Brenta Dolomites - La via che non c'e'

Ice Climbing in the Dolomites

Ice Climbing Experience
Season
December to March
Difficulty
4 / 10 Moderate
Duration
Choose the number of days
Availability
Dec 2026 → Mar 2027
Group
max 2 people
Ratio
1 : 2
Meeting point
We confirm the climbing venue and exact meeting point close to the outing, after checking the ice and access conditions.

This trip uses our 1-10 overall difficulty scale (technical + fitness + exposure + environment). How this scale works

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

  • Time to practise footwork, tool placement and balance.
  • Single-pitch venues for a first day on ice.
  • Longer routes considered for climbers with previous experience.
  • One or two participants with an IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide.

OVERVIEW

About this trip

On a first ice-climbing day, there is plenty to get used to: the feel of crampons under your feet, placing the ice axes, and finding a balanced position where you can pause without exhausting your arms. We start on terrain that gives you time to become familiar with these movements and practise them without rushing.

An accessible single-pitch venue allows us to repeat climbs and focus on individual skills. If you already have some ice-climbing experience, we can look at a longer route or a suitable multi-pitch climb instead. The choice depends on your experience, the conditions and the ice available at the time.

We climb in the Brenta Dolomites or the Adamello area. Temperatures, recent snowfall, sun exposure and access can all make a big difference, so the exact venue is chosen according to the conditions close to the day.

We begin with an equipment check and go through belaying, communication and the basic techniques we will use on the climb. You don’t need previous climbing experience for a first session, but you should be comfortable spending several hours outside in winter and being on a rope at height.

ITINERARY

Itinerary

  1. Section 1
    Ice-climbing day

    We meet in the morning, check the fit of crampons and the climbing equipment, then travel to the selected valley.

    After the approach and briefing, the day follows the plan agreed for your experience: practice on single-pitch ice, or a longer route for climbers with suitable experience. We work on movement and communication throughout the climbing.

    We finish with a short review of the day and the skills to practise next.

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements

  • Winter fitness
    You should be comfortable with the approach walk and spending several hours outside in cold conditions, including periods standing still while belaying.
  • Previous experience
    You do not need a climbing background for an introductory single-pitch day. Tell us about your climbing experience if you would like to attempt a longer or multi-pitch route.
  • Proper winter clothing and gloves
    Warm layers, shell, and gloves that still let you handle rope and screws. Spare gloves strongly recommended.
  • Comfort on the rope
    You should be able to listen, communicate and follow instructions while on the rope. Let us know beforehand if heights are a concern.
  • Equipment
    Technical equipment is available to rent, including suitable boots, crampons, ice tools, helmet and harness. Tell us what you need in advance so we can arrange the right sizes and check compatibility. Rental is charged separately.

GEAR CHECKLIST

Gear list

Required Provided Optional Available to rent

clothing

9
  • Gloves & hat
    Required
    Light gloves, warm gloves or mittens, wool hat / buff. Bring a hat and two pairs of gloves, including a pair you can handle the ice tools in.
  • Ice climbing clothing (layers)
    Required
    Breathable base layers, fleece or light insulating jacket, mountaineering pants. Wear warm layers you can move in, with waterproof protection for wet ice and snowfall.
  • Insulated jacket
    Required
    Warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic) for stops, summits and emergency situations. Bring a warm insulated jacket for time spent belaying and waiting between climbs.
  • Mountaineering boots (ice compatible)
    Required Available to rent
    Stiff boots compatible with crampons, suitable for standing on belays in cold temperatures. Tell us your boot size if you need rental. Boots must be warm and compatible with the climbing crampons.
  • Shell jacket & trousers
    Required
    Waterproof / windproof jacket and overtrousers (Gore-Tex or similar). Bring waterproof outer layers for wet ice and snowfall.
  • Warm socks
    Required
    Warm technical socks suitable for winter climbing. Consider bringing a spare pair.
  • Belay mitts / overmitts
    Optional
    Warm belay mitts or overmitts to stay warm while belaying and during long stops. Recommended to stay warm at belays and during long stops.
  • Gaiters
    Optional
    Snow gaiters to keep feet and lower legs dry during approaches in deep snow. Recommended depending on snow depth during the approach.
  • Spare gloves / mittens
    Optional
    Spare pair of gloves or mittens in case of wet or cold conditions. Strongly recommended for ice climbing and cold days. Strongly recommended: a dry spare pair for wet gloves or long belays.

