Ice Climbing for Beginners: Frozen Waterfalls Worth the Trip

The first time you swing an ice tool into a frozen waterfall and it sticks with a satisfying thunk, something shifts inside you. Ice climbing is one of those sports that seems impossibly intimidating from the outside but is surprisingly accessible once you take that first lesson. The vertical world of ice, with its blue curtains, translucent pillars, and chandelier-like formations, is unlike anything else in outdoor adventure.

In 2026, ice climbing is experiencing a surge in popularity, driven by better gear, more accessible instruction, and a growing network of ice climbing festivals that cater specifically to beginners. If you have ever watched a climber ascend a frozen waterfall and thought “I could never do that,” this guide is here to prove you wrong.

What Is Ice Climbing?

Ice climbing is the practice of ascending frozen water formations using specialized equipment: ice axes (also called ice tools), crampons (metal spikes attached to your boots), and protective gear including ropes, harnesses, and ice screws. There are two main types:

Waterfall Ice (WI)

This is what most people picture when they think of ice climbing: ascending frozen waterfalls that form during winter. Waterfall ice is graded on a scale from WI1 to WI7:

• WI1-WI2: Low angle, thick ice. Perfect for beginners.
• WI3: Steeper sections (60-70 degrees) with good stances
• WI4: Near-vertical (75-85 degrees), sustained sections
• WI5: Vertical, thin or technical sections
• WI6-WI7: Overhanging, dangerous, elite-level only

Alpine Ice

Found on mountains and glaciers, alpine ice climbing combines ice technique with mountaineering skills. This is generally pursued after gaining experience on waterfall ice.

Best Destinations for Beginner Ice Climbers

Ouray, Colorado, USA

Ouray is the undisputed ice climbing capital of North America. The Ouray Ice Park is a man-made ice climbing venue built in a natural gorge, with over 200 named routes on nearly 1,000 ice pitches. The park is free and open to the public, which is remarkable for a world-class climbing facility. What makes Ouray ideal for beginners is the variety: routes range from gentle WI2 slabs to vertical WI5 pillars, all within a compact area where instruction and rescue are easily managed. The annual Ouray Ice Festival (usually in January) offers clinics, gear demos, and guided climbing for all levels.

Grade range: WI2-WI5+ Season: December through March Lesson costs: Half-day guided climb from $200-300 per person. Full-day from $300-450. Multi-day courses from $500-800. Where to stay: Ouray has hotels from $80 per night and vacation rentals from $100. The town is small but has excellent restaurants and hot springs. Getting there: Fly to Montrose (45 minutes drive) or Grand Junction (2 hours).

Pro Tip: The Ouray Ice Park opens in mid-December, but the best ice conditions are typically in January and February when the cold has had time to build thick, solid formations.

Photo credit on Pexels

Cody, Wyoming, USA

The South Fork of the Shoshone River valley near Cody contains over 1,000 ice pitches, making it one of the most prolific ice climbing areas in the world. The ice forms on canyon walls along the road to Yellowstone, creating accessible roadside climbing that ranges from beginner-friendly to world-class. The annual Wyoming Ice Fest (held in early January) is one of the premier ice climbing festivals in the world, with personal instruction, gear testing opportunities, and clinics taught by some of the sport’s top athletes.

Grade range: WI2-WI6 Season: December through March Lesson costs: Festival clinics from $150-250 per day (includes instruction and gear). Guided climbing from $250-400 per day outside of festival dates. Where to stay: Cody has motels from $60 per night. Cabins from $80. Getting there: Fly to Cody (limited flights) or Billings, Montana (2 hours drive).

Canadian Rockies: Canmore and Banff, Alberta

The Canadian Rockies have some of the most spectacular ice climbing in the world. For beginners, the area around Canmore and Banff offers well-established routes, excellent guiding services, and some of the most reliable ice conditions on the continent. Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park features multiple frozen waterfalls at various grades, with the Lower Falls being accessible to beginners on a guided outing. The Haffner Creek area near Canmore has a selection of moderate routes perfect for first-timers.

