Ice Fest Clinics: January 20th - 26th, 2025
Clinic registration for 2025 will begin december 9th, 2024
Ice Fest clinics begin the Monday before Ice Fest and run a full week, both in the backcountry and within the Ice Park. Pro climbers fly in from all over the world to teach various skills to every level of climber. Local guiding companies provide our climbing clinics, including: San Juan Mountain Guides, Basecamp Ouray, Mountain Trip, and Skyward Mountaineering.
2024 Clinic Schedule
Friday January 19th
Friday AM Clinics
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by David Roetzel
Learn steep ice from this seasoned climber.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by Edelrid
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Chris Snobeck
Advance your ice climbing prowess with this intermediate clinic, tailored for those ready to build upon their foundational skills.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by CAMP USA
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Jason Nelson & Charlie Faust
Dive into the world of mixed climbing.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by CAMP USA
SOLD OUT
9am - 12pm | Taught by Logan Tyler
Explore the basics of dry-tooling with this beginner-friendly clinic, an insightful 4-hour journey into climbing with ice axes and crampons.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by CAMP USA
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Connor Chilcott
This clinic is an introduction to placing ice protection and building an ice anchor. Participants are in a mock lead scenario.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Grivel
SOLD OUT
9am - 12pm | Taught by Anna Pfaff
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like to sharpen their skills on WI4 ice.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
SOLD OUT
9am - 12pm | Taught by Will Gadd
Learn to manage awkward bulges, fragile pillars, thin ice and much more with legend, Will Gadd.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Black Diamond
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Sarah Hueniken
This clinic teaches participants to build ice anchors, belay from above, build v-threads, and descend.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
SOLD OUT
9am - 12pm | Taught by Mo Beck
This clinic is for complete beginners to climbing or ice climbing. Participants will receive ice climbing movement instruction on friendly routes and refresh or learn to tie-in and top-rope belay.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Sterling
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Matt Cornell
This clinic features the most picturesque routes in Ouray’s Ice Park. Participants will receive personalized on-route coaching from professional athlete Matt Cornell.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Vince Anderson
Vince will teach you the techniques to take you from basic, static ice climbing into being a dynamic, more fluid climber on ever more vertical and sustained terrain.
Provided by Skyward Mountaineering | Sponsored by Grivel
Friday PM Clinics
SOLD OUT
1pm - 4pm | With Basecamp Guides
Begin your ice climbing journey with our 'Intro to Ice Climbing' clinic, perfect for newcomers seeking a comprehensive introduction.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by CAMP USA
SOLD OUT
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Marcus Garcia
Join our exclusive ice climbing clinic with mountaineering legend Marcus Garcia for a transformative climbing experience.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by Osprey
SOLD OUT
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Aaron Mulkey
Enhance your ice climbing skills with our exclusive clinic led by Aaron Mulkey, a unique mountaineering adventure.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by Black Diamond
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by David Roetzel
Learn the Art of Falling in our empowering climbing clinic, led by David Roetzel and Beth Goralski of Edelrid, for a master class in controlled descents.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by Edelrid
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Michael Gardner
This clinic is an introduction to placing ice protection and building an ice anchor. Participants are in a mock lead scenario.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Graham Zimmerman
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like to sharpen their skills on WI4 ice.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Scarpa
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Andres Marin
This clinic is designed for participants who want to learn about maintaining body tension, managing with fewer points of contact, and other movement strategies beyond the basics.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
SOLD OUT
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Angela Hawse
This women’s clinic is for complete beginners to climbing or ice climbing. Participants will receive ice climbing movement instruction on friendly routes and refresh or learn to tie-in and top-rope belay.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Sterling
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Chris Snobeck
This clinic is for complete beginners to climbing or ice climbing. Participants will receive ice climbing movement instruction on friendly routes and refresh or learn to tie-in and top-rope belay.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by CAMP USA
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Sam Elias
This clinic features the most picturesque routes in Ouray’s Ice Park. Participants will receive personalized on-route coaching from professional athlete Sam Elias.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Vince Anderson
Alpinist and guide Vince Anderson will teach you cutting edge, no BS techniques used on modern alpine style ascents and big wall free climbs. This clinic is for intermediate ice climbers.
