- Typically up to 4 hours in length.
- Due to accessibility and changing ice conditions, please call to book a half day of ice climbing.
2 People = $219*
3 People = $189*
4 People = $159*
5 People = $139*
6+ People = $129*
*Price Per Person
Colorado Mountain School is the premier guide service in the Rocky Mountains. We offer custom ice climbing adventures anytime that ice is in condition. Whether you would like to learn a particular set of skills like leading climbs or building anchors, or you just want to climb one of the many beautiful, blue ice flows that Colorado has to offer, we’re here to take you wherever your ice climbing aspirations may lie.
1 Person = $429*
2 People = $329*
3 People = $289*
4 People = $259*
5 People = $229*
6+ People = $219*
*Price Per Person
1 Person = $429*
2 People = $329*
3 People = $289*
4 People = $319*
5 People = $299*
6+ People = $279*
*Price Per Person
1 Person = $529*
2 People = $429*
3+ People = $409*
*Price Per Person
1 Person = $599*
2 People = $499*
3+ People = $459*
*Price Per Person
1 Person = $799*
2+ People = $649*
*Price Per Person
Colorado is an ice climbing paradise and some of our favorite ice climbing objectives are just a short drive from Boulder and Denver. Whether you’re new to ice climbing or you want to tackle a classic test piece, our guides can help you accomplish your goals.
Are you looking to climb an aesthetic peak via an alpine ice and mixed route? Look no further than Rocky Mountain National Park. With climbs like Dreamweaver (a mixed line up a couloir on Mount Meeker), All Mixed Up (an aesthetic ice and mixed line on Thatchtop), or Alexander’s Chimney (an ice-filled chimney high on Longs Peak), you can explore the unique world of alpine ice climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park throughout Colorado
If waterfall ice pillars are more your style, come ice climbing with us in Vail, Colorado. Offering quick access to vertical waterfall ice, Vail is the perfect training ground for technical ice climbers looking to hone their skills for the big mountains. With classic climbs like The Pencil, The Fang, and Rigid Designator, we can take you up a variety of incredible ice climbing objectives. With a short approach, you’ll be kicking and picking up bullet-proof ice.
Or maybe you want to dip out quickly from Denver and get your ice climbing fix. Clear Creek Canyon is just minutes from downtown Denver and holds a number of spectacular ice climbing routes through much of the winter. Cut out of work early and get in a few beautiful pitches of ice climbing before sunset.
Colorado Mountain School offers ice climbing guiding and instruction services in the following locations:
Item | Description | Quantity | Example | Purchase At | Rent At | Equipment Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Auto Block | This is a small sewn loop to assist in rappelling. The #1 choice on the market is the Sterling Hollowblock, or the Sterling Autoblock. |
1 | Optional | |||
Backpack: 20-40 liter | Packs smaller than this tend not to be able to carry the necessary amount of equipment and clothing. Large backpacking packs are acceptable, depending on the climb. |
1 | Colorado Mountain School |
Equipment | ||
Backpack: 35-50 liter | Packs smaller than this tend not to be able to carry the necessary amount of equipment and clothing. Large backpacking packs are acceptable, depending on the climb. |
1 | Equipment | |||
Baselayer Bottoms | Synthetic or Merino Wool; Lightweight or mid-weight are recommended. |
1 | Men: Rab Forge Leggings |
Clothing | ||
Beanie or Fleece Hat | Should cover the ears and fit under a helmet. Hats with fluff balls on top do not fit under helmets. |
1 | Clothing | |||
Belay and Rappel Device | Plaquette style devices with auto-block mode are ideal. |
1 | Equipment | |||
Climbing Harness | UIAA or CE approved; With belay loop and gear loops. The waist belt should fit over multiple layers of clothing. |
1 | Colorado Mountain School |
Equipment | ||
Cordelette | 5m section of 7mm diameter nylon cord. 7mm nylon is the standard for rock climbing, while 6mm cord is acceptable for certain applications in alpine climbing and ski mountaineering due to the lower forces involved. |
