Ice fall climbing in and around the Chamonix Valley from chamonix.net

Lift Status

Aiguille du Midi Grands Montets Brévent - Flégère Le Tour/Vallorcine Les Houches Lift & Ski Information

Hot Links

Accommodation

Snow Report Webcams Events Videos News

Partner Portals

Madeira

Ice Climbing in and around the Chamonix Valley
The Chamonix Valley is very famous for its ice falls. In and around Chamonix you can find more than 200 routes for all levels and skills.
The valley itself offers you more than 10 spots where you can use your crampons and ice axes.
But the good thing is that in a distance of one or two hours driving you can find another two wonderful spots for vertical ice.
We're talking about the Swiss Valley of Trient or the Cogne Valley in Italy...

Access is easy, with 10-60 mins walk from the road. Some of the ice falls are equipped with belays and most have abseil descents.

The ice falls at altitude normally start to form around December. The lower falls start forming from January onwards with the best ice fall climbing months being between January and February.
Chamonix ValleyTrient Valley, SwitzerlandCogne Valley, ItalyMixed RoutesSecurity
The Chamonix Valley has a number of ice falls of varying length and degree of difficulty. These are of interest to beginner and expert alike. There are about 20 sites for ice fall climbing, with the most popular being at Servoz, Les Houches, the Mont Blanc tunnel entrance, le Chapeau, Col de Montets and the Argentière Glacier.

More info...
Just half an hour driving from Chamonix into Switzerland, you will find the Trient Valley. A very good spot for ice climbing, with ice falls for all levels.

From Chamonix, drive towards the Col de Montets and then through the Swiss border (Chatelard). From here there are several places where you can use your ice axes.

Check out the "topos" for detailed information on the various climbs.

More info...
The Cogne Valley in Italy is the paradise for ice climbers. Cogne is located one and a half hours from Chamonix by car. You have two small parallel valleys, the "Valnontey" and the "Vallone di Valeille". The place is wild and beautiful, and sometimes you find yourself climbing side by side with the local fauna!!!

The ice routes are located all along these two valleys, 5 Kms deep. Thanks to the multitude of lines and routes, it's possible to climb on your own without crossing other parties. There are approximately one hundred routes easy of access in this fantastic area.

More info...

Security, Equipment, Mountain Guides and Courses

Many security factors must be taken into consideration when ice fall climbing: the weather, recent snowfall, temperature changes, ice quality and equipment condition are all factors the ice climber should consider. The level of difficulty or grade can also change depending on the ice thickness. Avalanches and falling ice may be a threat. Care should be taken on approaches. Wear an avalanche tranceivers if in any doubt.

Ice climbing equipment; boots, axes, crampons, screws etc can be purchased or hired in many of the sports shops in the Chamonix valley.There is an abundance of high Mountain Guides and guiding organisations that run ice climbing courses, for beginners and intermediates.
For further information on winter mountaineering:
Mountaineering Safety Mountain Huts Mountain Guides Winter Routes

Rock Climbing Weather Chamonix glaciers Mountaineering Navigation Page

Ice Climbing in and around the Chamonix Valley

For further information on winter mountaineering: