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International School of Mountaineering
Classic Alpine Ascents

International School of Mountaineering

Mountaineering expertise and passion since 1965

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Why Choose ISM?

Our pedigree speaks for itself

Founded in 1965, ISM is a prestigious English speaking climbing and mountaineering school based in Leysin Switzerland. We are by far the longest established provider of Alpine mountaineering courses to English speaking clients and attract clients from all over the world.

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Icefall Climbing 4
Off Piste Skiing 3

Sharing Our Knowledge

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Dave on sighting

On-sighting - Tips and Techniques

Verb - To climb a route that you’ve not climbed before, leading it from bottom to top without resting or…

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Kalymnos 2011 063 PS

Red-Pointing - Tips and techniques

Verb - To climb a route from bottom to top cleanly without any artificial rests such as sitting on the…

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The nuts

New Routes in the Canadian Rockies

Every day’s a road trip, as we thread our way through the beautiful mountains of the Canadian Rockies in search…

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Calum e5 Langdale 2

Climbing Motivation

Some thoughts on motivation and raising your climbing standard.

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Which Boots do I need?

Boot and footwear choice represents perhaps the single most important decision of all when considering your mountaineering equipment.

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Kyrgyzstan 8597

Some thoughts on rope choice linked into decision making

So, as a BMG IFMGA Mountain Guide and climber what ropes do I use?

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James Brown Original Route 2

Traditional Climbing on a Single Rope

So, traditional climbing on a single rope - old school or maybe just a modern take on things?

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Kevin Borrowdale

Why We Love British Trad Climbing!

Why we love British trad climbing!

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Kyrgyzstan 2019 5711

The Art of Making Traditional Kyrgyz Bread!

Reflecting on a special day in the Pamir Mountains, Kyrgyzstan 2019

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Testimonials For ISM

​Good mixture of progressive instruction and learning, climbing and guiding. We climbed some very good mountains from good huts and made the best of the mixed weather conditions. The course also used a range of situations and locations to cover a wide range of skills and techniques.

Donald Connolly
Classic AlpinISM (Instructional Course)

Thank for an amazing couple of weeks! Matt and Stu were fantastic. I learned so much but also had a lot of fun. I have come home feeling like a proper mountaineer, having made some great new friends and with some unforgettable memories. I plan to come back next year!

Tim

Thanks for organising an excellent week. The course format, accommodation and set up was perfect. The guide was outstanding and gave us a full week of constructive tuition. I was able to put his training into practice the following week when I met up with a friend and did the Cosmiques Arrete.

R W (2017)
Classic AlpinISM (Instructional Course)

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