Ice Climbing 2
Advance your ice climbing technique on steeper, more sustained frozen terrain during this full-day course. You’ll tackle WI 4–5 routes while learning how to move more efficiently, conserve energy and avoid the dreaded forearm pump. Held in Provo Canyon’s easily accessible, world-class natural ice theater, this course offers the perfect setting to sharpen your skills while scaling multiple pitches of steep, natural ice.
Course Dates
- Dec 20, 2025 (Saturday)
- Jan 10, 2026 (Saturday)
- Feb 7, 2026 (Saturday)
Once you’re comfortable and confident climbing WI 3-4 routes, transitioning to sustained vertical ice is the next step in your ice climbing journey. Improve your swing and front-pointing technique, and learn how to save energy on steeper ice in our Ice Climbing 2 course.
Ice Climbing 2 Course Outcomes
- Climb and get expert feedback on how to improve swing and front-point technique, efficiency and movement skills
- Enjoy first-hand experience as UMA guides demonstrate many years of technique with each climb
- Improve swing precision and hooking to expedite movement
- Learn to use your skeleton vs muscles to increase efficiency
- Read ice to find “rests” and weaknesses, even on steep ice
- Practice techniques to avoid over-gripping tools and to conserve your forearms
- Gain knowledge of the importance of micro and macro route finding in the mountains and on ice climbs
- Learn how rock skills can translate to more confidence on ice
Next step in Ice Climbing Progression
UMA’s Learn to Lead Ice course is the next step to becoming an independent ice climber. To gain more experience on ice and climb multi-pitch, you can also hire a private guide to scale some of Utah’s classic ice climbs, such as Millers Thriller, The Fang, Finger of Fate and many more. Learn more about these routes and our private guiding options in our Classic Wasatch Ice Climbs.
Course dates don’t fit your schedule?
Any of our pre-scheduled courses can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options.
Course Prerequisites
- You must have completed UMA’s Ice Climbing 1 course or have equivalent ice climbing experience.
- You must be able to confidently and competently top rope WI 3 routes.
- You must be able to hike on variable, uneven and steep terrain for 1-2 miles.
This is a full-day course; expect to be at the crag for up to 8 hours. Guests are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (1-2 liters). UMA does not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling to help mitigate traffic in the canyons and crowded parking areas.
MEETING TIME & LOCATION
Guides typically meet guests in Provo Canyon at the Nunn’s Park exit parking lot on the south side of the road at 7:30 am. Situated near excellent ice climbing venues, we typically take advantage of the lower curtains of the world-class Stairway to Heaven formation in Provo Canyon, which is easily accessible by a 20-minute hike.
GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR
You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs.
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee.
How To Register
- Register Online
- Call us at (801) 550-3986
- Email us at [email protected]
UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 2 participants register.
Ice Climbing 2 COURSE EQUIPMENT LIST
- Non-cotton top and bottom base layers
- Puffy overcoat and/or insulation layer (fleece, synthetic or down, preferably with a hood)
- Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket and pants
- Waterproof snow gloves and mittens or spare gloves
- Warm hat, balaclava or such for under your helmet
- Sunglasses and/or clear, protective eyeglasses (optional)
- 1-2 liters of water (thermos of tea or coffee optional)
- Lunch and quick energy snacks
- Backpack (25-45 liters)
- Warm, crampon-compatible mountain boots with a rigid sole
- Gaiters to protect pants from crampon punctures (optional)
- Vertical, water-ice crampons (12-point recommended)
- 2 water-ice tools
- Harness
- Belay/rappel device and locking carabiner
- Helmet
Please see our Ice Climbing Gear List & Rentals page for information on the items UMA provides and local shops where you can rent or purchase gear.
Please see our main FAQ page for general questions or for anything not covered below.
CAN DIFFERENT ABILITY LEVELS CLIMB WITH ONE GUIDE?
This is very feasible, especially for top-roping in Provo Canyon. Steep bulges, thin ice and mixed lines often present themselves right next to confidence-building WI 3 routes.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY OF ICE CLIMBING LIKE?
In Provo Canyon, the approach to the ice formations on the first tier of Stairway to Heaven is on a climber’s trail that gains 300-500 feet and takes about 20-30 minutes to hike. The UMA guide will take a belay and demonstrate techniques as they lead a pitch and set up one or more top-rope anchor(s). Each participant will have the opportunity to climb a few pitches to learn how to swing tools and kick to make a good foot placement. Demonstrations of ice anchors with ice screws and Abalakov thread (or V-thread) may occur depending on time and interest.
Where do I meet my guide?
You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide(s). They will contact you to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs. Most likely, you will be meeting at the Nunn’s Park exit parking lot on the south side of the road.
