Festiglace,
PONT ROUGE, QUEBEC
The Canadian Charm
Nestled on the outskirts of historic Quebec City, Festiglace is more than just an ice climbing festival; it’s a fusion of French-canadian culture and climbing prowess. Quebec’s winter wonderland provides an enchanting backdrop with its cobblestone streets, classic French bakeries and an air tinged with the anticipation of adventurers.
The Climbing
With routes ranging from beginner-friendly ice flows to overhanging mixed climbs, Festiglace offers a playground for climbers of all levels. The mixed climbing and steep pillars of ice are what set Pont Rouge apart from many other locations. The community of the event is one of the best, and the climbing competition is one of the more unique. On Saturday, there is the enduro competition, where competitors try to climb as much as possible in a set time. Sunday is the difficulty competition where route developers create a mind-blowing line of horizontal roofs through frozen daggers that will impress the competitors and spectators alike.
Events to Look Out For
The vendor village located amongst the climbing at the base of the routes is one of the main draws to the festival. Here you can see and demo new equipment from many festival sponsors. The climbing clinics, led by seasoned pros, are an excellent opportunity for participants to hone their skills or venture into mixed climbing. With some of the best ice and mixed climbers in the world as your instructors, you are bound to leave the festival with new skills you can apply in the real world.