Ice Climbing Instructional Courses
You can learn to ice climb in a day, you can spend years mastering the sport.
Gain the skills and knowledge that give you the confidence to be your best at this engaging sport.
Accelerated learning due to: small groups, expert instruction and individual coaching. Our programs are comprehensive and offer thorough coverage of program content, tailored to your pace.
We offer instruction for absolute beginners to start with a solid foundation, as well as for expert climbers looking at advanced clinics or to update their knowledge base.
Your instructors have extensive instruction and coaching experience, are patient and attentive, have developed and refined these programs, and will tailor them to your unique abilities and goals
We have mastered these skills themselves through years of training and experience at the forefront of the sport
We are dedicated to seeing you progress as climbers, becoming efficient and confident in your abilities, and enjoying the process.
Custom bookings
We provide clinics for ice festivals, gear manufacturers, educational institutes, individuals and groups
We can accommodate larger groups and corporate programs - please email us for details and pricing
Our Ice Programs
We keep our instructor to participant ratios low to increase the value of your experience. We know a superior program has fewer participants. When comparing prices with other guiding services, keep in mind the group size GREATLY impacts the amount of time you spend climbing, and the level of focused personalized coaching you receive. Remember, the price of one day at a 2:1 ratio is worth three days spent out at 6:1 ratios!
Scheduled programs
Some scheduled programs are listed below.
Can't make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Course Dates
Courses scheduled for December 7 and 21, January 11 and 25, February 2 and 16
“Ice is Nice!” Introductory one day course
No prior ice climbing experience required.
Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
Looking for a taste of climbing and picking up the basics? Try our ‘Ice is Nice’ intro day!
Topics Covered
- Fitting your gear – helmets, harnesses, boots and crampons (boots not included)
- Discussion of safety procedures and climbing area hazards
- Basic ice movement – kicking and swinging
- Basic rope work – tying in, belaying and lowering on top rope climbs
Contact us for more information and to book now to reserve your guide
Book Now
$260
per person plus GST
1
Day
6
Maximum number of participants
Course Dates
Courses scheduled for December 29 and January 2
Steep Ice Clinics
Prior ice climbing experience required. (Can lead or top-rope Grade 4-5 ice)
Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
On this technique orientated program you will develop an efficient and controlled climbing style on steep and funky ice.
This is fun and physical climbing on some steep ice formations.
Topics Covered
- Learn specialized techniques for tackling: steep ice, funky ice, thin ice
- Get comfortable dealing with chandeliers, cauliflowers, daggers and funky ice formations
- Find out what it takes to climb Grade 5+ ice
- Learn advanced ice climbing techniques
- Find resting positions, and control your pump
- Intensive personalized coaching will give you an accelerated learning process
- Experience a dramatic increase in your confidence and abilities when confronted with steep ice
Contact us for more information and to book now to reserve your guide
Book Now
$260
per person plus GST
1
Day
6
Maximum number of participants
Course Dates
Courses scheduled for December 21-22, January 25-26 and February 22-23
Learn to Lead
Prior ice climbing experience required, able to second or top-rope grade 3 ice.
Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
Leading on ice is both rewarding and serious.
This course will give you the knowledge, experience and confidence to head out on the ‘sharp end’.
Initial focus is ascent and descent of single pitch routes. Then we will get into the meat and potatoes of leading on ice.
Topics covered
- Gear selection, use and racking
- Route selection, planning and route finding
- Anchor construction
- Lead climbing belaying
- Belaying up a second
- Protection strategies
- Protection evaluation and placement
- Efficient climbing technique
- Mental techniques (How to hold it all together!)
- Risk level evaluation
- Descent systems
Contact us for more information and to book now to reserve your guide
Book Now
$520
per person plus GST
2
Days
4
Maximum number of participants
Course Dates
Courses scheduled for December 28-29, January 23-24 and March 29-30
Multi-pitch ice
Prior ice climbing experience required, able to second or lead a minimum of Grade 3 ice
No prior multi-pitch climbing experience is neededIf you are competent leader on ice, this program will integrate multi-pitch lead climbing into the syllabus
Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
Climbing multipitch ice demands more advanced skills.
Learn to become a competent member on a multipitch climbing team.
Topics Covered
- Gear selection, proper use and racking
- Route selection, planning and route finding
- Rope management, anchor construction, belay site selection
- Ice protection placement and removal strategies
- Hazard awareness and management
- Belay techniques for leader and seconds on mulitpitch routes, review of direct anchor belays
- Descent systems: Rap anchor construction, evaluation. Abalakovs(V-Threads), lowering, rappelling, rappel backups, efficiency and safety considerations
Pricing: $850 per person plus 5% gst
Contact us for more information and to book now to reserve your guide
Book Now
$850
per person plus GST
2
Days
2
Maximum number of participants
Course Dates
Please contact us for dates
Introduction to Mixed Climbing
No prior ice climbing or mixed climbing experience required.
Overview
Want to try rock climbing with your winter hardwear?
Looking for a taste of mixed climbing and picking up the basics? Try our Mixed Climbing Intro day.
Topics Covered
- Fitting your gear – helmets, harnesses, boots and crampons (all included)
- Discussion of safety procedures and climbing area hazards
- Basic mixed climbing movement
- transitioning from rock to ice
- use of modern mixed tools
Contact us for more information and to book now to reserve your guide
Book Now
$260
per person plus GST
1
Days
6
Maximum number of participants
