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Ice Climbing

Each winter, many Colorado rock climbers turn into ice climbers. Climbers from all over the world over converge on Colorado for the joys and challenges of winter climbs on vertical walls of frozen water.

 

A climber in a burnt-orange jacket and silver helmet makes their way up a rock wall covered in ice near Ouray, Colorado.
Ice climbing in Ouray
A climber in a maroon jacket and blue helmet scales the ice at the Lake City Ice Climbing Festival in Colorado.
Lake City Ice Climbing Festival
A determined climber uses sharp, hooked tools to scale a wall of snow-covered ice near Ouray, Colorado.
Ice climbing in Ouray
An ice climber using ice picks nears the top of an ice wall in Lake City, Colorado.
Ice climbing in Lake City
A climber in black scales a section of ice wall using ice picks and spiked boots near Ouray, Colorado.
Ice climbing in Ouray

In fact, ice climbing has become increasingly popular with traditional climbers and all-around adventurers alike.

If you're fit and gutsy, sign up for instruction and try the climb too. Colorado’s ice climbing capital, Ouray boasts the world’s first official ice park, where frozen waterfalls offer up a new challenge to even the most experienced mountain climbers. Lake City is also a popular place for the sport, with three climbing areas and more than 50 routes on cliffs above Henson Creek.

Not for the faint-hearted, ice climbing requires training and endurance, as well as specialized equipment including ice axes, front-point crampons and layers of warm clothing.

For additional peace of mind while exploring remote areas or undertaking challenging activities, consider purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) Card.

 

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