Home to the famous La Pomme d’Or ice climb, the Riviere Malbaie Valley is among the most unusual ice climbing venues in North America.  Set in a distinctive French Canadian culture, this area contains the largest and hardest climbs in the northeast with ice dripped rock walls up to one thousand feet high.

Our trip begins by traveling from northern Vermont to Quebec City where we lodge for the night in a modest, European-style hotel.  The first evening we have an organizational meeting and welcome dinner.  The following day we travel a short distance to the base of Montmorency Falls located just outside Quebec City and a five minute walk from the vehicles.  The 300 foot falls is one of the best locations in North America to learn, practice, and master ice climbing.  Routes range from easy inclines to long 90 degree stretches.  After spending the day warming up and reviewing technical and movement skills at the falls, we continue our travel to the Parc Regional des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie.  Before entering the park we enjoy a fine French dinner and relaxing evening at the Auberge Le Relais des Hautes Gorges.

Once considered to be quite remote, this ice playground is now within two hours of the Auberge by a harrowing snowmobile and sled ride.  After establishing basecamp on the frozen lake we explore many frozen waterfalls of all levels of difficulty up to 350 meters.  Each day climbing teams composed of one guide with two clients move at their own pace and can explore new skills and terrain of interest.  With climbs of all difficulty reached from basecamp by ski or showshoe, there is enough climbing to satisfy everyone.

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