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
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
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
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
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.
IMCS & Guest Guides
We are proud to have world-class athletes and climbers as your guides for the Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest!
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!
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.
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.
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!
"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."
"Had a blast, learned a lot, well organized!"
"Very welcoming environment for beginners."
"Our guides were great, I really enjoyed my day on the mountain. It was a great experience!"
"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!"
Lodging
Our lodging partners offer comfort, convenience, and special rates—so you can stay close, sleep well, and hit the ice ready to climb.
🕺💃Who's ready to dance!?
@ledgebrew will be staying open late on Saturday night 2/7/2026 for the official MWV Ice Fest Afterparty, with live music by...
👋Welcome back, @kelsey_rex
Kelsey first swung an ice tool on Mt. Washington in 2019, and has spent the past 5 winters cutting her teeth on...
💥Win a pair of PINK HYDRAS!
🩷⛏️Black Diamond's revolutionary Hydra Ice Tool, now available in a special pink edition. Engraved with the signature of BD...
💥MWV Ice Fest Workshops - Free and Open to the public
Location: Ledge Brewing Barrel Room
Friday, February 6th @ 10:00 am
MWOBS Higher Summits...
💆♂️Chair Massage with Jess Kowalski, LMT
Ice climbing is hard work and we have no doubt you'll be tired and sore at the end of...
👋Welcome to MWV Ice Fest, @lindlaukevin
Kevin Lindlau is a leading American mixed climber who has competed internationally since 2016. A regular member of the...
👋Welcome back and Happy Birthday @mgclimber1 🎂
If you're looking for the definition of an all-around climber, Marcus Garcia may very well be your man....
👋Welcome Back @alpinetothemax
Max Lurie is an AMGA certified Rock and Alpine Guide,
as well as an accomplished alpinist. Climbing in the
alpine, on rock,...
📽️Saturday Evening Presentation:
Beyond The Climb by Kevin Lindlau & Marcus Garcia
A keynote presentation, film, and conversation with @lindlaukevin and @mgclimber1 , exploring the...
📽️Friday Evening Presentation:
Rebuilt, Still Climbing by @jimewing
A lifetime of climbing rarely unfolds in a straight line. This presentation explores what it means to...
💥Ledge Brewing - the MWV Ice Fest Basecamp
🌮🍻⛺
@ledgebrew is where most of the Ice Fest action happens. During Ice Fest, head to Ledge...
💥Shoutout to our Sponsors!
🪢⛏️🥾👖🧥⛑️🎒🕶️🌬️❄️☕️🥯🥪🍕⛺️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
MWV Ice Fest would not be possible without the support of our sponsors.
From near and far, these brands bring...
🏞️Protect the places we climb and support local climbing organizations
We are proud to partner with Friends of the Ledges for MWV Ice Fest 2026....
💥Updated Clinic Availability
🧗There is still space available in these clinics, but don't sleep on it for too long! Many of these are close to...
❄ Still available but space is limited!
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️LGBTQ+ Steep Ice
Join @alloutdoorscollective and @scarpana athlete @nikkik_smith to learn the techniques needed to navigate steep ice....
💥Space Available!
Adaptive Ice Climbing🚶➡🦾🦿🧑🦽➡️🧑🦯
Join us for the Intro to Adaptive Ice Climbing Clinic, designed to create an intentional and inclusive space for adaptive...
💥We need your help!
❄MWV Ice Fest is just around the corner and we couldn't be more excited! As many of you know, this event...
💥Women & Genderqueer Learn to Lead - Two Day Clinic
⛏This affinity space clinic is an advanced level course for experienced climbers ready for the...
📸 Ice Climbing Photography & Rigging - Two Day Clinic
🤳Calling all photographers who are tired of ending up with butt shots every time they...
💥Filling Fast!
⛏️Thin ice—challenging terrain for the bold and brazen. Learn techniques from the pros to experience what to do when it gets exciting and...
💥Filling Fast!
🗻Women & Genderqueer Intro to Mountaineering
❄️Mountaineering requires the use of a variety of climbing skills to efficiently negotiate snow and ice terrain....
