Do I need prior climbing experience?

No prior experience is required; this course is designed for complete beginners and ages 8+.

What equipment is provided?

Harness, helmet, ice tools, boots, and crampons are supplied for all participants.

Participants should bring warm outerwear, including jackets, pants, gloves, and hats suitable for cold weather.

How fit do I need to be?

Moderate fitness is recommended as you'll be standing and climbing for several hours.

Where does the course take place?

Primarily in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, with potential locations including Joe’s Valley and Maple Canyon.

Is there an age minimum?

Yes, children must be at least 8 years old to participate.

Ice 101 Intro to Ice Climbing in Utah's Wasatch Mountains: Beginner’s Guide to Vertical Adventure

Utah’s Wasatch Mountains are renowned for their rugged beauty and winter sports opportunities, but few activities put you face-to-face with the elements quite like ice climbing. Ice 101 – Intro to Ice is an 8-hour beginner course perfect for adventurers ages 8 and up wanting to learn the skills to safely scale frozen waterfalls and icy cliffs in some of Utah’s most iconic winter playgrounds. Operating from December through March, this course is a gateway to mastering ice climbing techniques under the watchful eye of experienced guides right near Provo, Utah.

Located just outside Moab, this introductory course focuses on equipping newcomers and those with rock climbing experience alike with the fundamentals of ice climbing. The adventure takes place primarily in the Wasatch range, with potential venues including Joe’s Valley and Maple Canyon — areas famous for their consistent ice formations and stunning winter scenery. The Wasatch Mountains themselves present a dramatic backdrop of jagged peaks and deeply incised canyons, with natural ice tiers that challenge and excite first-timers.

The course agenda covers everything from the ground up: participants learn up-to-date techniques for ascending ice safely, stay warm in harsh, wintry conditions, and master top rope setups and teardowns. Essential skills like using ice tools and crampons, recognizing safe anchors, and moving efficiently on various ice structures form the core of the day’s instruction. By the end, climbers are ready to tackle single-pitch ice climbs independently.

What makes Ice 101 especially unique is its accessibility — open to children as young as eight and beginners with no prior experience. Family groups and solo adventurers alike find themselves empowered by the supportive, energetic atmosphere created by the professional guides. The provided gear, including harnesses, helmets, ice tools, boots, and crampons, removes any barriers to entry, though climbers should bring their own warm outerwear.

Moab serves as the nearest hub for lodging and dining, offering plenty of options for visitors to relax after a day in the cold. The proximity to world-class climbing spots and the wide accessibility of this course ensure that Ice 101 is not only a skill builder but a gateway to fully experiencing why Utah remains a premier destination for winter outdoor sports.

This ice climbing course embodies the spirit of the Wasatch—tough, thrilling, and rewarding. Whether you aim to conquer your first ice climb or build confidence for more advanced expeditions, Ice 101 is the perfect starting point to embrace the frozen vertical playground of Utah’s rugged terrain.

About Red River Adventures

Red River Adventures is a Moab, Utah–based outfitter featured on The Adventure Collective that specializes in guided canyoneering, rock climbing, rafting, and instructional courses. The company leads distinct Moab canyoneering trips such as Morning Glory (Ephedra’s Grotto), a roughly 3-mile route with guided rappels of about 90 feet into a sandstone chamber and 120 feet near Morning Glory Arch, and Chamisa Canyon (Entrajo Canyon), a water-carved slot canyon of roughly 2.5 miles with wading, scrambling, optional rappels, and summer swimming.

Guided rock climbing offerings include private one-day guided rock climbing with AMGA-certified instructors, multi-pitch climbing instruction, classic introductory and advanced tours, Crack Camp programs, and iconic climbs such as Castleton Tower and Indian Creek. Instructional and professional development courses listed include AMGA SPI exam and course offerings, AIARE avalanche courses, avalanche rescue, and backcountry mentorship.

Red River Adventures also lists ice climbing programs (half-day to multi-pitch and full-day), backcountry ski and heli-ski options, international trips such as Ski Hokkaido and Ski - Chamonix, and river options including Moab half-day rafting and a full-day Fisher Towers rafting trip. All trip descriptions indicate guided experiences and technical elements appropriate to the route.

Prospective participants should review specific trip summaries for distance, technical difficulty, and equipment requirements. Trip choices cover day trips, full-day guided adventures, multi-day instruction, certification exams, and specialty international offerings. Several canyoneering and climbing routes are described as guided by experts, and trip pages list mileage, rappel heights, technical grades, and water exposure where applicable for accurate trip planning. Online.

Ice 101 Intro to Ice Climbing in Utah's Wasatch Mountains: Beginner’s Guide to Vertical Adventure

Adventure Brief

This Adventure Is No Longer Available

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Highlights

Local Insights

Related Adventures & Guides

Operated By

About Red River Adventures

Reserve a Guided Moab Adventure

Adventure Tips

Recommended Gear