Ice climbing festivals are a fantastic way to join the incredible ice climbing community, sharpen your skills, and learn about the climbing landscape. From beginner-friendly workshops to advanced clinics, these festivals offer something for every level of climber. I also love the downtime at the festivals; speaking with other climbers, attending the socials, listening to the speaker series, getting unlucky in the raffle giveaways, and more!
We organized the list to include both past festivals and upcoming ones. While some festivals have already taken place this season, it’s never too early to mark your calendar for next year.
And, remember, you can always join private or public ice climbing lessons with a local and professional climbing guide through Climb Onsight!
Past Ice Festivals (Already Held - Plan for Next Year!)
Bozeman Ice Festival
- Dates: December 11-15, 2024
- Location: Bozeman, Montana
- Description: A staple of the ice climbing community for over 25 years, this festival offers clinics, gear expos, and film showings. Held in the heart of Montana, it’s perfect for climbers looking to explore Hyalite Canyon’s famous frozen waterfalls.
- Website: Bozeman Ice Fest
Wyoming Ice Fest
- Dates: January 1-4, 2025
- Location: Cody, Wyoming
- Description: Just finishing its second annual ice festival, this ice festival focuses on small group instructions (50% of the clinics are 2:1).
- Website: Wyoming Ice Fest
All In Ice Fest
- Dates: January 1-5, 2025
- Location: Ouray Ice Park, Colorado
- Description: With a mission to “Elevate and highlight marginalized communities–including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA2S+ communities, this festival blends climbing, camaraderie, and inclusivity.
- Website: All In Ice Fest
Sandstone Ice Festival
- Dates: January 10-12, 2025
- Location: Sandstone, Minnesota
- Description: Minnesota’s longest-running ice climbing festival features clinics, gear demos, and socials. A must for climbers in the Midwest!
- Website: Sandstone Ice Fest
East Tirol Ice Climbing Festival
- Dates: January 10, 2025
- Location: East Tyrol, Austria
- Description: Hosted in the dramatic alpine scenery of East Tyrol, this event includes clinics, competitions, and a lively climbing community vibe.
- Website: East Tyrol Ice Fest
Upcoming Ice Festivals (Mark Your Calendar)
Ouray Ice Festival
- Dates: January 18-21, 2025
- Location: Ouray, Colorado
- Description: The Ouray Ice Festival is celebrating its 30th Anniversary! This iconic festival draws climbers from around the globe for three days of competitions, clinics, and parties. With world-class climbing routes and vendors galore, it’s a highlight of the season.
- Website: Ouray Ice Fest
Smuggs Ice Bash
- Dates: January 24-26, 2025
- Location: Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont
- Description: Vermont’s premier ice climbing festival includes climbing clinics for all levels, presentations by professional athletes, a dry tooling competition, and guest presenters.
- Website: Smuggs Ice Bash
Winona Ice Fest
- Dates: January 30 – February 2, 2025
- Location: Winona, Minnesota
- Description: The second annual ice festival features local guides, ice climbing clinics, and family-friendly activities.
- Website: Winona Ice Fest
Catskill Ice Climbing Festival
- Dates: January 31 – February 3, 2025
- Location: Catskill Mountains, New York
- Description: An event held in the heart of the Catskills, this festival is ideal for climbers looking to enjoy intimate workshops and access to local crags.
- Website: Catskill Ice Fest
Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest
- Dates: January 31 – February 2, 2025
- Location: North Conway, New Hampshire
- Description: Experience New Hampshire’s most famous ice climbing festival, featuring guided climbs, videos, local bear, and free gear demos. It’s an “action packed and wicked good time!”
- Website: MWV Ice Fest
Duluth Ice & Mixed Fest
- Dates: February 1, 2025
- Location: Duluth, Minnesota
- Description: With stunning ice formations and a supportive community, this festival is perfect for beginners and experienced climbers alike.
- Website: Duluth Ice Fest
Lake City Ice Fest
- Dates: February 1, 2025
- Location: Lake City, Colorado
- Description: A charming local friendly competition where you can pay $35 and enter friendly competitions in leading and top rope. This festival is for climbers and spectators alike!
- Website: Lake City Ice Fest
Mountainfest
- Dates: February 7-9, 2025
- Location: Keene Valley, New York
- Description: A signature Adirondack celebration featuring ice climbing, gear demonstrations, guest athletes, raffles in a welcoming community.
- Website: Mountainfest
Michigan Ice Fest
- Dates: February 12-16, 2025
- Location: Munising, Michigan
- Description: One of the largest ice climbing festivals in North America, this event features world-class instructors, gear demos, and evening presentations.
- Website: Michigan Ice Fest
Rock Spot Climbing Ice Fest
- Dates: February 15-21, 2025
- Location: Lincoln, New Hampshire
- Description: This festival offers clinics for beginners and returning climbers alike. With their partners, they make ice climbing accessible for friends and families.
- Website: Rock Spot Ice Fest
Festiglace
- Dates: February 19-23, 2025
- Location: Quebec City, Quebec
- Description: Celebrate ice climbing in the picturesque setting of Quebec’s frozen waterfalls. This festival features clinics, Nordic baths(!), prizes, and music and entertainment.
- Website: Festiglace
Adirondack Queer Ice Fest
- Dates: February 21-23, 2025
- Location: Keene Valley, New York
- Description: Attend for an day of ice climbing with the LGTQ+ community.
- Website: Adirondack Queer Ice Fest
Peabody Ice Fest
- Dates: February 22, 2025
- Location: Fenton, Michigan
- Description: The 20th Edition of the Peabody Ice Fest, this festival is hosted by teh Peabody Ice Climbing Club.
- Website: Peabody Ice Fest
Valdez Ice Fest
- Dates: February 20-23, 2025
- Location: Valdez, Alaska
- Description: 42 years old! Valdez, Alaska is an “unparalleled destination” for ice climbing. Within the Keystone Canyon, climbers can explore the sheer cliffs and frozen waterfall. There are beginner and advanced clinics, parties, morning yoga, and more!
- Website: Valdez Ice Fest
Arctic Ice Festival
- Dates: February 27 – March 3, 2025
- Location: Fjellkysten, Norway
- Description: “The far North of Norway is the land of ice and snow.” Celebrate ice climbing between the artic fjords and then rest around a fireside or in a sauna.
- Website: Arctic Ice Festival
Nipigon Ice Fest
- Dates: March 1, 2025
- Location: Nipigon, Ontario
- Description: Canada’s longest running, premiere ice climbing festival is in Ontario! Enjoy the beauty of the Thunder Bay area and join for some of Ontario’s best ice climbing with guided clinics, gear expos, speakers, and raffles.
- Website: Nipigon Ice Fest
Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival
- Dates: July 31 – August 3, 2025
- Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
- Description: Held in the Southern Hemisphere’s winter, this festival offers mixed climbing, technical workshops, evening socials, and breathtaking alpine scenery.
- Website: Remarkables Festival