💥Filling Fast!
⛏️Learn to Lead - Two Day Clinic
🧗This is an advanced level course for experienced climbers ready for the "sharp end." Participants will...
💥Black Intro to Ice Climbing
⛏️For those who have never tied into a climbing rope before, and would love to try Ice Climbing. You'll learn...
💥Filling Fast!
🧗Women & Genderqueer Ice Climbing
☀️For all day smiles, laughs, and some amazing camaraderie. Whether you're looking to give ice climbing a go,...
💥Filling Fast!
🧗Intro to Steep Ice Climbing
Are you ready for the steep stuff? Guest Guides & IMCS Guides will teach you how to climb...
💥BIPOC Intro to Mountaineering
🗻Mountaineering requires the use of a variety of climbing skills to efficiently negotiate snow and ice terrain. This affinity space clinic...
💥New This Year!
🌬️The wind has been howling all day and @mwobs is showing a peak gust of 105mph last night! This got us thinking...
💥Filling Fast
🧗Mixed climbing has gained much popularity recently. This surge of interest has led to the development of new equipment, terminology, and techniques. In...
💥Filling Fast!
⛏Take your ice climbing skills to the next level. In this Steep Ice clinic, you'll learn how to move smoothly, without getting pumped!...
🪖Veterans Ice Climbing
🎺Calling all former and active U.S. military members! Are you looking for a way to explore ice climbing? Whether you are brand...
💥Filling Fast!
The always popular, Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue - Two Day Clinic, has twice as much availability this year, but is still filling...
💥Limited Space!
🧗Climb one of the Valley Classics; Repentance, Remission, Chia, Dracula, etc. with a female guide! Snag up one of these guest guides quick....
💥Filling Fast!
🧗One of our most popular clinics, Ice Climbing for Rock Climbers is for those of you who have rock climbed, indoors or out,...
💥Filling Fast!
🗻Mt. Washington. The highest peak in the northeast, yet a "small" mountain by elevation standards, it lies at the intersection of three major...
💥New Clinic! Filling Fast!
⚓️This two-day Top Rope Anchor Building Clinic can help you bridge the gap between new climber and lead-ready. This hands-on clinic...
⛺Check out our Lodging Sponsors!
We see the Ice Fest registrations rolling inn, so we know you are coming. Don't forget to make your lodging...
💥MWV Ice Fest 2026 Clinic Registration is OPEN!
🤯There are so many clinics this year, including several brand new ones. We thought having them all...
💭Did the frosty mornings this weekend have you dreaming about ice climbing? Us too! Were those dreams about Ice Fest? Same!
💬That got us thinking,...
💥Sponsor Alert
We are excited to have @blackdiamond on board as one of our Headlining Sponsors at MWV Ice Fest 2026! Be sure to stop...
💥Sponsor Alert
We are excited to be working with @arcteryx as one of our Headlining Sponsors to bring you another amazing MWV Ice Fest! Be...
🫨🥳
SAVE THE DATE!
📆February 5th - 8th 2026
💥We are so excited for the 33rd annual MWV Ice Fest, brought to you by @climb_imcs...
Sunday Schedule!
Day 3
Make sure you stick around Sunday night for the Dance Party hosted by @heyitsmayjay & @gallerynewhampshire with DJ MJ.
MWV Ice...
Mardi Fuller, starting us off on the Saturday night shows. Check out the link in our bio to watch "Affinity," a short film by Freddie...
Saturday Schedule
Day 2!
MWV Ice Fest 2025 Jan 31 - Feb 2
@climb_imcs
@ime_northconway
@arcteryx
🔗 Link in bio for more info and to...
🎁The MWV Ice Fest Silent Auction in support of @friendsoftheledges is live!
🔗Link in bio to bid online.
🧐Items can be viewed upstairs at @ime_northconway...
Friday Schedule!
See you Soon!
MWV Ice Fest 2025 Jan 31 - Feb 2
@climb_imcs
@ime_northconway
@arcteryx
🔗 Link in bio for a more detailed...
"Such a wonderful time with a great bunch of folks. Thank you Lisa and Paul and team."