Rock Climbing
The Ice Factor
Contact details:
Leven Road, Kinlochleven, Lochaber, PH50 4SFTel: 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 café 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:
Taste the Rock! - experience the UK?s Highest Articulated Freeform wall with its awesome 6 metre drawbridge or learn the basics of rock climbing in our bespoke instruction facility. Discounts available for large groups ? but please pre-book to avoid disappointment.Crag Days - fancy a morning or afternoon session where you will try rock climbing and abseiling? These sessions require a minimum of 3 people and cost £35 per person. Ice Factor staff will provide all technical equipment and gear hire. A unique family adventure. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.
Learn How To Rock Climb in a Weekend - corses are run on demand throughout the year. £150 per person includes all equipment, gear hire and a Mountaineering Instructor to coach you on gear placement, belay selection and anchors, guide book interpretation and of course get you climbing on some of the country?s best known climbs. Also available mid-week. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.
Indoor and outdoor climbing tuition is also available for children over the age of 8. Call us to discuss your requirements and for further information.
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
Taste the Rock! - classes run daily from 1 hour ? from £15 per person to a full 6 hour course on how to become a registered member of a climbing centre for £50 per person.
Accommodation nearby (all standards), showering facilities on-site, drying room on site with secure lock up for gear on-site.
Other activities available
Useful info
Equipment provided?
All technical equipment, ropes, harnesses, helmets, rock shoes, ice axes, crampons, boots, gloves.What do I need to wear?
Comfortable clothing (warm for the ice wall).What do I need to bring?
Your own hill/technical equipment if you have it (for outdoor courses), gloves for the ice wall.When can I do it?
All year round.Is there a pub nearby?
Pub nearby.
