Secrets to a Happy Toronto Winter: #1. There’s a Game of Thrones–ish ice wall in Ancaster
Stable rock formations and the sheer volume of frozen water make Ancaster’s 21-metre Tiffany Falls the only scaleable waterfall within an hour’s drive of the city. Last year the cascade froze in December, a month earlier than usual, and it remained secure well into March. Adventure Seeker Tours offers a six-hour introductory course for novices to learn how to tie into the rope, belay, and dig in their crampons while using an axe to hack up king-size ice stalactites. From the ground, the wall of ice looks daunting. But noobs are directed toward large flat sheets with fewer tricky spots, while adrenalin junkies can shimmy their way up narrow, steep stretches of obstacle-riddled ice. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top, and the rewards are twofold: a stunning view of a cedar glen and the smug satisfaction of winning one over winter. Climbing gear provided. Beginner course $160. 416-898-3573, adventureseekertours.com.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-winter-secrets-game-of-thrones-ice-wall/&title=Secrets to a Happy Toronto Winter: #1. There’s a <em>Game of Thrones</em>–ish ice wall in Ancaster&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/winter-haters-guide-to-loving-winter-01-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_302406" align="aligncenter" width="656"] (Image: David Rees)[/caption]
Stable rock formations and the sheer volume of frozen water make Ancaster’s 21-metre Tiffany Falls the only scaleable waterfall within an hour’s drive of the city. Last year the cascade froze in December, a month earlier than usual, and it remained secure well into March. Adventure Seeker Tours offers a six-hour introductory course for novices to learn how to tie into the rope, belay, and dig in their crampons while using an axe to hack up king-size ice stalactites. From the ground, the wall of ice looks daunting. But noobs are directed toward large flat sheets with fewer tricky spots, while adrenalin junkies can shimmy their way up narrow, steep stretches of obstacle-riddled ice. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top, and the rewards are twofold: a stunning view of a cedar glen and the smug satisfaction of winning one over winter. Climbing gear provided. Beginner course $160. 416-898-3573, adventureseekertours.com.){kind=link}