Dale Skole - Ice Climbing

Just got back from another amazing trip with Skyhook .The old school hostel is outstanding providing hot showers with heated flooring and also a sauna . A drying room and work bench with tools for sharpening crampons and ice axes .so great place that has everything you need .In the lounge area is a massive kitchen to use and cook your evening meals. A log burner fire and comfy seating to relax after a day of ice climbing. Skyhook have hit the nail on the head with this course . Catering for every level from beginner to experienced.The ice climbing is amazing with multiple locations to choose from. The instructors are top notch and super qualified . very nice people and pass on lots and lots of knowledge. once again..... Thank you Damien and skyhook for a great trip.

Absolutely amazing experience. One of the most organized and friendly hostiles I've ever been to! The guides were both extremely informed, well spoken, and just great people to hang out with. The first day of the improver course we all got together did some climbing and review of basics, and then broke up into smaller 1:2 ratio groups to go over goal specific stuff. 

I learned a lot, had a blast, and will definitely be back to Norway in the short future. 10/10 recommendation for this course.

The course is for people with rock climbing experience, or basic ice climbing experience.

Ice Climbing Improver

You will stay in the Rjukan Old School Hostel. You can find them on Facebook and book extra nights.

The hostel is a small and friendly hostel with basic dormitory-style accommodation. It has comfortable beds, good cooking facilities and pans, warm showers, a sauna, Wi-Fi and a drying room for gear. Bed linen is included. There is no reception desk – just come inside and ask for the owner Jakob, who is also your head guide.

The courses are based out of Rjukan (3 hours from Oslo), a valley interspersed with over 200 frozen waterfalls. Over the week you will cover the essential skills in a variety of single-pitch and multi-pitch crags (20m-400m), all within a few minutes' walk of the road.

The local supermarket has a broad selection, with equivalent prices to a higher-end supermarket in the UK (e.g. Waitrose).

If you arrive during the day, it is likely that everyone will be out skiing or climbing. Feel free to put your feet up and make yourself a coffee before the guides come back. In the evening your guide will introduce you to the rest of the group and start your course briefing.

Absolutely yes - most people book alone. It can feel a bit intimidating, but you will do introductions when you arrive, and you’ll get to know the others in no time!

The minimum age for all our courses is 18.

You will start the course off, with a briefing at the hostel around 8 pm on day 1 of the itinerary. On the final day, you should be finished by 4 pm.

• European Health Insurance Card (if appropriate)

• Driver’s license & rental car details (if needed)

Please make sure all clothing is not cotton – cotton clothing is great for the summer but loses heat very quickly in the winter.

• 4 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)

• ‘Booster layer’ e.g. second fleece

• Down jacket for warmth, if possible (from e.g. Rab, Alpkit, Mountain Equipment)

• Soft-shell trousers or other warm trousers

• 2 pairs of waterproof/snowproof gloves or mitts

• Winter mountaineering boots that fit crampons (these can be rented directly from the hostel if not owned. The cost of rental is 250NOK for the whole course.)

• Sleeping bag liner for the hostel (you can rent sheets if not owned)

• Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor (French plug style), phone & charger

If you own any of the following, you may bring them along as well (otherwise they will be provided free of charge):

It includes accommodation, guides and all technical equipment. It excludes travel, food, appropriate clothing and winter mountaineering boots (these can be rented from the hostel if needed).

All specialist equipment is provided. You must bring with you: Appropriate clothing (similar to ski wear) including waterproof trousers and tops. At least 2 pairs of gloves/mitts and winter mountaineering boots (you can also rent these from the hostel). Snow shoes are also provided free of charge if needed for the walk-ins.

Yes, no problem - just let us know when you complete your registration form.

Temperatures can range from - 10 to - 25 degrees Celcius. You should come prepared and ensure that you have lots of warm layers.

This course is designed for people who have either:

Rock climbing experience - competent at top-roping (belaying and tieing in) either indoors or outside.

Or, 2-days ice climbing experience (e.g. our Beginners Ice Climbing trip).

If you're more advanced than this (e.g. you lead climbing on rock and have some experience ice climbing), you may want to consider the Advanced Ice Climbing  course instead.

Yes - please make sure you have travel insurance which includes ice climbing. Popular providers include the BMC and Snowcard.

If flying, go to Oslo Gardermoen - usually most affordable with Ryan Air/Norwegian Air. Course participants typically rent a car together for the 3h drive to Rjukan. When you sign up, we recommend you also join the Facebook event to arrange this. You can find this on our Facebook page.

A moderate level of fitness is required. Some rock or ice climbing experience is also needed - this course is a perfect progression from the Beginners trip, but you can also join directly if you have rock climbing experience.

Rjukan Old School Hostel, Knut Dahlesvei 31, 3660 Rjukan, Norway 

Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rjukanoldschoolhostel/  

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The currency used in Norway is the Norwegian Krone (KR). There is 1 ATM machine in Rjukan, but it’s worth getting money before you arrive.

Most people fly to Oslo Airport and then car share for the three-hour drive to Rjukan. When you sign up, we put you in touch with other participants through the Facebook event so that you can arrange this. You will meet at the hostel at around 8pm for introductions and to collect any equipment you may need from the gear store.

 Arrival and Introductions

Day 2 focuses on technique and balance, including crampon technique and mastering your ice axe swing. You'll also have the opportunity to learn more advance techniques for steep ice, if you want. We typically do this in the Gaustatoppen single-pitch crag (around 20m tall).

 Ice Climbing Technique

On day 3 you’ll learn how to judge ice quality, setup anchors and place ice screws. You will do this at a great single pitch crag like Presenil, with plenty of climbing to put these skills into practice!

  Ice Anchors & Rope Skills

Today you’ll climb in the atmospheric Vemork area. Putting your skills to good practice, you’ll be scaling icefalls up to 50m high. Don't worry though – there are climbs for all levels, ranging from Wi3 (moderate) to Wi5+ (hard).

 Climbing at Vemork

On day 5, you’ll climb a long alpine-style route such as Fabrikkfossen – an epic 7-pitch route with great views over the valley. The choices are almost endless however, so your instructor will pick routes based on the group and make sure everyone is appropriately challenged for the last day.