We are lucky to have in our backyard California’s premier ice climbing locales: June Lake and Lee Vining Canyon.
June Lake is an ideal place to start learning the skills since the flows offer a variety of terrain and generally good climbing conditions.
Once you become more comfortable balancing on the front points Lee Vining is the place to go to hone your ice skills on icicles and pillars ranging in steepness from 70 degrees to vertical. Legend has it that it was in Lee Vining that Yvon Chouinard developed his ice climbing tools that started the modern ice climbing revolution.
Sierra Mountain Center offers scheduled courses all winter and can also arrange a private course that fits your schedule; simply call and ask if your dates are available. We try to offer both weekend and weekday programs and suggest that you try the weekday ones if your schedule permits, since the ice is popular and can be crowded.
We have a variety of ice climbing courses and programs to suit all objectives and skill levels and for all programs we provide necessary climbing equipment including the latest in ice tools, crampons, helmets and harnesses.
