Rope Techniques Course for High-Altitude Mountaineering

This training course is intentionally held in the preseason to specifically prepare you for your dream high-altitude hikes. The focus is on your skills and your gear, which is why we train on the rock faces near the valley—so we hardly waste any time on approaches, as is usually the case with hut-based courses, and can concentrate on what really matters.

Our efficient approach leaves plenty of time to reinforce what you’ve learned. Because one thing is important to us: practice, practice, practice. Only when your skills are solid will you be able to move quickly and safely on your high-altitude tours.
There’s no fixed—and often very long—equipment list filled with items you usually don’t even need. You simply bring the safety gear you have at home. Together, we’ll determine the optimal, individual gear setup. Any missing equipment will be provided by the mountain guide during the two days. At the end, you’ll receive a concise, personalized shopping list so you can gear up specifically for your own high-altitude tour.
A key focus is the use of crampons. Even though the training takes place at a climbing wall, you should still bring crampons and an ice axe.

Course Content

  • Roping up as a glacier rope team
  • Lengthen, shorten, or repair the rope
  • Rescue from confined spaces (self-rescue and rescue of teammates)
  • Rappelling, lowering
  • Partner Verification
  • Booth construction
  • Rock climbing with crampons (which is necessary for many high-altitude hikes)
  • Equipment Management, Self-Management, Strategy

Requirements for your participation

  • No fear of heights and sure-footedness on the trail
  • Basic understanding of mountaineering
  • Knowing how to tie the most important knots (figure-eight, clove hitch, half-hitch, bowline) is helpful

The program at a glance

Day 1 – Saturday: Individual travel to the mountaineering village of St. Jodok

    • Welcome, equipment check, walk to the training area (approx. 10 minutes)
    • Roping up in a glacier rope team
    • Lengthen/shorten the rope
    • Partner Verification
    • Rescue from a confined space
    • Customized content design that strikes a balance between instruction and practice


Day 2: Sunday – Course activities and individual return home

    • Review of what was learned the previous day
    • Moving through rocky terrain with crampons and an ice axe
    • Rappelling
    • Strategy and Tactics in High-Altitude Mountaineering
    • Practice, switch, practice, …
    • Specific topics (e.g., mobile safety equipment, self-management)
       

The event will take place regardless of the weather; in case of extremely bad weather, it will be moved indoors.
You can find information about public transportation online at www.vvt.at or download the VVT SmartRide app to your phone.

Dates & Prices for 2027

2026 Dates:
May 22–23, 2027
Custom dates for groups are available at any time!

Price per person: starting at €300
Minimum number of participants: 4 people
(for groups of 3 or more: €400)

Included services

  • 2-day course with a local, state-certified mountain guide
  • When booking a stay in the Wipptal: Guest card = ticket for public transportation in the Wipptal (Innsbruck-Brenner S-Bahn, regional buses to all valleys)
     

 

A Boundless Communication Concept

The alpine courses in the Wipptal Valley are an example of how funding projects can lead to concrete initiatives for the region. The “Boundless Communication Concept” project demonstrates how the climate change adaptation strategy can be implemented in a practical way—through initiatives that promote safety, environmental awareness, and sustainable alpine tourism.

Funded by Interreg Italy–Austria, CLLD Wipptal, and the participating regional partners.

Buchungsformular Seiltechnikkurs für Hochtouren

Overnight stay in St. Jodok included upon request
Date
Arrival
Data protection

Privacy Policy:

Booking and Cancellation Policies:
Four weeks before arrival, you will receive detailed information about the high-altitude rope techniques course, including the accommodation address (if booked), the program, a packing list, and the invoice.
Cancellation Policy:
Up to 4 weeks before arrival: 50% cancellation fee
Up to 1 week before arrival: 75% cancellation fee
1 week or less before arrival: 100% cancellation fee

We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance from Europäische Reiseversicherung. Along with your booking confirmation, we will send you a link that allows you to easily, quickly, and conveniently purchase your insurance online right when you book.

Providers for the tour:
Incoming Reisebürogesellschaft GmbH
Rathausplatz 1
6150 Steinach a. Br.
Phone: 0043 5272 6270