If you want to learn to ice climb VT and NH offer some of the best climbing guides and climbing opportunities in the United States with Frankenstein Cliffs and Lake Willoughby as ranking in the top five in the country.
So where do you go if you just want to get started climbing frozen waterfalls?
Ice Fests
These are excellent ways to get into the sport. Catch the enthusiasm and scale some ice. Often the equipment is provided so you just have to dress warm for the weather.
Mt. Washington Valley Ice Fest. This is the ultimate ice climbing learning experience for all skill levels. This offers something new to learn from everyone. Ascend Mt. Washington, rock climbers learning to ice climb, ice rescue, thin ice, steep ice, mixed ice, glacial travel and crevasse rescue, alpine climbing, leading, and more. That’s just on Friday’s clinics! You’ll also find presentations and equipment demos.
Smuggs Ice Bash is a great event in January to learn to ice climb or learn a new skill. You can even demo equipment. Sign up for a clinic like avalache rescue, steep and mixed climbing, intro to ice climbing etc.
Rock Spot Ice Fest. Ever wanted to climb the Flume in the winter? Now you can. Rock Spot’s Ice Fest in February provides all the gear and you get to learn how to climb on one of the area’s most awesome summer attractions!
Guided Climbs
Ultimate Ice Climbing: The White Mountains
This is it. This is where you want to be if you’re into ice climbing with over ten areas to ice climb and over 100 routes.
Home to the International Mountain Equipment and International Mountain Climbing School, this is the hub of ice climbing in northern New England. The White Mountains is also home to the oldest climbing school in the north east, EMS Outdoors.
North Ridge Mountain Guides in Bethlehem, NH offers a beginning ice climbing course, an alpine gullies course, and a leadership ice climbing course.
Synnott Mountain Guides in Intervale, NH will help beginners assess if ice is safe, place screws, and more. They’ll help experienced ice climbers try a new route with confidence, or a new style of ice climbing like mixed climbing. They also offer avalanche education, backcountry skiing, and mountaineering as other winter experiences.
International Mountain Climbing School in North Conway is your place to go whether you’re just looking to learn or wanting to take your ice climbing skills up a notch. They offer a variety of courses: intro, steep ice, intermediate, early season climbing, leader, mixed terrain, alpine snow and ice skills, and more.
Northeast Mountaineering is based in the White Mountains and their mission is to guide beginning and novice mountaineers in any season. They offer one day to three day courses. I especially liked that the website offered resumes of the guides so you could feel confident in just how awesome these climbers are.
Bretton Woods offers beginning to advanced classes as well as private tours.
Adventure Spirit out of Burlington offers guided climbs for the beginner or the expert looking for a challenge. They climb in the White Mountains, in the mountains of Vermont, and the Adirondacks of NY.
Sunrise Mountain Guides in Stowe, VT offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced climbs. They provide the technical equipment and no experience is required.
In Vermont
Ice climbing in Vermont is great for quiet, remote, and challenging climbs. Smuggler’s Notch and Lake Willoughby are the places to go. You can also do Snake Mountain, Bristol Cliffs, Bolton, and Williamstown/Brookfield. See a summary of these areas on the Mountain Project. For more information try the Vermont Outdoor Guide Association.
Vermont Adventure Tours out of Rutland, VT offers guides and courses for a variety of activities in warmer weather and in the winter. Learn how to ice climb or take an advanced course with their instructors. I particularly love the photos of ice climbers. Impressive! They also do snow shoe tours, winter camping and survival, and winter hiking.
Adventure Spirit out of Burlington offers guided climbs for the beginner or the expert looking for a challenge. They climb in the White Mountains, in the mountains of Vermont, and the Adirondacks of NY.
Sunrise Mountain Guides in Stowe, VT offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced climbs. They provide the technical equipment and no experience is required.
