Ice Climbing in Telluride

Telluride Adventure Desk-Flyfish, