Ice Climbing Instruction & Skill Building
Whether you’re in it for a fun, unique ice climbing experience, want to develop the technical skills for leading ice or climbing multi-pitch routes, or want to practice the art of mixed climbing, we’re here to meet you where you are at and take you further. UMA’s private ice climbing guides can create the perfect trip for you or your group.
Discover how extraordinary the world of ice is this winter! Climb on Utah’s beautiful frozen waterfalls with friendly, professional UMA guides any day of the week, depending on availability. The ice season is short, and the prime time for ice climbing in Utah typically runs from December through February. We encourage you to book your private trip as soon as possible to secure a guide!
Ice climbing in Utah takes place primarily in Provo Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Provo Canyon, with its rich variety of climbs, serves as the ice mecca of the area and is situated just an hour south of Salt Lake City.
Custom or private guiding means you have a guide dedicated to you or your group, rather than being in a course or camp that is open to other participants. UMA’s outstanding ice climbing guides and instructors are available daily to teach skills and help guests progress in all aspects of climbing.
The options listed here are some, but not all, possible programs.
Beginner Skills
This is an introduction to or review of ice climbing basics. Your guide will set up multiple top ropes to teach the skills to climb frozen waterfalls. They will teach you how to swing tools, front point, conserve energy and be lowered safely. Tying in to the rope, belaying other participants on top rope, building ice anchors and belaying a guide on lead are taught, as well.
Intermediate & Multi-pitch Skills
Learn to climb sustained vertical ice, improve your swing and front-pointing technique and learn how to save energy on steeper ice. Practice climbing on single WI 4-5 pitches, such as White Nightmare, or multi-pitch ice on Bridal Veil or Miller’s Thriller in Provo Canyon.
Learning to Lead Ice
Get on the sharp end under the tutelage of a guide. Your guide will teach you how to select an efficient stance and optimal ice for placement before putting in ice screws. You will learn to build solid anchors and have ample opportunity to practice “mock leads” with a top rope for security.
Mixed Climbing Skills
Mixed climbing involves using ice climbing equipment on routes that are not sufficiently covered in ice to be pure ice climbs with a WI rating. Mixed climbing routes have significant elements that are pure rock and, in some cases, may be completely dry. Provo Canyon offers an ample selection of mixed routes to practice the sport and learn dry tooling.
If you would like to climb specific routes, rather than work on skills, please check out our Classic Wasatch Ice Climbs.
Have Questions or Concerns?
- Call us at (801) 550-3986
- Email us at [email protected]
Prerequisites
- No ice climbing experience necessary.
Skill Level & Fitness
- UMA can tailor custom guiding to your specific levels, goals and time frame.
Private ice climbing trips take place primarily in Provo Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon (expect to be in the field for 6-8 hrs). 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.
SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION
Meeting times and locations should be discussed with your guide and will depend on your objectives, preferences and where you are staying. The usual meeting time and place are 7-8 am at the Little Cottonwood Canyon Park & Ride lot or the Nunn’s Park exit parking lot on the south side of the road in Provo Canyon.
GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR
You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you to discuss your skills and goals, weather considerations, equipment needs and to determine a meeting time and location.
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
Transportation will not be provided.
How To Register
- Register Online
- Call us at (801) 550-3986
- Email us at [email protected]
Ice Climbing 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.
Recommended Guidebooks
Ice Climbing Utah by David S. Black
Beehive Ice by Nikki Smith and Andrew Burr
Private guiding is customized to your personal needs and requests.
Full Day (6-8 hours)
| 1 person | $550 / person |
| 2 people | $350 / person |
| 3 people | $300 / person |
| 4 people | $250 / person |
| 5 people | $225 / person |
| 6 people | $200 / person |
- Rates above are per guide and may vary accordingly.
- Keep in mind that certain objectives can only be accomplished with a low ratio and more than one guide may be recommended based on group size.
- State and local taxes will be added.
- Gratuity not included.
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.
Will I be able to practice leading?
Yes, but a backup top rope is always included for safety.
Do I need my own climbing rack?
Your guide will have all the necessary gear. If you own ice screws or other equipment for lead climbing, a personal anchor system or other ice climbing gear, we encourage you to bring it so you can learn how to use your own equipment.
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.
