What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local ice climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area A half or full day of ice climbing depending on your chosen itinerary All technical ice climbing equipment What’s not included: Transportation Accommodations Meals and snacks

What do I need to bring?

Here’s what you’ll need: Sunglasses Ski goggles Warm hat and sun hat Heavy and medium weight gloves Neck gaiter or balaclava — optional Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Down or synthetic jacket or vest Synthetic or wool zip shirt Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear, and socks Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people) Water bottle and 1L of water Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go Toiletries First aid kit Sunscreen and lip balm Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack) Camera — optional All technical ice climbing equipment including boots, ice crampons, harness, helmet, etc. will be provided by your guide. They will contact you the day before the tour to make arrangements. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Guided Ice Climbing Tours in Aspen and Redstone

Top three reasons to go ice climbing in Aspen and Redstone

Experience Aspen’s backcountry in a novel and refreshing way
Take on Redstone’s challenging and infinitely rewarding objectives
Master the art of ice climbing in Aspen’s world-renowned wilderness

Ice climbing up a frozen waterfall is a unique way to take in Colorado’s world-famous backcountry. This sport, once an essential part of rock climbing, offers stunning new outdoor challenges to overcome, as well as some great photo opportunities. Taking on your first waterfall is without a doubt a spine-chilling moment. However, once you become acquainted with your ice tools, pick up the rhythm, and get into the flow of things, you’ll find it to be one of the most thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable backcountry experiences you can have. The Rio Grande Trail near Aspen is the perfect place to get acquainted with the fundamentals—and once you graduate from Aspen’s scenic beginner-friendly climbs, you can head right to Redstone’s soaring sandstone cliffs and push yourself on some classic routes, such as the Avocado Gully, Marble Falls, and The Drool. From WI 2 to WI 5, and M2 to M10, rim to canyon, most routes have easy access and are just minutes from the car. There’s no right or wrong way to experience Aspen, but climbing breathtaking waterfalls might just be the most interesting one!

Season December through April	Nearest city Denver, CO, is 4 hours away from Aspen
Duration 1 day	Skill level Beginner to advanced

Choose how you spend your day

This 4-hour ice climbing tour takes you to a magnificent frozen waterfall! Your seasoned local guide will help you cater the experience to your skill and ability level. Beginners will learn how to properly utilize equipment and techniques, while experienced climbers get to take on some of Redstone’s most engaging ice climbing routes. Join a guide for a day of fun in a unique environment!

Conquer frozen waterfalls on a safe top rope on this full-day ice climbing adventure! If you’re new to ice climbing, spend the day learning the fundamentals, such as body positioning, belaying, and lowering techniques in Aspen’s beautiful backcountry. And if you’ve already ascended a waterfall or two, test your skills on Redstone’s classic climbs under the watchful eye of a guide!

Meet your guide

Aspen Expeditions

The mountain guides of Aspen Expeditions Worldwide (AEW) have been among the most trained, experienced and credentialed guiding service for over 40 years. The history of mountain guiding and AEW is rich with personal accomplishments, as well as national and international certification credentials. Their diverse backgrounds laden with experience working in a number of locations all around the world make them a world class organization that truly enjoys sharing knowledge and experience with their clients.

Reviews (2)

Lori C. about Aspen Expeditions on Guide’s website

My family spent the day climbing with the team at Aspen Expeditions. It was an amazing day – fun, challenging, educational and our guides were great. Highly recommend spending the day, or more, with Amos and his crew.

Paul B. about Aspen Expeditions on Guide’s website

I have been on numerous different types of trips with the guys (and gals) at Aspen Expeditions. The team is world-class in terms of guiding but also friendly and approachable. Whether it is something local in and around Aspen, or a bigger trip internationally these guys deserve to be a one-stop call for any trip you are looking at. Each guide I have been out with has been a blast and I enjoy spending my free days in the mountains with all of them. I give them all top marks and think they have earned their spot as one of the premier guiding services.

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Aspen and Redstone, Colorado, please refer to Colorado’s COVID-19 travel guidelines.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

- An experienced, local ice climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- A half or full day of ice climbing depending on your chosen itinerary
- All technical ice climbing equipment

What’s not included:

- Transportation
- Accommodations
- Meals and snacks

Ice climbing requires overhead strength to swing an ice tool as well as core-strength to stabilize while you swing and move upward. It also requires good leg strength and endurance, especially in your calves.

The strength needed for climbing ice and mixed terrain can be broken down into core strength, upper-body strength, and general endurance. There isn’t much aerobic demand in this sport. It is recommended that you work on your strength and endurance by working out in the gym or by rock climbing.

This ice climbing tour is a unique and fun adventure that requires no prior experience. If you’re a beginner, your guide will introduce you to two-tool ice climbing techniques, and you’ll spend the day gaining a basic understanding of safety measures, tool placement, body positioning, belaying, and proper lowering techniques. Your guide will contact you the day before the tour to discuss your current skill level and choose the appropriate terrain for your climb.

Here’s what you’ll need:

- Sunglasses
- Ski goggles
- Warm hat and sun hat
- Heavy and medium weight gloves
- Neck gaiter or balaclava — optional
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
- Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
- Down or synthetic jacket or vest
- Synthetic or wool zip shirt
- Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear, and socks
- Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
- Water bottle and 1L of water
- Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Toiletries
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
- Camera — optional

All technical ice climbing equipment including boots, ice crampons, harness, helmet, etc. will be provided by your guide. They will contact you the day before the tour to make arrangements.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

- For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. All prices are per person.
- Costs per person decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.

Ice climbing in Aspen and Redstone can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Aspen, CO, most people fly into Denver International Airport 4 hours away. From there, you can take a local flight, rent a car, or take a bus or shuttle service.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, usually at the guide shop in Aspen Highlands Village. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

View FAQ