Come Ice Climbing In The OuraY Ice Park

For over 30 years, Skyward Mountaineering has been offering guided ice climbing on multipitch backcountry routes throughout Ouray and in the world renowned Ouray Ice Park. Under the guidance of famed alpinist and IFMGA Guide, Vince Anderson, Skyward Mountaineering is the longest continuously owned and operated guide service in the San Juan mountains and we continue to be a small team of comprised of highly trained and passionate Ouray ice climbing guides.

Located in the heart of the San Juan mountains in southwest Colorado, the old mining town of Ouray is truly the premier ice climbing destination in North America. The Ouray Ice Park, conveniently located only a 15 minute walk from downtown, extends for a 1 mile span of the Uncompahgre Gorge with a human-made gravity fed sprinkler system that creates over 150 independent ice climbs and another 50+ mixed climbs. With a heavily concentrated selection of ice climbing in a variety of styles and difficulties the Ouray Ice Park is a unique asset for climbers who want to learn how to ice climb for the first time to experienced ice climbers who want to improve their efficiency and movement techniques on steep and challenging routes.

In addition to guided ice climbing in Ouray, we instruct several ice climbing courses in the Ouray Ice Park. Our courses are specifically designed to teach climbers to be self-sufficient rather than reliant on a guide, learn the following skills and more:

Equipment selection and details
Top rope anchor construction
Belaying (toprope, lead, and belaying a follower from above)
Movement techniques: introductory through advanced plus efficient mixed climbing

An ice climber in a red jacket climbs a steep pillar in the Ouray Ice Park.

Private Ice Climbing Guide In The Ouray Ice Park

A full day ice climbing with a guide in the Ouray Ice Park is a perfect opportunity to learn or refresh your ice climbing movement techniques. Skyward Mountaineering ice climbing guides are expert climbers and instructors, trained to be able to provide you nuanced, practical and helpful information to improve with quick strides whether you’re learning to ice climb for the first time or want to improve your efficiency on long and challenging WI5 pitches.

Most of our climbers with a private guide for ice climbing in Ouray are able to climb 5-8 classic independent pitches with some repetition on routes to hone your ice climbing technique, during a single day, ample time to get sufficient forearm pump and maximize learning opportunities.

In town for a longer trip? Skyward Mountaineering also offers ice climbing guides for backcountry routes in Ouray, Silverton, and Telluride. Put your ice climbing skills to the test on a backcountry ice climb!

You may also be interested in One Of These Ice Climbing Clinics…

An ice climber in a red jacket swings into the ice.

Intro To Ice Climbing Clinic

A climber in a blue jacket and orange helmet climbs a steep rocky corner on a mixed route above Ouray, Colorado.

Mixed Climbing Clinic

An ice climber in a yellow jacket leads up a delicate skinny pillar of ice.

Steep Ice Climbing Clinic

An ice climber in a yellow jacket leads up a steep route with a belayer in a blue jacket below.

Learn To Lead Ice Climbing Clinc

The Ouray Ice Park is typically open from late December through early March. Itineraries are customized to fit your schedule, a standard day is from 7:30am to 3:30pm.

For all abilities and fitness levels, from novice to expert. No prerequisites required.

Montrose Regional Airport is 45 minutes from Ouray. There is NO rideshare service, you may book a shuttle service or rent a vehicle with AWD/4WD (for winter driving).

There are plentiful hotels in downtown Ouray, conveniently located in walking distance to restaurants and the town hot springs for an aprés-climb relaxation.

Climbers are responsible for providing their own personal clothing and equipment. Skyward Mountaineering may assist in supplying technical equipment with advanced notice. See recommended equipment list below:

- Underwear: Should be comfortable for a full day of activity, synthetic or merino wool will wick moisture away from the body
- Heavyweight socks: Over-the-calf winter weight for superior warmth. Layering two pairs of socks is not recommended as it may impede blood flow and make your toes colder
- Warm hat: Should be thin enough to fit under your helmet
- Neck gaiter: Optional, lightweight and versatile for adding warmth around ears or covering your face in windy conditions
- Softshell climbing gloves: Waterproof with high dexterity. 2 pairs recommended, one midweight and one heavyweight. Guide’s recommendation - Showa Temres 282-02 (medium weight, size up one from normal)
- Mixed climbing gloves: Optional, these highly dexterous gloves have minimal insulation and are best for warmer days, lead climbing or mixed climbing
- Midweight top baselayer: Merino wool or synthetic fibers will wick sweat away. Thumb loops are recommended to keep your wrists from being exposed and your hands warmer
- Heavyweight bottom baselayer
- Midweight fleece jacket: An integrated hood adds warmth and weather protection
- Active insulation jacket: Ideal balance of breathability and warmth for winter aerobic activity
- Midweight vest: Optional, adds warmth to your core without restricting movement
- Softshell jacket: Midweight with a helmet compatible hood. Should have Durable Water Resistance (DWR) coating
- Softshell pants: Midweight with reinforced instep. Avoid ski pants as they are often too baggy and likely to catch on your crampons
- Insulated parka: Down is lighter/more compressible and a hydrophobic treated down will insulate even when wet. Should have at least 200 grams of 800 fill insulation
- Climbing backpack: Approximately 30 liters with ice tool attachments
- Mountaineering boots: Must be rigid with toe and heel welts for full crampon compatibility
- Vertical frontpoint crampons: Dualpoints are better for continuous ice while monopoints are lighter and better suited for mixed climbing
- Crampon pouch: Reusing a USPS Tyvek mailing package is a cost effective option, though specific manufactured options exist and are more durable
- Technical ice tools: Remove any adze attachment as this may pose an unnecessary hazard for waterfall ice climbing
- Climbing helmet: Must be UIAA certified
- Harness: Recommended ice clipper compatibility
- Tubular belay device with round bar stock locking carabiner
- 48 inch (120cm) sewn nylon sling: A Personal Anchor System (PAS) can be used instead, though is less versatile
- 1-2 Locking carabiners: Lightweight, screwgate is easier to operate than a triple-action carabiner
- 1-2 Non locking carabiners: Wiregates are less prone to freezing
- 2 Ice Clippers: Optional
- Sunglasses: Dimmable recommended, CAT 3 lenses w/ athletic fit
- Small tube of sunscreen and SPF chap stick
- First aid kit: Small, should include any personal medications
- Hand warmers: Optional, for those colder days
- Fully charged phone
- 1-2 liters of water: A thermos with your favorite hot drink is recommended. Avoid water bladders and hoses as they are prone to puncture and freezing in a winter environment
- High energy lunch and snacks: A healthy mix of fats, sugar, and protein for a full day of the on-the-go (leftover pizza or sandwiches are a great midday pick-me-up)