Ulaanbaatar
Karakorum Ice Festival 2025 Draws International Ice Climbers to Mongolia
Sports
Arvaikheer, December 2, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The Karakorum Ice Festival, a winter gathering for ice climbers and extreme adventure seekers, will be held on December 6-7, 2025, at Orkhon Waterfall, Bat-Ulzii soum, Uvurkhangai aimag.
“Within the framework of the "Years to Visit Mongolia" initiative, this 13th annual championship is being expanded to a regional scale. Being the very first event of the 2025-2026 Asian ice-climbing season, it captures the attention of athletes from across Asia and around the world,” said Aldarkhishig Sukhee, Managing Director of Mongolia Expeditions and Tours LLC.
“To be conducted in the speed discipline with separate categories for professional and amateur athletes, the event will bring together Mongolian top athletes, including International Masters of Sport Ch. Mandakhbayar, N. Kherlen, and N. Selenge, who are currently holding the titles of World Champions, World Cup winners, and leading the 2024–2025 global rankings.
During the event, ice archery, ice knuckle-bone shooting, and speed skating contests will be held as usual. En route to Orkhon Waterfall, travelers can also visit notable natural and cultural sites, including the Elsen Tasarkhai sands, the Erdene Zuu Museum, Tuvkhun Monastery, and Uurtiin Tokhoi. Moreover, the festival organizers offer opportunities for visitors to see ice sculptures, visit herder families, stay in a traditional Mongolian ger dwelling, and ride horses and yaks.
Since the first event was held at Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall in 2012 to promote winter tourism in Uvurkhangai aimag, ice climbing has grown rapidly, leading to the creation of numerous clubs and the development of many skilled athletes.
Each year, the Karakorum Ice Festival draws 200–500 spectators, most of them residents, along with adventurous travelers from Russia, China, South Korea, and France. As winter tourism falls under special-interest and adventure travel, many visitors enjoy camping in tents. However, comfortable tourist camps and traditional ger accommodations are provided to ensure a pleasant stay.