2 | Equipment | |||
Double-length Sewn Runner | 48" or 120cm. Used for rappelling, making leashes, and improvised rescue. |
1-2 | Equipment | |||
Face Mask (PPE) | Should be made with at least two layers of fabric. Your mask needs to cover your nose and mouth without large gaps. The mask should have ear loops or ties so you can adjust it. Look for a mask with a bendable border at the top so you can mold the mask to fit the bridge of your nose and prevent your glasses from fogging. |
2 | Clothing | |||
First Aid Kit | Your guide will have an emergency First Aid Kit. You should bring a small kit including blister prevention and care products such as a role of athletic tape and Moleskin. Your kit should also contain a few Band-aids, some Tylenol and Ibuprofen. |
1 | Optional | |||
Food | Proper lunches that are prepared ahead of time are recommended (sandwich, burrito, leftover pizza, etc), along with an assortment of snack bars, gels, or trail mixes. Feeze-dried meals are acceptable on overnight trips, but not day trips. |
1 | Equipment | |||
Gaiters | These are instrumental when wearing crampons. They protect your softshell pants from getting ripped and keep snow out of your boots. |
1 | Clothing | |||
Headlamp | Load with fresh batteries. Critical for hiking before sunrise and great to have in the pack in case you are caught out after dark. |
1 | Equipment | |||
Heavyweight Waterproof Glove | This glove comes out when the winter going gets cold and wet or at higher altitudes. |
1 | Clothing | |||
Hot Drinks | Coffee, tea, hot cocoa are great for warming up when it's cold outside. |
1 | Optional | |||
Ice Crampons | Steel crampons with vertical front points are ideal. Must be semi-rigid and compatible with your boots. |
1 | Colorado Mountain School; Neptune Mountaineering |
Equipment | ||
Ice Tools | Ice tools are specifically for ice climbing and have curved shafts and more aggressive picks (different from a mountaineering axe). |
2 | Colorado Mountain School; Neptune Mountaineering |
Equipment | ||
Lightweight Baselayer Top | Synthetic or Merino Wool; Worn against the skin and is considered a "wicking" layer that facilitates the movement of moisture away from the skin and through the layers. Hooded base layers add extra versatility. |
2 | Men: Rab Forge LS Tee |
Clothing | ||
Lightweight Gloves | Synthetic; Thin gloves used when hiking the early morning approach. Belay gloves can suffice if full-fingered. |
1 | Clothing | |||
Lip ScreenSPF 15 or higher. | Non-SPF rated lip balms can actually increase your chances of getting burned. |
1 | Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Lip Balm |
Optional | ||
Locking Carabiners | Pear shaped carabiners are most versatile - screwgates or twist locks are acceptable. |
2-3 | Equipment | |||
Midweight Baselayer Top | Synthetic or Merino Wool; Adds extra warmth and protection from the cold and wind without creating a moisture barrier as a jacket would. Having at least one base layer that is hooded adds versatility, protecting the neck and ears from cold winds. |
1 | Men: Rab Nexus Jacket |
Clothing | ||
Midweight Softshell Glove | This is the workhorse glove and is most often worn on warmer days when mountaineering. Softshell gloves are water-resistant and durable. They often have leather palms and fingers. |
1 | Clothing | |||
Mountaineering Boots | Waterproof, insulated, leather or synthetic boots. Two levels of boots can be appropriate depending on the season, conditions, and personal needs. These boots have rigid and semi-rigid soles so they climb rock well and are compatible with crampons. 1. Lightweight (May - October): This is a single-layer, semi-insulated, waterproof boot, such as the La Sportiva Trango Cube. 2. Mid-weight (October - June): This is a single-layer, insulated boot, such as the La Sportiva Nepal. |
1 | Men: La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX 0r G5 |
Colorado Mountain School; Neptune Mountaineering |
Clothing | |
Neck Gaiter | "Buffs" are quite versatile in their uses. They can be used as light beanies, neck warmers, and can offer face protection from the cold wind or sun. |
1 | Clothing | |||
