With hundreds of ice climbs and clinics in the United States, skilled climbers and beginners alike can hone their ice climbing skills and enjoy the rush of reaching the top. Some ice climbing festivals are near dozens of other climbs, so plan a small vacation and experience several different climbs during your stay.
Water Fall Ice Festival. Located in Cody, Wyo., the Water Fall Ice Festival gears up each year for its annual winter activities, including live entertainment, presentations and lots of ice climbs. Normally held on President’s Day weekend, the ice festival begins its registration as early as November. The ice festival is open to the public with admission around $20 per person. For more information, call 307-899-9937.
The Valdez Ice Climbing Festival. Also held on President’s Day weekend, The Valdez Ice Climbing Festival features frozen waterfalls that have long since drawn ice climbers from around the globe to Valdez, Alaska, to test their ice climbing skills as they make their way up the falls. There are dozens of different ice climbs in the Valdez area, including Peggy’s Mane, Wowie Zowie, Ski Race, Crystal Visions, Hooligan, Glass Onion and many more. For more information about The Valdez Ice Climbing Festival and other Valdez ice climbs, call 907-835-5182.
Ouray Ice Festival. The Ouray Ice Festival is in Ouray, Colo., and has become a welcome annual event. Held each year in January, the Ouray Ice Festival offers many winter activities, including ice climbing competition routes, ice climbing clinics, ax throwing contests, slackline, treadwall speed competition, along with many other family events to be announced. If you would like to learn more about the Ouray Ice Festival or would like to sign up for a clinic or competition, call 970-325-4288.
Ice Clinics & Ice Climbs for Women Only
While men and women alike join in the thrill of ice climbs, there are several ice climbs geared just for females.
Chicks Climbing: Chicks with Picks. In January and February of each year, the Chicks with Picks begin their annual ice climbing clinics to help educate and train women on the art of ice climbing. Chicks Climbing is in Ridgway, Colo. During the annual clinics, women come with the desire to ice climb and go home with a sense of pride, accomplishment and empowerment, along with realizing there are women out there who live in poverty. During the first 12 years of Chicks with Picks, they raised over $155,000 for local women’s shelters and continue to raise money each year. For more information about Chicks with Picks ice climbs and ice climbing clinics, call 970-626-4424.