Minneapolis - Winter Programs

Beat the winter blues and embrace the challenge of ice climbing! Whether it is an introductory ice climbing lesson or a trip to a remote wilderness area, we promise that your experience will be unique, rewarding and one that should not be missed.

Ice Experience
Experience ICE CLIMBING with Vertical Endeavors Guided Adventures (VEGA) at Robinson Quarry in Sandstone, MN. Lesson includes:

Proper ice axe and crampon techniques

Coaching from our experienced guides while you climb

Placement of ice screws for lead climbing

Construction of ice anchors

Leashless ice climbing techniques

Dry tooling and mixed climbing concepts

No gear? No worry! VEGA provides all the technical equipment you will need. This course is great both as an introduction to ice climbing or to further your skills.

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9am - 4pm
$199/person
Members receive a 10% discount

NOTE: Private Lessons are available for groups or individuals upon request. VEGA also offers trips to the ice flows of the North Shore of Lake Superior.

North Shore Ice
Breathtaking, remote, and challenging are just a few of the words to describe this exciting trip. North Shore Ice is an advanced level course conducted at different locations in the North Shore River Valleys. This course expands upon your previous ice climbing experiences while providing you the opportunity to further refine and develop your ice climbing repertoire. This “winter wonderland” of waterfall ice formations creates an almost surreal setting for this rewarding adventure.

Prerequisite
Ice Experience or approval of the guide.

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$499/person
Members receive a 10% discount

Note: Minimum 4 / Maximum 4 participants

NOTE: Private Lessons are available for groups or individuals upon request. VEGA also offers trips to the ice flows of the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Sandstone Ice Festival
The Sandstone Ice Festival returns in 2011. The Ice Festival brings together ice climbers and winter campers from all over the Midwest, and anyone else who enjoys the frozen outdoors.

Join the fun in Sandstone, Minnesota. Try climbing ice and test out your winter camping skills. All good reasons to get off your couch and check out what's going on.

Please note: This 2011 year the Ice Fest is asking clinic attendees to bring their own ice climbing boots and helmets. Ice tools and crampon availability will be limited as well. Just a reminder that Vertical Endeavors has an ice climbing equipment rental service. Stop in and get everything you need for the weekend and keep us in mind for any future ice climbing rentals and instruction and trips as well (see dates above).

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For more information please visit: www.sandstoneicefest.com

Ice Gear Rental
Ice Climbing Gear is available for rental only at Vertical Endeavors-St. Paul. For prices, visit the VE-St. Paul Rates webpage. For questions, call us at 651.776.1430.

Refund/Cancellation Policy on VEGA Lessons, Groups and Trips

Full payment is required to reserve/schedule your lesson, group, or trip.

Cancellations and Refunds will be made according to the following schedule:

Up to four (4) weeks in advance: 100% refund, less $20.00 administrative fee

Less than four (4) weeks in advance but up to fourteen (14) days prior: 50% refund, less a $20.00 administrative fee

No refunds will be made for cancellations within fourteen (14) days prior to the starting day of the program

All refunds will incur a $20.00 administrative processing fee unless VEGA chooses to cancel the program for any reason.

No refunds will be made for “No Shows” (a “No Show” is a person who registers for a program but who does not cancel registration or attend the program.)

No refunds will be given once a program begins.

Refunds will be processed as they are received or after the conclusion of the program, depending on the program date and when cancellation occurs. Refunds may take five to seven business days to process.

If VEGA needs to cancel the program for any reason or inclement weather, you may elect to transfer registration to another program, provided such a program is scheduled and space is available. If no program is available a full refund will be provided by VEGA.

If VEGA Guides determine that a participant must be removed from the program for inappropriate or illegal conduct, VEGA will not provide a refund of any kind.

The guide has the authority to terminate any program or portion of, due to weather, health or safety concerns.

Cancellations will be accepted via phone, fax or e-mail, and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline

WINTER CLIMBING PROGRAMS