Provided by Skyward Mountaineering | Sponsored by Scarpa
Friday Full-Day Clinics
SOLD OUT
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by John Roskelley
This clinic is designed for beginner climbers/ice climbers. Participants will learn the basics of swinging, kicking, and hip movement while getting in a full day of climbing mileage.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by LOWA
SOLD OUT
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Chantel Astoria
This clinic is designed for beginner climbers/ice climbers. Participants will learn the basics of swinging, kicking, and hip movement while getting day worth of climbing mileage.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
Full-Day | $299
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Alan Rousseau
This clinic is designed for those curious about the skills needed for alpine objectives. The clinic covers the basics of ice and mixed climbing movement and ice and alpine anchors. Participants have the opportunity to learn from alpinist Alan Rousseau, fresh off his legendary ascent of the North Face of Jannu.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Grivel
SOLD OUT
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Carlos Buhler
This seminar focuses on light efficient swings, resting on feet rather than arms, and other tips for progressing into harder ice climbing grades.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by LOWA
SOLD OUT
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Natalie Afonina
This clinic is an opportunity for women to gather and learn from inspirational female pro athletes. All ability levels are welcome.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Grivel
Full-Day | $299
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Sam Hennessey
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like a day of mileage on ice while also learning about where and how to place ice protection.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
SOLD OUT
9:30am - 4pm | Taught by Elias de Andres Martos
Learn ice climbing skills properly in a full-day introduction. Suitable for beginners.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Osprey
Full-Day | $249
9:30am - 4pm
This clinic is for climbers who have climbed ice and are looking to progress on steeper terrain. You’ll learn more advanced movement techniques with the goal of helping you climb WI3+ to 4.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Mountain Equipment
Full-Day | $249
9:30am - 4pm | Taught by Joey Thompson
Graduate from being a competent ice climber on top rope to taking the first steps into learning how to lead an ice climb in a mock lead scenario.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Rab
Full-Day | $249
9:30am - 4pm | Taught by Jackson Marvell
Master your craft on vertical ice and pillars. Steep ice is highly technique dependent, and we’ll help you hone your skills on them steeps. Must be an avid climber with frequent ice climbing experience up to WI3+.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Black Diamond
Full-Day | $129
9:30am - 4pm
Our guides will coach, mentor, and generally be resources to support you with whatever aspect of ice climbing you’d like. The goal will be to create a supportive environment in which you can climb with highly skilled partners. We’ll check everyone off for belaying and we’ll ask you to belay when you’re not climbing, so our guides can help climbers on the ice. Participants must have climbed ice previously and understand how to belay.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Rocky Talkie
Saturday January 20th
Saturday AM Clinics
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Jackson Yip
This clinic is an introduction to placing ice protection and building an ice anchor. Participants are in a mock lead scenario.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Scarpa
SOLD OUT
9am - 12pm | Taught by Sarah Hueniken
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like to sharpen their skills on WI4 ice.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Anna Pfaff
This clinic is designed for participants who want to learn about maintaining body tension, managing with fewer points of contact, and other movement strategies beyond the basics.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Sterling
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Jesse Huey
This clinic teaches participants to build ice anchors, belay from above, build v-threads, and descend.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Sean Herlihy
This clinic is for complete beginners to climbing or ice climbing. Participants will receive ice climbing movement instruction on friendly routes and refresh or learn to tie-in and top-rope belay.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by USAF Special Warfare Division
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Chris Snobeck
This clinic features the most picturesque routes in Ouray’s Ice Park. Participants will receive personalized on-route coaching from professional athlete Chris Snoebeck.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by CAMP USA
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Chantel Astoria
This clinic is for complete beginners to the vertical world of climbing. Participants learn basic ice and mixed movement techniques.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Kitty Calhoun
This clinic focuses on steep ice technique and emphasizes efficiency of movement.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Scarpa
SOLD OUT
9am - 12pm | Taught by Natalie Afonina
This clinic is an opportunity for women to gather and learn from inspirational female pro athletes. All ability levels are welcome.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Grivel
