Mountain Chalet + Black Diamond

The crews at Mountain Chalet and Black Diamond know that with adventures in the mountains - like ice climbing, rock climbing, backcountry skiing and alpine travel - many women may not know how or where to start, or just feel more comfortable to start learning something new with other women.

Beginning early in 2025, Mountain Chalet and Black Diamond started leaning in to this by taking women-led, women-only groups into the mountains to learn. We offer the 4 mountain adventures each year, in the seasons appropriate - first backcountry skiing, then rock climbing, now ice climbing and, upcoming, alpine travel.

Our goal is to help women be confident and self-sufficient when they head into the mountains and lead the way!

And now, we are offering a women's only ice climbing clinic January 11-13!

A beginner's Ice climbing clinic for women only

you're invited

January 11-13, 2026 at Lake City, Colorado

Who is this ice climbing clinic for?

All levels from never-ever climbers to those with some climbing under their belt who want to learn technique and efficiency on steep ice in a fun, supportive environment.

Let's get started!!

How do our clinics work?

Discover the value...

this one is ice climbing!

Meet our guides....

So important when you start.

black diamond global athlete

Angela Hawse

Angela is one of few female IFMGA mountain guides with a successful career spanning over three decades and the 6th woman in the U.S. to earn the IFMGA credential.

Angela has led over 30 high altitude mountaineering expeditions to the world’s Greater Ranges and guides remote trips from the Antarctic Peninsular to the Arctic.  She skied from Sweden to Norway across Lapland, reached to the South Summit of Mt. Everest and has led many technical all-women’s ascents. 

She’s a champion for inclusivity, a mentor and an advocate for women and folks from marginalized communities in outdoor professions.  

PIkes Peak Alpine School

Kristen Buckland

The first week after moving to Colorado from the flat Midwest, Kristen was walking in the Garden of the Gods, saw people rock climbing and thought, “I don’t know what that is, but I need to do it.”  

Kristen then immersed herself in everything outdoors related, spending the last ten years learning all she can about climbing, mountaineering, and skiing.  She has climbed and skied all across the United States and internationally as well, with many climbing adventures to the North Cascades.  

She enjoys the educational side of guiding and loves sharing knowledge with her clients.

What's the cost to learn to ice climb?

if you are interested...

Please complete and submit the form below, and we will contact you as soon as possible.

First received, first served.

(This form does not obligate you to attend, it just let's us know you're interested.)

We hope you join us!