It sounds really hard, and it can be. However, Ice Climbing can be easy and fun if you do it with the right guide and equipment. Matrei, close to Lienz, has Austria’s largest artificial Ice Park. This is the place where this adventure takes place. This is a place that offers all the difficulties when it comes to Ice Climbing.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Our experience of Ice Climbing in Matrei

No, we are not Ice Climbers – in fact, we had never tried it before. But after being hyped up during an ice bath we felt that we could do anything, so Ice Climbing in Matrei sounded perfect. Outfitted in the wrong shoes, wrong gloves, and an all-over wrong outfit, we are ready to get climbing. But first, we need to get to the actual location. From Lienz we take a car, and then we walk for about 20 minutes.

Suddenly, we can see the ice. It looks like a frozen waterfall, but it is in fact a man-made ice-climbing park. There are several different places where you can go Ice Climbing in the area, but this is the safest place since there is someone controlling the environment where the climbing takes place.

Getting geared up for Ice Climbing

Sure, you can bring your own gear and go straight ahead and start climbing. But if you are anything like us, you need all the gear and a professional guide to help you. We get outfitted with harnesses, helmets, crampons, ice picks, and off we go. Yes, you need ropes and other stuff too, but since we are here with a guide, they have everything prepared already.

We were divided into several groups based on previous experiences. Mini and I ended up with the beginners, and we got all the information we needed before we started climbing. We also got to practice a bit and get a feel for how the ice feels and how we should move once we are up and going.

First time Ice Climbing

Mini did great. He was flying up that wall like he was born to do it. He stopped right before he reached the top and said that he was too tired to continue. When it was my turn, I asked the guide if he could help me out if he saw that I was struggling. My goal was to just get off the ground. I ended up climbing to a bit above half the mountain wall.

But I will keep it straight here and let you guys know… I made it only because of the guide’s help. He was practically dragging me up the iced wall. When I lost my grip, he just kept hoisting me up. Even though I got so much help, I had a blast. It was so much fun, and I was not afraid at all. So our tip to you is – DO IT!

Why is Matrei One of the Best Ice Climbing Destinations in Austria?

Located in East Tyrol, Matrei in Osttirol is one of the top spots for ice climbing in Austria. Surrounded by the dramatic peaks of Hohe Tauern National Park, the area offers a wide variety of frozen waterfalls and reliable winter conditions. What makes Matrei especially appealing is the diversity of routes.

Climbers can find everything from short beginner-friendly climbs to steep pillars and longer multi-pitch routes. With consistent conditions, beautiful alpine scenery, and routes for all skill levels, Matrei has become one of the best ice climbing destinations in the Austrian Alps.

Questions you might have as a beginner

We took part in the Ice Climbing as part of a press trip. That means that we didn’t need to plan anything, and everything was prepared for us. However, we did ask a few basic questions that are presented below.

Do you need a guide for Ice Climbing?

No, you don’t, but with that said. If you are a beginner, we highly recommend it.

Is it cold to Ice Climb?

No, it is not. Sure, you should have layers on, but once you get climbing, you will not be cold at all.

Do I need to bring all the gear?

No, you don’t. If you book your Ice Climbing tour through a company, they will provide you with all the gear you need.

Do I need some sort of climbing Experience to ice climb?

No, you don’t. Sure, it will probably be easier for you if you have been climbing before. However, you can do it even if you have never seen a mountain before.

During our trip to Osttirol in Austria, we also went snowshoe hiking and it was such a great adventure!