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Alan Rousseau
This clinic allows participants to be coached up classic mixed routes in the Ouray Ice Park by renowned alpinists.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Grivel
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Will Gadd
A custom Will Gadd curriculum clinic, participants will receive coaching on ice climbing movement- emphasis on surety in movement! The clinic features a variety of terrain and is suitable for all ability levels.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
Saturday PM Clinics
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Kitty Calhoun
This clinic is an introduction to placing ice protection and building an ice anchor. Participants are in a mock lead scenario.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Scarpa
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like to sharpen their skills on WI4 ice.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Osprey
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Sam Elias
This clinic is designed for participants who want to learn about maintaining body tension, managing with fewer points of contact, and other movement strategies beyond the basics.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Sean Herlihy
This clinic teaches participants to build ice anchors, belay from above, build v-threads, and descend.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by USAF Special Warfare Division
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Sam Hennessey
This clinic is for complete beginners to climbing or ice climbing. Participants will receive ice climbing movement instruction on friendly routes and refresh or learn to tie-in and top-rope belay.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Chris Snobeck
This clinic focuses on steep ice technique and emphasizes efficiency of movement.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by CAMP USA
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Sarah Hueniken
This clinic is an opportunity for women to gather and learn from inspirational female pro athletes. All ability levels are welcome.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Sterling
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Andres Marin
This clinic allows participants to be coached up classic mixed routes in the Ouray Ice Park by renowned alpinists.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by La Sportiva
Half-Day | $199
1pm - 4pm | Taught by Anna Pfaff
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like to sharpen their skills on WI4 ice.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Petzl
Saturday Full-Day Clinics
Full-Day | $299
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by John Roskelley
This clinic is designed for beginner climbers/ice climbers. Participants will learn the basics of swinging, kicking, and hip movement while getting in a full day of climbing mileage.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by LOWA
Full-Day | $299
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Michael Gardner
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like to sharpen their skills on WI4 ice.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
SOLD OUT
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Connor Chilcott
This clinic is designed for beginner climbers/ice climbers. Participants will learn the basics of swinging, kicking, and hip movement while getting in a full day of climbing mileage.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Grivel
Full-Day | $299
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Carlos Buhler
This clinic is helps climbers manage awkward bulges, thin ice, pillars, and more. The terrain is varied and suitable for beginner and intermediate levels.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by LOWA
Full-Day | $299
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Mo Beck
This clinic is an opportunity for women to gather and learn from inspirational female pro athletes. All ability levels are welcome. Participants get to learn the fundamentals of ice climbing from 2X Paraclimbing World Champion and 9X National Champion Mo Beck.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
Full-Day | $299
9:30am - 3pm | Taught by Matt Segal
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like mileage on ice while also learning about where and how to place ice protection.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
Full-Day | $249
9:30am - 4pm | Taught by Joey Thompson
Learn ice climbing skills properly in a full-day introduction. Suitable for beginners.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Rab
SOLD OUT
9:30am - 4pm | Taught by Aaron Mulkey
Aaron Mulkey and Mountain Trip guides will coach, mentor, and generally be resources to support you with whatever aspect of ice climbing you’d like. The goal will be to create a supportive environment in which you can climb with highly skilled partners. We’ll check everyone off for belaying and we’ll ask you to belay when you’re not climbing, so our guides can help climbers on the ice. Participants must have climbed ice previously and understand how to belay.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Black Diamond
Full-Day | $249
9:30am - 4pm | Taught by Elias de Andres Martos
This clinic is for climbers who have climbed ice and are looking to progress on steeper terrain. You’ll learn more advanced movement techniques with the goal of helping you climb WI3+ to 4.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Osprey
Full-Day | $249
9:30am - 4pm | Taught by Matt Cornell
Graduate from being a competent ice climber on top rope to taking the first steps into learning how to lead an ice climb in a mock lead scenario.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by The North Face
