Ouray Ice Park
Feb 14-16, 2025

Colorado

Wheelchair Icon

Skill Level:
No experience necessary!

Level 3

Accessibility Rating:
1 = Least Accessible
5 = Most Accessible

Ice Climbing

Category:
Ice Climbing

Lodging:
Shared Hotel

Group Size

Group Size:
20 – 45

COST: $325 per person

*If trip spaces fill and you’d like to join the waitlist, please use the link below.  Please check the registration page for space prior to signing up for the waitlist.

OVERVIEW

The annual Paradox Ice trip to Ouray is one you don’t want to miss! There is a reason this is our longest running program and why it sells out every year – climbing at the Ouray Ice Park, instruction and guidance from world-class ice climbers, and one of the best mountain communities in Colorado make this one unforgettable weekend.

The Ouray Ice Park is like nothing you’ve seen before – the ‘farmed’ ice park is located in a spectacular natural gorge within walking distance of the City of Ouray, Colorado. It is home to more than 100 named ice and mixed climbs, most within a 15-minute walk of the Park entrance. We provide instruction for all ages, ability, mobility levels and types.

ACCESSIBILITY

The approach is varied, (conditions vary year to year) and includes a 1/2 mile of walking on snow and/or ice on uneven ground. At the end of the 1/2 mile section of trail, there is a short hand-line (rope handrail) section that is required to access the bottom of the gorge. Participants will have ample support in traveling over this terrain by staff, guides and volunteers but should have a base level of comfort travelling in this type of terrain. If you have limited mobility, we also offer a snowcat ride in and out of the canyon. Please note that guide dogs are not allowed in the Ice Park due to the dangers of ice fall, crampons, and limited space at the bottom of the canyon – we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
Winter temperatures in Colorado can vary greatly and all participants should prepare for sub zero temperatures, wind, snow and sleet by packing lots of warm clothing and layers appropriate for winter climbing. Please review our packing list carefully and let us know if you have any questions or will be unable to acquire a required piece of clothing or equipment. For your protection – boots, crampons and helmets (provided, if applicable) are required at all times once you start to descend into the gorge.
If you are a wheelchair user, we will be utilizing a robust lowering system used by Ouray Mountain Rescue from the top of the canyon. This will be facilitated by our professional guide staff. Paradox Sports strives to serve all individuals regardless of ability, and encourages individuals considering this program to review our Essential Eligibility Criteria here. If you have specific questions about this program, please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org.

TRIP SCHEDULE

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change.
A finalized schedule will be emailed to you before the trip.

FRIDAY

4 PM: Check in at hotel
6 PM: Welcome dinner
8 PM: Socializing in Ouray

SATURDAY

8 AM: Breakfast in town
9 AM – 4 PM: Full day of climbing at the Ouray Ice Park, lunch in the canyon,
4 PM – 5:30 PM Free time
5:30 PM: Dinner at the Community Center
7PM – 9PM: Annual GOT STUMP celebration

SUNDAY

8AM: Breakfast in town (Note: need to be packed out of rooms before climbing)
9 AM – 2 PM: Half day of climbing. Lunch at hotel.
2 PM: Pack up and depart Ouray

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We encourage participants to have basic outdoor experience and at minimum an introductory understanding of either rock or ice climbing. Each year we welcome first-time ice climbers into our community, right alongside some of the best in the world. There will be routes available for a wide variety of skill levels, and coaches to help you succeed – whatever your goal may be. On this trip in particular, you should be comfortable in cold weather, and have a baseline fitness level in order to participate.
We encourage climbers to bring their own personal gear if possible, including a harness and a helmet (and ice boots and crampons if you have them!). Some climbing equipment and personal gear can be borrowed as needed – please include these requests in your registration. You can see a full packing list for trips at the button above, and we are happy to answer any questions about gear that you might have!
Many thanks to CAMP USA and Ouray Mountain Sports for supplying Paradox Sports with ice climbing gear so that we can outfit you all with top-notch equipment!

All participants and climbing assistants are responsible for their transportation to and from the event as well as during the weekend.

