SummitPost.org

I am planning to spend some time climbing in Ouray over Christmas and skiing/snowboarding at Telluride. I am trying to decide whether to hit the ice park the 25th-28th and Telluride after or vice versa and be in Ouray around New Years. I have never been to the park before and wanted to get any input if either time will be less crowded and if the park is open on the holidays. Can anyone share any insight or tips for going?

Thanks!

Depending on weather conditions this year, ice over Christmas might be pretty thin. I've never gone to the park over a big holiday, but I expect that it is going to be crowded anytime around then. Once the park opens for the year, it will be open every day, holiday or no.

Thanks for the info. How thin is "thin"? I know early season I won't be on fat ice, but should I expect moderate exposed rock and ice just a few cm thin in many places or is it just thin relative to how it gets in Feb?

It really depends on the year and the route. Some of the lower gorge routes probably won't be in but you should be able to get some climbs in. I don't think they will open the park if the ice is really thin. Maybe someone who climbs the park more often than I could chime in on this. (Although I go to Ouray a couple times a year, I have only been in the park 4-5 times.)

Cool thanks. I don't mind the thin ice nearly as much if I'm not leading, although I was hoping to be able to lead some routes as well as top rope. Still beats being at work during that time.