UKC

Where are the UK's indoor ice climbing facilities?

and is it any good?

In reply to Parrys_apprentice:

The biggest, and IMO the best, is the Ice Factor at Kinlochleven.

In reply to Parrys_apprentice:


Ice Factor in Kinlochleven
Ellis Brigham in Covent Garden
Ellis Brigham near Manchester

Only been to Ice Factor, which is good. The others have much more limited facitlites, though if it lets you practice some good technique, might be worth it...

In reply to Ander:

thanks, I guess I should have mentioned that we're based in the midlands, so although Ice Factor sounds good, is a bit of a trek for a day trip. Are the Ellis Brigham ones worth going to or is it just a bit at the side of a shop?

In reply to Parrys_apprentice: I was looking at going to the one in Manchester and popped in for a chat while I was over there. The wall is not that impressive to look at only 4 or so topropes at grade WI3.
But the staff member who I spoke to was really enthusiastic and knew his stuff, he was talking about painting some "eliminates" onto the ice to make it a bit more interesting. Don't know if he got around to it tho' as I still havn't been

In reply to Parrys_apprentice:

The Ice Factor is great, plus excellent value. I went to the one in Leeds a few times before it shut down, but it was cheaper for me and a friend to drive to Kinlochleven (6hours), do two hours of climbing, then drive home (another 6h), than it was for an hour at Leeds :-P

I especially like the fact you can climb but because it's indoors you don't have to wear bulky clothes, thick gloves etc.

In reply to Parrys_apprentice:

The ice wall at the Covent Garden Ellis Brigham is pretty small, and desperately expensive, but you can still have a good time if you deliberately spice things up - no swinging/one axe/only the steepest section/etc.
Probably best as a 'refresher' venue if you're feeling a bit rusty (and wealthy) before a trip, rather than for regular training.

In reply to Parrys_apprentice: I did the Ellis-Brigham in Covent Garden early December. Although it was my first time at ice climbing and don't think I'm fully qualified to make comparisons I thought it was great and my instructor, Nick was exceptional.