2025 Ice Fest Clinics
Skyward Mountaineering is excited to offer clinics for the 2025 Ouray Ice Fest! Join us for a half day clinic or a full day seminar in the Ouray Ice Park with elite ice climbing athletes and professional guides committed to helping you better your ice climbing abilities. Our clinics are specially designed to focus a limited amount of time on nuanced systems and techniques and help ice climbers hone their movement skills.
Wednesday Seminars
Introduction To Ice Climbing
Date: Wednesday, January 22
Schedule: Full day seminar - meet at 07:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Goals: This clinic is designed to help climbers build a solid foundation of ice climbing movement. Climbers will learn efficient ice climbing body positioning techniques and basic risk management, anchor setups and ice climbing systems.
Prerequisites: None
Ratio: Small group for customized instruction, maximum of 4 climbers with 1 guide
Cost: $330 per climber
Intermediate Ice Climbing
Date: Wednesday, January 22
Schedule: Full day seminar - meet at 07:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Goals: This clinic is designed to help climbers build a solid foundation of ice climbing movement. Climbers will learn efficient ice climbing body positioning techniques and basic risk management, anchor setups, and ice climbing systems.
Prerequisites: None
Ratio: Small group for customized instruction, maximum of 4 climbers with 1 guide
Cost: $330 per climber
Thursday Seminars
Introduction To Ice Climbing
Date: Thursday, January 23
Schedule: Full day seminar - meet at 07:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Goals: This clinic is designed to help climbers build a solid foundation of ice climbing movement. Climbers will learn efficient ice climbing body positioning techniques and basic risk management, anchor setups and ice climbing systems.
Prerequisites: None
Ratio: Small group for customized instruction, maximum of 4 climbers with 1 guide
Cost: $330 per climber
Mixed Climbing as a function of alpinism
Date: Thursday, January 23
Schedule: Full day seminar - meet at 07:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Goals: This clinic is an introduction to mixed climbing on moderate terrain as you may encounter during alpine climbing. Climbers will learn how to assess mixed climbing routes, strategize techniques, climb efficiently on rock with crampons and ice tools and transition between rock and ice.
Prerequisites: Previous ice or rock climbing experience is required, climbers should feel comfortable toproping WI4 and/or 5.9
Ratio: Small group for customized instruction, maximum of 4 climbers with 1 guide
Cost: $330 per climber
Steep Ice Climbing
Date: Thursday, January 23
Schedule: Full day seminar - meet at 07:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Goals: This clinic is curated for ice climbers who want to learn unique and creative techniques for climbing steep routes and pillars. Our instructors use customized coaching to help climbers learn how to use body positioning to strategically mitigate the pump factor and relying purely on arm strength.
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should feel comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Ratio: Small group for customized instruction, maximum of 4 climbers with 1 guide
Cost: $330 per climber
Friday Clinics and Seminars
Steep Ice Efficiency - How Not To Get Pumped
Date: Friday, January 24
Schedule: Half day clinic - meet at 09:00 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 12:00
Sponsor/Athlete: Vince Anderson with Scarpa
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should be comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Cost: $200 per climber
Secrets to Fast And Light Alpinism
Date: Friday, January 24
Schedule: Half day clinic - meet at 13:00 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 16:00
Sponsor/Athlete: Vince Anderson with Scarpa
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should be comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Cost: $200 per climber
How To Lead Ice Climbing
Date: Friday, January 24
Schedule: Full day seminar - meet at 09:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Sponsor/Athlete: Micah Lewkowitz with Scarpa
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should be comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Cost: $300 per climber
Intermediate Ice
Date: Friday, January 24
Schedule: Full day clinic - meet at 09:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Sponsor/Athlete: John Rosskelly with Lowa
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should be comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Cost: $300 per climber
Intermediate Ice - Beyond Triangle Stance
Date: Saturday, January 25
Schedule: Half day clinic - meet at 13:00 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 16:00
Sponsor/Athlete: Vince Anderson with Scarpa
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should be comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Cost: $200 per climber
Saturday Clinics and Seminars
Steep Ice Efficiency - How to AVOID GetTING Pumped
Date: Saturday, January 25
Schedule: Half day clinic - meet at 09:00 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 12:00
Sponsor/Athlete: Vince Anderson with Scarpa
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should be comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Cost: $200 per climber
How To Lead Ice Climbing
Date: Saturday January 25
Schedule: Full day seminar - meet at 09:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Sponsor/Athlete: Micah Lewkowitz with Scarpa
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should be comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Cost: $300 per climber
Intermediate Ice
Date: Saturday, January 25
Schedule: Full day clinic - meet at 09:30 at Ouray Ice Park and finish at 15:30
Sponsor/Athlete: Quentin Roberts with Arc’teryx
Prerequisites: Previous ice climbing experience is required, climbers should be comfortable toproping at least WI3/4
Cost: $300 per climber
Ice Fest Clinic Policies
In addition to the Skyward Mountaineering Ice Fest clinics, other local guide services are offering their own clinics: Basecamp Ouray, Cirque Guides, Mountain Trip, Moxie Mountain Guides, and San Juan Mountain Guides.
