UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup &
YEG Ice Fest
February 26 - March 1, 2026
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Thursday, 26 February
17:30
-22:30
Festival Site Open
Food & Beer Gardens, VIP Area, Activities
18:30
-19:15
Opening Ceremonies
Welcome the World to Edmonton
19:30
-21:00
"On Thin Ice" Screening
Free public screening
19:30
-21:30
Bouldering Area Open*
*Open to Athletes
19:45
-21:15
VIP Try Ice Climbing
*Registration Required*
Friday, 27 February
09:00
-22:30
Festival Site Open
Food & Beer Gardens, VIP Area, Activities, Evening Expo
09:00
-12:00
LEAD - QUALIFICATION - Women
2 routes
10:00
-11:00
SPEED - QUALIFICATION - Men
13:00
-17:30
LEAD - QUALIFICATION - Men
2 routes
14:00
-15:00
SPEED - QUALIFICATION - Women
16:00
-21:00
Evening Expo
Outdoor Businesses & Activities
18:30
-19:15
Ice Climbing Demonstration
Watch & Learn
19:30
-21:00
SPEED - FINAL - Women & Men
Dual Format: Head-to-Head
Saturday, 28 February
10:00
-22:30
Festival Site Open
Food & Beer Gardens, VIP Area, Activities, Expo
10:30
-13:30
LEAD - SEMI-FINAL - Women & Men
14:00
-18:00
Rail Park & Fat Bike Rides
Bring your gear and get outdoors!
17:45
-18:30
Special Presentation
Accessible Climbing Demonstration with Chris Cedarstrand
18:30
-21:00
LEAD - FINAL - Women & Men
22:00
-Late
Official After Party
Fu's Repair Shop, 10524 Jasper Ave
Sunday, 1 March
10:00
19:00
Festival Site Opens
Food & Beer Gardens, Activities, Workshops, Expo
10:00
13:30
Community Competition
LEAD Qualification Round
Top Rope Competition
14:00
16:00
Youth Competition
Ages 12 - 17 years old
14:00
16:30
Try It Activities
*Registration Required*
Try Ice Climbing & Dry Tooling
17:00
19:00
Community Competition
LEAD Final Round
Community Competition!
March 1 - Top Rope, Youth & Lead
Get ready for an epic experience at YEG Ice Fest! Whether you're a seasoned dry tooler or a first-time competitor with experience dry tooling, this event is all about pushing your limits, having fun, and celebrating the amazing outdoor spirit...PLUS good times, food, beer & more!
Each climber will get to climb 2 routes in the flash format qulification round. All Athletes will receive a welcome package with their registration. The top 8 men & women climbers in the LEAD category will climb in iso format finals.
All Participants require a valid waiver. Participants under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian.
Try It Activities
March 1 from 14:00 - 16:30
Get ready to try something new at YEG Ice Fest! Whether you're a seasoned climber or brand new to the sport, this program gives you a great intro to the sport. This program is the same as our regular intro programs, giving you the basics for your first Ice Climbing & Dry Tooling expereince.
All Participants require a valid waiver. Participants under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian.
*Recommended for ages 12 years and older*
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Pop-up Rail Park
Unofficial Rail Jam
February 28 14:00-18:00
Presented by the Edmonton Ski Club
We have teamed up with the Edmonton Ski Club for a temporary rail park at this year’s YEG Ice Fest. Bring your skis and snowboards to hit up this free pop-up rail park.
**Waivers are required**
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Fat Bike Rides
March 1 at 11:00 & 13:30
Presented by Blindman Brewing
11:00 Recreational ride - Expect to ride for 1.5 hrs on a combination of predominantly well groomed and hard packed gravel paths and easier singletrack. Expect some moderate hills. We hope to maintain a sustainable, conversational pace (Roughly 8 to 15 km/hr) that allows participants to enjoy the river valley winter scenery without overexerting.
13:30 Advanced ride - Expect to ride for 2 hrs, at an elevated pace of 10 to 20 km/hr on packed technical River valley single track connected by short sections of hardpacked gravel and or paved paths. Expect punchy technical climbs and narrow twisty trails. We will wait for riders and will group up at major trail junctions. A knowledge of our river valley Trail network is helpful. Riders should be able to ride at an Intermediate pace and be comfortable riding on sometimes icy conditions.
