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 5.700,- 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 FOR DAY 

Day 1 – 6 jan: Travel to Hemsedal 
Official Opening 19:00
– Presentation of participants and instructors as well as expectations for the course
– Distribution of equipment
 
Day 2 – 7 jan: We will introduce crampons and axes. Drill walking and belay techniques on ice. But also get our first swings of the ice axes.

Day 3 – 8 jan: We will put up a lot of top ropes and work and improve our climbing techniques.

Day 4 – 9 jan: Climb on some more steep stuff, work with Ice screws and maybe do a long rappel.

Day 5 – 10 jan: Alpine route or multi pitch ice. We get off the ground. 

Day 6 – 11 jan: Climb the last energy out of the arms.
Course evaluation and travel home around 14:00 or stay some extra days.

The program can change due to snow amount, temperature and wind. But we promise that you will get a lot of climbing done in the great nature of Norway.

Included:
– Instruction 5,5 days (2 instructors: ratio 6:1)
– Accommodation in a hut for 5 nights
– Ice Axes
– Crampons
– Personal climbing equipment
– Mountain Boots
– Ropes

Not included:
– Bed Linen (rent 150DKK)
– Travel to Hemsedal
– Travel during the course (car rental, gas, etc)
– Any insurances
– Snowshoes (75dkk pr day)
– Food during the course (we are going to buy shared food and cook together)