Catskill's Ice Climbing Instruction:

Come experience ice climbing around New York’s Catskill Mountains during the spectacular winter months. Discover beautiful cascading waterfalls, flowing gullies, and steep runnels frozen with formations made just for vertical ice climbing. Challenge yourself in this crystallized environment using crampons, boots, and technical ice climbing tools provided by Mountain Skills Climbing Guides. Let the Hudson Valley’s most knowledgeable and skilled staff show you the proper techniques for ascending ice.

Beginner Ice Climbing Courses:

Never ice climbed before? That is not a problem in this course! We will get you out on the ice and have you swinging the tools in no time at areas like Stoney Clove, Deep Notch, Moore's Bridge or the Asbestos Wall. You will learn basic movement on ice, how to swing ice climbing tools properly, efficient techniques for travel over snow and ice with crampons and belay commands for correctly ascending and descending ice climbs. This course is a great way to break into ice climbing. Technical climbing equipment provided by Mountain Skills Climbing Guides.

Intermediate Ice Climbing Courses:

This course is designed for climbers with some climbing experience. You will have the opportunity to explore some of the Catskill's favorite multi-pitch ravine climbs such as Buttermilk, Wildcat, Hillyer or Viola. If conditions allow, you could climb the Catskill's jewel, Kaaterskill Falls or the reliable five pitch Platte Clove waterfalls, featuring Japanese, Bridal Veil, and Plattekill Falls. If steep, energy draining ice is your goal, let us show you the Devil's Kitchen or the Black Chasm. Technical climbing equipment provided by Mountain Skills Climbing Guides.

Advanced Learn To Lead Courses:

If you've been on the ice for a while; top roping and following, we'll introduce you to the art of leading on ice. We'll start your day by introducing you to each piece of equipment, it's functions and limitations. Next we'll teach you how to place ice screws properly and build solid two point and three point anchors. You will also learn how to belay in a multi-pitch setting off the anchor with a Gri-Gri, Guide ATC or Reverso 3. Finally, you'll hone your skills on the sharp end by doing mock leads; you'll be protected by a top rope while you lead. You and your instructor will then simultaneously rappel your route and critique each screw placement. This comprehensive approach to ice climbing can be taught in a block of simultaneous days, or stretched out over several days throughout the season.

Adirondack's and White Mountain's:

Mountain Skills Climbing Guides offers ice climbing in the Adirondacks and holds permits for the White Mountains of New Hampshire. If you would like to climb a special route in one of those destinations, we would be more than happy to take you there.

Warning: Ice climbing is inherently dangerous. All those who participate in ice climbing with Mountain Skills Climbing Guides do so at their own risk.

A full list of what to bring for the winter months is on the Your Day page of our site.

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