Ouray Ice Park

Ice climbing in the Ouray Ice Park is the most accessible and highest quality ice in North America! This is a world class destination, with hundreds of ice climbs of all difficulties. The man-made climbs of the Ice Park are intricately “farmed” to create a unique venue.

Rate for Full / Half Days:
1 person: $450 / $325
2 people: $288 / $200 per person
3 people: $225 / $170 per person
4 people: $189 / $145 per person

Getting started ice climbing can be intimidating. There’s a lot of equipment, a lot of risk, and a lot of required skill. Fortunately, there are a few ways to get started, and hopefully, our attempt to “address” the basics is helpful to you.

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We offer a complete variety of options for climbing in the Ouray Ice Park. Ice Park days are often linked with a day a backcountry ice climbing to give you a feel for all this area has to provide.

Full Day Ice Climbing

Most participants will climb 4-7 routes in the full day program and no previous experience is required. As a private program the guide is able to evaluate your present skill level and help you improve your technique for greater enjoyment on the ice. We can teach you strategies for steep ice, tackling overhangs, finding rests, and basic mixed climbing. We can also help you develop your skills for anchor building, top-rope set up, lead climbing, and multi-pitch climbing systems. Throughout the day you’ll be climbing in many areas in the Park and sampling the best climbing Colorado has to offer!

Half Day Ice Climbing

In our half day guided ice climbing program for beginners you will get a taste of ice climbing in the world famous Ouray Ice Park.  You will learn to swing the ice tools, kick the crampons, and climb a frozen wall of ice!  Most participants will typically climb 2-4 routes in the half day program. This program caters to beginners and no previous experience is required.

Ice Climbing Courses

Our progression is designed around a simple principle: give participants the skills they need to get out there on their own. We’ve poured countless hours into the development of our ice climbing curriculum. Each course has specific objectives and is designed as part of a series so concepts and topics aren’t omitted.

Group Size

This is a private program, no one else will be paired with your party. If your group is larger than 4, we apply a group discount and additional guides are added to keep the guest to guide ratio at 4:1 or lower.

Season

The 2021 season target opening date is December 19, 2020. 

Time and Place

This trip meets at the Peak Guide House: 311 Main Street, Ouray, CO.

Equipment List

All the technical climbing equipment required for this outing is included.
View Equipment List as a PDF

In this 2 day course participants learn the technical skills to join a climbing party with 75% of the time focused on ice climbing movement. From the most basic aspects of the day such as fitting your boots and crampons to climbing routes up to WI3 or WI4 in difficulty, this course is a climber’s starting point in our comprehensive ice curriculum!

Do you have more than a weekend to spend in one of North America’s best ice climbing venues? The Best Four Days in Ouray is an itinerary intended for the climber interested in a proper sampling of the ice climbing of southwest Colorado. Our guides will show you around the Ouray Ice Park and many of the backcountry climbs the region is famous for!