Make the most out of the rest of winter and plan a little weekend getaway activity to fit in some cool outdoor activities. Many people opt for skiing and snowboarding, but more and more are recognizing the allure of a good ice climbing session. An activity that tests your stamina and your lightness of foot, ice climbing takes you to the nearest steep ice formation and asks you to climb. If you want to try it out or grow your skills, pack up your outdoor essentials and plan a trip to one of these five best places to go ice climbing in the U.S, from New York to Colorado.
Telluride & Ouray, Colorado
Some of the main destinations that come to mind when people consider an ice climbing adventure activity are Telluride and Ouray. A trip out here is always a good idea, especially if you’re a big fan of winter sports. The southwestern corner of Colorado gives you some of the best of the best choices for ice climbing activity . Take a guided tour or head to the Ouray Ice Park to try it out yourself—your ice climbing adventures in Telluride await!
Keene, New York
If you don’t want to head too far from home, take your winter weekend boys’ trip to Keene. Out in the Adirondack Mountains, you’ll get to try your hand at over 150 climbing spots. The most popular is Pharaoh Mountain, which offers spectacular views. It may take half a day, and you may stress at first about the 30-foot vertical section, but the end result makes all the sweat worth it. If you don’t think you’re up for that yet, there are tons of other climbing activity spots for all abilities.
Sandstone, Minnesota
You may not expect it, but Sandstone, Minnesota, is another top ice climbing spot in the States. Just an hour north of the Twin Cities, Sandstone is the place where Midwesterners head for ice climbing activity. Sandstone Ice Climbing Park, the ice-climbing mecca of Minnesota, showcases dug-out canyon walls that create excellent placement for frozen water. All abilities are welcomed here, so even if you’re not quite comfortable with your pick, you can still enjoy the experience.
Crawford Notch State Park, New Hampshire
New Hampshire has plenty of beautiful state parks to visit in the winter, but if you and your buds are looking for an adventure, then Crawford Notch State Park is your best choice. Located against the White Mountains, the state park offers cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, and impressive, quality ice climbing opportunities. There’s a variety of ice routes for various skill levels, so it’s a great vacation spot for people who want to sharpen their skills.
Valdez, Alaska
Consistently named as the best destination in the U.S. for ice climbing, Alaska has always been a great place for winter recreation. The Valdez region of Alaska offers vast glaciers and mountains that put even the top ice climbers to the test. They host an annual ice climbing festival, where thousands of enthusiasts come together. Even better, you can enjoy many other winter activities during your trip here, including glacier hiking, SnowCat skiing, and more.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
