BOZEMAN, Mont. – The 22nd annual Bozeman Ice Festival kicks off Wednesday night at the Emerson Center and continues with ice climbing clinics in Hyalite Canyon Thursday morning starting at 8 a.m.
The Ice Festival, sponsored by Black Diamond Equipment, will feature a number of ice climbing clinics in Hyalite, as well as evening presentations and films in Bozeman through Sunday, Dec. 9.
Hyalite has been historically a popular destination that offers premier ice climbing for climbers from all over the globe.
Festival Director Joe Josephson says that efforts from the local ice climbing community to increase winter access to Hyalite has helped grow the activity.
“Ice climbers are probably the single largest contributors to those funds so having the access year round until the end of March has made all the difference in the world. It’s turned in from a local area for a few weeks before the skiing gets really good to a destination for people for 4 months.” Josephson said.
Due to the recent cold snaps, most of the waterfalls around the canyon are well frozen, making for ideal climbing experiences.
