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Ascend frozen waterfalls and ice formations in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains with expert guides from Colorado Climbing Company. Perfect for beginners and seasoned climbers alike, these tailored trips provide an unmatched winter adventure.
Ascend frozen waterfalls and ice formations in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains with expert guides from Colorado Climbing Company. Perfect for beginners and seasoned climbers alike, these tailored trips provide an unmatched winter adventure.
Book with Colorado Climbing Company
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Operated by Colorado Climbing Company · Telluride, Colorado
Colorado’s rugged winter landscape transforms into a playground for ice climbers, drawing thrill-seekers to its frozen waterfalls and icy cliffs every year. The Telluride Classic Ice Climbs, offered by Colorado Climbing Company, invite adventurers to experience this exhilarating sport under the guidance of seasoned AMGA-certified instructors. Located in the western mountains of Colorado, near the historic town of Telluride, the region sits within the vast San Juan Mountains—a rugged range known for steep granite walls, towering peaks, and pristine alpine terrain.
The San Juans provide a spectacular setting, where waterfalls freeze into shimmering pillars of blue and white, creating natural vertical puzzles. These climbs range from approachable single-pitch ascents for novices to multi-pitch challenges like The Sherman Route for those with more experience. The company’s expert guides teach all the technical essentials: proper use of crampons, ice tools, rope techniques, and safety protocols, enabling climbers as young as eight to safely engage with the ice.
What sets this adventure apart is the range of terrain available across Colorado’s diverse climbing venues, from the high alpine ice fields near Telluride to the more accessible Front Range sites closer to Denver and Colorado Springs. Climbers can tailor their experience to match their skill level and desired challenge, whether learning the basics or tackling mixed rock and ice routes.
The Colorado Climbing Company serves as a vital resource in the state’s thriving climbing community, blending expert instruction with an intimate knowledge of local conditions. Their commitment to personalized guiding and small groups means climbs are safe, educational, and impactful. Winter climbing here isn’t just a sport, it's a chance to directly engage with nature’s raw power while immersed in Colorado’s winter wilderness. This unique offering makes Telluride and surrounding areas a standout destination for ice climbing enthusiasts across the country.
moderate.
6–8 hours.
Good physical condition is recommended as ice climbing requires strength, endurance, and balance.
No prior ice climbing experience is necessary. Guides provide instruction suitable for beginners and advanced climbers alike.
Participants must be at least 8 years old to join the climbs.
The trip includes group climbing gear and personal equipment like harness, helmet, and belay device, but you should bring your own clothes and boots.
Trips may be rescheduled or relocated depending on weather and avalanche risk to ensure safety.
Yes, they accommodate groups up to eight people and welcome solo climbers.
Climbs take place in several locations across Colorado, including the San Juans near Telluride and Front Range areas near Colorado Springs.
Telluride’s mining heritage shaped early outdoor recreation, with many ice climbs near historic mining trails.
The company emphasizes Leave No Trace principles and works to minimize impact in fragile alpine and winter environments.
Colorado Climbing Company runs guided climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing trips and instructional courses across Colorado and in select national parks. The company’s offerings include introductory classes like Introduction to Rock Climbing and Gym to Crag, technical courses such as Learn to Lead Sport Climb Outdoors and Learn to Lead Traditional Climbs, and advanced seminars including Steep Ice and Mixed Technique and Climbing 301 — Climbing Big Things. Trips span diverse Colorado areas and beyond, with options in Rocky Mountain National Park, Silverton, Lake City, Ouray, Denver/Golden, Boulder/Estes Park, Telluride, Gunnison, Grand Junction, and San Juan ranges. Seasonal programming covers ice climbing at venues like Lake City Ice Park and guided backcountry ski and splitboard touring in Silverton and the Alpine Loop near Lake City. Offerings range from half-day guided ice climbs to multi-day alpine ascents and expedition preparation courses. Participants can choose guided experiences or technical instruction tailored to levels from beginner to advanced. Course titles and guided day trips reflect explicit instruction and guided formats, including avalanche and glacier-focused topics such as Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel and Private Custom Avalanche Instructions. Colorado Climbing Company presents a wide catalog of site-specific classic climbs, ski descents, and intensive seminars to support skill development and safe mountain travel.
Book with Colorado Climbing Company