All You Need To Know About Ice Fest 2025

Orange and black boots with orange crampons sit in the foreground on an ice block. Children in the background use ice axes on the ice wall to see what it would be like to be an ice climber. Corona Physio took this photo at YEG Ice Fest 2024.

It’s almost March, but we’re not done with winter yet! Climb YEG (formerly known as YEG Ice) is proud to host YEG Ice Fest and the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup. Ice Fest is an all-ages event so be sure to bring the whole family!

What You Need To Know

Where: Louise McKinney Park

When: February 27th to March 2nd

Activities: Try out winter activities, browse vendors, listen to live music, eat some great food, hang out in the beer gardens (if you’re over 18, of course), and watch professional ice climbers be put to the test on a massive 21-metre ice wall created just for this event. 

Cost: For a more luxurious experience, VIP tickets are available for $50 each, but general admission is FREE! 

Getting There: Parking may be limited so consider your options (rideshare, bus, walking, parking further away) before leaving the house.

Spectators watch two athletes who climb the plywood wall as part of UIAA Ice Climbing World Championship 2024 in Edmonton which Corona Station Physical Therapy was a vendor at.

What To Expect

Since the World Championship is a biannual event, this year is a World Cup and it’s bringing you four days packed with excitement and activities for everyone. Opening ceremonies commence on Thursday February 27th, followed by two days of competitions, and March 2 will finish up with an opportunity to try ice climbing yourself, participate in outdoor activities, or even enter a community climbing competition.

Corona Station Physical Therapy tent shelters physiotherapist Kerri Graham as she talks to an attendee at YEG Ice Fest 2024.

Food and beer gardens are open every day, and the vendor area is open Friday through Sunday. Keep your eyes out for our tent in the vendor area- Saturday, March 1 only!

 

What’s Different This Year?

1) Competition Format

Last year: World Championship

This year: World Cup

2) Entry Cost

Last year: paid-entry

This year: FREE entry!

Be sure to still pack some pocket change for the variety of vendors and food & beverage options!

3) Location

Last year: Ice District

This year: Louise McKinney Park

 

Never Heard Of The UIAA World Competitions?

A shot of the full dry tooling wall from the UIAA 2024 World Championships shows one ice climber athlete near the top, hanging upside down. Photo taken by Corona Station Physical Therapy in downtown edmonton.

For over 20 years, the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (or UIAA, the acronym of their French name) has organized the annual Ice Climbing World Tour, in which athletes from all over the world can compete in lead climbing and speed climbing events. The World Tour comprises five world cups and three continental championships. This year the World Cup started in South Korea, moving on to Switzerland, France, USA, and now Canada. Every other year, a World Championship takes place, consisting of three world cups, the last of which is combined with the World Championship. For the first time in 20+ years, Canada hosted the last World Championship in Edmonton last February!

For more information on ice climbing as a sport, check out our blog from 2023 here.


So put on your favourite mitts and hats, warm boots and coats, and join the fun. Be sure to stop by our table in the vendor area on Saturday March 1st from 9am-7pm for some free swag! 

Written by: Maret B., Admin

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