02/19/2025
The Southern Ontario Ice Climbing Festival is officially closing its doors. It was not an easy decision, but a lot has changed since “SOIceFest 0” and the directors of the Fest are proud of what the Fest evolved into and that it will end on the highest note that they could ever have imagined.
It is with very fond memories that we look back on the 8 (plus 1) festivals our organization put together from the very beginning when just a few ice climbers got together at The Arlington in Maynooth. Over the years we grew the Fest to include clinics from ACMG-certified Mountain and Alpine Guides as well as local Ontario guiding companies, consistently worked with more and more committed sponsors and eventually moved the ‘evening activities’ to a larger venue + Arlington. Like so many things during COVID, the Fest had to pivot online (maybe the first / only online ice climbing festival?) but - thanks to so many incredible volunteers and partners - made a triumphant return to an in-person festival in 2022!
We want to thank the original three co-founders for their vision, dedication and hard work: Andriy Kolos, Josh Smith and Pete Hoang. Their passion for the sport and community helped grow the festival each year. As well, the final festival would not have been possible without Laura Duncan stepping in as a clutch director; her dedication and countless hours of work was instrumental in making the final festival so successful.
We would also like to thank all the volunteers over the years. From the ‘core’ team that each year helped with everything from operations/logistics to websites and permits to sponsorships and prizes to so many other volunteer folks who donated time, sweat, snow machines, gear, and energy - without your help, each festival would not have gone as smoothly & also simply would not have happened!
Finally, we would like to thank some of the legacy sponsors who have been there since the beginning: Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and Yamnuska Mountain Adventures for sending guides and equipment; Arc'teryx Toronto for supporting our little organization with the best prizes and giveaways; the Alpine Club of Canada, Toronto Section and Alpine Club of Canada - Ottawa Section, for hosting crags, supporting with rigging gear, chili (!), and for steadfast support and collaboration; local Ontario guiding companies like Basecamp 35 and MUSKOKA MOUNTAINWORKS Rock & Ice Climbing Guides. And as well, all of the many other companies and sponsors over the years, from local coffee (Madawaska Coffee!) to retailers (shout out to Verti Call !) and makers of industry-leading climbing and outdoor gear (Howey Tool Cassin/Camp, Mammut!), who believed in supporting our lil homegrown event!
However - not all of this news is sad - and the Fest organizers are very excited to see that another community-led Ontario ice climbing festival is taking shape! Organized and hosted by the ACC Toronto Section the Madawaska Ice Fest looks to be an awesome event! We highly encourage everyone interested in a weekend of fun and ice climbing to check out this new festival. You can find all the information by following them on Instagram and Facebook.
Once again, thank you everyone for supporting the SOIceFest over the years - it has been a complete honour and privilege to smile and swing tools with you all for so many years!
