Backcountry Skiing Primer ($50): 10AM-NOON or 1PM-3PM meet at Otis Mountain
Not cross-country skiing or downhill skiing, this is earning your turns! Experience skinning to the top of a slope then making turns on natural snow. Guides will provide tips for the ascent, transitions, and going downhill. Suitable equipment includes alpine touring, performance telemark, and splitboards. Helmets are recommended.
This event is best suited for: intermediate (blue square) alpine skiers with good fitness (able to ascend 700’ vertical).
We will cover: Uphill techniques (skinning up a track, herringbone, sidestep), downhill techniques (kick turn, parallel turns, stopping), transitions at the top and bottom of a run.
For more information & to register, please contactSkylight Mountain Guides|skylightmountainguides@gmail.com
XCD Ski Clinic ($150): 9AM-3PM meet at The Mountaineer
Experience backcountry trails with cross country/downhill skis (XCD)! Learn how to ascend moderate slopes, descend with control and glide over rolling terrain. We will begin with tips for what to bring and how to plan a ski tour, then it’s off to explore a classic Adirondack ski trail. Helmets are optional.
This event is best suited for: Intermediate cross-country skiers with good fitness (able to cover five miles of rolling terrain), previous winter hiking experience.
We will cover: Uphill techniques (fish scales, herringbone, sidestep) and downhill techniques (snowplow, hockey stop, kick turn)
For more information & to register,please contactSkylight Mountain Guides|skylightmountainguides@gmail.com
Intro to Leading Ice presented by (CAMP ??????) (4 participants): 8:30AM-3PM meet at Mountainfest Vendor Village CAMP Booth??????
Getting on the sharp end of the rope is serious business and more complicated than just firing in some ice screws as you climb. Being able to read conditions of a route from the ground and along the way, manage your gear and ropes, and place solid gear and anchors all while keeping a cool head and solid form is a tall order. Aside from being a total crusher, Will Roth is one of the best guides in the region and during this clinic he’ll pass on some of his accumulated knowledge to help you on your path toward becoming a leader. For risk management reasons, climbers will have a top-rope belay while practicing “mock leads'' during this clinic. All clinic participants will walk away with a free ice screw courtesy of CAMP?????.
For more information & to register, please contact Adirondack Rock and River Guide Service|(518) 576-2041 |ed@rockandriver.com
Beginner Ice Clinic with James Pitarresi (8 participants): 9AM-3PM meet at Mountainfest Vendor Village
This clinic is all about having fun and is appropriate for all beginner climbers! Previous climbing experience is OK but not required. Your guides will help you get outfitted with gear for the day including harnesses, helmets, ice axes, boots and crampons and then you’ll head out to a cliff to try a variety of climbs. You’ll learn the basics of belaying and rope systems, and your guides will coach you throughout the day to make sure everyone is comfortable with these systems and keeping a keen eye on safety. With the basics covered, you’ll move into learning the fundamentals of movement on ice. Tips and coaching from a qualified instructor is one of the best ways to accelerate the learning curve and really have ice climbing begin to feel like fun.
For more information & to register,please contact Adirondack Rock and River Guide Service| (518) 576-2041 |ed@rockandriver.com
“Next Generation” Teen Ice Climbing Session with Marcus Garcia presented by LOWA (4 participants): 9AM-3PM meetat Mountainfest Vendor Village LOWA Booth
This one’s for the youth out there with a love of the outdoors and winter. Join LOWA athlete and climbing coach Marcus Garcia along with beloved local guide Doug Ferguson for a fun filled day on the ice. Previous rock or ice climbing experience are OK but not required to join this clinic. Your guides will pick a suitable venue for the day based on the group's experience and current climbing conditions to walk everyone through some basic skills, then find some fun challenges as the group progresses.
*This clinic is designed for young climbers (age 13-18) to learn and climb with their peers. Parents or guardians may be required to register participants and provide transportation to and from the climbing siite!
For more information & to register,please contactMountain Skillsvia theINQUIRY & REGISTRATION FORMto discuss logistics.
Intermediate Ice Clinicwith Matt Horner (8 participants):9AM-3PM meet at Mountainfest Vendor Village
This clinic is perfect for the climber that has some experience but is looking to refine their movement on steeper ice up to WI 4. Like any form of climbing, a few tips and tricks for moving efficiently on varying types and features of ice can help you save energy and have more fun! Join local climbing guide Matt Horner for this intermediate ice climbing session with an emphasis on getting people plenty of time on the ice to practice their new techniques.
For more information & to register,please contactAdirondack Rock and River Guide Service| (518) 576-2041 |ed@rockandriver.com
Women’s Ice Climbing Session with Nikki Smith and Andrea Charest presented by Grivel (6 participants):8:30AM-3PM meet Mountainfest Vendor Village Grivel Booth
Join Grivel athlete Nikki Smith and local guide Andrea Charest for a women’s ice climbing session. After a brief morning meeting to discuss clothing, layering, and equipment, the group will head to a local ice climbing area. At the cliff your guide will provide an overview of how to manage hazards throughout the day, basic rope systems, climbing technique, balance, footwork and movement. Questions along the way are very encouraged! Like any form of climbing, a few tips and techniques for moving efficiently on varying types and features of ice can help you feel solid and have more fun. Once the basics are covered an emphasis will be placed on participants having as much time as possible on the ice to practice these skills.
For more information, please contact Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School& to registerCLICK HERE|(802) 657-3872
Advanced Thin and Mixed Climbing Clinic with Alan Rousseau presented by Grivel (8 participants): 8:30AM-3PM meet at Mountainfest Vendor Village Grivel Booth
As climbers continue to seek out new routes in challenging conditions the lines of what is considered rock climbing and what is considered ice climbing begin to blur. No longer limited by cold hands and feet on stone, and no longer constrained by the notion that the pick of an ice axe or front point of a crampon need to be placed in frozen water. Modern climbers use the tools of the trade in creative ways and adapt their technique based on what lays ahead of them. Join Grivel athlete Alan Rousseau and local guides Joe Vitti and Mark Scott for a clinic that’s sure to open your eyes and challenge your body on some incredibly intricate, and fun, climbing.
*Though Alan and your guides will demonstrate and explain mixed climbing techniques, this is an advanced clinic. Climbers that already have the skills and fitness to top-rope steep ice will get the most out of this session.
For more information & to register,please contact Vitti Mountain Guides|(845) 901-3687 |climbvt@gmail.com
Advanced Steep Ice Clinic with Graham Zimmerman presented by Exped (6 participants): 9AM-3PM meet at Mountainfest Vendor Village Exped Booth
This is an advanced clinic for climbers looking to refine technique and break into the realm of the steepest lines. Join the guides of Alpine Endeavors and Exped athlete Graham Zimmerman and prepare for a download of skills that will blow your mind. Even though this clinic will be held at a crag setting and open to all experienced climbers interested in learning techniques, climbers that already have the skills and fitness to comfortably top-rope grade 4+ ice will get the most out of the day.
For more information, please contact Alpine Endeavors& to register CLICK HERE
Directions to venues:
Keene Central School – on Market Street, off Route 73 in the center of Keene Valley.
Demo Gear- Available at the Mountaineer and also the Mountaineer’s Garage Sale, just down the street from the retail store, across from the Valley Hardware.
Keene Valley Fire Hall – on Market Street, just before the high school.
Keene Arts – Route 73 in the hamlet of Keene, between Stewart’s and Town Hall (located in the Old Methodist Church building)