The International School of Mountaineering LTD
ISM has activities through the Year:
The ISM year begins with Ice Climbing Courses in the Alps, Norway and Canada, taking advantage of the very reliable ice climbing conditions to be found in these world-renowned icefall climbing venues. By late February, temperatures in the Alps are beginning to rise a little and the days get longer – this is when our Ski Touring courses and Off-Piste Ski weeks begin in earnest. Our earlier alpine ski touring courses focus on building skills, while during the later weeks we ski the finest alpine Haute Routes, including the famous high level route from Chamonix to Zermatt.
Throughout the spring in the UK we run a personalised and flexible programme of Rock Climbing courses and Alpine Training days, both to introduce novices to the sports of rock climbing and mountaineering and to prepare people for any alpine courses they might be aiming to do in the summer. For experienced climbers we offer guided climbing on the best UK rock climbs as well as rock climbing holidays in Sardinia (perhaps the best of the ‘Sun Rock’ venues in the Mediterranean).
The first of our regular Expeditions – Andes Summits – sets out around the end of May to climb Alpamayo and other peaks in the fabulous Cordillera Blanca in the Peruvian Andes, then once into June the spring snows in the Alps have compacted enough to allow us to launch into our main Summer programme of Alpine Mountaineering Courses. We offer the widest range of alpine courses available, with something for all mountain-lovers whether you want to learn the skills of alpine climbing, climb famous peaks like Mont Blanc, the Eiger and the Matterhorn, climb the Alpine 4000m Peaks or trek hut-to-hut over the glaciers and high passes on one of our summer Haute Routes. Our mountaineering courses and Haute Route treks range over the whole of the Western Alps, from the Bernese Oberland in the north to the Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc Massif further south. We also run customised programmes in such far-flung areas as the Dolomites, the Ecrins, the Vanoise and Bregaglia.
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| Group Sizes |
At least 1 person
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| Course Durations |
At least 1 day
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| Required Skill Level |
Open to All
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| Required Equipment |
Included
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| Targeted Activities |
Camping, Cross-country Skiing, Hiking, Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Skiing |
| Our Certificatons |
All guides working for ISM are fully accredited IFMGA guides or aspirant guides. |
Class & Lesson Types |
Private Lessons |
Kids/Youth |
Instructor Course |
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Group Lessons |
Elderly |
Workshops/Seminars |
Mountain Skills & Disciplines |
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Hiking |
Mountaineering |
Canyoneering |
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Backpacking |
High Altitude |
Caving |
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Camping |
Traversing |
Coasteering |
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Rock Climbing |
Aid Climbing |
Big Walling |
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Ice Climbing |
Free Climbing |
Ropes & Knots |
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Bouldering |
Solo Climbing |
Belaying |
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Indoor Climbing |
Lead Climbing |
Rappeling |
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Traditional Climbing |
Top Roping |
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Avalanche Awareness |
Outdoor Survival |
First Aid |
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Environmental Awareness |
Navigation |
Search & Rescue |
Additional: Ski touring and off piste skiing
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Our six-day Summits and Skills 4000m course is designed to give you the best possible introduction to the techniques of Alpine mountaineering and, in addition, a chance to climb a 4000m peak as a culmination of the week.
The course teaches all the important skills and techniques necessary for participants to be able to climb independently on easier alpine routes (up to PD) and to move safely over glaciated terrain. An important aspect of the course is that participants have every opportunity to practice techniques for themselves, and to lead the climbing rope themselves, with close supervision and feedback from the guides. The areas that we use on this course have been carefully selected to provide the best possible climbs for you to practice and develop your skills, with expert coaching and supervision from the ISM guiding team. The most effective way to learn is by doing, and you will not find a more 'hands-on' course than this one!
This course also provides excellent preparation for those planning other alpine objectives with a guide, or as a lead-in to our ‘Classic’ range of courses and our more advanced Technical Alpinism course. Its combination of skills training and progressive acclimatisation to 4000m also make it ideal to combine with our Mont Blanc Extension, for people who wish to prepare as thoroughly as possible for an ascent of Mt. Blanc.
Saturday evening
The course starts with participants and guides meeting at 7.00pm
Sunday
The beautiful limestone peaks above Leysin provide an ideal venue to practice and perfect basic rope and climbing techniques. We cover everything from tying in, through belay set-ups and belaying techniques, movement over rock, abseiling and prussiking, to the taking of coils and shortening of the rope for moving together on alpine terrain. The multitude of friendly climbs here gives plenty of scope for introducing the complete novice, as well as coaching and improving the technique of those with previous climbing experience. We return to the hotel for dinner and an evening video presentation on ice climbing techniques.
Monday
We travel to the Moiry glacier, an excellent and easily accessible venue to learn the basics of movement on ice and glacial terrain. We cover crampon and ice axe techniques on different angles of ice, the use of ice screws for protection and belays and good rope technique for safe travel over glaciated terrain. At the end of the day, we carry on up the glacier a short distance to the Moiry hut, where we spend the night. An evening session at the hut covers the use and interpretation of map and guidebook, relating it to the terrain around us.
Tuesday
We make an early start in the morning to climb one of the peaks above the hut – normally the Pigne de la Lé (3396m). The mixed climbing on the summit ridge provides excellent ground for practicing short rope technique, and participants have the opportunity to lead the rope during the ascent and descent of the peak. From the summit, we descend to the upper Moiry glacier where there is an excellent spot for us to stop and teach the basics of crevasse rescue techniques. In the afternoon we carry on down past the hut to our transport and make the short trip around to Sass where we spend a comfortable night back in the valley.
Wednesday
We head up out of the valley on foot to the Almageller hut, which is the starting point for our ascent of the Weissmies (4023m). The approach takes about 4 hours up a good track and has spectacular views of the Mischabel chain, including the Täschhorn, Dom and Monte Rosa. The hut is set beneath the rugged Dri Hornli (3207m), which has many excellent training climbs. Hugo the hut guardian is very welcoming, and the hut itself is as comfortable as any hut in the Alps. In the afternoon, we head over to the Dri Hornli to climb and to refresh the skills needed for our ascent of the Weissmies next day.
Thursday
We make another ‘alpine start’, leaving the hut before dawn in order to make our ascent while the snow is still well frozen. We head up to the Zwishenbergen pass and from there climb a snow and ice slope to gain the rocky south ridge. Excellent scrambling and short pitches lead on to the fore-summit, from which an airy snow/ice ridge leads to the top. Again, you can have the opportunity to lead the rope for yourself with the guides giving instruction as necessary. From the summit, we complete the traverse of the peak by descending the impressive glacial North West flank of the mountain down to the Weissmies hut.
Friday
We have different possibilities from the Weissmies hut for our last day and we will take into account the group’s preferences. For many, being confident on glacial terrain is very important and we often return to the glacier for a thorough crevasse rescue session, with participants practising belaying, self-rescue and hoisting systems for themselves. Another option is an ascent of the impressive rock peak
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| Meals |
All Inclusive
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| Local Transport |
Included
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| Insurance |
Not Included
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| Additional |
All of our courses are fully inclusive. Private guiding and customised arrangements are negotiable |
| Nearby Attractions |
We are based in Leysin Switzerland, and most of the alpine areas, such as Zermatt, Chamonix, Grindelwald, Gran Paradiso, are within easy striking distance (less than 2 hrs drive) |
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Basics & Backgrounds
in Dutch
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