Icefall Climbing Skills
Level 1 : Instructional Course
Our 5-Day Ice Climbing Skills Course is the perfect introduction to the world of ice climbing. Over five days you'll learn the essential skills, techniques and safety needed to climb frozen waterfalls with confidence exploring some of the finest ice climbing venues in the French and Italian Alps.
What You'll Learn
Throughout the week you'll develop the essential skills, techniques and confidence needed to climb frozen waterfalls safely and efficiently in the winter mountains.
Under the close guidance of your experienced ISM Guide, you'll receive progressive coaching both on and off the ice. Every new skill is demonstrated, practised and refined before being put into action on real climbs, ensuring you build confidence through hands-on experience in a safe and supportive environment.
During the course you'll cover:
- Ice climbing movement and technique
- Efficient use of technical ice tools and crampons
- Placing and removing ice screws
- Belaying, rope work and anchor systems
- Safe movement and decision-making in the winter mountain environment
- Avalanche awareness and mountain safety
- Route selection and climbing strategy
By the end of the week you'll have climbed a variety of icefalls, developed a solid technical foundation and gained the confidence to continue progressing as an ice climber.
On successful completion of the course, you'll be awarded an ISM Level 1 Ice Climbing Certificate, recognising the skills and standard you have achieved during the week.
This version also makes the ISM Level 1 Certificate feel like a meaningful achievement rather than an afterthought, ending the section on a positive, aspirational note.
Course Highlights
An instructional course giving you a great introdution to icefall climbing
Learn the basic skills and techniques in a fun and safe environment
Price includes all uplift, breakfast and evening meals, transport and accommodation
Expert instruction and coaching from experienced ISM Guides
Is This Course For Me?
This course is designed for anyone looking to take their first steps into the world of ice climbing, as well as climbers wanting to build a stronger technical foundation.
It's ideal if you're new to climbing steep ice but already have some experience of using an ice axe and crampons—whether from alpine mountaineering, summer ascents in the Alps, or winter mountaineering in Scotland. It is equally well suited to those who have climbed ice before but would like to improve their technique, increase their confidence and develop a more complete understanding of the sport.
Throughout the week you'll learn the core skills that every ice climber needs, including efficient climbing technique, the effective use of modern technical ice tools and crampons, placing and removing ice screws, rope work, belaying, building anchors and essential safety systems. We'll also cover avalanche awareness, route selection and decision-making in the winter mountain environment—vital skills for anyone climbing frozen waterfalls in the Alps or elsewhere.
Experience & Fitness
Previous indoor or outdoor rock climbing experience is beneficial, as a basic understanding of climbing movement and rope work will allow you to focus more quickly on developing your ice climbing skills. However, extensive climbing experience isn't essential, and we'll adapt the coaching to suit each member of the group.
A good level of general fitness is important, as you'll be spending full days in the mountains carrying equipment and climbing on snow and ice. While ice climbing certainly involves your upper body, good technique is far more important than strength alone. Throughout the course you'll learn how to move efficiently, allowing your feet and body position to do most of the work rather than relying on pulling with your arms.
I particularly like finishing with the point that "good technique is far more important than strength alone." That's reassuring for newcomers and is one of the biggest misconceptions about ice climbing. It also reinforces the value of the course: you're teaching technique, not just taking people climbing.
An Introduction to Icefall Climbing
This five-day course is designed to introduce you to the exciting world of ice climbing in a fun, supportive and progressive environment. Whether you're completely new to the sport or looking to build on existing winter climbing experience, you'll learn the essential skills and techniques needed to climb frozen waterfalls with confidence.
We'll take things at a comfortable pace, giving you plenty of time to practise each new skill before putting it into action on real ice. As the week progresses, you'll climb a variety of routes that allow you to develop your technique, build confidence and gain a deeper understanding of movement on ice, equipment, protection and the unique challenges of the winter mountain environment.
Our aim is for you to finish the course not only having climbed some incredible icefalls, but with the knowledge, confidence and experience to continue your ice climbing journey.
Because ice is constantly changing, no two weeks are ever the same. Ice formation depends entirely on temperature and weather conditions, which can vary from week to week, day to day, and sometimes even within a matter of hours. This ever-changing environment is all part of the adventure.
To ensure you enjoy the very best climbing conditions, we closely monitor the weather and ice throughout the week. Rather than sticking to a fixed venue, we'll choose the destination offering the best quality ice and the most rewarding experience. Depending on conditions, this could include the world-renowned icefalls of Cogne in the Gran Paradiso National Park, the spectacular valleys of Ollomont or Gressoney in Italy's Aosta Valley, or one of the many excellent venues around the Chamonix–Mont Blanc Massif, all within easy reach of our base at Hotel PlanB in Le Fayet Saint-Gervais.
