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 Food and snacks Ice climbing boots (can be rented from your guide)

What about required equipment?

All technical ice climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need: Helmet Harness Crampons Ice axe Ice tools Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag) Insulated parka Neck gaiter Gloves and hat Synthetic underwear Heavyweight socks Mixed and softshell climbing gloves Midweight top base layer Heavyweight bottom base layer Midweight fleece jacket Active insulation jacket Ice climbing boots (can be rented) Softshell jacket and pants Water bottle Food you can eat on-the-go Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Sunglasses Camera — optional Ice climbing boots can be rented from your guide for a fee of $20 USD. 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 Denver, Colorado

Top three reasons to go ice climbing in Denver

Experience the thrill of climbing a frozen waterfall
Upgrade your skills on Colorado’s varied and engaging routes
Learn ice climbing fundamentals in Denver’s beautiful backcountry

Recently, more and more trad climbers and outdoor adventurers have been turning to Colorado’s icy cliffs and cascades for their share of high-altitude thrills. While not for the faint of heart, ice climbing up magnificent vertical walls of frozen water is a surreal and thrilling experience, as well as an excellent way to explore the Front Range’s snowy wilderness. Only minutes outside of Denver, areas like Clear Creek Canyon abound with fantastic frozen flows, magnificent ice-covered rock slabs, narrow mountain couloirs filled with ice, and plenty of routes for both newcomers and seasoned ice aficionados alike. Test your endurance, learn new skills, and conquer the white crystal walls towering over you with the help of an expert guide. Once you reach the top, the majestic views of Colorado’s Rockies are guaranteed to hook you in and leave you wanting more!

Season December through April	Nearest city Denver, CO, is minutes away from the climbs
Duration 1 day	Skill level Beginner to intermediate

Choose how you spend your day

Ever wondered what it’s like to climb a frozen waterfall? Let an experienced local guide take you to one of Clear Creek Canyon’s stunning ice flows for 3 hours of climbing and expert instruction. Learn the fundamentals of ice climbing and take on some of Colorado’s finest beginner and intermediate objectives!

Maximize your time on the ice—spend a full day taking on Colorado’s frozen waterfalls! This private 6-hour tour lets beginner ice climbers grasp the basics of the sport, while intermediates get to push their skills to the next level. Your expert and certified instructor will take you to multiple world-class ice climbing areas, providing invaluable instruction along the way.

Meet your guide

Denver Mountain Guiding

AMGA Certified Guides

Founded in 2010, Denver Mountain Guiding offers comprehensive climbing opportunities across Colorado's Front Range and beyond. You can count on their AMGA certified guides to help you get the most out of whatever climbing objective you may have in mind, no matter your skill level.

Reviews (3)

Porter F. about Denver Mountain Guiding on Yelp

Sean is the man! For valentines weekend my girlfriend and I wanted to try something new, we ended up going ice climbing! It was an awesome experience. Sean, our guide, talked to us about all the safety behind the different climbing tools, then we hit the ice wall. It was so much fun, I 100% recommend this, & 100% will be doing this again!

Byron Z. about Denver Mountain Guiding on Yelp

Was really impressed with Kevin and his crew. They listened well to our climbing objectives, responded to our skill level by giving us appropriate challenges, and most importantly were very attentive to safety. I also thought the price was reasonable. We’ll be calling them again for more courses. Thanks, guys!

Melanie M. about Denver Mountain Guiding on Yelp

I’ve used DMG a few times while traveling for work in Denver. The first time, I was hooked up with Sean for ice climbing. Super fun day, my first time trying it! I came back in spring and got out with him again for my first multi-pitch rock climb. Then back again late summer for lead climbing and anchors! I can’t recommend Sean enough. Safe, kind, knowledgeable, and a great teacher – I’ve learned SO much from him.

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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Denver, 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
- Food and snacks
- Ice climbing boots (can be rented from your guide)

If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Ice climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up an ice wall using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.

No prior experience is necessary. If you’ve never donned a harness, your experienced instructor will teach you the fundamentals of ice climbing and help you meet your individual objectives. Above all, your instructor’s number one priority is your safety. As long as you listen to the given instructions, you’ll succeed in completing your climb.

All technical ice climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:

- Helmet
- Harness
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Ice tools

Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:

- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
- Insulated parka
- Neck gaiter
- Gloves and hat
- Synthetic underwear
- Heavyweight socks
- Mixed and softshell climbing gloves
- Midweight top base layer
- Heavyweight bottom base layer
- Midweight fleece jacket
- Active insulation jacket
- Ice climbing boots (can be rented)
- Softshell jacket and pants
- Water bottle
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional

Ice climbing boots can be rented from your guide for a fee of $20 USD.
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:

- The group size for these private climbs is usually between 1–4 people with one guide.
- Costs per person decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.

Ice climbing in Denver can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

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

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

To get to the climbs near Denver, CO, most people fly into Denver International Airport half an hour away. From there, you can rent a car or take a cab, bus, or train to Denver.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

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