Ice Climbing

IWOOT - Stuff you really, really want

Fancy seeing what it’s like to be an arctic explorer, without the thousand mile trip and the cripplingly low temperatures?

With this experience you will be given an introduction to a very cool sport! Ice climbing is an offshoot of mountain climbing. In contrast to standard wall climbing, this challenge requires the use of pick axes to get up the ascent. You will be provided with all the essential gear, including crampons, harnesses, helmets and gloves. Manchester’s most challenging ice walls offer 8 metres of real indoor ice climbing, where as Scotland offers the biggest indoor ice wall in the world at over 15 metres. A constant temperature of below zero is maintained and a freeze/thaw cycle found in nature creates hard packed snow suitable for climbing. The real ice climbing walls all offer a steep challenge for any aspiring adventurers!

What's Included?

• Use of all safety equipment
• Health and Safety briefing
• Full instruction from a qualified guide
• Experience gift pack
• Cancellation indemnity

What happens on the day?

After the welcome you will receive a full Health & Safety briefing and be kitted up ready to move onto the ice. In Manchester you will receive one to one tuition from a fully qualified instructor and spend approximately 40 minutes on the ice. At the venue in Scotland, the experience is run as part of a small group of up to six people. This is an introduction for those who have not tried ice climbing before and you’ll learn the basic skills needed to get a real taster of this exciting new sport.

Validity

Your voucher is valid for 9 months from the date of issue

Please note you must have booked and taken your experience before the expiry date

Participant guidelines

• Minimum age: 14 in Manchester (Under 18’s will need written parental consent)
• There is no age limit in Scotland but participants must have a minimum shoe size 4 (Under 18’s will need written parental consent)
• Participants should be in good general health and fitness and should be able to support their own body weight. If in doubt consult your doctor in advance
• Spectators are welcome
• The experience content, equipment used and restrictions may vary according to location

Availability

Tuesday to Sunday all year in Manchester.

Selected Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Scotland.

We recommend you book at least four weeks in advance to ensure that dates are available. All bookings are subject to availability.

You should allow approximately 1 hour in Manchester, and 2 hours 30 minutes in Scotland.

What about insurance?

The centres contracted with us hold public liability insurance. We also hold contingency liability cover. You will not be liable for accidental damage to equipment, except where damage has been caused as a result of recklessness or wilful negligence.

A cancellation indemnity, subject to terms, is included with every voucher.

How it works

All you have to do is pay for the experience you wish to purchase and we’ll send a voucher and booking information to you or directly to the recipient, then you just need to check the info and book your experience.

Location

• Manchester – Deansgate
• Scotland - Lochaber

Please Note: If you're purchasing a NEW Experience you will be entitled to the validity stated within this description. If/when you are within 3 months of the voucher expiry date and there are still restrictions in place, Virgin Experience Days are offering free extensions to allow the customer to use at a later date. They are reviewing this regularly in line with Government advice and updates.