We are back with our second annual ice climbing festival cheat sheet. Ice climbing festivals are simply the best. They offer an affordable way to take ice climbing courses and become immersed in the community. We plan to attend a couple of the festivals below, and hope to see some of you there!
And, if you cannot attend, you can always join private or public ice climbing lessons with a local and professional climbing guide through Climb Onsight!
Ice Festivals
Bozeman Ice Festival
- Dates: December 10-14, 2025
- 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, 2026
- Location: Cody, Wyoming
- Description: A newer ice festival, this one focuses on small group instructions (many of the clinics are 2:1).
- Website: Wyoming Ice Fest
All In Ice Fest
- Dates: January 9-11, 2026
- 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 9-11, 2026
- Location: Sandstone, Minnesota
- Description: Minnesota’s longest-running ice climbing festival features clinics run by KAF Adventures, gear demos, and a raffle. A must for climbers in the Midwest!
- Website: Sandstone Ice Fest
Ice Total Climbing Festival
- Dates: January 23-25, 2026
- Location: Pitztal, Austria
- Description: The 25th Ice Total Festival is on in the Pitztal Valley in Typrol, Austria. The area boasts icefalls and overhanging boulders.
- Website: Ice Total Climbing Festival
Ouray Ice Festival
- Dates: January 22-25, 2026
- Location: Ouray, Colorado
- Description: The Ouray Ice Festival just had its 30th anniversary and draws climbers from around the globe for three days of competitions, clinics, and parties. Ouray Ice Park plans to provide more details in early November.
- Website: Ouray Ice Fest
Smuggs Ice Bash
- Dates: January 30-February 1, 2026
- 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 29 – February 1, 2025
- Location: Winona, Minnesota
- Description: The 3rd annual ice festival features local guides, ice climbing clinics, and family-friendly activities.
- Website: Winona Ice Fest
Catskill Ice Climbing Festival
- Dates: January 30 – February 2, 2026
- 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: February 5-8, 2026
- 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 7, 2026
- 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 7, 2026
- 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 14-16, 2026
- Location: Keene Valley, New York
- Description: A signature Adirondack celebration featuring ice climbing, gear demonstrations, guest athletes, raffles in a welcoming community. This year features guest athletes Anne Gilbert Chase, Marcus Garcia and Raphael Slawinski.
- Website: Mountainfest
Michigan Ice Fest
- Dates: February 11-15, 2026
- Location: Munising, Michigan
- Description: The first ice festival we ever attended and 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: TBD
- Location: Lincoln, New Hampshire
- Description: As of the date of posting, the Rock Spot Climbing Ice Fest has not updated the dates. But, typically, this festival offers clinics for beginners and returning climbers over a week.
- Website: Rock Spot Ice Fest
Festiglace
- Dates: February 18-22, 2026
- Location: Quebec City, Quebec
- Description: One of the best ice festivals to watch the professionals compete, while sipping on local coffees and competing in booth games. Be sure to join a clinic and stop by our booth to say hi!
- Website: Festiglace
Adirondack Queer Ice Fest
- Dates: TBD
- Location: Keene Valley, New York
- Description: According to their instagram, the 2026 festival dates are coming soon!
- Website: Adirondack Queer Ice Fest
Peabody Ice Fest
- Dates: TBD
- Location: Fenton, Michigan
- Description: The dates for the 21th Edition of the Peabody Ice Fest should be coming soon. This festival is hosted by the Peabody Ice Climbing Club.
- Website: Peabody Ice Fest
Valdez Ice Fest
- Dates: February 19, 2026
- 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. This ice climbing festival is on our bucket list.
- Website: Valdez Ice Fest
Arctic Ice Festival
- Dates: TBD
- Location: Fjellkysten, Norway
- Description: We hope the Arctic Ice Festival is back for another year. Ice climbing in NOrway looks unbelievable. But the website is currently unavailable. Check back soon!
- Website: Arctic Ice Festival
Nipigon Ice Fest
- Dates: March 6-8, 2026
- Location: Nipigon, Ontario
- Description: Canada’s longest running, premiere ice climbing festival is in Ontario! It’s a festival we’ve been to the last few years and can’t wait to return. See some of Ontario’s best ice climbing (rivaling the best in Canada) and win some raffles.
- Website: Nipigon Ice Fest
Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival
- Dates: August 6 – 8, 2026
- Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
- Description: When it’s the middle of summer and you want to get on to ice, head to the Southern Hemisphere. This Kiwi festival offers mixed climbing, technical workshops, evening socials, and breathtaking alpine scenery.
- Website: Remarkables Festival
