Guided Ice Climbing In The Lake City Ice Park

No, you do not need to have previous climbing (rock or ice) experience to enjoy climbing with a guide at the Lake City Ice Park! Skyward Mountaineering offers ice climbing courses and guided trips for all skill levels, from beginners to experts. Most of the routes in the Lake City Ice Park are taller than their neighbor at the Ouray Ice Park but there is still plenty of variety, from low angle slabs to rope stretching vertical walls.

Our professional AMGA certified Alpine Guides will help you through the entire process, with getting equipped with the right gear, how to build anchors, how to belay and other fundamental ice climbing techniques and efficient ice climbing movement.

Yes! Skyward Mountaineering puts a lot of value in working with you to personalize every guided climbing trip, so details like the start time, hiking pace, photos, climbing instruction, route linkups, etc can all be adjusted to meet your specific goals. Your guide will reach out in the days before the trip to discuss these logistics, please let your guide know if you have any questions or specific requests.

Additionally, our administrative staff are climbers and guides too and we’re here to support you through the whole process. If you have any questions before booking your guided climb or before the trip starts please reach out to us and we are happy to answer your questions.

We guide toproping in the Lake City Ice Park at a maximum ratio of 4 climbers per 1 guide. If you would like to climb together as a larger group we can add another guide to the team. Contact us if you would like to climb in the Lake City Ice Park with a group of more than 4 people.

If you would like to add in backcountry ice climbing in the mountains outside of Lake City, such as the classic Sherman Route or in the more remote drainages of Cunningham Gulch or Cuba Gulch we operate at a maximum of 2 climbers per 1 guide. We are happy to guide larger groups together with multiple guides though.

We have a detailed equipment list to help you prepare and pack for your trip. If you have questions about any of the gear please let us know, we’re happy to help make recommendations or clarify.

Skyward Mountaineering provides all of the technical group climbing equipment, this includes ropes, anchor material, protection, etc. Many of clients are experienced ice climbers and prefer to use their own equipment, though we do maintain a small fleet of personal gear for climbers on trips with us to borrow. We are also happy to have you use a new pair of ice tools or crampons if you’re interested in trying out different, modern tools. Please let the admin staff or your guide know ASAP if you expect to borrow personal climbing equipment such as backpacks, harness, helmet, belay device, carabiners, personal tether, etc.

The Lake City Ice Park has a longer season than its neighbor in Ouray due to the higher elevation and the colder climate in general. This means the Lake City Ice Park is generally open by late November and remains climbable through early April. Similarly backcountry ice forms nearby early and stays in good condition later into early spring.

We recommend booking a guided ice climbing trip during weekdays to avoid crowding, though it’s still completely reasonable to climb in the Lake Ice Park or backcountry areas with an early start during weekends or holidays.

Sun or snow, we’re able to climb in the Lake City Ice Park during almost all weather events. Due to the nature of the terrain in the Lake City Ice Park, there is little to no avalanche hazard in the Ice Park, making it a reliable option in comparison to many of the backcountry areas throughout the San Juan mountains during large snowstorms. Also, as local guides in we are able to precisely monitor conditions and weather to provide you the most up-to-date information.

In the rare event that the weather or conditions prohibit the team from ice climbing and your guide deems conditions to be unsafe/unreasonable we will work with you to reschedule your climbing trip.

For more information on our cancellation policy, please see our terms and conditions and contact us with any other questions.

If you know what dates you want to climb in the Lake City Ice Park, you can book your trip directly on our website. You can also get in touch to discuss your goals and ask any questions, we’re happy to help and send you a custom booking.

Though we often still have availability for last minute trips (please always reach out and ask) we highly recommend booking your trip at least 2 weeks in advance so we can guarantee your guide’s availability and ensure that you are confirmed with all the logistics.