Full-Day | $249
9:30am - 4pm | Taught by Santiago Vega
Master your craft on vertical ice and pillars. Steep ice is highly technique dependent, and we’ll help you hone your skills on them steeps. Must be an avid climber with frequent ice climbing experience up to WI3+.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Mountain Equipment
SOLD OUT
9:30am - 4pm
Our guides will coach, mentor, and generally be resources to support you with whatever aspect of ice climbing you’d like. The goal will be to create a supportive environment in which you can climb with highly skilled partners. We’ll check everyone off for belaying and we’ll ask you to belay when you’re not climbing, so our guides can help climbers on the ice. Participants must have climbed ice previously and understand how to belay.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Rocky Talkie
Sunday January 21st
Sunday AM Clinics
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like to sharpen their skills on WI4 ice.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by La Sportiva
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Jesse Huey
This clinic is designed for participants who want to learn about maintaining body tension, managing with fewer points of contact, and other movement strategies beyond the basics.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Arc’teryx
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Matt Segal
This clinic features the most picturesque routes in Ouray’s Ice Park. Participants will receive personalized on-route coaching from professional athlete Matt Segal.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Katie Beringer
This clinic is an opportunity for women to gather and learn from inspirational female pro athletes. All ability levels are welcome.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Yeti
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Sam Elias
Enjoy custom-curriculum by Scarpa professional athlete Jackson that prepares climbers for bigger alpine objectives. This clinic is designed for those curious about the skills needed for alpine objectives. The clinic covers the basics of ice and mixed climbing movement and ice and alpine anchors.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by The North Face
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by John Roskelley
This clinic is designed for beginner climbers/ice climbers. Participants will learn the basics of swinging, kicking, and hip movement.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by LOWA
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Santiago Vega
This clinic is designed for beginner climbers/ice climbers. Participants will learn the basics of swinging, kicking, and hip movement.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Mountain Equipment
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Connor Chilcott
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like to sharpen their skills on WI4 ice. Dial your efficiency by learning from Connor Chilcott, IFMGA Mountain guide and pro-athlete.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Grivel
SOLD OUT
9am - 12pm | Taught by Graham Zimmerman
This clinic is helps climbers manage awkward bulges, thin ice, pillars, and more. The terrain is varied and suitable for beginner and intermediate levels.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Scarpa
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Sean Herlihy
In addition to intro to ice curriculum and plenty of laps, participants will also practice v-thread rappelling and multiple ways to lower a partner.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by USAF Special Warfare Division
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by James Kan
This clinic is suited for participants with some ice climbing experience who would like mileage on ice while also learning about where and how to place ice protection.
Provided By San Juan Mountain Guides | Sponsored by Osprey
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Suzanna Lourie
Join Suzanna Lourie's women's freestyle ice climbing course, a supportive environment for adventurous women to master icy verticals.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray
Half-Day | $199
9am - 12pm | Taught by Joey Thompson
Step up to lead climbing on ice with our 'Learn to Lead Ice Climbing' clinic, designed for climbers transitioning from top-rope.
Provided by Basecamp Ouray | Sponsored by Rab
Half-Day | $199
9am - 1pm | Taught by Chris Snobeck
Learn ice climbing skills properly in a full-day introduction. Suitable for beginners.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by CAMP USA
Half-Day | $199
9am - 1pm | Taught by Jackson Marvell
Graduate from being a competent ice climber on top rope to taking the first steps into learning how to lead an ice climb in a mock lead scenario.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Black Diamond
Half-Day | $199
9am - 1pm | Taught by Elias de Andres Martos
Master your craft on vertical ice and pillars. Steep ice is highly technique dependent, and we’ll help you hone your skills on them steeps. Must be an avid climber with frequent ice climbing experience up to WI3+.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Osprey
Half-Day | $129
9am - 1pm
Our guides will coach, mentor, and generally be resources to support you with whatever aspect of ice climbing you’d like. The goal will be to create a supportive environment in which you can climb with highly skilled partners. We’ll check everyone off for belaying and we’ll ask you to belay when you’re not climbing, so our guides can help climbers on the ice. Participants must have climbed ice previously and understand how to belay.
Provided By Mountain Trip | Sponsored by Rocky Talkie
Banner Photo By: James O’Neil