Ouray Ice Fest Goes On as Warm Winter Forces Cancellation of Ice Events

For the first time in its more than three decade history, the Ouray Ice Festival will proceed without its signature frozen playground. Unseasonably warm temperatures in southwestern Colorado have prevented the walls of the Ouray Ice Park from freezing solid enough for safe climbing, forcing organizers to cancel all on ice climbing events.

Each winter, crews known as ice farmers spray thousands of gallons of water down the steep walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge to create a world class ice climbing venue that draws climbers from around the globe. This year, however, the sustained cold required to build safe and climbable ice never arrived. As a result, the centerpiece of Ice Fest climbing on real ice is not possible. Instead, the event has been reimagined as Ice Less Fest, with dry tooling, technical rope skills clinics, crevasse rescue training, competitions, vendor events, and community gatherings taking center stage.

The impact extends beyond disappointed climbers to the future of the Ouray Ice Park itself. The park operates as a nonprofit organization and relies heavily on fundraising to remain free and open to the public each winter. Revenue generated during the Ouray Ice Festival represents the park’s largest source of annual funding and helps cover the costs of ice farming, infrastructure maintenance, staffing, and educational programming.

With limited ice and reduced programming, the park faces a significant financial challenge at a time when operational support is most needed. Organizers are encouraging visitors and supporters to attend the festival regardless, emphasizing that participation directly supports the continued existence of the ice park and the broader Ouray winter economy.

This year’s Ice Fest serves as a clear example of how warming winters and changing climate patterns are reshaping winter recreation and placing new pressure on mountain communities that depend on cold weather traditions.