Ice Fest Sault Ste. Marie

Three day Ice Climbing Festival! Amazing ice by day, exciting speakers, live music and local breweries by night. See you there!

Ice Fest SSM is a three-day ice climbing festival featuring unforgettable climbs, stunning winter scenery, and lively nights in local craft breweries.

By day, tackle frozen walls with guidance from local experts, sign up for lessons, or snowshoe in to watch the action up close.

By night, gather with the community at après-climb parties! Hear stories from ice climbing pioneers, enjoy great food and music, and raise a glass to a full day on the ice.

Whether you climb, spectate, or come for the atmosphere, Ice Fest is a true winter adventure and a celebration of ice climbing culture.

Learn more at www.icefestssm.ca

EDIT: interested in coming to one of the evening events? 

door cover will be $20 each night - first come first served, limited availability. 

see you this weekend! 

What to expect at Ice Fest SSM

• Ice climbing clinics for beginners and experienced climbers
• Independent climbing at unique local ice climbing locations you won’t find in guidebooks (until now)
• Snowshoe tours led by Forest the Canoe, so non-climbers can catch the action without swinging axes
• Inspiring talks, live music, and the best locally brewed beer in town 🍺

Featured speakers

We’re thrilled to welcome:

Steve Foster
OG Sault Ste. Marie ice climbing guide and developer, sharing stories from his 2003 Everest expedition.

Aric Fishman
Ice climbing developer, producer of the legendary Nipigon Ice Fest, and author of several climbing guidebooks, joining us from Thunder Bay.

Weekend schedule highlights

Friday
Snowpants party and festival pass pickup at Outspoken Brewing 🧤

Saturday (daytime)
Climbing clinics and independent climbing
Introductory and beginner ice climbing clinics will be offered alongside snowshoe tours, making it easy for everyone to be part of the weekend.

Saturday night
Après-climb party at The Taproom 🎶
Talks from legendary local climbers, plus live music from Matthew James

Sunday

Rain date for Saturday activities 

What’s included with your $50 weekend pass?

• Entry to all talks and social events
• Map and PDF guidebook
• Access to all festival climbing locations

Plus festival site hot chocolate, warming stations, portapotties, experienced guides and volunteers, and a full suite of health and safety measures to keep everyone safe.

***All further tickets sold do not include a free t-shirt. 

Hotel Partner

Sleep Inn is our Hotel Partner! Get in touch directly for special rates:

Call: 705-253-7533 ext. 2

Email: frontdesk@sleepinn.on.ca

Or book online: Booking Link Here

Sleep Inn Hotel, 727 Bay Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6Y3 

We can't wait to see you!