ICE CLIMBING CLINICS

MONDAY, FEB 19 from 9am - 1:30pm

Arc’teryx Ice Climbing Clinics

Join Arc'teryx Athletes and Ambassadors Ali Criscitiello, Raphael Slawinski, Jon Walsh and Connor Young for introductory or intermediate ice climbing clinics. We aim to create a safe, supportive and fun environment where you can connect with our team, learn some new skills and try something new! Tickets are $20 with all proceeds going to the Alpine Club of Canada Edmonton Section. Please dress for varying weather conditions.

Clinic Descriptions

**NOTE: Beginner clinics are for those who have never swung an ice tool. Intermediate clinics are for those who have some top rope and climbing experience. See Information & Booking below for clinic schedules.

Learn How to Climb Ice (Beginner) with Arc’teryx Athlete Jon Walsh.  Whether you're a beginner or totally new to ice climbing, Jon can get you started with some basic technique, coaching, and get you climbing ice in a safe and fun environment.

Improve Your Ice Game (Intermediate) with Arc'teryx Athlete Jon Walsh. This clinic is for those who have climbed ice before and would like to learn more tips and techniques to help level-up their ice climbing skills.

Ice Climbing is Easy (Beginner) with Arc’teryx Athlete Raphael Slawinski. Learn the basics of ice climbing. If you’ve never swung a tool or kicked a crampon but want in on the fun, this clinic is for you.

Raise Your Ice Climbing Game (Intermediate) with Arc’teryx Athlete Raphael Slawinski. Take your ice climbing to the next level. Learn new techniques and tricks to get better and safer on ice.

Frosty Fingers Fundamentals (Beginner) with Arc'teryx Ambassadors Connor Young and Ali Criscitiello. Gain an understanding of the foundational principles behind ice climbing. This clinic will start with the most fundamental climbing skill: belaying, a skill made more complicated when done with gloves on. This beginner clinic will cover tool swing technique, footwork skills, and movement.

Queers on Ice (Beginner - LGBTQ) with Arc'teryx Ambassadors Connor Young and Ali Criscitiello. Gain an understanding of the foundational principles behind ice climbing. This clinic will start with the most fundamental climbing skill: belaying, a skill made more complicated when done with gloves on. This beginner clinic will cover tool swing technique, footwork skills, and movement. This clinic is specifically aimed at creating a safe and inclusive learning space for those who are diverse in their gender and sexual orientations. 

Meet Your Instructors

Ali Criscitiello

Dr. Alison Criscitiello is an ice core scientist, high-altitude mountaineer and explorer. She drills ice cores in Antarctica, Alaska, the Canadian high Arctic, and Greenland. She is the Director of the Canadian Ice Core Lab (CICL) at University of Alberta. A former U.S. Climbing Ranger, she has been the recipient of the Mugs Stump and John Lauchlan Awards, and three American Alpine Club climbing awards including one for Borderski, her 2-month winter ski traverse of Tajikistan's border in the eastern Pamirs, and one for the first all-women’s ascent of Lingsarmo (6955m) in the Indian Himalaya that she led. Alison has been named a National Geographic Explorer, and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Criscitiello is founder and co-director of Girls on Ice Canada.

Raphael Slawinski

Raphael, often referred to as Raph, is on a different level than most earthlings. Analytical and high functioning, Raph is the son of successful immigrants. Everyone in his family has a PhD, with his being in physics. Early on as a child, Raph envisioned himself climbing mountains with ice axes and crampons, a possible by-product of his parents’ shared passion for climbing. From the first instance he put pick to ice, he was enthralled and since has become one of the most prolific mixed climbers on the planet. Once Raph decides to do a climb, his laser focus kicks in and he is virtually unstoppable, a habit that favours him most of the time. Although Raph’s motivations are internal, he once won a medal at the X-Games without training. As a reward, he took his earnings and bought his first two Sphynx cats. When Raph isn’t climbing, teaching or reading sci-fi, he is most likely whipping up delicious vegetarian food with his wife at their home in Calgary.

Jon Walsh

Attracted to the intricate complexities of mountain travel, Jon first got a taste for the alpine by way of ski mountaineering in Chamonix. Having made various first ascents around the globe, Jon is now known as one of Canada’s great alpine climbers, complete with various first ascents around the globe. A fan of the less travelled routes, Jon is unafraid of a good slog and is the most dependable partner when it comes to trying some new, seemingly unclimbable objective. Where others see barriers, Jon sees possibilities. While others call it suffering, Jon chalks it up to just part of the process, learning something new on every outing. Despite being a total badass, Jon focuses on lifting up those all around him. As a father, Jon shares his passion for the mountains with his daughter, but always reminds her that at the end of the day, it's just about having fun.

Connor Young

Connor is a true mountain enthusiast. Growing up just south of Calgary, Connor felt at home in the mountains from an early age, establishing a deep-rooted love for the outdoors before he could even walk. Climbing entered his life during his late teen years, and during his early 20s he travelled to New Zealand to extend his summer and to continue working on his climbing resume. Unfortunately, he sustained a life-altering climbing accident in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. After a few months of recovery, this event prompted his return to Canada where he moved to the mountain town of Canmore. This experience also heightened his awareness of the disparities in access based on privilege. He began volunteering with Rocky Mountain Adaptive at the local ski hills and found a passion for inclusive outdoors initiatives. It was at this time that Connor's injuries from his accident invoked a shift in his career path toward physical therapy. His personal life, however, remained dominated by mountain pursuits, a testament to his unyielding love for the great outdoors.

Gear List and What to Wear

We will provide you with any climbing specific gear you may need for your lesson including a helmet, harness, boots, crampons and ice tools. If you have any of your own gear, you may use your own if preferred.

For what to wear and bring to the clinic, we recommend the following:

  • Wear layers for warmth and ease of adapting to varying levels of activity

  • Wear insulated winter pants and a weather appropriate jacket, making sure you are able to lift your hands above your head.

  • Wear a tight fitting toque with NO pompom to fit under a helmet

  • Wear warm wool or synthetic socks.

  • We recommend wearing water resistant/waterproof winter gloves, but mittens will work for some.

  • To protect your face and eyes, you may want to wear a pair of clear safety glasses.

If you are unsure of how to dress, we suggest bringing extra layers and a couple glove/mitten options.

YEG Ice and the Alpine Club of Canada Edmonton Section thanks Arc’teryx for their partnership and support which makes offering these ice climbing clinics possible.