The Ice Factor Lochaber-Winter Mountaineering-Adventure Scotland

On the North Ridge of Stob Ban with The Ice Factor

The Ice Factor

Contact details:

Leven Road, Kinlochleven, Lochaber, PH50 4SF

Tel: 01855 831100

Email: The Ice Factor

Web: The Ice Factor

The Ice Factor is the National Centre for Ice Climbing and the Regional Centre of Excellence for Rock Climbing Mountain Skills.

Situated in Scotland's premier mountain area - Lochaber - The Outdoor Capital of the UK, the Ice Factor is 6 miles from Glencoe and 20 miles from Ben Nevis. The centre is literally surrounded by mountains, which give all year round activities: Nature Trails, The West Highland Way, Munro Bagging, Ridge Scrambling, Mountain Biking, Crag Days, Classic Rock Climbs, Winter Mountaineering, Snow and Ice Climbing and Guided Expeditions.

We offer a full range of guided and instructed sessions - from a 1-hour session, to a full expedition, to climbing steep ice. Our instructors are some of the best qualified in the outdoor industry and are able to provide guiding, instruction and Single Pitch Award qualifications. There are even things to do, for people who have never been on a mountain!

We have an award winning caf� and Chillers Bar Bistro which offers excellent food and locally produced ales with vibrant traditional music and regular parties. Our two shops ? The Mountaineer's Store at the Ice Factor and our sister shop at Tigh Phuirt - Glencoe Guides & Gear - both stock a wide range of climbing and outdoor equipment.

What we do best:

Hit The Ice! - experience life in the freezer! Climb the world?s biggest indoor ice wall! We run a variety of indoor ice courses every day ? from 1.5 hours to 3 hours. Open classes run from 1230-1530 daily and cost only �35 per person including instruction and full equipment hire. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.

Winter Mountain Craft - Lochaber is justifiably the epicentre for winter mountaineering in the UK. The National Outdoor Centre and most of the major schools operate from Glencoe throughout the winter. On these courses you will join a group of up to 5 other people as you learn how to enjoy the Scottish Mountains safely in winter.

The course will teach the use of ice axe and crampons, security on steep snowy ground and will also cover avalanche awareness, rope work and navigation. Courses are 1 week �355 per person, or short introductory weekends �150 per person. Dates available throughout January, February, March and the first week of April. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.

Snow, Ice Climbing and Winter Mountain Craft - here the aim is to produce a safe and competent approach to winter climbing. The course if for those with winter walking and preferably some rock climbing experience. However, the ratio is 1 instructor to 2 clients so the course will be pitched to your required standard. Approach/descent from climbs, belay selection and construction, rope management and techniques for climbing ice and mixed ground. Evening lectures on Mountain Craft, Avalanche Awareness and Mountain Safety are optional. Our chief instructor was the founding member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors and the first guide to operate in Lochaber. �425 per person. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.

Ice climbing tuition is also available to children over the age of 14. Contact us to discuss your requirements and to find out more.

Travel Directions

Click anywhere on the map to open a new window containing a more detailed Google Map.

Kinlochleven is about 10 minutes drive along Loch Leven, from Glencoe Village and about 30 minutes drive from Fort William. The Ice Factor is located on the right hand side within Kinlochleven as you drive in from Glen Coe (left if you drive in from Fort William!).

For public transport information in the Lochaber area visit the Lochaber Transport Forum website.

Available packages

Private Guiding & Instruction - here an individual, pair or small group hire their own instructor for tuition or guiding at their chosen level. Days can take place locally or in Torridon, The Cairngorms or on the Skye Cuillin. �140 per person, �160 for 2, �180 for 3 or �200 for 4. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.