Intro to Ice Climbing Clinic
Learn how to ice climb with personalized coaching from expert AMGA Alpine Guides. The Introduction to Ice Climbing clinic is for beginner ice climbers looking to immerse themselves in a comprehensive ice climbing course. Our 2-day introductory ice climbing course, based in the Ouray Ice Park, is designed to teach climbers to be confident and self-sufficient so they can understand fundamental climbing systems, build their own anchors and continue to improve their ice climbing techniques. Throughout the clinic you can expect to learn:
Equipment selection
Fundamental climbing knots
Top-rope anchor construction
Risk management strategies specific to ice climbing
How to be a contributing partner in a self-sufficient team
Introductory ice climbing body positioning and movement techniques
Improve efficiency for longer and steeper ice climbing routes
Introductory ice climbing course
No previous ice climbing experience required
2 full days (8 hours each)
See open enrollment dates below or choose custom dates
Ouray, Colorado
Learn How To Ice Climb In the Ouray Ice Park
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Your guide will discuss course logistics, your goals, learning outcomes and conditions updates in the days prior to the course.
07:00 Meet your guide and fellow course participants at a local bakery in Ouray for a meet and greet with a quick breakfast and coffee before heading out for the introduction to ice climbing course.
07:30 A short drive up the road to the Ouray Ice Park. We’ll begin with an introduction of our equipment and a short hike into the Ice Park.
08:00 We will cover the steps to construct top rope anchors with bolts and trees and choose moderate routes for us to start on.
08:45 We will then spend some time with essential climbing knots, safety systems, and communications before focusing on the fundamental ice climbing movement techniques.
15:30 Wrap up the day and hike out of the Ouray Ice Park. Drive back to Ouray and finish the course for the day. We highly recommend relaxing with an après-climb soak in the town’s hot springs. -
07:30 Meet your guide at the Ouray Ice Park parking lot and gear up for day.
08:00 After setting up anchors and reviewing skills from the previous day, we’ll focus on building on the efficiency of ice climbing techniques and getting on steeper routes.
15:30 We’ll wrap up the climbing and walk back to the cars.
16:00 Course is finished, summary of skills and next steps.
