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Enjoy Elevated Chills at the Ouray Ice Festival

Published by Jason Hussong, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

Every January since 1996, international ice climbers have flocked to the Uncompahgre River Valley in southwestern Colorado for the Ouray Ice Festival. Nicknamed "Little Switzerland," the Colorado town of Ouray (you-ray) plays host to a premier ice-climbing gathering at the world's first man-made ice park. Exhibitors and spectators alike come to the Ouray Ice Festival to enjoy and celebrate the art of climbing up a sheer wall of ice (sometimes supplanted with rock, wood and plastic) in the Uncompahgre Gorge. It's an experience unlike any other.

Sitting at the other end of the famous Million Dollar Highway from Durango, Ouray is almost equidistant from Denver, Salt Lake City and Albuquerque (all of which are nearly six-hour drives). It once was a booming mining town that looked to the mountains for silver and gold, but now survives on tourism—like the Ouray Ice Festival. In a town that once boasted more horses and mules than people, the crowds now greatly outnumber the animals; particularly during the Ouray Ice Festival when people swarm the entirety of the National Historic District of Main Street.

Ice climbing pioneer Jeff Lowe started the weekend-long Ouray Ice Festival which hosts various competitions, ice climbing clinics which range from beginner to expert, opportunities to try out the latest gear, a kid's climbing wall (away from the gorge for safety), as well as an axe throwing contest and many other great events. The local non-profit group that runs the Ouray Ice Park, which relies on the winter ice climbing festival for half of their annual operating capital, purchased it in 2001 from Lowe and has kept it going strong ever since.

Hotels and restaurants that once were closed in the winter months now throw their doors open wide to welcome the crowds for the Ouray Ice Festival. And the competition does not disappoint as the route continues to challenge the best climbers from Russia, different parts of Europe, and even Egypt. This year is sure to be no different as climbers try to scale frozen waterfalls, sometimes even hearing the water run still on the inside as high as 200 feet (61 meters). The town of Ouray is considered the ice-climbing capital of the United States.

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When to Go to Ouray Ice Festival

The ice climbing action of the Ouray Ice Festival typically kicks off in January, though the dates shift from year to year. If you can't make the festival, you can always plan a visit during the winter months to the Ouray Ice Park.

The closest airport service is in Montrose, which is located 35 miles north of Ouray. There is a (donations only) shuttle service that operates into the Ice Park and around the town, which is located only a few minutes walk outside the Park. The Ouray Ice Park is just on the South end of town where Highway 550 switchbacks as it begins its climb toward Red Mountain Pass. The Ice Park is only a few minutes walk from Downtown Ouray, which is very easy to navigate on foot.

Odds n' Ends

There is no local ski area, so the annual Ouray Ice Festival is the winter experience here. Be careful of altitude sickness while in the mountains. Shortness of breath, headaches and restless nights in bed are all symptoms of this, and there's no surefire way to cure it. But, in order to avoid it, you should drink plenty of water and stay away from substances that would dehydrate you, like alcohol or caffeine. Also, until you're used to the elevation difference, running around is not advised as the area is approximately 7,792 feet (2,375 meters) above sea level.

Colorado is also known to benefit from a great abundance of sunshine. The high temperature in January may only average freezing, but sunscreen is a necessity when spending long hours outdoors. Being so high above sea level means it’s easier to get burnt. Make sure to take the proper precautions, even if you're all bundled up for the Colorado cold, as no great experience like this can be enjoyable looking like a lobster.

More Experiences Nearby

Explore the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado is home to some of the most scenic views in the world and the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park is perhaps one of the most breathtaking. While not as large as the Grand Canyon, the Black Canyon Gunnison has the 5th steepest mountain descent in North America, making it one of the best travel destinations for rock climbing enthusiasts to hit when travelling and trekking the world. Rock climbing in the Black Canyon is suggested only for very experienced climbers as most of the climbs are only for the advanced. There is also rafting, however again, it is ...39 miles away.

Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!

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Books and DVDs

Ice & Mixed Climbing: Modern Technique - Mountaineers Outdoor Expert
Ice World: Techniques and Experiences of Modern Ice Climbing
Frommer's Colorado

Elsewhere on the Web

Ouray Ice Festival - Official Site
Ouray Colorado - OurayColorado.com

Media References

Thanks to the Cold, Ouray Ice Park Opening Early - Telluridewatch.com (blog)

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