'" Janette, Classics
"Advantage being Chamonix based, with a great local network" Lucy, Swiss 4000
"Thanks for your patience with my endless questions & concerns" Louise, Rock
"Good website & communication via e-mail" Greg, Achievements
"Friendly head office, quick responses to queries" Anja, Mont Blanc
"Very well organised, with a 'can do' approach" Nick, Swiss 4000
Net Effect
"Every effort was made to make participants self efficient" Richard R, Mont Blanc
"Great! Nice to be looked after by a small, friendly company" Ronnie, Intro
"Flexible to allow for different ability levels, excellent value too" Huw, Intro
"Course stretched my physical & mental boundaries" Sina, Winter Ice & Alpine
"Definitely the best activity holiday I've had in a very long time" Jim, Mont Blanc
Guides
"Nice course reps and guides. Versatile with no beards!" Morag, Intro
"Guides were very good. I was impressed with their English" Will, Intro
"Proactive with teaching and understanding of beginners" John, Achievements
"A good sense of humour, & explain things very well" Nilesh, Matterhorn
"Worked hard to give everyone great mountain experiences" John, Classics
"Perceptive of my skills & capabilities. Very personalised service" Pete, Intro
Instruction
"Team in Chamonix is very experienced and professional" Jon R, Achievements
"Good instruction, without the didactic tone of a school master!" Rupert Intro
"Helpful, friendly staff, and the reps explained everything clearly" Ewan G, Intro
"Relaxed style. Good connections. Learnt a hell of a lot" David, Mt Blanc
"Well planned & professional. Reps very helpful and enthusiastic" Dan, Intro
Mont Blanc trip specific feedback
Why do we provide unedited feedback? The honest truth is that too many people come out to attempt Mont Blanc, and haven't got a clue how hard it will be or how much they will enjoy it. This page is the unedited feedback - the highs, the lows, the truth. It is very easy and naive to fill pages with glowing references, but that doesn't paint the whole picture. Here it is, all 100% of it. As you can see from the summit photos above, the summit is a different experience each time. For some it is the greatest achievement of their life, for others it was a dream, and for the very fit lucky ones it was a laugh!

Very well organised set up, with a great guie team. This really made the difference, as I had previously failed with another company. I found Icicle professional, motivated and friendly

Simon N , Mont Blanc Summit


Hello again, please pass on my thanks to everyone for helping our group get to the summit last week. It was tough but great fun too, and we all had a great time (apart from Pete in the Gouter toilets!). See you again next year for our attempt on the Matterhorn. I can't wait

Dave H , Mont Blanc Summit


I just wanted to send you guys a quick email to say thanks for everything throughout our trip to Chamonix. Myself and John were delighted with everything. The guides were superb, everything was well organised, our trips were enjoyable and we learnt a lot. Once my initial shock on how hard the ascent was had diminished and my subsequent dislike of mountains had abated we decided that we may have further clinbs in the future and we would be quick to use Icicle again.......

David L , Mont Blanc Summit


Thanks very much for an excellent week. Dylan, Nick and I must have been among the most hopelessly inexperienced clients you have had, but you were patient and supportive throughout the week. We also felt the course was well thought out, putting us beyond our comfort zones, but in a safe environment and with the guidance of true experts. We didn't make the summit but, as you said, that was always the icing on the cake. Terrific week

Chris W , Mont Blanc Summit


Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, and a 1000 times more!

Veronica J , Mont Blanc Summit


Sincere thanks to you all for everything. I can't recommend you highly enough to everyone I tell about my trip

Ralph W , Mont Blanc Summit


An action filled week, and a perfect ending reaching the summit of Mont Blanc on a clear day. From the summit we could see hundreds of miles

Alan N , Mont Blanc Summit


A brilliant holiday. To reach the summit of Mont Blanc was a dream come true

Tim S , Mont Blanc Summit
 

Thank you all so much for my recent trip. Mont Blanc was a dream come true, but was far harder than I had expected. I found your website really informative and truthfull, which is the reason I booked in the first place, but your honesty was really appreciated as it made me train lots beforehand. Without this I would never have reached the top

Sharon R , Mont Blanc Summit


Just a quick mail to say thanks for the link to the photos. As you may remember my camera didn't work due to the cold, so these are my memories of the top. Thanks so much for ensuring I got them, as now I can bore my mates with all the pictures!

Euan McG , Mont Blanc Summit


Have almost managed to get a good nights sleep after doing the Cosmique Arete, it has taken a while to recover however would happily do it again. Back to my running and Scots mountains and maybe see you in a couple of years. Again thanks you for all your support and help...you guys rock!!!! although could do with more late starts and breakfast in bed :)

Kevin L , Mont Blanc Summit


A big thank you for the time we spent in Chamonix last week – really fantastic! Summiting Mt Blanc was a massive dream come true – thank you for helping us acheive that. (And a big thank you to Sev– The Terminator!) A few pics for you to check out including the foot :-) It is now 90% back to normal. Not sure what challenge we will try next, but Icicle will be top of the list. All the best and stay safe

Marc C , Mont Blanc Summit


Just quickly wanted to say thanks again for a brillant and successful week last week. I plan to post a more comprehensive email later. Also really sorry for leaving the flat in such a god awful state, Sennen and i both felt pretty bad about that but... we had another crazy night on friday which (this will make you laugh) ended with us leaving the gay bar again at 5-30 ish in the morning. and we only just got to the transfer in time

Henry P , Mont Blanc Summit


100% summit, 100% happy, 100% thanks! A once in a lifetime holiday - thank you. I can't explain how much your support and knowledge meant to me. It gave me a total sense of confidence and trust, which was essential during the final steps

Steve R , Mont Blanc Summit


Climbing Mont Blanc was harder than I thought, but so rewarding too

Sally P , Mont Blanc Summit


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