Welcome to the the Cooke City Cookeout, the first ice fest of the year! This gathering is meant to be a small collection of ice climbing enthusiasts psyched to kick off their winter climbing season. By keeping things small, we hope to create lasting connections for those who attend. Cooke city, Montana, is home to big mountains, early season ice formations, short approaches, and every type of terrain you can imagine. From beginner friendly ice to steep technical ice and mixed climbing, Cooke City is simply the best venue to kick off your 2024/25 ice season.

Created and hosted by professional climber Aaron Mulkey, AKA “Coldfear,” this tiny festival is huge on value. We bring in world-class climbers and guides to teach intimate, skills-focused clinics. Plus, our combo of short approaches and no crowds means one thing: when you come to Cooke City, you’ll be climbing a whole lot of ice. After the clinics, we’ll eat hearty fare, family style, where you can drink a beverage and chat with fellow climbers, clinicians, and guides.