Colorado Ice Climbers

The Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival is the signature event of the Montana Mountaineering Association (MMA). Our mission is to support the Montana community with education and mentorship regardless of economic background, previous experience, gender, age, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we fulfill our mission by offering a variety of instructional experiences and educational programs focused on alpine endeavors. We are excited to elevate our mission and continue championing the ice climbing community in Montana—and beyond.

The Bozeman Ice Festival (BIF) teaches on-ice instruction in Hyalite Canyon, one of America's longest and most influential histories in waterfall ice climbing. While sharing the beloved wilderness experience of Hyalite during the day, Ice Fest brings to town demos of the latest gear, world-class athletes and guides, inspiring films and evening entertainment, and the legendary camaraderie of the climbing tribe.
The Festival began as two separate events in the mid-1990s by Barrel Mountaineering and Northern Lights Trading Post. Considering recent weather trends, it is almost hard to believe but the first Barrel event was held the weekend before Thanksgiving. Barry Blanchard, Joe Josephson and Jack Tackle were the original clinic instructors. For a decade, Barrel put on one of the best ice festivals in the country as the sport exploded with new gear and generally became more accessible to a wider diversity of participants. The Northern Lights event, held after Thanksgiving, was a smaller event but with better ice – provided the road wasn’t snowed in already.

Our alumni include many of the best climbers in the world: Guy Lacelle, Jack Roberts, Alex Lowe, Kitty Calhoun, Pete Tapley, Roger Strong, Ian McLeod, Jack Tackle, Sarah Hueniken, Pat Callis, Steve House, Marc Twight, Conrad Anker, Will Gadd, Ines Papert and many more. Some, like Whit Magro learned to ice climb at BIF and are now teaching our clinics and putting up new routes around the world.

Bozeman Ice Festival 2025

In Cody, Wyoming, home of the Wyo Ice Fest, we are doing things a little differently. Cody is (in)famous for the extreme and difficult terrain of the South Fork Valley, but ice climbing in this corner of Wyoming is more accessible, fun, and varied than any venue in North America. We offer small clinic sizes from 2:1 to 6:1, high-end instructors and guides, and evening entertainment featuring presentations, movie screenings, and dinners with your ice-climbing heroes. We are excited to bring you true alpine climbing experiences rooted in the tight-knit communities here in the South Fork Valley and surrounding areas.

Our team consists of veteran ice climbers, world-class guides, professional athletes, and incredible event and logistics planners. We bring you the highest quality experience from start to finish.

With hundreds of documented ice + mixed routes in the South Fork Valley, Clarks Fork Valley and Big Horn Basin, we have plenty of options to choose from. Any style, any difficulty, any season.

At Wyoming Ice Fest, all levels of climbers can experience these rugged areas in a safe and achievable way. You’ll leave a stronger, more motivated, and more confident climber.

Wyoming Ice Festival 2026

Join us for a weekend packed with laughter, socializing, the latest gear, and fantastic ice climbing clinics. Bring your desire to learn. In addition to full day climbing clinics, we added shorter 3 hour skills clinics, and 1 hour workshops.

With music, delicious food, and amazing prizes, the Lillooet Ice Festival brings ice climbers together in a celebration of our community. This festival values inclusivity and strives to break down barrier’s allowing all climbers to participate and feel a sense of belonging.

Don’t let the cold feet stop you - we can’t wait to see you there!

This event will take place on the unceded and ancestral territory of the St’át’imcets speaking peoples of the St’át’imc Nation**, and has been stewarded by them since time immemorial. The term unceded acknowledges the dispossession of the land and the inherent rights that St’át’imc Nation hold to the territory. The term serves as a reminder that St’át’imc have never left their territory and will always retain their jurisdiction and relationships with the territory. We are visitors - please be respectful.

Lillooet Ice Festival

The 2026 Ouray Ice Festival, which is our largest fundraising event of the year, spans three days every January, transforming the town of Ouray into an ice climbing mecca with people from around the world gathering to celebrate the sport of ice climbing.

During the day, you might find yourself in a Climbing Clinic taught by elite athletes from all over the world. You can wander the vendor village and Demo Gear from leading outdoor brands. You can also watch our mixed climbing competition in Scottish Gullies!

In the Evenings, Fest-goers head into downtown Ouray for Presentations & Movies from some of the best climbers in the world. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to party at the opening RAB pool party and the Saturday night extravaganza.