Telluride Ice Climbing Guides
Climb Telluride’s Classic Backcountry Ice Routes
The San Juan Mountains surrounding Telluride offer some of Colorado's most spectacular backcountry ice climbing. From single pitch pillars to challenging big routes, such as the iconic Bridal Veil Falls, Telluride provides a range of backcountry routes in a dramatic alpine setting. Skyward Mountaineering offers private, customized ice climbing trips for climbers looking to develop their skills, climb classic local routes, or pursue a challenging objective when conditions align.
Backcountry ice climbing on the world class test-piece, Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, Colorado. The route is a 4 pitch WI5/6 with sustained steep climbing.
Bridal Veil Falls is an advanced route for climbers with solid backcountry ice climbing experience and strong movement skills.
A full day (8 hours) of ice climbing. Bridal Veil Falls is in good condition reliably thru the winter season, mid December - mid March.
The route, Bridal Veil Falls, is outside the town of Telluride, Colorado.
9,020 ft / 2,749 m
Climb Bridal Veil Falls
At just over 400ft tall, Bridal Veil Falls is Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall and one of Telluride's most iconic landmarks. This WI5/6 ice climbing route is 4 pitches of three-dimensional climbing winding through paths of clear tubes of steep ice and overhanging chandeliers. This route is a must-do for ice climbers with strong steep ice climbing abilities.
Bridal Veil Falls was first climbed in 1974 by Jeff Lowe and Mike Weis (with pound-in Snarg ice pitons and wooden straight shaft Chouinard piolets) and is one of the best routes in the region. Sitting atop the impressive frozen waterfall is a hydroelectric power station, built in 1907 to provide AC power from Blue Lake above to the Smuggler-Union mine in the cliffs below, it is one of the oldest power stations in the world! Now, the powerful hydraulics from the power station creates a unique climb every winter.
Plan Your Ice Climbing Trip To Telluride
Why Choose Skyward Mountaineering
Telluride's best ice climbs require more than technical climbing ability. Route selection, current ice conditions, avalanche hazard, approach logistics, and descent options all play a role in determining whether an objective is appropriate.
Skyward Mountaineering has been guiding mountain adventures since 1996, with experienced AMGA-certified guides who bring a strong emphasis on technical expertise, thoughtful risk management, and customized objectives. Our private trips allow us to build the day around your experience and goals rather than following a predetermined itinerary.
Whether you're looking to transition from the Ouray Ice Park to natural ice or you're an experienced climber pursuing a serious Telluride objective, we'll help you choose the right climb for the conditions.
Explore Backcountry Ice Climbing Throughout The San Juans
Telluride is just one part of the incredible ice climbing terrain found throughout the San Juan Mountains. Ouray offers an unmatched concentration of ice and mixed climbing, Silverton and Eureka provide high elevation multipitch objectives, and Lake City offers a wide range of accessible ice from WI3 to advanced routes both in the Lake City Ice Park and the backcountry. Our guides can help you explore these other classic climbing areas in the San Juans.
Ouray Ice Climbing
Ouray offers one of the greatest concentrations of ice climbing in the San Juans, from the world renowned Ouray Ice Park to classic backcountry ice routes surrounding town. Explore moderate multipitch climbs and technical ice and mixed routes.
Silverton & Eureka Ice Climbing
For long and remote multipitch routes, head into the mountains around Silverton. This rugged alpine area offers classic routes, early and late season opportunities, and both moderate and challenging objectives for adventurous climbers.
Lake City Ice Climbing
The Lake City Ice Park features more than 100 routes across several climbing areas, while the surrounding mountains provide additional opportunities for backcountry ice and longer multipitch objectives. For climbers looking to escape the crowds or explore a different corner of the San Juans, Lake City is well worth the trip.
FAQs About Backcountry Ice Climbing In Silverton
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Avalanche hazard, weather forecasts, and ice conditions are particularly important when planning a trip to Silverton or Eureka. The area's high elevation can create excellent ice, but it also means winter weather and avalanche conditions can have a major impact on access and route selection. Before your trip, we'll discuss current conditions and potential objectives with you. If you have a specific route in mind, let us know when you inquire or book.
Our guides make ongoing observations of conditions in Eureka throughout the winter and we maintain an up-to-date ice climbing conditions report for the Northern San Juan Mountains. Check out the current conditions and get psyched for your trip!
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The high elevation of the Silverton and Eureka area can allow backcountry ice to form early in the season and remain in condition later into spring. November through April can offer opportunities depending on the year, although individual routes are still highly dependent on temperature, precipitation, sun exposure, and current snow and avalanche conditions.
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Previous ice climbing experience is required, but you don't necessarily need multipitch experience. A guided trip can be an excellent way to transition from single-pitch ice to longer routes while learning efficient systems.
Eureka has several beginner-friendly multipitch routes for climbers with solid WI3 and WI4 toprope experience.
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Absolutely. If you have a particular ice climbing route in Silverton or Eureka on your tick list, just let us know when you inquire or book. We'll discuss the route, your experience, and current conditions and determine whether it is an appropriate objective for your trip.
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Adaptability is essential when climbing backcountry ice, just like alpine climbing expeditions. If your planned route is out of condition or affected by avalanche hazard, your guide will evaluate alternative objectives based on current conditions and your goals. There are plentiful alternative routes to choose from nearby in the San Juan Mountains so pivoting the plan to a different route that still meets your goals is our primary choice.