FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need any prior ice climbing experience to attend?

No, we welcome women of all abilities.  You can sign up for beginner, intermediate or advanced classes within each clinic.  See Clinic Levels for descriptions of the classes you can sign up for.

What’s included in the cost of the clinic?

Everything from soup to nuts…. except transportation.  Price includes:  lodging, most of your meals (see itinerary for details), climbing classes, workshops, demo gear, welcome packet and a one-of-a- kind T-shirt.

How do I get there?

See our Getting Here page for the closest airport to each location.  From the airport, you will need to rent a car or take a shuttle to the lodge. You will need your own transportation at our New Hampshire site to get to the climbing each day. In Colorado, you can walk to the climbing sites from your hotel.  We will email out everyone’s contact information so you can coordinate rides and carpool.

What kind of shape do I need to be in?

To really enjoy ice climbing we recommend at least an “average” level of fitness – the better shape you are in, the more fun you will have. Our Colorado location is at 8000 feet…everyone feels the altitude here!  Please check with your doctor to make sure that attending Chicks with Picks is appropriate for you.

What can I do to train for Chicks with Picks?

Anything! Well actually upper body workouts always help, such as climbing in a rock gym, swimming, lifting weights and yoga are great supplements to ice climbing.  Aerobic activity is also recommended. There are many great websites out there for training reference. Click here to read more on climbing training: http://skywardmountaineering.com/train.html

What is the difference between the longer and shorter clinics?

Besides the number of days – the longer clinics are more in-depth when it comes to technical skills and mileage on the ice.  The shorter clinics were designed to give you a taste without investing as much time or money.

What do we do each day?

See sample itinerary on the different clinic pages of our web site.  We rise early to beat the crowds (since ice climbing has become popular) and go climbing after breakfast. We are outside all day on the ice and often climb until late afternoon.  There is free time before dinner to relax, soak, or sit by the fire.  We organize nice dinners for you with evening presentations.  It’s a full and fun schedule.  You will have one night off during the longer clinics to go out on the town or relax.

What’s the difference between the east and west clinics?

In Ouray:  Start the day with a simple breakfast at the Victorian Inn and then walk into the ice park from there.  You will spend a full day working on skills and drills gaining mileage on the ice.  Walk back to the hotel and hop in the hot tubs or wander down to the local hot springs.  You can hire one of our massage therapists to sooth those tired muscles.  Then we walk into town to go to dinner and attend our fundraising event.

In North Conway:  Enjoy a yummy breakfast to order at the Cozy Cranmore Inn.  From here we drive to our climbing sites and hike into the spectacular White Mountains to go climbing. You will learn to ice climb in the backcountry and the focus will be on having fun and staying warm.  Return to homemade cookies and tea, a home cooked dinner and fireside chat.

Who are the guides?

The most accomplished female climbers and guides around!  Check out their bios on the Girly Guides web page.

Why should I choose Chicks with Picks?

We have been in operation since 1999. Not only is it the first and most intensive women’s ice climbing clinic anywhere….CWP is unique because we build an incredible sense of camaraderie amongst the women. The experience becomes so much more than ice climbing – women gain a tremendous amount of self-confidence and become empowered to get out there and do it on their own.

Who do we support?

We believe in giving back and promoting “women climbing with women, for women”. To date, we have raised $116,822 for local women’s shelters and were awarded the Community Partners Award by the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Our participants are proud to be part of an organization the looks beyond ourselves and helps women in need.

Do I need special equipment?

Yes, please follow our What to Wear web page carefully.  We do offer a limited amount of demo gear, but bring whatever you do have on that list and let us know what you need to borrow.  Your ice climbing boots need to be crampon compatible, so your summer hiking boots just won’t work.

What size backpack will I need?

We recommend a pack that is 3500-4000 cubic inches in size. You’ll be carrying extra clothing to keep warm, water bottles, lunch, snack, a rope and other climbing gear for your group.  Great examples of packs are the Marmot Diva and the Osprey Exposure 50.  We will have a few packs for you to demo if you don’t have one - just let us know.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes! Please visit our "Scholarships" page. We are now offering a full scholarship to one woman per winter, to attend one of our short format clinics; The Sampler in Ouray, Colorado or The Teaser in North Conway, New Hampshire. Deadline for the application is Nov 15th yearly.  The winner will be announced by December 1st. Click here to fill out the on-line application form

Who are our sponsors?

Chicks with Picks would not be the clinic it is today without our sponsors! Our sponsors support women’s climbing, they donate gear to raise money for the women’s shelters and they supply you with demo gear.  They are the bomb!  Please check out our Bow to the Sponsors page on our web site.

What kind of gear do you provide?

We have a limited number of ice axes, crampons, helmets, harnesses, backpacks, soft wear and gloves.  Before you go out and buy anything, let us know what you don’t have.

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