Bill Thompson

The Michigan Ice Fest started thirty two years ago as a way for the handful of hearty souls who enjoyed climbing in the area to meet up, share stories and do a little climbing. We bonded over the areas beauty and the adventurous nature of the sport and became something of a family. Stories spread by word of…

Time is flying with only 2.5 months left until the festival! There are some important deadlines that are approaching and the time to register for the event is now! Here are some those dates to keep in mind: NOVEMBER 30th Heartland Grant Submissions Are Due Want to fund your next adventure? The Heartland Grant is…

Let’s be honest. Shopping for the holidays can be hard, even stressful at times. In our opinion there is no better gift in the world than giving someone the gift of an adventure! This year make the holidays unforgettable with a gift of adventure and consider giving an experience gift instead of a physical one.…

Our popular AM Coffee Talk programs are an opportunity where we invite Ice Fest participants to come in and start their day with a delicious cup of coffee, at Gallery Coffee Company, and learn about hot topics and current issues in the climbing world. All of our presentations start at 8AM & 9AM and are…

The Michigan Ice Fest has always been a place where climbers can come and get a first look at the most innovative new climbing products on the market. Here’s a look at the latest greatest gear in ice climbing and beyond for the 2023/24 season! Remember when you sign up for the Michigan Ice Fest…

Mount Hunter, situated a mere 13 kilometers from the highest point in North America, standing at 4,442 meters, it ranks as the third tallest summit in the Alaskan Range. However, scaling Mount Hunter proves to be a far more formidable and steep challenge compared to the conventional route up Denali. Climbers from all corners of…

Our popular AM Coffee Talk programs are an opportunity where we invite Ice Fest participants to come in and start their day with a delicious cup of coffee, at Gallery Coffee Company, and learn about hot topics and current issues in the climbing world. All of our presentations start at 8AM & 9AM and are…

The Michigan Ice Fest has always been a place where climbers can come and get a first look at the most innovative new climbing products on the market. Here’s a look at the latest greatest gear in ice climbing and beyond for the 2023/24 season! Remember when you sign up for the Michigan Ice Fest…

The Michigan Ice Fest was founded on building a strong ice climbing community. Over the years we have developed a couple of scholarship programs that help us to continue our history of helping to foster the growth of our community. Our ice climbing scholarships are essential for several reasons. Firstly, the Sue Nott Scholarship remembers…