Colorado·United States
Photo: Laurel F · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Ouray Ice Park sprays water down the walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge each winter, creating a dense concentration of reliable ice routes a short walk from town. Natural ice lines up the Camp Bird Road and the free-hanging pillar of Bridalveil Falls near Telluride add serious mountain climbs.
In season: Dec–Mar · Peak: Jan–Feb
Top-rope and lead climbing on steep ice of every grade, cold mornings and crowded popular areas at weekends. The park is free, and guides and courses make it easy to learn.
Farmed ice in a gorge, the densest ice climbing in the world
Natural lines up the valley, the real mountain climbing
The area's great free-hanging pillar
Base in Ouray, hire gear in town, and take a course with a local guide service to learn to climb ice. Climb in the Ice Park first, then move to the natural lines once you are leading confidently; the Ouray Ice Festival runs each January.
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