The High Country’s Ice Climbing Competitions
Athleticism was in full force at Ouray Ice Park as athletes raced up what appeared to be an ascendant gorge. A delighted crowd whooped and cheered wildly.
Competition ice climbing differs greatly from regular rock climbing in that it requires much greater agility and precision to compete. Instead, competition ice climbing offers something quite barbaric that’s also thrilling to watch.
Ouray Ice Festival
Ouray, Colorado is famous for its manmade ice park that draws climbers from across the United States and world over to climb its slopes. Each year during Ouray Ice Festival there are numerous competitions, clinics, presentations and parties held here as a fundraiser for Ouray Ice Park which plays an essential role in Ouray’s winter economy.
Ice climbing competitions are both thrilling and inspiring events for spectators, showcasing elite athletes testing their strength against gravity and each other. Similar to rock-climbing competitions, competitors use axes and crampons to scale steep mixed routes using an ice axe; category winners receive medals and prize money awards.
At Ouray Ice Fest this year, there will be numerous exciting events taking place, such as the UIAA Continental Open Competition and Women’s Ice Climbing Championships. Both competitions are organized by the United International Alpine Academy (UIAA) — the global governing body for alpine sports — while this event counts towards their Ice Climbing Continental Cup Series rankings of professional ice climbers.
Ouray Ice Festival not only features thrilling ice climbing competitions, but also outdoor gear expos and interactive clinics for novice climbers to learn about this sport. Additionally, experienced climbers can participate in an ice carving contest held during these expos.
The Ouray Ice Festival is an annual fundraiser for Ouray Ice Park in Uncompahgre River Gorge of Southwestern Colorado, boasting over 150 ice routes free for public use. Donations come from climbers, companies and local businesses in support of this fundraiser event.
Ouray Ice Park stands as an epitome of community spirit and human perseverance. After being devastated by a rockfall incident in March, some feared it was too damaged for recovery; but Ouray Ice Farmer managed to create enough new ice to make a season of climbing possible and the Ice Festival returned with full events schedule in 2021.
Durango Ice Festival
Each winter, Ouray becomes home to one of the world’s largest man-made ice climbing parks: Ouray Ice Park in ouray mountain town transforms into the largest human-made ice climbing park. Competitors come from around the globe to test themselves against Ouray’s steep gorge walls while competition often has high stakes – but also serves as a gathering of its close-knit community: those that have done particularly well tend to form close relationships in ice climbing; therefore all celebrating and supporting each other together; Ouray Ice Park manager Lance Sullins highlights how important these events are in Ouray Ice Park: it brings climbers together who support one another when competing versus each other, providing high stakes competition – but also serves as a gathering place.
From vendor villages to massive competition walls, everything is decked out in blue and white. A crowd cheers athletes using axes to scale artificial walls using natural and man-made holds as they climb. Ice and mixed (rock and ice) climbers compete to reach the summit.
Liam Foster and Catalina Shirley both placed fourth in their respective elite men’s and women’s categories at last year’s meet, both athletes making huge leaps forward from where they began in 2018. For Catalina Shirley in particular, this accomplishment was truly monumental: “It was truly incredible for me to witness my growth so quickly; something I will remember for many years to come!”
This year’s festival will offer five weekends of clinics that range from Intro to Ice Climbing for beginners to advanced training. This change from previous years when clinics were only held over one weekend allows more participants to access the ice and provides instructors with more opportunity for feedback and instruction to aid people new to climbing.
Ice sculpting competition is back this year! From January 24 to February 2, it will feature 12 teams from around the world turning 20-ton blocks of ice into works of art that can be seen throughout the week and illuminated each evening for maximum viewing pleasure.
Festival competition has quickly become an important component of the UIAA Continental Cup Series for USA Ice Climbing athletes, providing them with an important step toward qualifying for Edmonton’s International Ice Climbing World Cup this year.
Summit County Ice Festival
At the annual Summit County Ice Festival in Wellsboro, visitors have an unparalleled opportunity to view spectacular ice sculptures and experience winter fun activities. Entertainment options available to them include Winter FUNderland and a Chili Cook-off competition; there is even a Pub Crawl where participants can sample drinks with fire or ice-themed labels!
The 2024 Ice Art Fest features incredible ice sculptures throughout Carlisle, Pennsylvania’s historic town center, from animals and musical instruments to company logos. You’ll also have the chance to ride on Diamond Dig or find treasure in Ice Bar – but beware: its final weekend tends to draw the largest crowds! Be sure to plan accordingly and arrive early!
This year’s Ice Festival stands out from previous ones in that the event has partnered with Colorado Ice Castles to offer additional attractions. Colorado Ice Castles ice sculptures often adorn Bennett Avenue; but this year their attraction also includes an expansive castle open to visitors. Since returning last year after an extended hiatus, it has proven popular with both locals and out-of-towners. The festival runs through Feb 25.
At the Summit County Ice Festival, you can also witness live ice carving demonstrations by talented artists who transform snow and ice blocks into exquisite works of art that are mesmerizing to watch and admire. Breckenridge also hosts an international snow-sculpting competition every January; whether you visit for its mesmerizing sculptures or world-class climbers – or both – the Summit County Ice Festival offers something for everyone – be sure to visit its official website for more details or booking accommodations; Summit County shuttles provide transportation directly from Breckenridge directly into Breckenridge; its free admission allows everyone to join its festivities!
Winterfest
On February 23-24 in downtown Denver, onlookers can witness some of the world’s top men and women ice climbers compete for titles at the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Finals in Civic Center Park. At this event, 50 feet of sheer ice will provide competition wall for climbers to climb against.
Athletes compete in two disciplines of ice climbing: lead and speed. Lead climbing is a technical event in which competitors complete routes with varying degrees of difficulty and race for fastest times; speed climbing is less structured but more like an all-out vertical sprint using ice axes and crampons; competition ice climbing requires immense technique, artful maneuvering and nerves of steel in order to ascend seemingly improbable icy pillars from several dozen feet above. But it comes with its share of risks: this past season American Marcus Garcia gashed himself twice while competing – yet still went on to win gold in speed competition!
Though competition ice climbing may involve high stakes, its community remains close-knit and friendly. Many participants use events as an entryway into backcountry ice climbing; others come out just for social or challenge reasons – but everyone finds inspiration in seeing athletes’ dedication to their sport and commitment to competing at such high-stakes levels.
Winterfest features more than just competitive ice climbing; visitors can also participate in many other exciting and engaging activities and fun at this festival, including an ice carving contest, cheer on their favorite climbers, winter sports such as dog skijoring, snowshoe and Nordic racers and an ice bar and beer garden with food trucks & kids zone!
Lake City Ice Park relies on donations collected during this event as part of its operations and community support, so this festival serves as a fundraising effort. To learn more, listen to an episode of Mountain Voices Podcast that highlights it.