Tucked away in the Aosta Valley and Gran Paradiso National Park in north-western Italy, the village of Cogne and its unspoiled surrounding valleys offer an abundance of opportunities for the most hardcore adventurers. Come wintertime, this area turns into a veritable ice climbing haven. With jaw-dropping ice structures and almost 150 stunning frozen waterfalls along steep valley walls, this European icy paradise is an absolute no-brainer for any adrenaline junkie! The area abounds with a range of ice cragging routes and grades for all skill levels, from single-pitch to renowned multi-pitch climbs. Pair that with excellent conditions and easy access, and you get one of the most spectacular ice climbing destinations Europe has to offer. Join an expert guide who’ll provide the optimal learning environment on your electrifying ice climbing adventure. Find out why Aosta Valley is Italy’s best kept climbing secret from Rob Coppolillo, certified AMGA/IFMGA rock, alpine and ski guide.
Discover the marvelous Aosta Valley and experience Italy in a new way
A ton of reliable single and multi-pitch ice climbing routes for all levels
Conquer Cogne’s breathtaking steep-sided icy valleys and frozen waterfalls
Spend two days ice climbing the glorious icy structures, steep-sided valleys and captivating frozen waterfalls in the irresistible Aosta Valley. Your knowledgeable guide will make sure you experience this thrilling winter adventure the right way by showing you all the necessary techniques to become a competent ice climber and to improve your ice climbing skills regardless of your skill level. Get out of your comfort zone, fast-track your ice climbing skills and have tons of fun in the process!
Meet up with your guide in the morning for an equipment check and a briefing. They will lay out the plan for the day after an assessment of weather, conditions and avalanche risk. Your guide will show you how to develop efficient climbing techniques and there is no better way of doing that than at a single-pitch venue, where participants can work on their technique and build confidence for future undertakings. The skills you’ll work on are:
On the second day, you’ll get to do lots of amazing climbing and a chance to climb many various single and multi-pitch routes. This is a sure-fire way for participants to build confidence and cement the fundamental techniques learnt on Day 1. The skills that the guide will show you today are:
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
No previous ice climbing experience is necessary, but some rock climbing experience is beneficial. Reasonable level of strength and fitness is required. It is also beneficial to have some indoor wall climbing experience. Ice climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a wall using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.
No previous ice climbing experience is necessary. Cogne and the Aosta Valley have plenty of options for beginner climbers. Whether you’ve never climbed before or are transitioning from the gym to outdoor climbing, your guide will customize the day to suit your skill level and objectives. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the ice, and most importantly, have fun!
For intermediate to advanced climbers, Cogne and the Aosta Valley have loads of routes to spend the day on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.
All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:
Here’s a list of the equipment you should bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Ice climbing days in Cogne and the Aosta Valley can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Cogne and the Aosta Valley, most people fly into Turin Airport about 2 hours away from Cogne. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. Another option to get there is to travel to Chamonix. To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make the airport transfer hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop-Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles.
Clients can meet in Cogne or in Chamonix and drive over with the guide. All fuel and transport from and back to Chamonix is included in the price. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Cogne, the Aosta Valley please refer to the The Official Tourism Website for the Aosta Valley.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
