🧊 Longmont Goes Global: Ice Climbing World Cup + WinterFest

2/19/2026 • What's Happenin' Team • Longmont
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WinterFest + Ice Climbing World Cup Take Over Longmont

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Happy Friday, Longmont!

This weekend, things are getting icy—in the best possible way. Think international competition meets Colorado winter block party energy. If you’ve ever wanted to see elite athletes scale frozen walls while sipping a Left Hand brew… keep reading.

Have you ever watched a live climbing competition before?

Click an option to vote

The Bulletin

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🗳 Now Voting: Longmont’s Best Pastries 🥐

We’re opening voting for the bakeries and cafés serving pastries worth the detour (and the drive home snack).

👉 Vote for your favorite pastry spot and help crown Longmont’s best.

🧠 Need a brain break?

Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend.

Cravings: THAI 303

A family-owned Thai restaurant in Longmont’s North Hover Center serving fresh, authentic dishes at weeknight-friendly prices. From creamy Panang curry to pot stickers and fresh spring rolls, the menu covers all the classics with solid vegetarian options, too. It’s casual, reliable, and perfect for dine-in or takeout when curry night calls.

📍 1751 Hover St Unit C1, Longmont ⏰ 11 AM – Close 💰 $10–20

❄️ WinterFest & Ice Climbing World Cup 2026

❄️ WinterFest & Ice Climbing World Cup 2026

📅 February 21–22, 2026

📍 Climbing Collective – 155 Pinnacle St

🎟️ General Admission from $10 | VIP options available

Longmont is hosting the International Ice Climbing World Cup for the second year in a row—and it’s a big deal. More than 100 athletes from 25+ countries are competing for coveted UIAA World Cup lead and speed titles. That’s six venues across three continents… and one of them is us.

Yes, Longmont.

You’ll watch elite climbers tackle massive ice towers and technical routes in both dry tooling and real ice climbing—right here at the Climbing Collective. It’s fast. It’s intense. It’s wildly impressive.

But this isn’t just a competition—it’s WinterFest, Colorado’s premier winter festival wrapped around it.

What’s Included with WinterFest:

  • 🍺 Brew trailers featuring Left Hand Brewing Company, St. Vrain Cidery & more

  • 🍔 Food trucks + local vendors

  • 🎶 DJ Bad Bolts & Garbage Sauce

  • 🎸 The Bonnie & Taylor Simms Band (included with 2-Day or Sunday tickets)

  • 🎉 Saturday Night Party of the Year

  • 🧒 Specialized Kids Zone

  • 🛍️ Vendor Village with local & national brands

🎟️ Ticket Options

Climbing Collective Members + Kids 11 & Under: FREE (must RSVP + reserve ticket)

General Admission (12+):

$10/day | $14/weekend

→ Access to World Cup viewing, vendor village, kids area, and Saturday night party.

VIP:

$55/day | $99/weekend

→ Heated tents, propane fires, front-row cozy seating, Georgia Boys BBQ meals, exclusive parking, buffet dinner, lunch, snacks, heated restrooms, early clinic access, and more.

If you want to watch ice climbers while sitting on a couch next to a propane fire eating BBQ… that’s your lane.

Not bad for a winter weekend.


A few quick notes:

  • Dogs are not allowed. (We know, we know.)

  • Kids are absolutely welcome.

What's Happenin' in Longmont

Friday, February 20

Free Live Jazz Night in the Tasting Room with Atom Collective - Venue TBD, Longmont | 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Music at Bricks on Main "Steel Monkey" - Bricks On Main, Longmont | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Rex Peoples & XFactr Band at Bootstrap Brewing! - Bootstrap Brewing Company, Longmont | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Saturday, February 21

Music at Bricks on Main "DJ Drake" - Bricks On Main, Longmont | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Front deRanged Improv Comedy Show!! - Jesters Dinner Theatre, Longmont | 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
LSO Concert Cello Explorations: Strauss & Tchaikovsky - Longmont Symphony Orchestra, Longmont | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Sunday, February 22

Bootstrap LOCO Ukulele Jam in Longmont! - Venue TBD, Longmont | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Full Throttle Yoga at Bootstrap Brewing - Bootstrap Brewing Company, Longmont | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Bricks on Main "Asteria Jazz Collective" - Bricks On Main, Longmont | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Want more? See the full calendar → Longmont Event Calendar

Local Businesses, This One’s for You

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Real Talk ☕

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💘 Date Spot in Longmont

Longmont dates are relaxed, local, and full of charm. Take a scenic walk along the St. Vrain Greenway, wander through Downtown Longmont for coffee and shops, or plan a picnic at Golden Ponds Park. For an easygoing night out, grab a pint at Left Hand Brewing Company and let the conversation flow.

👉 Vote and we’ll share the top picks—chosen by locals—in an upcoming issue. 💌

See You on the Ice

Longmont hosting a global sporting event is pretty cool—literally and figuratively. Whether you’re a hardcore climber, a winter festival fan, or just someone who likes saying “yeah, I was there,” this is one of those weekends.

Bundle up. Bring friends. And maybe practice saying “UIAA World Cup” casually in conversation.

Got another hidden gem in Longmont? Hit reply. I read every message.

Until then—stay curious, stay cozy, and don’t forget to flirt responsibly. 💕

Catch you on Main and see you, Monday!

— Ben

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