Winter On Ice (WOI)

Winter On Ice (WOI) is an introductory course designed to introduce people to the skills required for novice ice climbing in the mountains. It is taught by volunteers from ACC Edmonton.

The course consists of 2 classroom sessions (in Edmonton) and 1 skills weekends (in the mountains) that cover:

  • ice climbing gear

  • ice climbing technique

  • walking/climbing with crampons

Classroom Sessions

November 15th 18:00 - 21:00

November 29th 18:00 - 21:00

Where: MEC Brewery District 11904 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB. 

 

 

Skills Training Weekends in the Mountains

  • TBD

Costs

$90.00 in course fees, plus:

  • Hostel/hut accommodations for skills weekends: approx $30 per night.

  • You provide your own meals and transportation (carpooling) to/from the mountains.

  • Rental Gear Package from MEC: $28 https://www.mec.ca/en/stores/edmonton

Gear required

  • 2 ice axes suitable for ice-climbing (*)

  • crampons suitable for ice-climbing (*)

  • boots that can support the crampons you'll be using (*)

  • climbing helmet (*)

  • climbing harness

  • belay device (ATC), with locking carabiner

  • clothing suitable to spend a full winter day outside

  • backpack to carry your gear, lunch, water, and some group equipment. Minimum 25L+ pack recommended.

    (*) = This gear is available for rent at MEC Edmonton. Early reservations are highly recommended.

You are going to want to rent the ice climbing package from MEC, highlighted below:

he package includes boots, crampons, ice axes and a helmet (helmets are mandatory during the weekend). They have weekend packages available for around 35$. Not included in the package is a harness, belay device and carabiners which you will also need for the weekend.

When trying on boots two things are important. First, lace them up tight and kick the floor a couple times. If your toe hurts kicking the floor once, it will probably hurt a lot more after kicking ice all weekend. Make sure your toe feels good after a couple kicks. Second, do a couple calf raises and make sure your back heel doesn't lift up inside the boot. Your calves will get pumped really fast if your heel is constantly lifting inside the boot. You want a boot that keeps your heel stapled to the bottom of the boot.

Spots Available

  • Classroom space has a maximum of 30.

  • Weekend spots are limited due to hostel space limits. They are available on a first-register-first-serve basis. Please include which weekend you prefer when signing up.

 

To Register

Information on how to register to follow!

Volunteer leaders and assistants needed!

Do you have ice-climbing skills, and want to contribute your time and skills to our mountaineering community?  Want an opportunity to practice leadership skills?  Our courses need you! 

Please contact Steven Rockarts at stevenrockarts@gmail.com