Ice meetings and ice climbing competitions 2008

Intense cold, great events! 2008 kicks off immediately with a series of ice climbing meetings, and Switzerland's Kandersteg hits the limelight this weekend with its 8th festival, followed three days later by the world famous Ice Climbing Ecrins in Fournel. Less than a week to recover, then all sights are set on Valle di Daone and its 10th Ice Meeting Pareti di Cristallo. To end the season in style, Potresina in Switzerland celebrates its first ever meeting at the end of March.

Competitions on the other hand begin in a fortnight's time, with the traditional first stage of the Ice Climbing World Cup 2008 taking place in Valle di Daone on 18 - 20 January. The competition circuit then heads east to Busteni in Romania on 08- 10 February, before finishing in Saas Fee's most famous car park on 21 February. The competition season is short and intense, leaving little room for errors... Good competitions, and meetings, to all!


Kandersteg - Switzerland 04 - 06/01/2008
The Ice Climbing Festival at Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland celebrates its 8th edition this year. As usual this tiny dry tooling mecca hosts a competition, workshops and evening shows and attracts hundreds of ice climbers each year.

Ice Climbing Ecrins - France 09 - 13/01/2008
5 days to celebrate the 18th edition of the oldest and most important European meeting. 5 days to climb some of the most famous icefalls in Argentière la Bessée and, new this year, 5 days to reflect on the health of our planet.

Ice Meeting Pareti di Cristallo - Valle di Daone, Italy 18 - 27/2008
Whilst the athletes battle it out in the first stage of the Ice Climbing World Cup, the La Sportiva International Ice Meeting Pareti di Cristallo celebrates its 10th anniversary. The Meeting is open to all, and for those wishing to climb ice for the first time, maximum safety is guaranteed by the Mountain Guides Friends of Arco.

Pontresina Ice Climbing Festival - Switzerland 29/30-03-2008
This year's new entry, Pontresina in the High Engadin rounds off the ice climbing season with a competition and workshop beneath the Diavolazza