NO experience is required whatsoever! We love to introduce ice climbing to people brand new to the sport! We recommend signing up for an Intro to Ice Climbing Course or a private lesson for your first visit.

Please dress appropriately for the weather - we recommend layers.

Wear insulated winter pants and a weather appropriate jacket, making sure you can lift your hands above your head.

Wear a tight fitting toque with NO pompom to fit under a helmet.

Wear warm wool or synthetic socks.

We recommend wearing water resistant/waterproof winter gloves, but mittens will work for some.

If you are worried about black eyes or cuts on your face, bring a pair of clear safety glasses to wear.

If you are unsure about what to wear, bring extra layers and gloves/mittens.

Enter the Fan Park from 102 Street just west of the ice climbing structure.
We recommend taking public transit if possible. MacEwan LRT Station is just one block west of the Fan Park. There is also street parking and a number of parking lots nearby, including free street parking north of the Fan Park (106 Avenue).

Every visitor to the ice wall whether they are climbing or not is required to fill out a waiver. Waivers are valid for the whole season.

Visitors under the age of 18 must have a waiver filled out by a parent or legal guardian.

No, but we suggest a minimum age of around 10 years old, mainly due to physical coordinate and strength. The ability to independently hammer a nail into a wood block is a good indication for a person’s ability to try ice climbing.

For first-time groups with youth under the age of 14, we recommend a ratio of 1:1 for every participant under the age of 14 to participant over the age of 14. If an adult supervisor will only be belaying and no climbing, they will only be charged for rentals and will not be charged for the lesson or count towards the total number of participants in a group.

Belaying is a technique used in climbing where a climber is secured by a rope that is controlled by another person known as the belayer.

Participants must be 14 years or older to belay another climber. All climbers must pass a (free) belay check before climbing on their own (outside of a lesson).

Please arrive 30 minutes early for your booking in order to allow time to get your equipment rentals and maximize your lesson time.

Remember! You have sharp pointy things on your feet and in your hands. Be careful walking in crampons: walk like a cowboy and don’t pivot on your heel or ball of foot.

Always point ice tools away from yourself and others.

Stay away from and avoid exposure to falling ice. Protect everyone around you from falling ice. Stay outside the orange box unless you are climbing.

Report any damaged or broken ropes. If you accidentally step on or puncture a rope please report to staff immediately. No shame in protecting another person’s life. We have extra ropes to replace damaged ones.

If you are worried about black eyes or cuts on your face please bring safety glasses.

If your hands are getting too cold STOP. Take your gloves off and put them under your armpits. Keep your gloves in your jacket against your body so you have something warm to put your hands back into.

To ensure the safety of our visitors and staff, we will close if the temperature (without windchill) is below -20C. Also, the colder it is, the harder and more brittle ice gets.

If you have a booking and we are closing due to weather, we will notify you before 9pm the day prior and will contact you to reschedule your booking.

Keep your feet pigeon toed or perpendicular to the wall.

Keep your heels down.

Keep your hips in.

Don’t swing to hard. Look for places you can hook your tool.

Think about standing up on your feet and not pulling as much with your arms. The strength should come from your legs.

Think about maintaining a triangle. Top of the triangle is one tool and your feet are the bottom of the triangle.

Remember to breath and shake out your hands.

Take small successive steps with your feet.

Keep your arms as straight as possible.