Support the Ouray Ice Park: Ice Fest is an annual event to support the Ouray Ice Park and build the ice climbing community. Please consider purchasing your membership to the Ice Park to support this incredible resource.
Equipment: Climbers are responsible for providing their own personal clothing and equipment for all clinics. Demo equipment is available from Ice Fest vendors, purchase your demo gear card and plan on arriving early, lines can be long and gear is limited. Please see below for a recommended equipment list.
Clinic Details: All clinics and seminars will be instructed by a sponsor athlete and a Skyward Mountaineering guide. Please meet your guides at the sponsor booth at the Ouray Ice Park. Plan on being 15 minutes early, ready with all of your ice climbing equipment so we can leave for the ice climbing clinic promptly at the start time.
Refund Policy: All sales are final, unfortunately, no refunds or exchanges will be available. If you’re unable to attend your clinic, please notify us as soon as possible and we’ll try to fill the spot in which case you will receive credit towards a future booking Skyward Mountaineering trip, less a $50 admin fee.
Need help? Please contact Skyward Mountaineering with any questions: climb@skywardmountaineering.com or (970) 325-3045
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Underwear: Should be comfortable for a full day of activity, synthetic or merino wool will wick moisture away from the body
Heavyweight socks: Over-the-calf winter weight for superior warmth. Layering two pairs of socks is not recommended as it may impede blood flow and make your toes colder
Warm hat: Should be thin enough to fit under your helmet
Neck gaiter: Optional, lightweight and versatile for adding warmth around ears or covering your face in windy conditions
Softshell climbing gloves: Waterproof with high dexterity. 2 pairs recommended, one midweight and one heavyweight. Guide’s midweight recommendation - Showa Temres 282-02 (size up one from normal)
Mixed climbing gloves: Optional, these highly dexterous gloves have minimal insulation and are best for warmer days, lead climbing or mixed climbing
Midweight top baselayer: Merino wool or synthetic fibers will wick sweat away. Thumb loops are recommended to keep your wrists from being exposed and your hands warmer
Heavyweight bottom baselayer
Midweight fleece jacket: An integrated hood adds warmth and weather protection
Active insulation jacket: Ideal balance of breathability and warmth for winter aerobic activity
Midweight vest: Optional, adds warmth to your core without restricting movement
Softshell jacket: Midweight with a helmet compatible hood. Should have Durable Water Resistance (DWR) coating
Softshell pants: Midweight with reinforced instep. Avoid ski pants as they are often too baggy and likely to catch on your crampons
Insulated parka: Down is lighter/more compressible and a hydrophobic treated down will insulate even when wet. Should have at least 200 grams of 800 fill insulation
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Climbing backpack: Approximately 30 liters with ice tool attachments
Mountaineering boots: Must be rigid with toe and heel welts for full crampon compatibility
Vertical frontpoint crampons: Dualpoints are better for continuous ice while monopoints are lighter and better suited for mixed climbing
Crampon pouch: Reusing a USPS Tyvek mailing package is a cost effective option, though specific manufactured options exist and are more durable
Technical ice tools: Remove any adze attachment as this may pose an unnecessary hazard for waterfall ice climbing
Climbing helmet: Must be UIAA certified
Harness: Recommended ice clipper compatibility
Tubular belay device with round bar stock locking carabiner
2 Ice Clippers: Optional
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Sunglasses: Dimmable recommended, CAT 3 lenses w/ athletic fit
Small tube of sunscreen and SPF chap stick
First aid kit: Small, should include any personal medications
Hand warmers: Optional, for those colder days
Kula cloth: Optional, antimicrobial cloth for people who squat to pee
Pee funnel: Optional, to facilitate easier bathroom usage in a harness for people who squat to pee
Hand warmers: Optional
Fully charged phone
1-2 liters of water: A thermos with your favorite hot drink is recommended. Avoid water bladders and hoses as they are prone to puncture and freezing in a winter environment
High energy lunch and snacks: A healthy mix of fats, sugar, and protein for a full day of the on-the-go (leftover pizza or sandwiches are a great midday pick-me-up)