Ouray Ice Festival 2025 in Colorado

The Ouray Ice Festival is a gathering of climbers, and ice climbing fans held at the Ouray Ice Park every January for three days and four nights. Novice and professional climbers from around the world celebrate winter along with their passion for mountains and rocks. Vendor exhibitions showcase the latest ice tools, clothing, and gear from the leading manufacturers. And, of course, there is plenty of climbing.

Climbing Competition

Every year, Ouray Ice Festival hosts an ice climbing competition, with the UIAA Ice Climbing Continental Open being the last to take place here. Hundreds of spectators watch over 50 world’s best climbers compete for a prize. Besides monetary prizes, the winners receive special gifts from local artists, a perfect way to remember the victory.

Festival Program

Over 100 interactive and educational climbing groups provide knowledge and skills to participants of any skill level. Climbing clinics are opened throughout the entire festival run and even earlier, starting from Monday. At the clinics, ice climbing enthusiasts of all levels will have a chance to learn the art of this thrilling sport from scratch or discover new tips and tricks for their climb. At night, participants can relax with some music, good food, and dance parties. The festival also holds movie screenings, presentations, gear demonstrations, and numerous other attractions.

Schedule

The event generally begins on a Thursday evening with parties and welcome presentations. On the rest of the days, the festival is normally open from 8 am until 4-5 pm, but some evening events might begin at 5:30 pm or later.

Ouray Ice Park

Ouray Ice Park is located in Ouray, a scenic mountain town in southwestern Colorado called “The Switzerland of America.” The park is open to climbers from mid-December all the way up to March. Climbing is allowed from 8 am until 4 pm from Monday through Friday and from 7:30 am until 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Each year, Ice Farmers transform the beautiful Uncompahgre Gorge, spraying water down the canyon walls to create stunning walls of ice. As a result, the Uncompahgre Gorge features over 150 man-made ice and mixed climbing tracks, 11 distinct climbing areas, and three miles of vertical terrain.