Crampon & axe

The basics

Crampons and an axe are the difference between walking on snow and climbing on it. Learn them on a gentle slope before you need them on a steep one.

Technique

flat-foot   French technique, heels down
front-point  German technique, steep ice
self-arrest  the move you hope you never need
self-belay   axe in, never out

Practice

Practice self-arrest until it's reflex. The first time you actually need it will be on a slope where getting it wrong matters.