Ice Climbing in Colorado & Wyoming

Ouray, Siverton, Durango & The South Fork Valley

In Colorado, we guide and instruct ice climbing trips and courses in the Ouray Ice Park, Silverton's Eureka Canyon and Durango's Cascade Canyon. New for 2012 we are offering guided climbing in Cody, Wyoming and the South Fork Valley. Southwest Colorado and the San Juan Mountains are well known for abundant ice climbing routes and impeccable conditions. From the single pitch routes of the Ice Park, to multi-pitch classics like Stairwary to Heaven in Eureka Canyon, you'll want to come back each year to hone your skills and tick off another classic route.

It's no secret that the sport of ice climbing has become increasingly popular in recent years, in part due to better access and improvements in equipment. Our courses and private trips focus on helping a prospective ice climber gain experience and competence on ice in the most efficient manner. Our expert guides will focus the instruction on the latest skills and techniques used to efficiently and competently climb waterfall ice. We'll assess your ability then tailor the instruction to your specific needs, helping you to improve your skill each day.

Whether your goal is to round out your alpine background, become a top ice climber, or prepare for an alpine classic like the Moose's Tooth in Alaska, we'll make sure you have the most competent guiding and instruction to get you where you want to go.

*If our scheduled climbs do not fit your needs, we can also schedule private dates for groups of 2 or more.

2012 Offerings

Colorado Private Guiding and Instruction - (Durango, Silverton, and Ouray)
Easily our most popular ice climbing trip in the winter. You pick your dates, how many people, and where you'd like to climb. We'll design a program to fit your specific needs and goals to maximize your time on the ice.

Cody, Wyoming & South Fork Valley Ice Climbing - (1 - 5 days)
Come and join us in this North American mecca of ice climbing. Southwest Adventure Guides is one of a select few guide services to be awarded a guiding permit for the South Fork. A lifetime's worth of climbing awaits the adventure inspired!

Introduction to Ice Climbing Course - (2 Days)
Our introductory progression is the best way to become a proficient ice climber in a short period of time. Unmatched terrain in an unmatched setting provide an excellent forum to introduce the basic principles of ice climbing.

Intermediate Ice Climbing Course - (2 Days)
We introduce and teach the techniques used to efficiently climb steep ice (WI 4-5), as well as more advanced topics such as lead climbing. Many of those who complete this course elect to stay an extra day or two to tackle some of the area's backcountry classics!

Advanced Ice Climbing Course - (4 Days)
Our advanced course is intended for those who have already completed our basic and intermediate progression, or those who have previous ice climbing experience. The goal of this course is to help you attain proficiency as an ice leader and multi-pitch climber.