Ice Climbing in the Catskills: Learn frozen waterfall technique

Swing an ice tool on frozen waterfalls, learn the footwork that sticks, climb higher each pitch

Ice climbing class in Platte Clove Canyon in the Catskills where a live English-speaking guide teaches you to climb frozen waterfalls ranging from 35 to 100 feet, depending on conditions and your level. The six-hour session covers technique from the ground up, with all specialized gear (harness, helmet, crampons, ice tools) provided. Beginners start with the basics. Experienced climbers get longer pitches. Minimum age is 12, and moderate fitness is required.

The experience

If you have a free afternoon in the Catskills and no ice climbing experience, this class removes the usual barriers: you show up, and the guide handles the rest. Platte Clove Canyon freezes into a climbing arena each winter, with vertical ice and cascades that range from manageable 35-foot flows to 100-foot pillars depending on where the guide takes you and what the conditions allow. The guide teaches you how to plant crampons, swing ice tools, and read the ice itself: the skills that let you move up instead of sliding down. Beginners spend the early pitches learning the footwork and tool placement. If you have climbed ice before, you get longer, steeper sections to work on.

The six-hour window gives you time to build confidence across multiple pitches instead of rushing through one. You learn by doing: the guide demonstrates, you practice on lower sections, and you climb progressively harder ice as the technique locks in. All the specialized gear comes with the class (ice tools, crampons, harness, helmet, and cold-weather climbing equipment), so you only need to bring sturdy, warm, stiff-bottomed hiking boots and the physical readiness to spend a morning and early afternoon on vertical ice. Bring 2 to 3 liters of water and snacks. The guide does not provide them.

Public transportation reaches the area, so you do not need a rental car to get there. The guide is English-speaking and leads the class in person. The minimum age is 12. The activity is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular conditions that limit exertion.

What’s included

• Ice tools, crampons, harness, helmet, and cold-weather climbing equipment.
• instruction from a live English-speaking guide.
• multiple pitches on frozen waterfalls scaled to your level.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 10 Jan 2027

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Stay Rad Climbing Guides

Is this one for you?The class meets in the Catskills and is reachable by public transportation, so you can join without renting a car or arranging a separate ride. If you are staying elsewhere in the region or arriving without a vehicle, this setup lets you show up and climb the same day.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What does a beginner actually learn in six hours of ice climbing?

You start with how to stand on ice with crampons, how to swing and place ice tools, and how to move your body so the tools and crampons do the work instead of your arms. The guide teaches these on lower sections first, then you practice on progressively steeper ice as the technique becomes automatic. By the end of the day, you have climbed multiple pitches and know what to do when you encounter ice again.

How tall are the frozen waterfalls in Platte Clove Canyon?

The ice flows range from 35 feet to 100 feet depending on which section the guide chooses and what the winter conditions have frozen solid. Beginners typically start on the shorter, more manageable flows. Experienced climbers work on the taller pillars.

Do I need to bring my own ice climbing gear?

No. The class includes all specialized equipment: ice tools, crampons, harness, helmet, and cold-weather climbing gear. You only need to bring sturdy, warm, stiff-bottomed hiking boots. Bring 2 to 3 liters of water and snacks on your own.

How do I get to Platte Clove Canyon if I don't have a car?

Public transportation options are available nearby. Check local transit routes to the Catskills region. The guide can confirm the best access point when you book.

Is this class suitable if I have never climbed before?

Yes. The guide teaches beginners from the ground up, starting with footwork and tool placement on lower ice before moving to taller pitches. You need moderate physical fitness and the ability to spend six hours climbing, but no prior climbing experience is required. Minimum age is 12.