emergency

1
  • Emergency bivouac shelter
    Provided
    Lightweight emergency bivouac shelter or thermal blanket for unexpected stops or emergencies. Guide carries an emergency bivy/thermal blanket.

personal

7
  • Backpack
    Required Available to rent
    Backpack with a gear-carry option; recommended size varies by trip, see the note. A backpack with room for technical equipment, food and extra clothing.
  • Mobile phone
    Required
    Fully charged mobile phone for communication and emergency use.
  • Personal kit & snacks
    Required
    1L thermos or bottle, small personal first aid, snacks for the day. Bring food, a hot drink and any personal medication for the day.
  • Sun protection
    Required
    High SPF sunscreen and lip balm for protection against sun and wind at altitude.
  • Sunglasses & goggles
    Required
    Category 3–4 sunglasses and ski goggles for bad weather.
  • Headlamp / head torch
    Optional
    Head torch with fresh batteries, required for early starts, late finishes or hut stays. Recommended in winter for early starts, late finishes or unexpected delays.
  • Power bank & cable
    Optional
    Power bank and charging cable to keep devices operational in cold conditions. Recommended to keep devices operational in cold conditions.

safety

6
  • Climbing Helmet
    Required Available to rent
    UIAA/CE-certified climbing helmet. A climbing helmet is required; available to rent through us.
  • Climbing harness
    Required Available to rent
    A climbing harness that fits comfortably over your winter layers. Required; available to rent through us.
  • Avalanche transceiver / beacon (ARTVA)
    Optional Available to rent
    Modern 3-antenna transceiver/beacon with fresh batteries. Only if the chosen venue/approach involves avalanche terrain (decided with the guide).
  • Probe
    Optional Available to rent
    Avalanche probe (240–300 cm). Only if the chosen venue/approach involves avalanche terrain (decided with the guide).
  • Shovel
    Optional Available to rent
    Metal avalanche shovel (no plastic models). Only if the chosen venue/approach involves avalanche terrain (decided with the guide).
  • Whistle
    Optional
    Emergency whistle, often integrated into backpacks or chest straps. Recommended (often integrated into backpacks).

technical

10
  • 120 cm sling or daisy chain
    Required Available to rent
    120 cm dyneema sling or daisy chain for glacier travel and rescue.
  • Belay device
    Required Available to rent
    Belay/rappel device suitable for single and multi-pitch belaying.
  • Ice tools (pair)
    Required Available to rent
    Two technical ice tools suitable for waterfall ice (leashes optional). A pair of ice tools is required; available to rent through us.
  • Ice-climbing crampons
    Required Available to rent
    Crampons suitable for climbing waterfall ice, fitted to compatible mountaineering boots. Required. We check the fit with your boots before climbing.
  • Screwgate carabiners (x2)
    Required Available to rent
    Two locking carabiners for glacier travel and safety systems.
  • Climbing rope(s)
    Provided
    Single or half ropes for ice climbing and multi-pitch routes. Provided by the guide.
  • Extra carabiners (non-locking)
    Provided
    Additional non-locking carabiners for ice climbing and multi-pitch routes. May be provided or checked by the guide. Required for multi-pitch ice climbing; provided or checked by the guide.
  • Ice screws
    Provided
    Ice screws for anchors and short roping on technical sections. Provided by the guide when required. Provided by the guide when required for the chosen line.
  • Personal tether (adjustable)
    Provided
    Adjustable personal tether for short-roping and transitions on mixed terrain (provided or checked by the guide). Adjustable personal tether for belays and transitions (provided or checked by the guide).
  • Prusik cords (pair)
    Provided
    Prusik cords for abseil backup and basic self-rescue. Provided or checked by the guide.

PRICES

Prices

  • 1 people
    €450 Per person / day
  • 2 people
    €280 Per person / day

INCLUDED

Included

Included

  • IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide for each booked day.
  • Venue choice using the latest ice, weather and access information.
  • Shared ropes, anchors and the group technical equipment used by the guide.
  • Teaching on movement, belaying and communication while climbing.

Not included

  • Transport to/from the meeting point and any local transfers.
  • Personal clothing, food and drinks for the day.
  • Personal technical equipment rental, unless specifically included in your quote.
  • Personal travel, medical and mountain-rescue insurance.
  • Anything not explicitly listed under "Included"

Optional

  • All personal technical equipment needed for the outing is available to rent through us. Tell us what you need when you send your request; we will confirm the equipment and rental cost before you book.