Personal Care Items | Medications, glasses or contacts, feminine products, etc. |
1 | Optional | |||
Personal Toilet Kit | At minimum, bring a small Ziploc with toilet paper. Consider bringing a travel sized package of hand-wipes. Idealy, purchase, or for free from the RMNP Backcountry office, bring a "Rest Stop." The Rest Stop, known as "Blue Bags" in the Pacific Northwest, or the "Wag Bag" in other areas, are poop-in-a-bag systems that include toilet paper and a sanitizing hand wipe. |
1 | Optional | |||
Prussik Cord | 1m of 6mm nylon accessory cord. Tech cord (kevlar, spectra) is not acceptable. |
2 | Equipment | |||
Rock Climbing Helmet | UIAA/CE approved; Should be large enough to fit over a beanie. Plastic helmets are more durable, but heavier. Foam helmets are lighter, but more easily damaged when carried in a pack. |
1 | Colorado Mountain School |
Equipment | ||
Smartphone | Great for taking photos and videos. Smartphone batteries tend to shut down in freezing temps - keep your phone in a warm inner layer. A tether is ideal in the mountains to protet against dropping your phone. |
1 | Optional | |||
Snowshoes | Great for walking over snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the foot does not sink (posthole) into the snow. |
1 | MSR |
Colorado Mountain School |
Equipment | |
Softshell and Fleece Jacket | Water-resistant, windproof, yet it "breaths," which means it allows moisture to move through. Hoods are ideal. There are multiple thicknesses of Softshell jackets. A lightweight or medium-weight jacket is preferred. Fleece jackets are acceptable. |
1 | Men: Rab VR Summit Jacket |
Clothing | ||
Softshell Pants | Softshell material is stretchy, wind-proof, water-resistant, and resists abrasion. Mid-weight is recommended and light-weight pants can work for warm days. Typical thin, nylon "hiking pants" are generally not tough enough. |
1 | Men: Rab Vapour Rise Guide |
Clothing | ||
Sports Bra | Provides support and allows for full range of motion |
1 | North Face Beyond the Wall |
Clothing | ||
Sun Hat | A billed hat to keep the sun at bay during the approach and descent. |
1 | Clothing | |||
Sunglasses | "Wrap-Around" style sunglasses with 100% UV Protection. |
1 | Equipment | |||
SunscreenSPF 30 or higher. | Travel size. |
1 | Rocky Mountain Sunscreen SPF 50 |
Equipment | ||
Synthetic or Down Puffy Jacket | Fits over all other layers and is worn at breaks and on really cold days. Synthetic puffies are more durable, are easily laundered, and dry out quickly if wet. Down puffies are lighter weight, pack smaller, and provide exceptional warmth, but once wet, they stay wet. |
1 | Men: Rab Electron Jacket |
Clothing | ||
Synthetic or Merino Wool Socks | Wool and synthetic blends are great for long days on the trail. "Ski" and "Snowboard" socks are especially useful when warmth is desired. |
2 | Clothing | |||
Thermos | Many ice climbers prefer to bring a thermos of hot water or soup instead of one of their water bottles. |
1 | Optional | |||
Toe Warmers and Hand Heaters | Help keep you warm on particularly cold days. |
1 | Optional | |||
Trekking Poles | Adjustable and without powder basket. |
1-2 | Colorado Mountain School |
Optional | ||
Water Bottles | 1 liter bottles are the standard. Bladders such as Camelbacks and Platypus are acceptable for above freezing temps, but only in conjunction with another bottle. Bladders are not acceptable during sub freezing temps. Sports drinks are also acceptable. |
2 | Nalgene, Hydro Flask |
Equipment | ||
Waterproof Shell Jacket | Non-insulated, Gore-Tex, Dermizax, Event, or other waterproofing system is required. Mostly, this jacket sits in the bottom of your pack and comes out when the weather gets nasty with precipitation. This jacket should fit over all other layers. |
1 | Men: RAB Ladakh GTX Jacket |
Clothing |
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633 S Broadway Unit A
Boulder, CO 80305
341 Moraine Ave
Estes Park, CO 80517
info@coloradomountainschool.com
(720) 387-8944
Colorado Mountain School is an equal opportunity provider and is operated under special use permit with the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest.
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