Climbers travel nationwide to scale Winona’s massive Ice Park
When winter settles along the Mississippi River, Winona’s Ice Park comes alive with climbers traveling from far beyond Minnesota to scale its towering frozen walls.
In a recent article, the Star Tribune highlights just that – how Winona’s gigantic ice walls have become a major attraction for winter outdoor enthusiasts from across the country. The article notes that the Winona Ice Fest, now in its third year, is expected to bring around 500 visitors to the southeast Minnesota town as climbers and spectators converge on the park’s dramatic frozen terrain. It underscores how the expansive ice formations — created each season through a careful “ice farming” process, in which water is pumped from a fire hydrant about a mile away and sprayed overnight in freezing temperatures to form climbable ice — and the community-built climbing infrastructure have helped establish Winona as a regional winter destination for adventure travelers and climbers alike.
Developed beginning in 2017 by WSU professor and climber Eric Barnard, Winona Ice Fest was launched to encourage more people to try ice climbing and to draw visitors to Winona during the winter months. While the first festival attracted only a few hundred attendees, interest has grown significantly, with climbing clinics now fully booked. Registered participants receive all necessary gear, while others must bring or rent their own equipment. Beyond climbing, the festival has expanded into a multi-day winter celebration featuring live music, yoga, films, saunas, and after-parties, including illuminated night climbs set to DJ music. The ice park uses roughly one million gallons of water each season, funded by the Minnesota Climbers Association, and has helped establish Winona as a regional destination for ice climbing.
Considered one of the largest climbing festivals in the nation, it’s no wonder why so many climbers and outdoor enthusiasts are flocking to Winona during the winter season, especially for the Winona Ice Fest held this year on January 29-February 1. The Winona Ice Park sits atop a bluff nearly 500 feet above Lake Winona and is reached by a short hike from the parking area. The park offers routes for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly climbs to steep, technical ice and mixed rock routes. For anyone looking to turn a quiet winter weekend into an unforgettable adventure, the Winona Ice Park invites you to be part of the climb!