FAMILIES ON THE ROCK - VIA FERRATA WITH CHILDREN
ORTOVOX SAFETY ACADEMY
1 day
Südtirolalpin
Certified Mountain Guide
IFMGA - Mountain Guides Associations
Mail suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Prices from
100,- €
ABOUT THE TRAINING
A course day for parents who want to head onto the rock with their children – relaxed, with a plan, and without more grey hairs than necessary.
1 day · South Tyrol
Ortovox Safety Academy – via ferrata and sport climbing for families: a course for parents of climbing-enthusiastic children. This way, the whole family can move safely on the rock, and the little ones can enjoy themselves – well secured on the adults’ rope – on via ferratas and in the sport climbing crag. What many people do not know: children are too light for most standardised via ferrata sets. This means they do not generate the forces required to activate the energy absorbers in the event of a fall. That makes climbing via ferratas dangerous for little ones despite using a via ferrata set. They are also easily distracted and suddenly find themselves halfway up the rock face, both carabiners in their hands, no longer clipped to the steel cable – and once again Mum and Dad have a few more grey hairs on their heads.
Our via ferrata course is designed to prevent exactly that. In future, parents will not need to worry constantly about their youngsters. The little ones no longer need to be endlessly reminded to be careful and stay focused, and they are well secured on tricky climbing sections. No one has to hold their breath any more out of fear that the children might fall onto the via ferrata set. There are excellent belaying techniques, and we will teach them to you in this course. Parents who have not yet gained any experience of their own on via ferratas will also learn everything they need in this course to make this sport possible for their own kids. Because, dear children – we agree with you: via ferratas are much cooler than boring mountain hikes. 😉
Important: only the parents take part in the course, and our experienced South Tyrolean mountain guides will show you the techniques we also use to secure our young guests on via ferratas. This is a very effective method that increases the fun for little ones on via ferratas and can also help take away fear on demanding sections. A win-win for the whole family.
TRAINING CONTENT
✧ Gear knowledge and equipment on via ferratas and in sport climbing
✧ Techniques for climbing via ferratas
✧ Important information for via ferratas with children
✧ Belaying children – and yourself as well – on via ferratas
✧ Sport climbing with children
✧ Belaying children in the climbing garden
✧ Setting up top-rope routes for children
INFO
Services
Included in the price
- Entire organization and guidance by a state-certified mountain guide
Additional costs
- Transfer to and from the meeting point
- Individual tips
Facts
Location
South Tyrol
Best time of year
March - November
Duration
1 day
Meeting point
is agreed individually
Requirements
Prior knowledge
- No prior climbing or belaying experience required
- No via ferrata experience necessary
- Also suitable for complete beginners (who already have their own kids climbing around their heads)
Physical requirements
- Freedom from vertigo
PRICING
Participants
4 - 8 parents per mountain guide
Prices
1 - 3 people:
4 or more people:
upon request
100,- €
If you have any questions or need further information, please write them in the comment field of the inquiry form.
Before submitting your request: Please read the "important information" about risks in mountaineering carefully.
Dates
upon request
PROGRAM
In a climbing garden in South Tyrol we meet and spend a full day covering all open questions on this topic. The course venues are chosen so that we can learn and practise both sport climbing and our main topic, tackling via ferratas with children, in an ideal setting and in depth. We adapt the content to the participants and, if needed, also address individual questions.
The course is deliberately intended only for parents, as drier topics such as gear knowledge and other important information are also covered – and, as we all know, that does not exactly suit children’s urge to move. Look forward to an instructive day, plenty of interesting input and, above all, after this course day, to many wonderful days outdoors in nature with the whole family that are adventurous and exciting for the little ones.
P.S.: We have watched it closely and carried out plenty of our own observations: the children’s grumbling factor on via ferratas is significantly lower than on mountain tours with no climbing sections to offer. Even when we tried to tempt the little ones on normal hikes with Wiener schnitzel and chips at the hut.
Total time: 1 day
Any changes to the program that may be necessary for various reasons (weather, conditions, accommodation booking situation, etc.) will always be made in consultation with the participants.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - (FAQs)
Is the course suitable for parents even if I do not yet have any via ferrata experience myself?
Yes. The course is expressly designed for parents who have little or no experience on via ferratas or in sport climbing. The content is taught in such a way that you can later apply the techniques well with your children.
Why is a normal via ferrata set often not enough for small children?
Many children are too light for standardised via ferrata sets. Especially with a body weight under 40 kilograms, additional rope belay techniques are therefore needed so that children can be sensibly accompanied on via ferratas.
What do I need to bring to the course?
You will receive the exact packing list in the confirmation email. Most important are sturdy mountain boots and suitable clothing for a day on the rock. Technical equipment can be hired for a small wear-and-tear fee.
