Smuggs Ice Bash

Vermont’s Annual Ice Climbing Festival

Hosted by the Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School in Smuggler’s Notch Vermont.

19th Annual Smuggs Ice Bash

Jan 30th - Feb 1st, 2026

A group of hikers walking down a snow-covered trail surrounded by snow-covered trees in winter, with some hikers carrying backpacks and wearing winter gear.
Two ice climbers in red and yellow gear ascending an icy cliff with icicles and snow-covered trees in the background.
Ice Bash Clinics
Ice Bash Info & FAQ
Schedule of Events
Guest Speakers

Visit the Smuggs Ice Bash on Instagram @thesmuggsicebash or Facebook for the most recent updates on the event.

Schedule of Events

Friday Night Kick-Off Party & Drytool Competition

The 15th annual Drytool Comp is brought to you in partnership with Forecast Equipment! Kick off the Ice Bash weekend with us at our legendary action-packed Friday night drytooling competition! Watch as some of the East Coast's strongest climbers put their skills to the test on challenging obstacles including hanging features, stalactites, and more, using nothing but their tools and determination.

  • Starting at 6pm @ Petra Cliffs Climbing Center

  • $20 entry fee, includes 1 raffle ticket

  • Clinic participants get discounted tickets: use code ICEISNICE when buying your ticket

  • Bring cash for additional Raffle Tickets, raffle proceeds benefit CRAG-VT

  • Beverages provided by our gracious sponsors

  • Live DJ to keep the party going!

  • Check out the photos from the 2025 Comp!

*Interested in competing? Email outdoor@petracliffs.com

Kick-off Party Tickets
Ice climber in blue jacket and yellow helmet ascending frozen ice waterfall, using climbing gear, in a snowy canyon.

Saturday Clinics

Clinics ranging from intro and exploratory to advanced and technique focused.

Register for a clinic

Saturday Base Camp Bash & Guest Speakers

An evening of community, guest speaker presentations, and stoke in celebration of ice climbing. Meet other climbers, check out our event sponsors, and get inspired by unique conversations and exciting guest presenters. A cash Raffle to benefit CRAG-VT will take place during the evening presentations, bring cash for additional raffle tickets.

  • Base Camp Bash tickets are $25 for basic entry or $35 for entry and dinner.

  • Clinic participants get discounted tickets: use code ICEISNICE when buying your ticket

  • Happy Hour & Vendor Village 4 PM - 6 PM

  • Presentations start at 6 PM

  • Beverages provided by our gracious sponsors

Base Camp Bash Tickets
Person in pink winter gear climbing an icy rock face outdoors on a winter day, with leafless trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Sunday Clinics

Clinics ranging from intro and exploratory to advanced and technique focused.

Register for a clinic

A HUGE thanks to our 2025 Guest Speakers!

Stay tuned for our 2026 Guest Speakers

Logo with cloud and snowflake icon above the text 'Forecast Equipment'
Three men wearing matching gray t-shirts with the "Forecast Equipment" logo, standing close together, smiling, with their arms around each other, in an indoor setting with a wall and a projection screen in the background.

Forecast Equipment Team & athlete JC Dubeau

Making your own gear is a pursuit of passion, dedication, and creativity. Turning that gear into a high-quality product beloved by the community and uncompromising in its design, production, and performance takes this to the next level. Forecast Equipment specializes in creating drytool and ice climbing tools made by, and for, people who love to recreate in the mountains. Founded out of a desire for equipment that works the way it needs to when you're out there climbing, the Forecast Equipment team is small but mighty. Zac, Brian, Marty, and Forecast athlete JC Dubeau will share an engaging presentation of the past, present, and future of the company — behind the scenes of the creation of Forecast Equipment, their process, and the places their tools have been. For a sneak peek check out this Ice Ice Beta podcast episode featuring Marty: Creation and Catharsis: On Designing a New Ice Axe with Marty Theriault

An ice climber in a blue jacket and black pants, wearing an orange helmet, is ascending a frozen ice formation with the help of a climbing tool in their hand.
Person in red winter gear wearing sunglasses and gloves, holding a Trinity College banner, on snow-covered mountain peak with bright blue sky and clouds in the background.

Anne Parmenter: Mountaineer, Lifelong Athlete, & Coach

Anne Parmenter on designing a life to do difficult things. Anne is a lifelong athlete with 39 years of collegiate field hockey coaching (she’s a Hall of Fame Field Hockey coach!) and an impressive resume of mountain ascents including Denali, Ama Dablam, Cotopaxi, Everest, and Aconcagua. Anne has spent her life doing hard things and helping others do the same. Join us to hear about her life, her approach to challenge, and how sport and outdoor adventure can be lifelong pursuits. Get to know Anne:

Finding Mastery Podcast: Resiliency, Mindset, Ethics

Guides Gone Wild Podcast: Get in the (Long) Game

SPONSORS

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SPONSORS ⋆

Darn Tough Vermont logo with red, black, white, and gray colors

We are a small bakery in Underhill, VT specializing in traditional and innovative pies. We make sweet and savory pies in a large variety daily and have both gluten free and vegan options. Visit poorhousepies.com for more info and menu.

Making your own gear is a pursuit of passion, dedication, and creativity. Turning that gear into a high-quality product beloved by the community and uncompromising in its design, production, and performance takes this to the next level. Forecast Equipment specializes in creating drytool and ice climbing tools made by, and for, people who love to recreate in the mountains.

Logo with cloud and snowflake icon above the text 'Forecast Equipment'