Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest

The premier ice climbing event in the northeast for over 30 years!

February 5-8, 2026

North Conway, New Hampshire

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Clinics & Guided Climbs

If you've never been on belay, or if you don't even know what that means—to advanced mixed climbing and mountaineering clinics—we have something for everyone. Led by professional athletes, certified guides, and seasoned veteran climbers, clinics and guided climbs will help you broaden and develop your climbing skills. Guides hail from around North America and the Northeast region especially. If you don't know what's the best clinics for you, feel free to call!

Ice Climbing For Rock Climbers

Ice Climbing For Rock Climbers

For those of you who have rock climbed, indoors or out, know how to tie into the climbing rope, and how to belay. You'll learn crampon and Ice Axe use and how to move over a variety of steep frozen terrain. This course will get your gears moving and get you comfortable on the ice!

Women's Learn To Lead

Women's Learn To Lead

This is an advanced level course for experienced female climbers ready for the "sharp end." Participants will gain incredible skills and get individualized instruction from guest guides on how to lead ice. You will leave this two day clinic feeling comfortable and confident on lead!

Steep Ice

Steep Ice

Take your ice climbing skills to the next level. Learn how to move smoothly, without getting pumped! Vertical ice takes on many forms: mushrooms, bulges, cauliflower, candlesticks, chandeliers, pillars, curtains, smears, and flows. Brittle or punky ice, blue or yellow— it takes imagination and experience to move efficiently and confidently on this awe-inspiring terrain.

Explore All Clinics & Guided Climbs

IMCS & Guest Guides

We are proud to have world-class athletes and climbers as your guides for the Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest!

Stuart Webb

Paul Cormier

John Willard

Athe Torri

Jordan Revis

Bob Baribeau

Dodge Garfield

Ted Teegarden

Craig John

Anne Parmenter

Mark Vanover

Dan Riethmuller

Keith Sidle

Sam Haines

AJ Hunter

Rita Strauss

Nikki Smith

Chris Graham

Jordan Cargill

Matty Bowman

Austen Bernier

Chris Magness

Ben Mirkin

Noah Kleiner

Laurie Watt

Max Lurie

Matt Shove

Grant Simmons

Pete Gaeta

Colin Aina

Chris Little

Andrew Krause

Kevin Garcia

Marcus Garcia

Cynthia Su

Zebulon Jakub

Forrest Stavish

Nick DeHaas

Amanda Danduran

Nick Yardley

Alex Teixeira

Meet All the Guides

Silent Auction

The annual silent auction, a mainstay of Ice Fest, is online to provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to participate. Items for the silent auction will be featured during Ice Fest weekend on the second floor of International Mountain Equipment at 2733 White Mountain Highway in downtown North Conway. All proceeds benefit our local crag stewards, Friends of the Ledges. Bid high and bid often!

Auction Opens late Jan!

Friday & Saturday Evening Shows

A hallmark of the Mt. Washington Valley Ice Fest, the evening slideshows not only give us an opportunity to connect with old friends, and meet new ones ... but we all get inspired by the stories of the trials, tribulations, and badassery of notable climbers.

2026 Shows TBA

Socials

From art, yoga and live music to workshops, gear demos and inspiring presentations, social events keep the stoke alive both on and off the ice. Plus, delicious food and beer! Connect with fellow climbers, learn something new, and celebrate the community that makes this festival so unique.

View Schedule

Workshops & Wellness

Off-the-ice activities are designed to educate, restore, and inspire all weekend long. Educational workshops, free and open to the public, are led by local and visiting experts. Yoga and massage will help you recharge between climbs. Sharpen your skills and explore new ideas!

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"Very welcoming environment for beginners."

"I had a really great time and my guides, Anne and Nikki, were amazing!"

"Women + genderqueer ice climbing was exactly what I was looking for!"

"Had a blast, learned a lot, well organized!"

"I loved having access to the demo items to help me try out new gear before buying."

"As a first timer, it was great to have all the gear available to borrow and it was quite a simple process. Everyone from the guides, to the volunteers, to the gear reps were super friendly and helpful."

"Our guides were great, I really enjoyed my day on the mountain. It was a great experience!"

Lodging

Our lodging partners offer comfort, convenience, and special rates—so you can stay close, sleep well, and hit the ice ready to climb.

See Lodging Options

"Such a wonderful time with a great bunch of folks. Thank you Lisa and Paul and team."