The 21st Annual Ouray Ice Festival will be held Jan. 14-17.
The premier ice climbing venue hosts North America’s largest gathering of ice climbers.
Presented by Asolo and Rock and Ice, the festival includes over 90 interactive climbing clinics, free climbing for adults and children, the elite mixed climbing competition, the Hari Berger speed climbing competition sponsored by Lowa, and a full schedule of evening entertainment.
Clinic topics this year include “Intro to Ice”, “Moderate Mixed” and “Steep Ice Techniques”, all starting at $49.
Seminars focused on backcountry climbing and multi-pitch techniques will also be available. Climbers can demo the latest gear from Black Diamond, Rab, Grivel, Scarpa, La Sportiva, Lowa, Asolo, Petzl, Osprey, The North Face, Gore-Tex, Adidas Outdoor and Sterling Rope. Clinics are taught by both professional climbers and professional climbing guides in conjunction with San Juan Mountain Guides.
The general public and families are welcome at numerous free events including the Kid’s Climbing College and Walk-Up Climbing for adults at the La Sportiva Zone. The latest gear from vendors like Patagonia, Marmot, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Millet, Maxim Dynamic Ropes and Mammut will be on display and available to demo throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, Jan. 16, the festival showcases some of the world’s leading professional athletes in a mixed climbing competition featuring $9,000 in prize money. Athletes will be challenged by a route that includes a 25-foot tower overhanging the Uncompahgre Gorge in a spectator friendly venue. The action continues on Sunday with the Hari Berger Speed Climbing Competition sponsored by Lowa Boots. Competitors will race against the clock and side by side with $5,500 in prize money up for grabs.
The event will highlight women in ice climbing. Evening presenters include the following women ice climbers: Angela Van Wiemeersch, Angelika Rainer, Kitty Calhoun and Emily Harrington. The festival partnered with the dZi Foundation this year and attendees will have the opportunity to catch a few Mountain Film flicks at the Wright Opera House on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Gear, climbing art and collectibles will be auctioned off during live and silent auctions on Friday and Saturday evening. Petzl will be hosting the late night dance party again this year with the theme “Ice Pirates.” Proceeds from admission to these events supports the Ouray Ice Park and includes beer from Upslope Brewing Co.
For more information or to see a schedule of events, please visit http://ourayicepark.com/schedule/.