At a Glance
- Routes: 200+ annually
- Admission: Free
- Season: Dec–March
- Ice Festival: January Each Year
The Ouray Ice Park
Each winter, the city of Ouray sprays the walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge to form massive curtains of ice, creating routes from WI2 beginner climbs to WI6+ expert pillars. The park is free to enter and use — an extraordinary gift to the climbing community.
Routes are organized into numbered pillars accessible from a catwalk trail that runs the length of the gorge. Pick up a free route map at any gear shop in town and start exploring.
Ice Climbing Lessons and Guided Days
If you've never swung an ice tool, Ouray is the ideal place to learn. Several guide services offer intro courses teaching footwork, tool placements, and safe belaying on beginner ice within the park.
The annual Ouray Ice Festival in January draws elite climbers from around the world for competitions, clinics, and demos. It's one of the most exciting weekends on the mountain sports calendar.
Staying at The Lumberyard for Ice Season
The Lumberyard Condos is a two-block walk from the Ice Park entrance — you can hear the picks ringing from downtown on a quiet morning. Return from a cold day on the ice to a warm condo and a short walk to the hot springs.
January weekends fill up fast during the Ice Festival, so book early at ouraycondos.com to secure your unit for the season's biggest event.