Learn The Fundamentals of Winter Alpine Climbing

Learn the movement skills and technical systems for alpine climbing with expert AMGA Alpine Guides. The Fundamentals of Winter Alpine Climbing clinic is designed for novice alpinists that want to develop the skills to climb in the big mountains in a winter environment. Our guides provide comprehensive and detailed instruction on technical alpine climbing based on a curriculum honed by renowned alpinist and Skyward Mountaineering co-owner, Vince Anderson. Learn the skills necessary to be a self-sufficient alpinist with customized instruction and coaching throughout this 3-day alpine climbing course.

Ice axe icon, depicting the type of guided climbing for this trip.

Beginner/intermediate alpine climbing course focused on ice and mixed climbing

Icon of a mountain, depicting the prerequisites required for the guided trip.

Previous toprope climbing experience recommended, but this is an introductory course with no required prerequisites

Calendar and clock icon, depicting the length of the Alaska Range expedition.

3 full days (8 hours each)
See open enrollment dates below or choose custom dates

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Ouray, Colorado

An introductory alpine climbing course for climbers with big goals

  • We spend this first day covering the basic components of alpine climbing, including:

    • How to pack for fast and light alpinism

    • Critical climbing knots

    • Fundamental crampon techniques

    • Belaying a climber safely

    Of course, we will also do some ice climbing and provide you with focused, actionable feedback on how to best develop your technique. After a full day of learning and climbing, we will gather after dinner for an educational and entertaining presentation of one of your guides’ recent alpine climbing adventures.

  • We delve further into the fundamentals of alpine climbing, including:

    • The specifics and secrets of effectively using your ice axes

    • How to read the ice and mentally map your ascent

    • Rappelling strategies for safe and efficient descents in the mountains

    An après-climb relaxation as a team at the Ouray Hot Springs will be well deserved after this long day of climbing.

  • We culminate our learning with a practical application of our skills on a graduation climb of one of Ouray's famous backcountry multipitch ice climbing routes.

A climber ascending a steep, icy mountain face during a bright, sunny day.
An ice climber in a red jacket leads a pitch on Stairway To Heaven in Silverton, with two climbers below belaying.
A person in a blue puffy jacket and red backpack ice climbs up a narrow runnel of ice on a big mountain in Alaska.
A climber is toproping a mixed pitch of rock and ice with his crampons and ice tools in the Ouray Ice Park.
A person in a blue jacket is climbing a steep icy rock face with ice axes and crampons.
A person dressed in a yellow jacket and orange helmet is swinging his ice tool into a steep frozen waterfall in the Ouray Ice Park.

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An alpine climber is swinging into ice in a narrow couloir of steep snow and ice on the route, Ham and Eggs.
Two ice climbers ascending a frozen multipitch waterfall in the Ouray Ice Park. The lower climber is belaying the lead climber.
An alpine climber swings his ice tool above his head while ascending an icy arete on the headwall of Mt. Baker's North Ridge route. The snowy glacier and open crevasses are below in the background.
A climber in. ared jacket and teal pants is kicking steps into steep snow as they arrive at the summit with glaciated peaks in the background.

Ouray Ice Park

Ham & Eggs
Moose’s Tooth

Intro To Mountaineering

North Ridge of Kulshan

Questions?

Our office staff are guides, climbers and skiers - we’re here to help!