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Ouray Ice Park
Ice Climbing

Colorado Ice Climbing – Parks & Guides

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Come winter and it’s time for ice climbing. Rock climbing’s cooler cousin, ice climbing is available at frozen waterfalls and manmade ice parks around Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Give this unique winter recreation a chance this year.

Ice Climbing Parks in Colorado

Both Ouray and Lake City provide exciting ice climbing venues. They also each boast a yearly ice climbing, with Ouray’s being one of the most known of its kind in the nation, attracting climbers from around the world.

Lake City Ice Park Ice Climbing
Lake City Ice Park
Lake City
Ouray Ice Park Ice Climbing
Ouray Ice Park
Ouray

Ice Climbing Guides in Colorado

Whether you’re a complete newb to climbing in general, have some rock climbing experience, or have scaled an ice face several times, a guide will ensure you improve quickly. They provide you with the necessary equipment to have a safe, memorable time.

Apex Mountain School Ice Climbing
Apex Mountain School
Avon
Front Range Climbing Company Ice Climbing Colorado Springs
Front Range Climbing
CO Springs
Golden Mountain Guides Ice Climbing
Golden Mountain Guides
Golden
Peak Mountain Guides Ice Climbing
Peak Mountain Guides
Ouray
San Juan Mountain Guides Ice Climbing
San Juan Mountain Guides
Ouray

Guide to Ice Climbing in Colorado

Ice Climbing Ouray Colorado
Ouray ice climbers. Photo: Patrick Lewis

This seldom seen winter activity has a dedicated following. Ice climbing is easy to get started in. There’s a variety of guides in Colorado, with all the gear and expertise you need for a fun, safe ascent.

With helmet and crampons on, and ice axe in hand, there are a variety of choices in adventure. Choose shorter, easier ascents for your first time. Any guide will help you out. Ice climbing uses a rating scale from Water Ice 1 (WI1) to Water Ice 6 (WI6). The former are easier than the latter. W16 is considered the hardest to climb.

Where to ice climb

For those new to the sport, seasoned guides are available at many places to ensure safety and fun for all participants. Equipment and instruction are included with the ice climbing tours. Ouray is considered the capital of climbing in Colorado, so there are several guides working the region.

Ice climbing in Colorado is allowed on numerous frozen oven waterfalls and manmade obstacles, including Fish Creek Falls in Steamboat Springs and Zapata Falls in the San Luis Valley. Experience climbers should ask local climbing guides for the best places to go.

Equipment for ice climbing

Dress warmly, but realize you’ll be active, so don’t overdress. It’s a good idea to pack extra layers and leave it at the base of the climb, for in-between climbs and after. Always wear sweat-wicking materials like wool or polyester, and nothing too baggy.

  • Winter jacket and pants
  • Wool socks
  • Waterproof boots
  • Winter gloves
  • Helmet
  • Safety harness
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe

Special ice climbing events

Ouray Ice Festival – biggest ice climbing festival around, brings champion climbers to “Little Switzerland” from all the world, mid January.

Lake City Ice Climbing Festival – ice climbers from all over compete in early February. It’s usually accompanied with a small film festival to drum up fun activities for everyone.

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