Pedigree
Founded in 1965, ISM is by far the longest-established provider
of Alpine courses to English-speaking clients. The majority
of our clients come from the UK although we attract English-speaking
clients from all over the world. This international atmosphere
on our courses provides an interesting and enjoyable experience
for participants and has led to many long-lasting friendships
and climbing partnerships.
Safety record
ISM has the best safety record in the business, but we are
never complacent about safety. To achieve as much as we do
with our clients while maintaining the right safety margin
demands a carefully thought-through programme and sound judgement
on the mountain. Our programme is the result of over 40 years
of operating experience, and a great strength of ISM is
that courses
are devised and run by the same team of very experienced
guides. All guides working alongside us are thoroughly
briefed.
All-inclusive value
Your course fee covers everything apart from your drinks
bill, leaving you free to enjoy your holiday without
having to dip in your pocket for things like lunches, rental
of
mountaineering equipment, mountain railways and cablecars.
This makes our courses excellent value compared to others
where such items have to be paid for as 'extras' (and
are often underestimated).
Course fees safeguarded
All course fees paid to ISM are held in a Trust Account until
your course is completed. This gives our clients full protection
should the organisation ever become insolvent. We also
guarantee not to make any surcharges once payment has been
made.
Flexibility
When the weather and conditions in the mountains prove fickle,
flexibility in choosing the right alpine area is crucial
to having a great mountaineering holiday. Unlike programmes
which convene in one particular alpine valley, working
from a central location like Leysin gives us the flexibility
to change plans when we have to and to climb where the
weather and conditions are most likely to be favourable.
We adhere to course itineraries whenever possible, but
hate to see you wasting your precious holiday time sitting
out bad weather.
Reaching us is quick and simple
In a pleasant train journey of less than 2 hrs from Geneva
airport you will arrive at our hotel base in Leysin. We
take care of all onward transport from there using minibuses
and cars. This saves you both time and money by not having
to arrange your own transport to other alpine resorts,
and means that you can experience many superb areas that
may only be reached by private transport.
Great climbs on our doorstep
The limestone rock towers that dominate the skyline behind
Leysin are perfect for learning and developing your climbing
skills. What better way to experience climbing than to
follow in the footsteps of great pioneers like John Harlin,
Royal Robbins, Dougal Haston and Layton Kor, who were based
in Leysin in the sixties and seventies.
... and great skiing too
Leysin is a ski resort in winter and within easy reach of
the massive interlinked ski area of Gstaad-Diablerets-Villars,
which has some of the best on and off-piste skiing in the
Alps (without the overcrowding of Chamonix and Zermatt).
Several of our ski courses take place in this area.
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