The Ice Coop is a dedicated drytooling and ice climbing training facility. So, you might be surprised to hear that we don’t have any ice! Instead, our walls are made of a soft plywood, which you can kick into using competition boots. This simulates ice. (All routes are also climbable with rock climbing shoes!)
Our gym is staffed by volunteers. All our volunteers are passionate and involved members of the local ice climbing community. Many volunteers also coach or compete on their spare time. You’ll be in good hands!
Once you arrive, you’ll fill out our waiver and be given a brief safety orientation, as well as some tips on how to use your tools. Volunteer staff and fellow climbers will then be on-hand if you have any questions about how this whole drytooling thing works.
While we’re proud to have an amazing collection of competition holds and some world-class routesetters, we strive to create a laid-back, welcoming environment. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Usually, the Ice Coop feels less like a hardcore training facility and more like a clubhouse or a home away from home. We can’t wait to have you join us!
Required Clothing and Equipment
Climbing helmet: We can lend you one if you don’t have your own.
Long pants: Pants or leggings are required if you decide to bring or rent comp boots. Shorts are OK if you decide to wear climbing shoes!
Climbing shoes, approach shoes, or competition boots: Competition boots are available for rent. Feel free to bring your own boots if you have them. Keep in mind that boots must have a front point only. No secondary points or heel spurs are permitted (they tear up our floors).
Ice tools: You can rent tools or bring your own. Your tools cannot have pommel spikes, adzes, or hammers unless they are heavily padded.
Thin, grippy gloves: Golf gloves and wide-receiver gloves work well. We also have loaner gloves on site!
A completed waiver: You can complete your waiver at the gym or online via the button below.
What to Expect
Frequently asked questions
Can I shoulder my tools? No. Either bite the tool or use the thumb hook technique.
Can I kick in to the wall? Yes! If you have competitive-style climbing boots with an integrated front point, come kick our plywood! During the summer, The Ice Coop is rock shoe only (no competition boots).
What shoes can I use? Many climbers wear climbing shoes or approach shoes. We have both wooden pucks and climbing holds for feet. All feet are on!
How are your routes graded? E for Easy, M for Medium, H for Hard, and X for Extra Hard!
Do I need to be a competitive climber to train at The Ice Coop? Not at all! Our regulars come from a wide range of backgrounds, and all skill levels are welcome! If you’re new, consider taking a Beginner Clinic or coming to a Beginner’s Night (check our calendar for upcoming events).
What’s the vibe? The Ice Coop was created to be a laid-back community space for climbers of all kinds. We pride ourselves on creating a fun, goofy, welcoming environment. Come on in, introduce yourself, share beta, make new friends and find new partners!
Is there actual ice in The Ice Coop? No, but there are lots of fun artificial holds made of resin, rock, metal and more! We also install soft wood on certain sections of our walls during the winter so you can practice your swing technique.
What sort of clinics are there? We host a number of in-house clinics on a regular basis. We also bring in instructors to teach rock rescue clinics and more advanced techniques. Pricing varies based on the clinic. Some of our recurring clinics include:
Beginner clinics
Intro to ice climbing
Preparing for competition
Avalanche education for ice climbers
What does it mean when the gym is “closed for programming”? Programming means we’re having an open gym for specific groups of individuals. These events tend to be private events designed for college students, local women’s groups, youth groups, and other organizations. They’re meant to help introduce new folks to the sport. Programming occurs on a rotating schedule. Check our Community Calendar for an updated schedule
Membership & Volunteering FAQs
With a premium membership, can I still use the gym when other programming is happening? Can I use it during open hours? A premium membership allows 24/7 use of the gym, including during open gym time. The only exception is that if there’s a team practice or private program happening, the gym is closed to premium members as well as regular members who aren’t attending the program.
With a premium membership do I need to climb with a partner? Yes, with a premium pass, you must have another premium member in the room with you. We have a video camera in the gym to monitor. Premium pass participants must sign an agreement acknowledging the risks involved in self-supervised climbing. If you are found to violate this rule, you could risk having your premium membership revoked.
How does volunteering work? First, fill out our volunteer application. Volunteers will need to commit to at least one 6.5-hour shift per month to remain eligible as a recurring volunteer. We generally offer 50% off a membership of your choice if you volunteer for at least 10 hours per month, and a free membership of your choice if you volunteer for at least 15 hours.
Ice Coop Gym Code of Conduct
Our vision for the Ice Coop is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our climbing community. We have no tolerance for harassment or aggression, at all! Anyone who wants to come climb in our space, or be a part of our community, including guests, volunteers, the board, or anyone associated with our gym, will be held to the same standards. We reserve the right to remove or ban any person who does not adhere to our codes of conduct.
These are a few of the types of behavior we will not tolerate:
Intimidation or threats
Inappropriate and/or hurtful language
Unwanted physical or sexual attention
Physical assault of any kind
Inappropriate physical contact
Unwanted photography or video recording
Bullying or stalking
Any aggression - micro or macro
Especially related to:
Race or ethnicity
National origin
Gender identity or presentation
Sex or sexual orientation
Age
Disability, medical condition or pregnancy
Religion
Citizenship status
If someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, no matter how minor it may seem, please report this to a team member immediately so we can work with you to address the matter. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to the staff on hand, you can email us directly at: info@theicecoop.org