Master the art of winter climbing anchors: Learn essential techniques and safety tips for ice and snow climbing. Join our course today!
Season
Winter through Spring
Skill Level
Beginner and intermediate
Duration
6-8 hours
Group Size
1 to 6 participants
Winter climbing can be a thrilling and challenging activity, but it also requires specialized knowledge and skills to stay safe. A winter climbing anchors course is designed to equip climbers with the techniques and knowledge necessary to create secure anchors on ice and snow.
In this course, you will learn how to identify and assess the quality of the ice and snow for anchoring purposes. You will also be introduced to a range of anchor systems, including ice screws, snow pickets, and deadman anchors using a variety of equipment, and learn how to select and construct the most appropriate anchors for different types of terrain and conditions.



Max Lurie - Alpine to the Max
With a degree in environmental science and a focus on glaciology, Max’s deep understanding of mountain environments is only matched by his passion for them. He began his career in 2012 in New Hampshire, where he became an EMT and started guiding. Moving west, he earned his American Mountain Guides Association certifications in both rock and alpine disciplines. In 2020, he founded Alpine to the Max, an AMGA-accredited guide service that now operates throughout Colorado. He also teaches professional avalanche education for Silverton Avalanche School. When not teaching or guiding, you can find him mountain biking in the desert southwest with his fiancée.
Morning session
Afternoon session
Note: This curriculum can be adjusted based on the level of experience and skill of the participants. It is recommended that participants have prior experience in rock climbing and basic rope management techniques. It is also important to have appropriate winter climbing gear, including warm clothing, boots, crampons, ice axes, and ropes.
Technical equipment
Equipment
You will need warm clothing suitable for winter weather, mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axes, and helmets. Specific gear requirements will be provided in advance of the course. We will provide, ropes ice screws, pickets and all the necessary anchoring material. If you have any of your own technical equipment you are encouraged to bring it.
Participants should have prior experience in rock climbing and basic rope management techniques. Familiarity with basic belaying and rappelling techniques is also recommended, but not required.
The course will cover a range of anchor systems, including ice screws, snow pickets, deadman anchors, equalized anchors, and V-threads. As well as provide context for when each type of anchor will or will not be appropriate.
No, that is beyond the scope of this course. If you are looking for a winter rescue course we have several other offerings that would be more appropriate.
By the end of the course, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to create solid and secure anchors in even the most challenging winter climbing conditions in a variety of terrain types.
Alpine to the Max is an independent certified guide with more than a decade of experience in a wide variety of terrain. No matter your current skill level, when you climb with us you get a top-notch experience that is fully customized to meet your exact desires.