Are you an ice climber looking to expand your possibilities by taking on the challenge of combining rock and ice?

This introductory mixed climbing clinic at Pont-Rouge is designed for climbers who want to discover or strengthen the fundamentals of this demanding discipline, practiced on the site’s natural rock faces.

Mixed climbing opens the door to winter alpinism and ascents in variable conditions, where precision, balance, and terrain reading are essential.

Program

Introduction and adjustment of specialized equipment
(technical ice tools, blade types, crampons)
Movement techniques in mixed terrain
(anchor quality, placements, balance)
Basic movement skills with ice tools and crampons on rock
Safety concepts and risk management
Hands-on practice on routes adapted to participants’ level

This clinic emphasizes progressive learning, safety, and enjoyment in a controlled and stimulating environment.

Learning Objectives

Gradually develop technical skills in mixed terrain
Acquire the safety fundamentals to progress with confidence and efficiency

Advanced ice climbers – WI4 to WI6

Schedule

7:30 a.m.: Meet at parking lot P1 (Festiglace reception area) – you will be greeted by the volunteer assigned to your clinic, who will guide the group down into the canyon to pick up your equipment from our partners.

8:00 a.m.: Meet your guide at the reception area in the exhibitors’ village (down in the canyon).

Please be on time so that the group can pick up the equipment and get the most out of the clinic.

Equipment to bring:

Required or borrowed:

– Harness, helmet, ice tool (preferably with mixed blades), crampons, climbing lanyard, one or two carabiners
– Warm clothing, Gore-Tex shell, several pairs of gloves, thermos, snacks or lunch, insulated jacket, base layers, hot pad

Don’t have equipment or want to try brands other than your personal gear? This is the perfect opportunity to visit our partners.

The following partners will be happy to lend equipment starting at 7:30 a.m. at their booths in the Exhibitor Village:

Mammut: boots, helmets, harnesses
Petzl: ice tools, crampons, helmets, and harnesses
CAMP: crampons, ice tools
La Sportiva: boots
Black Diamond: crampons, helmets, harnesses

Caroline Ouellet is an ice and mixed climber from Quebec. She began ice climbing at Montmorency Falls in 2014, then went on to complete various mountain, climbing, rescue, and survival courses during her 13 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces.

She has spent most of her recent winters ice climbing in the Rockies and in Quebec, primarily climbing some of the most difficult ice and mixed routes.

She is now a member of the Canadian national team in the discipline this season. Since leaving the military, she has been working seasonally in order to maximize her climbing time. She notably collaborates with the Gama Sports group (Mammut).