You're digging into the Italian ice!
Places filled: 6/10
A special edition of the Crag Express tour series, where instead of cliffs we take you to explore ice walls formed by frozen waterfalls. The trip is perfect for both beginners and advanced ice climbers. It is important that you know how to belay from above, have the will to learn and be brave!
Good morning! Ice Crag Express will take you on your first experience of Italian ice.
The small resort of Cogne is located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level on the edge of the Gran Paradiso National Park in northwestern Italy. In addition to having over 70 kilometers of cross-country ski trails, Cogne is also one of the world's best ice climbing centers, attracting climbers from all over the world. The area offers a wide range of climbing routes of varying difficulty, both single kui multi-pitch ice tracks.
We are staying in the Aosta Valley, a 40-minute drive from the main climbing sectors. The ice climbing routes re-form every year, so we never know exactly what awaits us, but one thing is for sure - the picks will be in the ice and the adreka will be on the ceiling!
We will spend a total of 5 full days there. During this time, the schedule is completely free - whoever wants to, climbs every day from sunrise to sunset; whoever wants to, takes a few days off. On your own, you can explore the city of Aosta, the local ski slopes, or go hiking. There are plenty of activities!
Why come ice climbing?
As a mountaineer, you may encounter icy sections even on the easiest route - especially in the Alps in summer, because during the day the sun melts the snow into water and at night it freezes again. It is better to get the feel and technique right in training, not in the middle of a steep slope at an altitude of 4000 m.
For rock climbers, ice climbing gives them a better sense of their body. The biggest similarity between both types of climbing is that they are done with their feet, not their hands. Better footwork on ice also translates to better footwork on the climbing wall.
It's just such an exciting, fun, and diverse area to broaden your horizons!
NB! To come on the trip, you must be able to climb and belay at least with a safety harness.
Apart from a helmet and climbing harness, having other personal climbing equipment is not essential on the trip, but if you have high, hard-soled, warm mountain boots and 14-tooth crampons at home, be sure to bring them! If you don't have them, they can be rented on site. Feel free to discuss equipment with the locomotive!
👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST HERE 👈
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: to climb ice in Italy, in the Cogne Valley
Dates: 29.01.-04.02.2027
Activity: ice climbing
Adventure guides: Kelli Saar, Aia Adele Narits
Technical difficulty level: 2/5 (belaying skills required)
Physical difficulty: 2-3/5 (depends on how much climbing you want to do)
Group size: min 8, max 10 (including 2 guides)
Trip price:
07.09-15.11.2026 — 1199€
for last minute decision-makers (from 16.11.2026) — 1299€
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
Travel cost
Price includes
Local transportation by rental car (including from Turin airport to Aosta)
Instruction by experienced ice climbing and mountaineering EKR3 coaches
Accommodation in a cozy hotel with breakfast
Group equipment: ropes, ice picks, express, stations, ice drills, topo book, group pharmacy
Stylish elamus+ sports shirts
Memorable memories and epic photos of you ice climbing
Price does not include
Flight tickets Tallinn-Turin (round-trip price with luggage from €300)*
Lunch snacks and dinners
On-site rental of cats and boots (ask the driver for more information)
Other personal climbing equipment - helmet, climbing harness and safety device (these can also be rented) Elamus Pluss)
Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY) sports insurance suitable for climbing)
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
*For more information about a specific flight, please ask the train operator.
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a prepayment (20%) must be paid within 3 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by e-mail. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule
Day 1 (29.01): Tallinn to Turin
The perfect way to get to Turin is to take the Lufthansa flight departing from Tallinn at 6:35. After landing, we will find rental cars and drive 1,5 hours to the city of Aosta. We will stay in a nice local hotel, where a delicious breakfast is also served. We can have dinner at local restaurants or by visiting a grocery store.
Day 2 (30.01): Let's get acquainted with the ice
On the first day of climbing, we will talk through the theory of ice climbing - safety, belaying, basic climbing techniques (body position, correct use of crampons and picks). For this, we will also choose a suitable crag with easier routes so that you can learn (or remember) at your leisure.
Every evening we hold a feedback session where we analyze what we learned and practiced during the day and give feedback on climbing techniques. We also make plans together for the next day - everyone can contribute what they would like to do!
days 3-6 (31.01-03.02): let's climb!
We will create a travel itinerary based on the group's skills and wishes. Depending on this, we can also divide the group into parts - beginners can calmly hone their technique, advanced ones can test themselves by climbing under protection or, if their skills allow, try multi-pitch.
Day 7 (04.02): return flight to your home country
We pack our bags, wave goodbye to the mountains, and drive back to Turin.
NB! The schedule and planned activities may be subject to minor (or major) changes — for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
Don't worry, let's do it!
I've never climbed on ice before, only slid. Can I still do it?!
If you are not unfamiliar with belaying or at least climbing with belaying, then you definitely can! Ice climbing is no different from climbing on indoor walls in terms of rope work, the only difference is in the climbing technique and the equipment used - this is what we learn on site. On site, we start from the beginning, go over the functions and techniques of the equipment, and familiarize ourselves with the conditions and the quality of the ice.
I really want to come on the trip, but I don't know how to do this security stuff. Can I still come?
Belaying is still necessary to learn to be able to handle ice climbing. Belaying is the same as rock climbing. If you don't know it yet, you can pass In the climbing factory green card training or join our with mountaineering training. You can also get it from us in Tartu or Tallinn. private training take.
But I don't have any personal climbing equipment. Where can I get it and what kind is suitable?
It is possible to rent or buy climbing equipment. The only mandatory equipment on this trip is a climbing harness and helmet, but if you have your own boots with stiff soles, crampons or ice climbing axes, of course, pack them too. The boots must be suitable for ice climbing, i.e. the crampons have quick release fastenings on the front and back (for example, La Sportiva G5, Nepal Cube, Karakorum or even double-layered boot). Crampons should be 14-toothed ice climbing cats with serrated front teeth (for example Petzl Lynx). Ropes and other ice climbing equipment for the group will be carried by the lifts. For more information about special equipment, see the equipment list.
When renting or borrowing, be critical. Climbing equipment has a lifespan of 8-10 years. If you find used old equipment somewhere, it's worth remembering that your own life depends on it. If things seem decent, renting can really save you some money by bringing it with you for one trip. Elamus PlussThe equipment rented from us is safe and has already been inspected by the adventure guides, so there is no reason to worry when renting from us.
It is wise to try out the equipment before purchasing. If you are a confident traveler and want to purchase personal equipment that you need advice on, feel free to ask the tour operators for advice.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
ID card/passport;
sports insurance suitable for climbing (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participation in the trip;
travel insurance. We recommend that you take out travel insurance immediately after receiving confirmation of your travel registration so that you are also covered for longer-term health problems!
Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with climbing. As a result, The group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the participants' competence, suitability of equipment, physical ability, etc., and, if necessary, prohibit access to certain routes if this endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for that.
Read also travel conditions.
Contact
Adventure guides:
Aia Adele Narits