Alpine Break

The Hautes Alpes is one of the best ice climbing playgrounds in Europe. The majority of the region is over 1000m high with more 3000m peaks than any other area in the Alps. There are a large number of well orientated valleys with north facing walls which stay out of the sun and form great ice falls. The fabled climate of 300 sunny clear days means that more often than not the climbing is on sunny days and the nights are cold enough to keep the ice in condition.

The region offers up over 500 different ice routes of all levels from small single pitch teasers up to 800m long expeditions. Some of the better known areas are the Vallee du Fournel, Fressinieres and Ceillac. It is not uncommon to be able to park your car some ten to fifteen minutes walk from the ice falls and there are often bolts in the rock at the most obvious belay points.

In January every year there is a world renouned ice climbing festival held at Argentiere la Bessee called I.C.E. where ice climbers from all over the world come together to take part in competitions, look at the new equipment, meet other climbers and equipment manufaturers, watch the Banff Mountain Film Festival and much more.