This flexible approach ensures every course is tailored to the conditions, giving you the best possible opportunity to learn, progress and enjoy some of the finest ice climbing the Alps have to offer.
Skills Taught
- Using technical ice axes and crampons
- Developing your personal climbing technique
- Understanding how ice forms and the effects of temperature
- Snow pack and risk assessment
- Using ice screws and other specific equipment
- Ice belays and anchors
- Ropework for belaying and lead climbing
- V-Thread anchors and abseilling
- Grades and understanding icefall guidebooks
Sample Programme
Sunday - Arrival & Course Briefing
Your adventure begins at 6:45pm with a welcome briefing at Hotel PlanB, Le Fayet Saint-Gervais, Chamonix Mont Blanc.
This is your chance to meet your guide and fellow climbers, run through the plan for the week, discuss current conditions, and ask any questions you may have. We'll also check everyone's equipment and help you organise any last-minute kit before heading out onto the ice.
After the briefing, we'll enjoy dinner together and get ready for an exciting week in the mountains.
Monday - Building the Foundations
We start the week at one of the excellent ice climbing venues in or around the Chamonix Valley, close to our hotel. These accessible icefalls provide the perfect environment to develop solid climbing technique in a relaxed and supportive setting.
Throughout the day you'll learn and practise:
- Efficient movement and footwork on ice
- Confident use of ice axes and crampons
- Placing and removing ice screws
- Belaying and climbing multiple ice routes
- Understanding the winter mountain environment and changing conditions
By the end of the day you'll already be building confidence on ice while enjoying one of the Alps' most spectacular winter playgrounds.
Overnight: Hotel PlanB, Le Fayet Saint-Gervais.
Tuesday - Exploring Italy
Today we'll head through the Mont Blanc Tunnel into Italy. Depending on conditions, we'll climb in either the beautiful Valsavarenche or the world-famous Cogne Valley, both renowned for their exceptional ice climbing.
With yesterday's skills as a foundation, you'll continue developing your technique on a variety of exciting icefalls while experiencing some of the finest climbing venues in the Alps.
Our flexible itinerary allows us to choose the best location based on current ice conditions, ensuring you get the most from your week.
Overnight: Cogne Valley or the Aosta Valley, depending on where we climb.
Wednesday - Taking it UP a level
As confidence grows, it's time to tackle slightly steeper ice.
With continued coaching from your guide, you'll refine your movement and develop more efficient climbing technique. Steeper ice encourages precise footwork, balance and body positioning—proving that great ice climbing is about technique rather than strength.
We'll continue exploring new venues, giving you the opportunity to experience different styles of climbing and spectacular alpine scenery.
Overnight: Cogne Valley or the Aosta Valley.
Thursday - Discover More the Alps
One of the great advantages of climbing in winter is the freedom to explore some of the Alps' quieter and more remote valleys.
Together, we'll choose another venue offering the best conditions, giving everyone the opportunity to challenge themselves while continuing to build confidence and develop new skills.
Expect another rewarding day on beautiful frozen waterfalls in a fun, supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
Overnight: Cogne Valley or the Aosta Valley.
Friday - Your Final Challenge!
On our final day, we'll bring everything together.
Drawing on everything you've learned throughout the week, we'll assess the conditions, discuss route options as a group, and choose an icefall that matches everyone's progression and ambitions.
By now you'll have gained not only stronger climbing skills, but also a greater understanding of how ice forms, how temperature affects climbing conditions, and how to make informed decisions in the winter mountains.
Our aim is that you leave the course with increased confidence, improved technique and the knowledge to continue your ice climbing journey safely and independently.
After climbing, we'll return to Hotel PlanB, Le Fayet Saint-Gervais, where the course concludes.
Saturday
Breakfast is included before departure.
Accommodation throughout the course is in mountain hotels with excellent, plentiful food, helping us to relax, refresh and rest well each night to be ready for another full day on the ice.
Course Dates & Booking
Meet the Team
Terry Ralphs
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Terry learnt to climb on the gritstone edges of the Peak District then after graduating from Leeds University he decided to make his living in the outdoors, moving to North Wales to work at Plas y Brenin…
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Tommaso Dusi
IFMGA Italian Mountain Guide
Tommaso is a an experienced Italian mountain guide and regular year-round ISM team member. He loves the mountains and helping people to connect and find happiness in nature.
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Adrian Nelhams
ISM Director and IFMGA British Mountain Guide
As a Director of ISM, Adrian splits his time between guiding, the ISM office, family and climbing for himself. During his 30+ year commitment to the team, Adrian has played a key role in the development of ISM.
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Vital Information
Please check the vital information below to help when booking a course
- Equipment
- Prices
- Getting to Le Fayet Saint Gervais, Mt Blanc
- Insurance Information
- Paying Information
- Booking Conditions
