Guided ice near western Mass

I run a college outing club, and I’m looking to do a guided group ice climbing day this winter. Unfortunately, I know nothing about ice, and I’m not really sure where to go/what guide service to hire. The closest places I could find where I could hire guide services seemed to be the Catskills and the Gunks. Are these my only options, or are there closer spots?

I’ve taken outing club groups to the Keene NH railroad cut for ice climbing day trips. Plenty of short (~30 ft) but fun climbs. Very easy to set up TRs, no need for a guide if you’re competent doing rock climbing stuff like anchor building.

Colin Weinstein wrote: I run a college outing club, and I’m looking to do a guided group ice climbing day this winter. Unfortunately, I know nothing about ice, and I’m not really sure where to go/what guide service to hire. The closest places I could find where I could hire guide services seemed to be the Catskills and the Gunks. Are these my only options, or are there closer spots?

Contact Nate Mckenzie 

https://www.ascentclimbing.net/about-nate-mckenzie \

Super professional sponsored guide from CT. Highly accredited and recommended.

Tell him Tyler Pratt Recommended you...(that doesnt actually mean anything) LOL

Matt Shove of Ragged Mountain Guides is from Connecticut. He's awesome, a great ice climber, and just passed his Alpine Guide exam! raggedmountainguides.com/

Long time friend Jay Harrison is well respected, has worked as a guide for a long time and is in the southern ADKs.  He also has access to a perfect large ice sheet (waterfall) 20 minutes walk from his back yard.  In many years when little ice is in, he's climbing.  Should be a quick drive to Warrensburg, NY?  The ice in the Catskills isn't a guarantee from year to year either.

https://www.mountainproject.com/user/106280741/jay-harrison

Local guide Mike Donofrio is a great guide that actually lives in MA and does school ice groups in that area on a regular basis. I highly recommend him..... and he knows where to go as well ;)

I should’ve added that this needs to be a pretty well-stocked guiding outfit because our club has no boots, crampons, or tools

I smell $$$

Colin Weinstein wrote: I should’ve added that this needs to be a pretty well-stocked guiding outfit because our club has no boots, crampons, or tools

As Russ said, expect to be spending some money then (especially since you'll be working with a full guiding service, and it costs them more to 'keep the lights on').

If the ice in the Catskills happens this year, check out Doug and company at https://www.mountainskills.biz/our-guides/

Russ Keane wrote: I smell $$$

Luckily what we lack in gear locker we make up for in $$$

Check out Matt Shove with Ragged Mountain Guides for that area. GREAT guide!

please to not go the camp kill a kid method and DIY with a bunch of students.. ice ain't the gym.

Make a weekend of it and go to North Conway.  Do two days of ice, or pair a day of TR ice with a Mount Washington summit or moderate multi pitch day.  EMS, Synott, IMCS, NEMS can all handle large groups.