04 Winter · Ice
Ice climbing,on frozen waterfalls.
On ice you climb as you would on rock, but with ice tools in your hands and crampons on your feet. Every piece has to cope with cold, water and impacts.
i In short
Sport Extreme, at Via Prestefan 14 in Livigno, sells gear for climbing frozen waterfalls, including ice tools, crampons, helmets, harnesses, ice screws and quickdraws, along with technical clothing from Mammut, Millet and Karpos.
A The kit, piece by piece
What matters,
piece by piece.
Scroll: for every piece of kit we tell you what to look for in this sport, and which brands you'll find in store.
Scroll ↓
Helmet
Certified to EN 12492, as at the crag, but here it has to take chunks of ice falling from above: a hard-shell or hybrid helmet is the better choice. Check it sits firmly over a thin beanie and holds a headlamp.
Brands: Black Diamond · Mammut
Jacket
When you raise your arms above your head, the jacket mustn't pull out of your harness. A hood that fits over the helmet; for belays, keep a synthetic insulated jacket in your pack to throw over everything.
Brands: Mammut · Millet · Karpos
Gloves
Thin gloves with a palm that grips the shaft for climbing, and a warmer pair for belays. Bring at least two pairs: they get wet on ice.
Brands: Black Diamond
Ice tools
Technical tools with a curved shaft and an ergonomic grip, with picks certified to EN 13089 type T. Keep them sharp: a worn pick bounces off hard ice.
Brands: Black Diamond
Harness
Adjustable leg loops to wear over thick trousers, and at least four gear loops. Slots for ice clippers keep your screws within reach.
Brands: Black Diamond · Mammut
Rope
Dynamic half ropes (EN 892) with a dry treatment: they soak up less water and freeze less. With two 60 m half ropes you can abseil up to 60 m.
Brands: Mammut
Trousers
Softshell or shell with reinforced inner ankles, where crampon points can tear the fabric. Built-in gaiters and side zips to regulate heat.
Brands: Mammut · Millet · Karpos
Crampons
Waterfalls call for vertical front points: monopoints bite better in thin ice, dual points are more stable in thick ice. Automatic bindings need a boot with welts at toe and heel.
Brands: Black Diamond
Boots
Stiff, insulated boots compatible with automatic crampons (B3 rating): a rigid sole keeps the points steady when you stand on your front points. A built-in gaiter keeps out snow and water.
All of this,
at Via Prestefan 14.
Come and try it on: we put together the right kit for you, piece by piece.
Call the shop→B Winter
How to choose
- Ice toolsTechnical tools with a curved shaft; a little head weight helps in hard ice.
Waterfalls need technical tools with a curved shaft and a grip, not a straight walking axe. EN 13089 type T marks picks for technical use; a little weight in the head helps them stick in hard ice.
- CramponsMonopoint for thin ice, dual points for thick ice; the binding follows your boot.
Vertical front points: monopoint for thin ice and mixed ground, dual points for stability on thick ice. The binding depends on your boot: automatic needs toe and heel welts, semi-automatic a heel welt only.
- Screws and quickdrawsShort for thin ice, long for thick ice; a crank handle places them one-handed.
Ice screws run from about 10 to 22 cm: 13 and 16 cm suit ice of good thickness, short ones are for thin ice. A crank handle lets you place them one-handed. Pair them with long quickdraws that don't lever the screw.
- RopesTwo dry-treated half ropes: clip them alternately and abseil up to 60 m.
Two dynamic half ropes, usually 60 m and 8–9 mm, with a dry treatment. You clip them alternately into the protection, and they let you abseil the full rope length.
D In Livigno
Icefalls around Livigno
According to Lombardy's official tourism site, Livigno and Aprica are the main icefall areas in Valtellina. There are several icefalls around Livigno, some along the shores of Lake Livigno, also called Lago del Gallo, and others in Val Viera. Ice changes from week to week: ask the mountain guides about conditions before you go.
E Quick advice
Where are you at?
Our advice
F In store
Ice tools, crampons and advice
In store you'll find ice tools, crampons, helmets, harnesses, ice screws and quickdraws, and we help you check that your crampons and boots are compatible. To learn how to move on ice and build belays, turn to the mountain guides. Livigno is a duty-free zone, so no VAT is applied.
G Frequently asked questions
Good to
know.
Where can I go ice climbing in Livigno?
There are several icefalls around Livigno, some along the shores of Lake Livigno (Lago del Gallo) and others in Val Viera. They only form in cold spells and change from season to season, so check conditions before you go. For your first time, go with a mountain guide.
What do I need to start ice climbing?
Stiff crampon-compatible boots, crampons, two technical ice tools, an EN 12492 helmet, a harness and warm clothing, with at least two pairs of gloves. Ice screws, quickdraws and ropes are for whoever leads. To start, take a course with mountain guides.
Can I use my ski helmet for ice climbing?
No: climbing calls for a helmet certified to EN 12492, designed for impacts from above, such as falling ice. Ski helmets follow a different standard, EN 1077, designed for falls on snow. Some helmets carry both certifications: check the label inside.
Which crampons do I need for icefalls?
Technical crampons with vertical front points: monopoint for thin ice and mixed ground, dual points for thick ice. Choose the binding to suit your boot: automatic only with toe and heel welts. Bring your boots in and we'll check compatibility together.
How do I look after my ice tools and crampons?
Dry them at home, away from direct heat, and check that picks and points aren't bent. Sharpen them with a hand file, not a grinder, which heats the steel and weakens it. Before every outing, check that the crampon binding closes properly on your boot.
Come and
see us.
Every day 09:00–12:30 · 14:00–19:30
Via Prestefan 14 · 23041 Livigno · 1.816 m