Immerse yourself in the mountains by climbing the Tahoe Via Ferrata in a 2 hour session that is fun for any ability level.
This Lake Tahoe summer adventure climbs Olympic Valley’s iconic Tram Face making for a memorable morning or afternoon outdoor experience. Climbing a little over an hour, you can dip your toes in this amazing Lake Tahoe climbing adventure. Your group, young or old, is sure to have an unforgettable experience.
WHAT IS THE TAHOE VIA FERRATA
Owned and operated by Alpenglow Expeditions, the “Tahoe Via Ferrata” is a fixed climbing route on a towering granite peak known as the Tram Face. Via Ferrata, which means “Iron Road” in Italian, is a protected hiking and climbing experience that is accessible to all ability levels. Equipped with steel cables, bridges, and permanent steel anchors, the via ferrata aids climbers in ascending steep terrain without the need of prior climbing experience or technical knowledge.
All groups are professionally guided up one of our four routes while secured to the rock with specialized equipment including a harness, safety lanyard and helmet. The Tahoe Via sets itself apart from other Via Ferratas with its “Continuous Lifeline System.” With this system, climbers never detach from the rock and feel secure throughout the whole experience. Come climb with us!
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A 2 HOUR SESSION
Office Arrival / Check In
All tours begin when climbers arrive at our booth in Tram Plaza at the start of their indicated reservation time. Check in happens immediately with our office staff and climbers will then be introduced to their climbing guide for the day.
Gearing Up
Once introduced to their climbing guide, all climbers are geared up with a rental harness, lanyard, and helmet. The safety equipment rentals are included in the cost of the tour. All climbers will quickly get fitted and the guide will go over proper fit as well as the safety features of each item.
If climbers do not have proper shoes, or want to upgrade their footwear, we offer special Via Ferrata shoe rentals for $10/day.
4×4 Mountain Shuttle
As soon as everyone is geared up, the group will head up the mountain in one of our 4×4 vehicles to the start of the climb. During the drive to the base of the routes, we pass through the heart of the Olympic Valley ski area while enjoying fantastic views of the valley, forests, cliffs, and creeks. After a ten-minute drive, a short walk brings us to the base of the Tahoe Via Ferrata.
Routes
Start the climb – Flamingo Buttress
At the base of the routes, our climbing guide will orient climbers to the “Continuous Lifeline System” with a brief overview of all safety systems. All of the climbing routes start with a short beginner section called “Flamingo Buttress” to allow new climbers to practice sliding their carabiner along the cable before going higher.
Climb the Great Escape
After completing the Flamingo Buttress, climbers will head up a short trail, less than 100 yards, and connect into the Great Escape cable section. The Great Escape starts in a small chimney, and then opens up onto beautiful granite slabs. Smearing our shoes, we’ll work our way up the slabs, using the texture of the rock to grip and the cable to ascend. After crossing a gully, we’ll take in the wonderful views of Olympic Valley from Sandy’s ledge, an ideal location for a snack and sip of water. From here, we’ll descend back down the Great Escape, and finish our climb on the descent trail back to the start.
In all, the whole experience will take roughly two hours from arriving at our base camp in The Village at Palisades Tahoe to saying goodbyes and heading back to the car. Plan to hike and climb for about 1 hour.