It is not uncommon for us to get a lot of questions asking if ice climbing is a good activity for someone who is new to climbing in general or who may have only rock climbed. Often the questions revolve around a few things:

1. Is it really cold and uncomfortable?

2. Is it really dangerous and scary?

3. Does it require a lot of strength or technique?

The answer to all of the above is no. Below we'll give you some information on how to get started ice climbing as well as some ideas on why you might want to try it whether you're used to rock climbing or have never tied into the rope.

Is Ice Climbing Good for a Beginner?

Beginner ice climbers are some of our favorite guests to teach. When someone is new they're as open minded as possible and they haven't formed bad habits or previous experiences that make it more challenging to provide the best learning experience. The actual skills for introductory ice climbing classes are usually focused on a few things.

First, How Ice Climbing Equipment Works:

This may be the most complicated bit of the whole day since we need to explain boot and crampon compatibility as well as resize the crampons to a person's boots. One of the reasons we suggest doing our beginner climbing classes in the Lake City Ice Park is they've done a great job of setting up warming huts so regardless of whether you meet us at the Soda Shop or the Ice Park there is a comfortable place to deal with equipment. Aside from that though we use pretty much the same equipment we use during rock climbing with a couple exceptions.

We don't really like using gri-gris or other camming belay devices. They tend to have trouble with icy ropes which brings us to our next point. Dry treated ropes are great when the ice is wet. You can certainly use a rope that's been rock climbing all summer but if the temperatures are warm it will soak up water and become extra heavy. Lastly you can use the same harness and helmet as rock climbing but since you're usually wearing more clothes in the cold you can get away with a harness that has lighter padding. The nice thing about hiring a guide for your first ice climbing experience is they'll provide all the climbing gear like boots, crampons, ice tools, ropes, and belay devices. If you're nervous then you can take that off your list of worries. We've got you covered.

Second, How To Tie In and Belay for Ice Climbing:

If someone has rock climbed before this is usually very easy because it's mostly the same. There is some nuance like we don't like to belay close to the wall where we tend to get hit with ice. If you've never climbed before though we usually like to go through a couple steps. First we'll demonstrate, second we'll practice with everyone on the ground, third we'll do it for real but with a strong backup, lastly as we gain confidence that our guests are managing skills well we back off a bit to give them some opportunity to be a bit more independent. We're always nearby to answer questions or help if necessary but part of learning to ice climb is being able to get beyond the hand holding stage.

Hey, Get Rhythm, When You Swing the Tools:

The technique for swinging ice tools and kicking in crampons can be methodical. A lot of people get a mantra or rhythm going that many people appreciate. People in our beginner ice climbing courses who've never climbed anything before often pick up the techniques quicker than participants who have rock climbing experience. The way you use your feet rock climbing is different from ice climbing so for guests who are more experience at rock climbing it can take a little longer to get used to always pointing your toes straight into the ice. While those with rock climbing experience usually have the base level experience and forearm fitness to climb a bit longer. Usually we like to do Full Days for instruction where participants get a lot of repetition of new skills. This can be a bit daunting for those who have never climbed before but more manageable for people with previous climbing experience in different terrain. The swing technique and body position are new for everyone so as long as people focus on the instructions they tend to pick it up easily. Where people frequently have trouble as beginner ice climbers is lack of calf strength and wrist strength. Technique is more important than strength but ice climbing does require some level of strength. This is why younger children tend to do better with shorter ice climbing days since they have a a harder time swinging tools hard enough with the proper wrist flick. Meanwhile someone who tiles floors or does roofing for a living takes about 30 seconds to master the basics.

Body Mechanics:

Like any new skill you will feel a bit fish out of water but this is another good reason to learn to ice climb from a expert guides who've received specific training on leading ice climbing trips. They have the knowledge to teach you how to balance on your feet and position your hips to make effective progress.

Ice Climbing Looks Cold/Scary/Hard

One of the best things about learning to ice climb in Colorado is how mild the temperatures can be. While we do get our share of frigid days we also have plenty of days where it is pretty much t-shirt weather. Luckily the ice climbing season in Colorado is pretty long. We usually start in November and there is ice to climb well into April (sometimes May and June if you're willing to work for it). If you're really concerned about the cold then March is a great time for places like Lake City Ice Park. Days are long and temperatures are very mild. Often people don't know what to wear. We usually suggest the same things you might wear to go skiing, snowshoeing or winter hiking. Although we recommend you not wear your most expensive pants since it's not uncommon to accidentally snag a crampon on those pants which might make you cry if they are a few hundre bucks!

The other big concern beginner ice climbers have is of the integrity of the ice. A big part of learning to ice climb is understanding the medium and how temperature and moisture affect its stability. Because the ice that beginners are usually climbing tends to be lower angle and more well supported by the rock underneath we don't really get too worried about ice just collapsing. Usually by the time you're climbing ice where that's a real concern you've developed a lot more judgement around whether it is a safe idea. Still ice climbing, like all climbing, is inherently risky. We're happy to note that, while very infrequent, the most common injuries ice climbing are usually small cuts and bruises. Another reason we always remind participants to follow our instructions.

In terms of difficulty you can really make things as easy as you want. The Water Ice scale starts at WI1 which is basically a flattish creek bed. In our beginner ice climbing classes we generally like to start around WI3 which has short vertical sections with good rests. Most people of normal physical capability can get up WI3 with some basic instruction.

Best Places to Learn to Ice Climb in Colorado

Colorado has some of the highest concentrations of ice climbing in the continental US and with some of the easiest access Colorado is a great spot to learn to ice climb. That said if you want to spend more time climbing than walking and you want to get the most out of a guided day of ice climbing instruction here are our suggestions:

Lake City Ice Park: This is absolutely the best place in Colorado to learn to ice climb. With climbs just a dozen steps or so from where you park to the ice itself you can't get any closer. The town caters to ice climbers providing warming tents with wood burning stoves and signage to help direct you where you want to go. There are some special skills if you want to climb on your own but with a guide it couldn't be easier.

Cheyenne Canyon: With a good low angle spot where you can practice a lot of techniques the ice climbing in Cheyenne Canyon makes a good beginner location. While I would more likely recommend something like Hully Gully for a more experience ice climber the climbing on Silver Cascade Slab is easily accessible if you're in Colorado Springs with only about a 15 minute walk. It doesn't have the variety of an ice park but it can handle a good chunk of climbers for a day.

Clear Creek Canyon: While lower elevation makes it a less reliable option it's still a good beginner ice climbing spot when it comes in well. Several different ice climbs can form in the canyon that are right in the WI3 range. Being located near Golden about 30 minutes from Denver it is right off the highway. This ends up being a blessing and a curse since you can get to the ice in 5 minutes but that means you're not far from the traffic. Still you can't find that variety without either a huge drive or a huge walk.

Ready to get started?

With highly trained guides with years of experience dedicated to a successful experience it couldn't be easier to get started. We provide all the climbing equipment along with excellent instruction. You just show up in cold weather clothing and we take care of the rest.

Learn to Ice Climb with The Colorado Climbing Company