Ice Climbing – Level 1

Ice climbing is an exciting way to explore the vertical world in winter, and Hemsedal offers some of the best ice climbing in Norway. With its reliable conditions, stunning alpine setting, and a variety of routes for all levels, it’s the perfect place to take your first steps on ice.

This course is designed for beginners looking to experience ice climbing for the first time. While prior experience walking on snow or ice is helpful, it’s not required. If you have rock climbing or indoor climbing experience, it will be useful – but ice is a different element, and we’ll start with the fundamentals to ensure you build confidence and technique from the ground up.

Instructors: Lars Bukkehave & Maria Winther

Language: English, Danish & Norwegian

Price: DKK 6.750,- per person

Requirements: Experience walking on snow or ice is helpful but not necessary. Previous climbing experience on rock or indoors is useful, but we’ll start with the basics – after all, ice is a whole different challenge!

Day 1 – Arrival & Course Opening

• Travel to Golsfjellet
• Official opening at 19:00 (the doors to the house opens at 17:00 earliest)
• Introduction of participants and instructors
• Course goals, expectations, and safety briefing
• Equipment distribution and check
  

Day 2 – Introduction to Ice Climbing

• Introduction to crampons and ice axes
• Walking techniques and movement on ice
• Basic belay techniques
• First swings of the ice axes on real ice
  

Day 3 – Technique & Confidence Building

• Extensive top-rope climbing
• Focus on climbing technique, balance, and efficiency
• Improving movement and tool placement
  

Day 4 – Steeper Ice & Rope Skills

• Climbing steeper ice lines
• Introduction to ice screws
• Anchor building
• Rappel practice
  

Day 5 – Single-Pitch Ice Climbing

• Longer single-pitch ice routes
• Applying all learned techniques in a controlled setting
• Focus on flow, efficiency, and confidence on ice
  

Day 6 – Final Climbs & Wrap-Up

• A final climb — emptying the last energy from the arms
• Course evaluation and feedback
• Travel home around 14:00, or option to stay extra days

Included in the Course Fee

• 6 days of instruction
  2 instructors · max ratio 5:1 
• Accommodation in our mountain house (5 nights)
• Ice axes
• Ropes
• Sauna goose 🙂

Not Included

• Personal climbing equipment, mountaineering boots and crampons (possible to rent, see below)
• Travel to and from Golsfjellet
• Bed linen, sheet and towel
  (mandatory – bring your own or rent at the house for 150 DKK)
• Transport during the course
  (car rental, fuel, etc.)
• Any insurance(s)
• Food during the course
  (we will buy shared food and cook together)

Equipment Rental (Optional)

• Snowshoes: 75 DKK per day
• Personal climbing equipment (full set): 500 DKK per course
• Crampons: 300 DKK per course
• Mountaineering boots: 500 DKK per couse
  (limited sizes available, please let us now ASAP)