GET YOUR AXE IN GEAR
The Ouray Ice Park is closed for the season. Thanks to all of our guests, and everyone who made the 2011/2012 season one of our best ever. The dates for the 18th annual Ouray Ice Festival are Januray 9-13, 2013 (never too soon to start making plans for that!). Although weather conditions will be the driving force, we are targeting Saturday, December 15, 2012 as our opening date for the 2012/2013 season (will be here before you know it…).
The 2012 Ouray Ice Festival was a huge success. As a fundraiser for the Ice Park, we have early indications that this year will be stronger than 2011, and the number of visitors over the course of the weekend exceeded our expectations. We owe many thanks to our sponsors and the athletes who put on a great show during this years comp, and congratulations to first place finishers Nathan Kutcher and Emily Harrington. San Juan Mountain Guides did a fantastic job with this year’s clinics, Kid’s Climbing College, and adult walk-up climbing – they managed long lines for those events and sold-out over 75 interactive climbing clinics. Thanks to all who came out to visit and support the Ice Park.
Click here for the latest conditions at the Ouray Ice Park.
The Ouray Ice Park (the Park) is a manmade ice climbing venue operated in a spectacular natural gorge just outside the town of Ouray, CO. It is home to more than 200 named ice and mixed climbs, most within a 15-minute walk of the Park entrance. The Park and its infrastructure are jointly owned and managed by the City of Ouray, the nonprofit Ouray Ice Park, Inc. (OIPI), and a mix of other private and public landowners. Each winter, OIPI hosts the Ouray Ice Festival to celebrate the Park and raise funds for its operation. The Ouray Ice Festival is a spectacular grassroots event that features exhibition climbing, free clinics, seminars, slide shows, and gear demos.
Despite the high cost of its maintenance, the Park remains free and open for public use. In nearly 20 years of operation, it has become one of the premier ice climbing venues in the world. Check out our membership page for details on joining the Ouray Ice Park. Ice Park Members receive discounts at local merchants, restaurants, and hotels.