Petzl Access Books: Essential Technical Guides, Available for Download
From indoor and outdoor climbing to multi-pitch and ice climbing, via ferrata, skiing, and more, discover Petzl Access Books — practical guides packed with helpful information for your activity of choice. With clear, easy-to-follow illustrations, Access Books cover essential techniques and best practices to help you learn, refresh your knowledge, and prepare for your next outing.
Updated October 8, 2026
What Are Petzl Access Books?
Because mastering techniques and knowing your equipment are essential for vertical activities, Petzl offers a collection of free Access Books.
Each illustrated guide focuses on the skills and knowledge specific to the activity, such as preparing your equipment, belaying, rope techniques, progression, best practices, and safety considerations.
Whether you're trying an activity for the first time, brushing up on the fundamentals, or getting ready for your next adventure, explore all our downloadable Access Books.
ACCESS BOOK #1: Belaying in a Climbing Gym
New to indoor climbing or looking to review the basics? This first Access Book covers the fundamental techniques for top rope and lead climbing: tying in, partner checks, belay techniques, and clipping.
This guide is designed to help you learn or review good habits before you climb.
ACCESS BOOK #2: How to Prepare and Plan for a Ski Tour
Preparing for a ski outing starts before you even put on your skis. This Access Book brings together useful tech tips for mountain terrain: using an ice axe, rappelling, assisting a partner, and glacier travel.
A helpful way to review some of the fundamentals before your next outing.
ACCESS BOOK #3: Progression Basics for Via Ferrata
Accessible doesn't mean risk-free. This third Access Book presents basic techniques for progressing on a via ferrata with lanyards and reviews best practices to follow throughout the via ferrata outing.
This Access Book is a great resource for better understanding the fundamentals of this vertical activity.
ACCESS BOOK #4: Ice Climbing Basics
Choosing equipment, placing ice screws, progressing, setting up an anchor, or making a V-thread: this Access Book covers the main techniques used in ice climbing.
Ice climbing is a unique activity where technical proficiency must be combined with the experience needed to assess ice quality and how it changes over time.
ACCESS BOOK #5: Sport Climbing: Climbing and Belaying
What equipment to bring, how to belay, what mistakes to avoid, how to set up the rope for lowering once you reach the top of the route, and more.
This Access Book covers the fundamentals of climbing at bolted crags, for both the climber and the belayer.
ACCESS BOOK #6: Indoor and Outdoor Bouldering
Good habits are important to learn for bouldering, too! From warming up and learning how to fall to spotting techniques, this Access Book provides practical tips for your first bouldering sessions, both indoors and outdoors.
ACCESS BOOK #7: Multi-Pitch Belaying
How do you prepare for a multi-pitch climb, and what techniques do you need to master in order to belay your partner?
This new Access Book contains some of Petzl's main technical recommendations for belaying on multi-pitch routes. It's a practical guide to help you prepare for your climb, review fundamental techniques, and climb bolted multi-pitch routes with greater confidence.
