Classic Dolomites Ice
Level 2 : Guided Climbing
Experience the magic of ice climbing in the Italian Dolomites, climbing classic icefalls among dramatic limestone peaks while developing your skills on more technical and adventurous terrain.
Discover the unique magic of ice climbing in the Italian Dolomites, where ribbons of frozen water form among some of the most spectacular limestone peaks and valleys in the Alps. This Level 2 course is designed for climbers looking to progress onto longer, more technical and adventurous icefalls, combining excellent climbing with the unforgettable scenery and character of this world-famous mountain landscape.
The week comprises five full days of top-quality ice climbing across some of the finest areas of the Dolomites, from the dramatic valleys of Trentino to the spectacular landscapes of Alto Adige in north-eastern Italy. We'll climb classic icefalls, develop your technique and efficiency on more demanding terrain, and experience the unique atmosphere of one of the Alps' most fascinating mountain regions.
Course Highlights
Challenge yourself on some world class technical alpine icefalls
Hone your technical skills and experience icefall climbing in a new venue
Enjoy a progression of steeper and more technical grades of icefalls
Expert guiding and instruction from experienced ISM Guides
Is The Course For Me?
This course is designed for experienced ice climbers looking to progress onto steeper, more technical and more sustained icefalls in the Dolomites. To get the most from the week, you should be comfortable seconding ice routes of Grade IV (WI4) or above in the Alps, or have equivalent experience on winter routes in the UK.
If you are still building confidence at this level, our Classic Alpine Icefalls or Classic Dolomites Icefalls courses provide the ideal preparation, helping you develop the skills and experience needed to fully enjoy this more technical week.
Through expert coaching and guided climbing, we’ll focus on refining your movement, improving efficiency on steep ice and developing the technical skills required for harder routes. The aim is to help you gain the confidence, judgement and experience needed to climb some of the Dolomites’ finest Grade IV and V icefalls in a safe, supportive and inspiring environment.
Classic Dolomites Icefalls
The Dolomites offer an incredible variety of classic icefalls, from beautiful flowing lines tucked into dramatic valleys to more sustained and technical routes high beneath the iconic limestone peaks. Throughout the week we adapt the climbing objectives to suit the experience, ambitions and abilities of the group, ensuring everyone enjoys the right level of challenge and progression.
For keen and experienced climbers, there will be opportunities to climb more demanding WI4+/WI5 routes, while everyone on the course will develop their technique, confidence and understanding of climbing on steep ice. If your goal is to progress towards independent climbing, we can also introduce and develop lead climbing skills when the right opportunities arise.
We operate in small teams and travel by car, giving us the flexibility to seek out the best ice and explore different valleys and climbing areas throughout the Dolomites. This means we are not tied to one venue and can choose objectives based on current conditions, weather and the ambitions of the group.
Combined with the local knowledge and experience of our ISM Guides, this flexibility allows us to create a rewarding and memorable ice climbing week—maximising your time on the best possible routes while experiencing the unique beauty and character of the Italian Dolomites.
Course Content
The aim of the week is to develop your confidence, efficiency and technical understanding while climbing some of the Dolomites’ finest classic icefalls. Building on your existing experience, we focus on refining the skills required for longer, steeper and more adventurous routes.
Throughout the week we will review and develop:
- Efficient movement technique on steeper ice, improving footwork, balance and energy conservation
- Effective use of technical ice tools and crampons across a variety of ice conditions
- Rapid placement, assessment and removal of ice screws while climbing
- Equipment selection and racking systems for multi-pitch and steeper ice routes
- Building secure ice belays, stances and anchors
- Rope management, including double rope techniques and efficient belaying systems
- Abseiling techniques and safely retreating from an ice climb when required
- Assessing ice conditions, understanding temperature effects and making informed route choices
- Developing mixed climbing techniques where appropriate
- Adapting climbing style, tactics and decision-making for higher-grade icefalls
- Route planning, understanding icefall guidebooks and choosing suitable objectives
A key part of the week is learning how to manage yourself on longer and more committing icefalls—understanding not only how to climb the ice, but how to make good decisions before and during the climb.
When completing your booking form, please include details of previous ice climbing venues, routes and grades you have climbed. This allows us to understand your experience and tailor the week's objectives accordingly.
The final programme will always take into account the experience and ambitions of the group, along with the weather, temperatures and prevailing ice conditions, ensuring we select the best possible climbing opportunities throughout the Dolomites.
Sample Programme
The itinerary below is an example of how the week may run. As with all our courses, the final programme will be adapted to suit the weather, ice conditions and experience of the group, allowing us to choose the best possible climbing objectives each day.
Sunday – Arrival & Course Briefing
Fly to Venice and than an easy transfer to our hotel in Belluno where the course begins with a welcome briefing at 6:45pm from your ISM Guide, followed by an evening meal together.
Monday & Tuesday – Serrai di Sottoguda
We begin the week with two days climbing in the spectacular Serrai di Sottoguda.
This impressive natural gorge, approximately 2km long, has been carved through the rock between Malga Ciapela (the departure station for the Marmolada cable car) and Sottoguda. Surrounded by towering limestone walls, it is one of the Dolomites’ most famous and atmospheric ice climbing venues.
With more than 20 icefalls ranging from one to three pitches and covering a wide variety of grades, Serrai di Sottoguda provides the perfect setting to develop technique, build confidence and begin the week’s climbing progression.
Wednesday – Badia Valley
We move into the Badia Valley, the German-speaking region of the Dolomites, to climb some of the impressive icefalls that form beneath the dramatic Sella Group.
Depending on conditions and the group’s ambitions, possible objectives include Cascate di Damocle, Solo per Pochi and Brivido Sottile (120m, Grade 4+ to 5+), offering exciting multi-pitch climbing in a spectacular mountain setting.
Thursday – Val Travenanzes, Cortina
Today we travel to Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the “Queen of the Dolomites”, to explore one of the most beautiful and wild ice climbing valleys in the region: Val Travenanzes.
The approach takes around two hours, making this the longest walk-in of the week, but the reward is one of the Dolomites’ most famous ice climbs: Sogno Canadese (200m, Grade 5).
Set in an incredible mountain environment, this is a memorable adventure and a true classic of Dolomite ice climbing.
Friday – Val di Gares
For our final climbing day, we head into another spectacular and quieter valley, Val di Gares, where we aim to climb Tre per Tre (120m, Grade 5).
A fitting finale to the week, combining technical climbing with the remote and adventurous atmosphere that makes ice climbing in the Dolomites so special.
Saturday – Departure
Breakfast is included at the hotel before departure.
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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Matt Stygall
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Originally from the flatland of Norfolk, Matt soon escaped to the highlands of Scotland, to cut his teeth on the Scottish winter climbing scene there. He then worked full time at Plas Y Brenin in North Wales…
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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.
Read MoreVital Information
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