Thinking About Ice Climbing? Start with Ouray and Lake City

I don’t know about you, but this time of year, all I want to do is get back outside to climb. We’ve been lucky with warmer weather lingering a bit longer, which has stretched the fall climbing season, but the shorter days make it harder to get out and explore after work. For me, this is usually the point in the year when I start shifting my focus to winter objectives — and over the past few years, that’s meant becoming more curious about ice climbing.

Winter in Colorado brings a different kind of energy to the mountains. For ice climbers, it means frozen waterfalls, early starts, and towns like Ouray and Lake City coming alive in ways that are deeply tied to community, learning, and access.

Lake City Ice Park may be small, but it punches well above its weight. With a dense collection of routes packed into a walkable area, it’s long been a favorite for climbers looking for variety without big approaches. Recently, Lake City has also gained attention for its accessible ice climbing park, which has become a draw for adaptive climbers from across the country. As Rocky Mountain Community Radio’s Laura Palmisano reported, climbers with disabilities are choosing Lake City because the terrain and layout allow for real adaptations — not just in theory, but in practice. For many, it’s a place where ice climbing feels possible rather than out of reach.

Over in Ouray, the scale is bigger but the intention is similar. Ouray Ice Park is internationally known for its concentration of routes just minutes from town, and learning is central to the culture there. Guide services, clinics, and festivals help new climbers build skills in a supportive environment.

Image via Ouray Ice Park of Saturday’s Schedule

This year’s Ice (less) Fest reflects that mindset. With warm temperatures limiting ice formation, the festival pivoted to offer dry tooling, systems, and skills-based clinics — and there are still clinic spots available. Instead of canceling outright, the community adapted and kept the focus on education and connection. If you were planning on attending the festival, please consider going forward with your plans and adapting to other activities as needed. Both Ouray and Lake City are small towns whose economy relies on tourism. Visitors coming for clinics, festivals, or accessible climbing opportunities stay in local lodging, eat at local restaurants, rent gear, and hire guides. Please support this investment by supporting their local economy.

That accessibility is reinforced by organizations that focus on helping people get started. Paradox Sports is one of the most visible groups offering adaptive ice climbing clinics and trips in Colorado, connecting climbers with instructors who understand both technique and adaptation. Other organizations, such as Adaptive Adventures, also support climbers with disabilities through instruction, equipment, and community-based programming. These groups lower the barrier to entry, especially for people who are new to ice climbing or navigating disability in outdoor spaces that haven’t always been welcoming.

Whether you’re curious about your first ice climb, looking for adaptive-friendly opportunities, or wanting to support mountain towns doing thoughtful work, Lake City and Ouray offer more than ice. They offer examples of how access, education, and community can shape winter recreation that works for more people — and that’s something worth showing up for.