Grade range: WI2-WI6+ (and beyond) Season: November through March Lesson costs: Half-day guided climb from $250-350 CAD. Full-day from $400-600 CAD. Multi-day intro courses from $600-1,000 CAD. Where to stay: Canmore has hostels from $35 CAD and hotels from $100 CAD. Banff has the HI Banff hostel from $45 CAD. Getting there: Fly to Calgary (1 hour to Canmore, 1.5 hours to Banff).

Pro Tip: The Canadian Rockies get cold. Very cold. Temperatures of -20 to -30 degrees Celsius are common in January. Invest in quality layering and hand warmers, and choose a guided outing that includes group gear warming breaks.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix is the birthplace of alpinism and one of the most storied climbing destinations on Earth. The ice climbing here ranges from accessible roadside frozen waterfalls to extreme alpine routes on Mont Blanc’s glaciers. For beginners, the Argentiere area and the valley-floor routes near Les Houches offer moderate, well-protected ice that can be climbed with a guide in a half-day. The numerous guiding companies (Chamonix has more mountain guides per capita than almost anywhere) ensure quality instruction.

Grade range: WI2-WI7 (plus alpine ice) Season: December through March Lesson costs: Half-day guided climb from 150-250 euros. Full-day from 300-400 euros. Where to stay: Hostels from 25-35 euros. Hotels from 60-100 euros. Chamonix is a ski town, so winter rates are high. Consider neighboring towns like Les Houches for better value. Getting there: Fly to Geneva (1.5 hours drive) or take the train from Paris.

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Rjukan, Norway

Rjukan is one of Europe’s premier ice climbing destinations, sitting in a deep, narrow valley that barely sees direct sunlight in winter. The result is an extraordinary concentration of frozen waterfalls, from gentle WI2 slabs to the famous Lipton, a massive WI4-WI5 pillar. The Rjukan Ice Festival (usually in February) offers clinics and guided climbing for all levels. The town itself is small but has all necessary services and a strong climbing community.

Grade range: WI2-WI6 Season: December through March Lesson costs: Guided climbing from $200-350 per day. Festival clinics from $150-250. Where to stay: Hotels from $80 per night. Cabins from $60. Getting there: Fly to Oslo, drive 2.5 hours west.

Munising, Michigan, USA

Munising, on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, might seem like an unlikely ice climbing destination, but the frozen waterfalls along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore create a spectacular ice climbing playground. The Michigan Ice Fest (February) is specifically designed as a welcoming, inclusive event that caters to beginners. Free clinics, gear demos, and guided top-rope climbing make it one of the best ways to try ice climbing for the first time.

Grade range: WI2-WI5 Season: January through March Lesson costs: Festival clinics are often free or donation-based. Guided climbing from $200-300 per day. Where to stay: Munising has motels from $60 per night. Getting there: Fly to Marquette (1 hour drive) or drive from anywhere in the Great Lakes region.

Essential Gear for Ice Climbing

What You Need (and What It Costs)

Gear Item	Buy New	Rent
Ice tools (pair)	$400-700	$30-50/day
Technical crampons	$150-300	$15-25/day
Climbing harness	$60-100	$10-15/day
Helmet	$50-100	$5-10/day
Mountaineering boots	$300-600	$20-40/day
Ice screws (set of 6)	$200-400	Included with guide
Ropes	$200-350	Included with guide

Total for a complete personal kit: $1,360-2,550 (buying new) Total for a day’s rental: $80-145 For your first experience, always rent. Most guide services include all technical gear in their pricing. You just need to bring warm clothing.

Clothing Layers

Ice climbing demands a careful layering system because you alternate between intense physical effort (climbing) and standing around getting cold (belaying). The key layers:

1. Base layer: Merino wool or synthetic. Never cotton.
2. Mid layer: Fleece or light insulated jacket
3. Shell: Waterproof, breathable hard shell (you will get wet from melting ice)
4. Insulated belay jacket: A puffy jacket to throw on while belaying
5. Gloves: The most critical item. Bring at least three pairs: thin liner gloves for climbing, warmer gloves for belaying, and dry backup gloves.
6. Warm hat: Fits under your helmet

Pro Tip: Your hands will get cold. Accept this. But you can minimize suffering by keeping backup gloves warm inside your jacket, switching to fresh dry gloves during breaks, and using chemical hand warmers in extreme cold.

Photo credit on Pexels

Your First Day of Ice Climbing: What to Expect

The Basics

A typical beginner ice climbing day with a guide goes like this:

1. Gear check and briefing (30-45 minutes): Your guide fits you with crampons, harness, helmet, and ice tools. They explain the basic techniques and safety procedures.

2. Approach hike (15-60 minutes): You walk to the base of the ice. This might involve snowshoeing or postholing through deep snow.

3. Technique introduction (30 minutes): Your guide demonstrates the fundamental skills on easy-angle ice: how to swing ice tools, how to kick crampons into the ice, and how to use your body position efficiently.

4. Climbing (2-4 hours): You climb multiple pitches of ice, starting easy and progressively increasing difficulty as your confidence grows. The guide manages the rope from above (top-rope), so you are always protected.

5. Debrief and pack-up (30 minutes): Discussion of what went well, what to work on, and next steps.

Key Techniques

• French technique (flat-footing): On low-angle ice, you walk with all crampon points flat on the surface, duck-walking up the ice.
• Front-pointing: On steeper ice, you kick the front two points of your crampons into the ice and stand on them. This is the primary technique for vertical ice.
• Tool placement: A good swing follows a pendulum motion from the shoulder. Aim for natural depressions in the ice where the tool will hold best.
• Resting: Learn to stand on your crampons with straight arms, hanging from your tools. This conserves energy on long routes.

Safety Considerations

Ice climbing has real risks that you need to understand:

Falling Ice

Ice is a dynamic medium. Pieces can break off from climbing activity above, from natural melt, or from temperature changes. Always wear a helmet, and be aware of what is above you.

Cold Injuries

Frostbite is a genuine concern, especially on fingers and toes. Know the symptoms (numbness, white/gray skin, hard texture) and take action immediately if you notice them.

Avalanche Danger

Many ice climbing areas sit in avalanche terrain. If you are climbing outside of established, non-avalanche-prone areas, you need avalanche awareness training and appropriate rescue gear.

Ice Quality

Ice quality varies enormously based on temperature, sun exposure, and formation age. Blue, dense ice is generally the strongest. White, aerated ice (sometimes called “cauliflower ice”) can be brittle and unreliable. Your guide will assess ice quality, but as you develop, learning to read ice becomes an essential skill.

Ice Climbing Festivals: Your Best Starting Point

Festivals are the single best way to try ice climbing for the first time. They offer:

• Professional instruction at reduced or no cost
• All gear provided or available to rent cheaply
• A supportive, community atmosphere
• Opportunities to try other winter activities (backcountry skiing, snowshoeing)
• Evening presentations and social events

2026 Festival Calendar

Festival	Location	Dates	Cost
Wyoming Ice Fest	Cody, WY	Jan 1-4	$150-250/day
Ouray Ice Festival	Ouray, CO	Jan 16-19	Free-$200
Michigan Ice Fest	Munising, MI	Feb 6-8	Free-$150
Bozeman Ice Festival	Bozeman, MT	Dec 2025	$100-200/day
Rjukan Ice Festival	Rjukan, Norway	Feb	$200-350/day

From Beginner to Independent Climber

Once you have completed your first guided experience, the path to independent ice climbing looks like this:

1. Take multiple guided days to build technique and confidence (5-10 days of guided climbing recommended before going independent)
2. Take a lead climbing course to learn how to place ice screws and build anchors
3. Invest in personal gear (start with tools, crampons, and boots)
4. Find a climbing partner through local climbing clubs, gyms, or online communities
5. Start on easy routes you know well before venturing onto new terrain
6. Take an avalanche course (AIARE Level 1 in North America) if you plan to climb in backcountry settings

Ice climbing transforms your relationship with winter. As with all adventure sports, proper preparation is key — review our adventure travel safety guide before heading out. Where others see cold, dark months to endure, you see a season of opportunity: frozen waterfalls to climb, ice formations to explore, and a vertical playground that only exists for a few precious months each year. Take that first lesson, and winter will never look the same again. When the ice melts, transition to rock climbing at the world’s best crags.

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