At the Arc’teryx Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival we continually push ourselves to offer unique evening presentations and unparalleled opportunities to meet our heroes, create new friendships and change lives.
Download the minimized version of the Official Program for a listing of evening events.
After the 2011 unique reflection back at the heritage of ice climbing, the Arc’teryx Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival is now fully focused on the future. Our themes of mentorship and the expanding possibilities of climbing in the future will guarantee this to be yet another event not to be missed. View the overall schedule of events here.
The 2011 Arc’teryx Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival, the event of a lifetime – a recap
For our 15th Anniversary celebration we created a unique two night retrospective on the past 40 years of ice climbing in Hyalite and across North America. Any gathering including the premier of films by Joe Josephson, Jim Surette, Greg Lowe, Boone Speed, Will Gadd and Max Lowe while featuring legends of the sport Pat Callis, Yvon Chouinard, Rick Wilcox, John Bouchard, Mike Weiss and Sam Elias would be more than enough for most festivals. But we included live appearances from Henry Barber, Kitty Calhoun, Kris Erickson and Canadians Barry Blanchard, Bruce Hendricks, Bernard Mailhot, Gord McArthur to create an unparalleled event of a generation.
Our very special guest, Jeff Lowe brought down the house on Saturday with his incredible talk about his life, climbs and love. There was nearly a dry eye in the place. Jeff mingled with climbers throughout the weekend concluding with a rousing draw of the winner of our unique “Whole Kit and Kaboodle” raffle at our Sunday night wrap party. Congratulations to Jim Falcione for winning over $4,000 worth of ice climbing gear. What a finish to the best dang ice festival of the year.
2012 Evenings at the Emerson
All evening events take place downtown Bozeman at the amazing Emerson Center for Arts & Culture,. 111 South Grand Avenue
The public is welcome to join us and other like-minded friends at the Emerson Ballroom from 5 pm to 7:30 each night of the Festival Wednesday through Saturday. All nightly shows (Sunday excluded) are free to On-Ice Clinic participants with a modest admission fee for the public. Come see the shows of the year and support road plowing in Hyalite!
Free Public Gear Demos
From 6:30 to 7:30, Wednesday through Saturday night, ALL ice climbers are welcome to come to the Ballroom and check out the latest and greatest ice climbing gear and clothing on the planet. That’s right! You no longer need to be a attending our clinics to “play before you pay” if thinking about upgrading those old white Koflach double boots or the straight-shafted leashed Zero Points. Leashes? What are leashes? A major credit card is required and all gear must be returned no later than Sunday 3:00 pm.
Après-Climb Gatherings
Again, we are proud to announce our partner for nightly food and libations, The Emerson Grill. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, The Emerson Grill presents a no host menu and cash bar just for ice fest participants, 5pm to 8 pm. Or, if you prefer the dining room, call the The Emerson Grill now for reservations at one of Bozeman’s finest restaurants. (406) 586-5247
Come early, mingle with like minded ice fiends, check out the vendor booths, troll for belay slaves and get ready for the world-class shows and films.
The Whole Kit and Kaboodle
In a town already famous for its swag, you won’t find a gear raffle quite like this at any other festival. For only $20 you can enter to win all the gear you’ll ever need to ice climb and look great while you are doing it. With only 300 tickets printed the odds are good, and the goods are certainly not odd. Featuring clothing from Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, and RAB; boots from Scarpa; a rope from Sterling; an Arc’teryx pack; gear from Black Diamond, Petzl, Grivel and CAMP including ice tools, crampons, harness, ice screws, headlamp, right down to the Teko Socks; you can indeed show up naked, and leave an ice climber. Tickets must be purchased in person and only at the evening events in the Emerson starting Wednesday December 5th, 5 pm until they are all sold out. The final drawing will be at 9 pm on Sunday December 9th during the Wrap Party however you do not need to be present to win.
Thursday, December 6: Live, Learn, Play, Explore with Sarah Hueniken presented by Outdoor Research
IFMGA certified Mountain Guide, Sarah Hueniken from Canmore, Alberta may be the most passionate ice climber in the world. She is certainly one of the best. Join Sarah as she shares her experiences and lessons as guide, teacher, mentor, partner, woman and friend. Admission: $10 at the door and free to all On-Ice Clinic participants. This is special presentation specifically for the BIF and one you will not want to miss. Be sure to check the clinic schedule and sign up early to join Sarah out on the ice during our Women’s Only Clinic. Space is limited and will go fast.
Friday, December 7: Hayden and his Dad. The Kennedys. presented by Arc’teryx and Patagonia
Few climbers can match the incredible resume of Michael Kennedy. Yet despite decades pioneering first ascents in Alaska and the Himalaya; creating the modern climbing culture through publishing Climbing Magazine and more recently Editor-in-Chief of Alpinist; MK will likely go down in history as “Hayden’s Dad.” Join Michael as he talks about climbing and parenthood and introduces his son Hayden. At age 21, Hayden is perhaps the best all-around climber in the world and will share, in his own understated way, experiences and stories from his and Jason Kruk’s first yet controversial “fair means” ascent of Patagonia’s Southeast Buttress of Cerro Torre (aka “The Compressor Route”), the single biggest mountaineering achievement of this still young century. And be the first to hear of his most recent expedition where he and Kyle Dempster accomplished new routes on K7 and The Ogre in Pakistan, two of the most difficult peaks in the world. We will follow with questions and answers from the audience. Admission: $15 at the door and free to all On-Ice Clinic participants.
Saturday, December 8: The Bozeman Ice Breaker Exhibition presented by The North Face
New for 2012 we present The Bozeman Ice Breaker Exhibition by The North Face. This artificial climbing structure will be outside in the Emerson Park offering a unique two-day festival of food and gear vendors along with climbing demonstrations and exhibitions throughout Saturday. Saturday evening from 1 to 4 pm we will be holding an open climbing competition (registration details and rules to be announced soon). Starting at 6:00 pm, we ramp it up with the Invitational exhibition featuring some of the best climbers in the world including World Cup athletes from the US, Canada and Europe. This event is a preliminary to our 2013 plans for a bone fide UIAA World Cup competition leading up to the sports inclusion as a cultural demonstration sport in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Admission is free to the public.
Saturday, December 8: Climbing Celebration and Dance Party
Following the outdoor exhibition, we will take the party inside for a celebration and dance party in the Emerson Ballroom. No longer subjecting you to “death by slide show,” this new party for the Arc’teryx Bozeman Ice Festival will prove to be the perfect kick off to the ice climbing and holiday season. Admission: $10 at the door and free to all On-Ice Clinic participants.
Sunday, December 9: Sunday Dinner and a Movie and our Legendary Gear Raffle
Be sure to buy your tickets early for the best après-climb feast and gear raffle in ice climbing in the Emerson Ballroom.
New this year we present a special talk by Hyalite’s own Kris Erickson and special guest Emily Harrington. Come see images and hear stories from their May expedition to the top of the world, Mount Everest. Hear Emily talk about what it is was like for a “sport climber” to be mentored to the summit successfully by cagey veterans, Kris Erickson and Conrad Anker. Kris will also relate his experience with Hillary O’Neil as they went on for the rare link up and climbed Everest and Lhotse (the world’s 5th highest) within 24 hours. Tickets are available at the festival. $20 gets you a fabulous salad, Penne & Meatballs feast from the Emerson Grill and a raffle ticket to get you started. More raffle tickets available for $5 or three for $10.Seating is limited. Proceeds go toward keeping the Hyalite Road open in winter. Now that is a good cause!
