The 2024-2025 UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour recently concluded and was undoubtedly the most successful in several years. The numbers speak for themselves:
- 5 World Cup events on 3 continents (Asia, Europe, North America) – the biggest in over five years
- 24 medallists from 11 countries after 5 World Cup rounds (a new record)
- 8 million views on the UIAA YouTube channel
- 9 million views of reels on the UIAA Ice Climbing Instagram channel
- 220 registered athletes (40% increase on last season) from 24 member federations
- First World Youth Championships held in North America
- 6 episodes of UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour docu-series On Thin Ice released
- 6 continental level events (in Europe and North America)
The UIAA and the newly-formed World Ice Climbing Board are planning for continued growth and excitement in the future.
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Following a successful decade-long collaboration, the current UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour will be the final one partnered by South Korean-based company YoungOne. Under this agreement, the World Tour has been sponsored by two brands in the YoungOne portfolio: The North Face and currently by Outdoor Research.
“On behalf of the UIAA, I would like to thank YoungOne for their long-term commitment to competition ice climbing. Their support has played a crucial role in the growth and increased appeal of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour to athletes, member federations and fans worldwide. We are now ready to work with new partners and sponsors to help continue this journey.”
Peter Muir, UIAA President
The UIAA is now actively seeking to engage new partners and sponsors for future editions of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour. As part of this process, the UIAA has engaged a professional marketing agency, KEOS, to work on partnership and sponsorship opportunities.
Any brands, companies or organizations interested in being part of a burgeoning global sport with a unique appeal and identity and offering a number of exciting opportunities to engage with athletes, fans and the wider climbing and mountaineering community are invited to contact the UIAA.
FUTURE WORLD CUP EVENTS
Throughout this season, the UIAA has been securing long-term agreements with event organizers for future competitions.
In January, in partnership with the Korean Alpine Federation (KAF) and the province of Cheongsong, a deal was reached for World Cup events to take place in South Korea until the year 2030. Cheongsong has been an excellent host and staple of the World Tour for over a decade. The UIAA was represented in Cheongsong this year by Executive Committee member Simon Alden.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland has been a host of UIAA-sanctioned competitions for 25 years, hosting all level of events from World Cups through to World Championships. Following meetings held during the event at the end of January, the UIAA is working with the Saas-Fee organizers to continue this longstanding collaboration in Swiss Alps.
This season witnesses a record number of events – a World Youth Championships, a Continental Open and two World Cups – in North America. Over the past five years, both the United States and Canada have played host to some top-class competitions notably the ‘downtown’ World Cup in Denver and last year’s World Championships hosted in the heart of Edmonton. The UIAA is in the process of securing long-term agreements with several organizers in North America.
Furthermore, the UIAA and World Ice Climbing are in discussions with several other potential new venues for the 2026 World Tour and beyond.
FRENCH ALPS: 2030
One of the long-stated ambitions of the UIAA has been to establish a pathway for ice climbing to be considered for inclusion as part of the program for the Olympic Winter Games. The granting of the 2030 Games to the French Alps provides some opportunities for discussions to evolve.
The French climbing and mountaineering federation, FFCAM, has been a fervent supporter of competition ice climbing helping develop one of the strongest teams on the circuit. They also secured ice climbing’s recognition by the French Ministry of Sport. Furthermore, the UIAA World Cup venue in Champagny-en-Vanoise is not only one of the world’s best ice climbing structures but lies at the heart of the proposed 2030 Olympics venue plan. The recent World Cup event in Champagny provided an opportunity to showcase the sport to attending officials and dignitaries.
CONTACT DETAILS
For any questions related to the UIAA and Ice Climbing, and to discuss partnership and sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
office@theuiaa.org
All photo credits: UIAA/Julia Roger-Veyer
