Ice Climbing Adventure Week

In the Champsaur Valley we have some of the best variety of ice climbing in the Southern French Alps. There are variety of sites to choose from and we will adapt the itinerary when you are here to make the most of local conditions.

This is a suggested itinerary to give you an idea of some of the ice climbing possibilities available in the area. For the first day you will be in a group of maximum 6 people with one guide and for the remaining days there will be 3 people to 1 guide. 

All the guides we use for ice climbing are UIAGM high mountain guides with lots of ice climbing experience and local knowlegde. Your safety is their number one priority. 

Depending on what time you arrive you can go for a short walk around the area to check out potential ice climbing sites! Or just relax in your accommodation and enjoy the superb views.

We'll come to meet you at your accommodation, go through ice climbing itinerary and talk you through the week. 

Full day ice climbing learning the basics of ice safety and essential climbing techniques. 

Your guide will come and collect you and head for The Tourengs, a large 200m cliff with several waterfalls. The area is great for beginners as it consists of several short pitches with the option of longer (up to 200m) multi pitch routes of a variety of grades. It's ideal to get started on as you can focus on technique, rope work and safety without being too physically committed!

You will start off on top ropes and learn the basics of placing your ice axes and crampons and optimising your energy and strength, which is extremely important for ice climbing! You will also learn about different types of ice and its behaviour, rope technique and safety. As the day progresses your guide will focus on your individual strengths and weaknesses giving you exercises to do to perfect your technique.

Full day ice climbing where you will learn multi pitch techniques. 

By now you should have got hold of the basic rope techniques and have mastered to a greater or lesser degree the art of conserving your energy and optimising your strength!

Today you might go to the falls in Moline, on the other side of the valley. Here, you will learn rope management techniques for longer routes. You'll look at different belaying systems, placing ice screws and other gear and removing them - very important! The routes will be longer with 2 - 3 pitches so you can practice multi pitch climbing and there will be the opportunity for you to have a go at leading if you want to!

Full day multi pitch ice climbing at the ice falls in Prapic. 

Prapic (1513m) is a beautiful little alpine village at the end of the valley. It is still inhabited all year round by four families and has preserved it's authentic alpine character and architectural style. It's also home to some superb ice climbing.

Your guide will help you decide which route to do. Options include, Pisse Bernard which is a fantastic challenge at grade 4 with 7 pitches. There are also other slightly easier routes to choose from which are equally majestic!

This is a chance to put all the skills you've learned into practice and you can go for a longer and more technical climb.

There are never many people in Prapic and there is a very good chance that you will have the ice falls to yourselves. You can make the most of the tranquility and beauty of ice climbing in the Southern Alps! You may also spot the resident chamois and golden eagles.

There are plenty of things to do in the area from a day cross country skiing or husky dog sledding to a day relaxing in the pool and jacuzzi complex in Orcières.

You could also go and explore the area a bit more on one of our self-guided snowshoe walks. It is really up to you and we can discuss the options either before booking or when you are here.

Please note that any ski passes or activities organised for this day are not included in the price. They are payable as an extra, either at the time of booking if you already know what you would like to do or locally when you are here.

Full day multi pitch ice climbing in a beautiful canyon, you can even try your hand at drytooling!

After your rest day and previous ice climbing training, you will now be ready for a big challenge! This is a real adventure into a frozen canyon to experience a different type of ice climbing and it is just behind your accommodation - a secret canyon!

The canyon is a more mixed route with rock and ice and is a great opportunity to learn about 'dry tooling' and other methods of security on mixed routes. 

Full day multi pitch ice climbing in the spectacular Valgaudemar Valley.

Parallel to the Champsaur valley is the spectacular Valgaudemar valley, a 22km long valley with 3000m+ peaks towering above you on either side!

The choice of ice falls here is incredible! A wild and natural valley with a real high mountain ambiance - a perfect location to end your week! Your guide will help you choose which one would be a good one for you taking into consideration your progress and the local conditions so you can end on a grand finale!

There is the famous Le Voile de la Mariée which is situated just above the Gioberney refuge with a magnificent mountain backdrop. There is about an hour to walk in and 200m of beautiful ascent at grade IV/3+.

Or from the hameau du Bourg there is the Torrent du Bourg. To do this you have about an hour to walk in following a gorge before you attack the ice. It is 100m high and grade III/4 with an abseil descent.

You will leave with sore arms and legs, but with lots of great memories!