Gear Demo

NEW for 2024! 

Due to popularity of our walk up climbing at the Curtains Demo Area, we adding a day! We’ll now be setting up and staffing ropes on Thursday to give climbers with less experience or with no partners a place to climb. Stop by and see Arni from 10AM to 3PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 10AM to 1PM on Sunday.

Demo Gear Check Out

Michigan Ice Fest prides itself on creating an opportunity for people to try out ice climbing and expand their climbing knowledge. Gear is a huge part of that. It’s expensive, very technical, and using it without some kind of training can be dangerous. Our demo program helps alleviate these problems. We provide ice climbing boots, crampons, ice tools, and a limited number harnesses, helmets, and apparel items to help you get out on the ice.

This gear is available to anyone taking a class (on the day of their class) or to anyone who has paid the demo fee.

The demo fee is $70.00 (if you do not pre register the fee will be $100.00 at the door).

Demo gear can be checked out each morning beginning at 7:00AM and must be returned each evening before 6:00PM.
Any gear returned late is subject to $50 late fee. Gear that is lost or not returned will result in a charge for the full replacement value.  

A credit card or drivers license will be required to check out equipment! It will be kept by our staff and returned when the equipment is returned.

We have a limited number of helmets and harnesses, but if you own your own please bring it. We do not guarantee their availability.

Gear for Classes

If you sign up for a class your equipment is included in the class fee and you will receive gear for the day of your class only.  If you intend to use demo gear the rest of the weekend you will need to pay the demo fee. If you only plan on climbing during your class, there’s no need to pay the demo fee.

New this year, all classes will have the opportunity to pick up their gear the night before their class from 6:30PM to 8:00PM. Gear can also be picked up in the morning before your class.

The Curtains Demo Area

The festival sets up multiple ropes and staffs them with experienced belayers at an ice formation called the The Curtains on Sand Point Road. This gives anyone who is registered for the festival and has gear the opportunity to walk up and climb. Our belayers create a fun and supportive environment and will offer some advice to get started.

There will be a protected area roped off.  We ask that climbers and belayers be in this area only. Helmets must be worn while climbing or belaying in the roped off area!!!

No personal ropes or access to the top of the cliff are allowed in this area.