Has anyone been to this ice-climbing festival/seminar. It seems a good deal, and I'm really interested to hear other's opinions. Thanks!

I have not been, but plan on going this year, and I am looking for people to go with

I have been going since the first year and only missed it once. It is a lot of fun, with a great party on saturday and friday nights. If you are new to ice, there are always gear demos and clinics to learn something. This year a crew of people will be farming more ice than the natural lines.

Totally worth going to. Its free if your going to just climb and winter camp down in the quarry. The indoor party is fun with a lot of folks to meet and talk with and reasonable priced dinner option plus your choice of bevvies from the bar at nice small towny bar prices. Hopefully they farm a ton of ice like they did a few years back.. it has been skinnier lately. It is definitely WAY more fun when they farm as much ice as they did a few years back. It is still worth going if not. The ice/mixed/and dry tool'n seminars are totally worth the cost if you decide to go that route. Very competently staffed and run and you will get all the ice climbing packed into a couple of days you could or can imagine. Bring your down belay jacket and plenty of woollies... it always nice and cold in the quarry. Bring chains for your car.... almost didn't make it out of the quarry last year it snowed so darn much..

Sandstone Ice Festival December 11-13, 2009
http://www.sandstoneicefest.com/
The Ice Festival celebrates its fifth year returning with ice climbing clinics and gear demos. Plus, the big news for this year is that super-star climber, mountain guide, and recent Alpinist Magazine cover model, Dawn Glanc will be the main speaker at the event.
as far as ice goes...
I recently met with city officials about moving the city water line closer to the cliff edge and explained the benefits of being able to repair the ice through out the winter. After five years of ice festivals and parks cleanups the future for an ice park is looking very good.
Check the web site for the event details,
looking forward to winter,
Tony Vavricka
Event director
Sandstoen Ice Festival

This is going to sound really stupid, but... As a climber on a budget, I can't afford dedicated ice-climbing boots, can I use my ski boots? I figure it might work, considering step-in crampons use the same toe and heel bails. Any suggestions?

The event will have demo gear to use, including boots. The Scarpa demo fleet will be there all weekend for you to check out and get some mileage in. You CAN climb ice in ski boots....but it is really going to suck with the forward lean, no ankle flexibility and such a high stiff plastic boot. They will really drive your knees into the ice and your front points will not stick as well, by not being able to drop your heels.

Okay, thanks, good to know. Attempting to save myself from complete N00B-dom, I was under the impression it was bring your own boots. Silver lining, the job's finally coughing up the kind of hours they promised a year and a half ago, so money's now available. Time, however, will be scarce. Now, decisions, decisions... Has anyone tried the La Sportiva EVO extreme GTX Lite boots? I've heard good things and the local shop can order them, so I'm leaning in that direction. What do ice climbers around here use?

I just found out that the LaSportiva demo boots will also be there for you to use during the fest!! I would recommend to try the boots on first, rather than just buying them from a description. Every boot will fit a bit different, as they are all built on a different last. If you can wait another month, you will get a great opportunity to try on a few pairs before you buy. The Michigan ice fest also has Scarpa and LaSportiva demos plus they had Vasque in the past as well.

Registration for climbing clinics is now open.
http://www.sandstoneicefest.com/icefest_clinics.htm

We've got a awesome crew of instructors again this year, the clinics are a great chance for beginners and anyone looking to move up to the next level of climbing.

Tony

What's weather like up there and how does the weather bode for ice formation? Will you be forecasting ice conditions?

It's been pretty warm lately, 40s to 50s, but its also been raining quite a bit, so when it does freeze, hopefully there will be some good ice.

I'm going to go to the Ice fest. Some of the crew from the Ice Pit are getting involved. They are great people. I think it sounds like a a great time.