Ice Programs

We offer a variety of ice climbing programs at locations throughout the Northeast. Some of our favorite areas include the Catskills, the Adirondacks, Cannon Cliff and Lake Willoughby. We can create custom ice programs for climbers of any ability. All technical equipment necessary for ice climbing can be provided. If you would like to book a trip contact us at 413-570-3223, at info@valleyvertical.com, or register for a program here.

Introduction to Ice Climbing

A climber leads Bridalveil Falls, Catskills, NY

Ice Climbing is great way to spend the day outdoors in the winter. Smaller crowds, wintry weather and an almost medieval form of climbing make ice climbing a memorable winter activity. Ice climbing may be the most subtle form of climbing. At first it feels like boxing, but as you progress it feels like dancing or a martial art form. There's give and take with the ice, and it's one of the most physically demanding types of climbing. We offer single day beginner ice climbing outings daily around New England. Come climbing with Valley Vertical Adventures in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Vermont or New Hampshire. If it's been particularly cold there's even ice at our home crags in central Massachusetts. Here are the areas where we offer introductory ice climbing lessons:

• Central CT and western MA when conditions allow
• Catskills, NY
• Adirondacks, NY
• Vermont - Smuggler's Notch and Lake Willoughby
• New Hampshire  - White Mountain region

Intermediate Ice Climbing

Jason Hurwitz leads "The Advocate", Catskills, NY

Hone your technique in order to climb of bigger or harder winter routes. Our intermediate ice course will help you move fluidly on ice. During a day at one of the northeast's classic ice venues, like the Catskills or Adirondacks, we'll focus on the subtleties of more advanced ice climbing movement and how to read the ice conditions. A typical intermediate ice day begins with a review of basic ice movement. Afterward we'll climb moderately challenging ice for the remainder of the day, focusing on efficient crampon and ice tool placement and emphasizing the use of the ice's inconsistencies for easier movement. Good venues for this program are:

• Catskills
• Adirondacks
• Vermont - all areas
• White Mountains
• Connecticut/Massachusetts when conditions permit

Multipitch Ice and Mixed Climbing

Climbers who are hooked on ice climbing will want to delve deeper into the sport. The Northeast region may have more ice than any other area in the US, and there are many challenging ice and mixed classics.

Climbers on the "Last Gentleman", Lake Willoughby, VT

Spend a day with Valley Vertical climbing one of the Northeast's mega-classics. Multipitch ice and mixed lines in New England will tax your mind and body and reward you with outstanding views and a memorable experience. Some classic big routes that we guide at are:

• Buttermilk Falls - Catskills
• Black Chasm - Catskills
• Positive Thinking - Poke-O-Moonshine, Adirondacks
• Powerplay - Chapel Pond Pass, Adirondacks
• Last Gentleman - Lake Willoughby, VT
• Twenty Below Zero Gully - Lake Willoughby, VT
• Ragnarock - Smuggler's Notch, VT
• Pinnacle Gully, Huntington Ravine, NH
• Repentence - Cathedral Ledge, NH
• The Black Dike - Cannon Cliff, NH