Ouray is located 6 hrs driving from Denver, CO. Paradox Sports can help connect you with rideshare options from an airport en route or from the Denver/Boulder area with other participants or volunteers joining, depending on ride availability. During registration you will have the option to request carpool, and include where you will be coming from.
Other than Denver International Airport, other close airports to Ouray include Grand Junction and Montrose.
Paradox will provide all meals from Friday night dinner through Sunday lunch. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please include that in your registration.
Due to the nature of this program, climbing assistants should have previous experience on a Paradox Sports trip, attended a Paradox Sports volunteer training, Adaptive Climbing Initiative course, and/or be an experienced climber. We encourage all assistants to have experience in the outdoors, be comfortable assisting others through variable terrain, and have at least an introductory understanding of ice climbing and the associated equipment. Paradox Sports reserves the right to assign assistants to appropriate roles based on the assessment of experience, skills, comfort and overall ability.
Climbing Assistants register through the link above, and select “Climbing Assistant Registration”. The cost for assisting with the same as the cost for adaptive climbers. As a non-profit, we need to cover our cost to operate and this includes both participants and assistants pitching in to cover trips costs. Often the lines between “participant” and “assistant” are indistinguishable as we enjoy a weekend of climbing as a community. Registration fees for everyone cover food, lodging, equipment, professional guides, extra programming, insurance, and other overhead for planning the trip. It takes a lot to make these programs succeed – we thank you for your contribution both physically and financially.
If you are an AMGA certified guide and want to volunteer guide time on any of our programs, please contact our Program Manager Sam Sala at sam@paradoxsports.org.

What’s Included:

•    Professional guides and instruction with a ratio of 2:1
•    Lodging: Shared rooms at the Ouray Chalet Inn. We match people with roommates based on requests during the registration process and any other information that we have. If you are coming to the program with someone and are requesting to share a room, please include this in your registration.
•    Meals: Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday breakfast and lunch
•    Gear: Technical ice climbing equipment provided by Camp USA and Ouray Mountain Sports (please indicate your gear needs in your registration)
•    Entry to the annual Got Stump fundraiser – one of the best Paradox Sports events of the year!

What’s Not Included:

•    Transportation: All participants and volunteers are responsible for getting to and from the event, as well as transportation during the weekend.
•   Guardian / Partner registrations: Each registration is for one individual only. If your friends, significant other, guardian or personal aid would like to join, we ask that they register as a volunteer for the trip and help cover the costs of lodging, meals, logistics, guides, etc. and that they are eager and willing to be an active part of the community for the weekend!
•   Alcohol is not included, and not permitted while on Paradox Sports programs.
* For information on financial assistance please see more details here.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of our programs, Paradox Sports has a no pets policy.  If you have a service animal that you plan to bring with you on a program, please be sure to let us know in advance and familiarize yourself with this Service Animal Agreement.  We will require a signed copy of this agreement from anyone bringing a service dog with them on the trip.  If you bring any animals on a program that are not service animals, you may be asked to leave without reimbursement.
*Note: Please be advised that the Ouray Ice Park does not allow any dogs (service animals included) into the park due to the nature of the park and the dangers that it poses for animals (extreme cold, falling ice, crampons, exposed creeks, etc.).  If you bring your service animal with you, it will have to stay at the hotel while we are climbing.  If your service animal causes any damage to the room or is asked to leave the premise by hotel staff, you are responsible for any charges that may incur. 

We have a cancellation policy to ensure the maximum number of climbers can attend and spots do not go unused.

If you cancel:

•    2 weeks or more before the event, you will receive a full refund of your registration fees unless costs were incurred by Paradox Sports; in that case, we may retain 10% of your registration fee.
•   Less than 2 weeks before the event and we cannot fill your spot, you will be charged 50% of the registration fee.
•   Without notice (no-show) your registration fee is non-refundable and we will retain the full fee.
•   For cancellations due to emergency situations and special cases, please contact us to discuss options. We will work with you for the best solution.
*If you are asked to leave any Paradox Sports event by staff due to inappropriate behavior, you will not be refunded any fees in association with the trip or event, no matter the duration that you were in attendance. 

GOT STUMP?

Our infamous Got Stump fundraiser is Saturday night in Ouray! This award is given each year to an adaptive climber in the Paradox Sports community who is going above and beyond to prove what is possible and encourages others to push their limits as well.

Questions? Please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org or by phone 720-638-5593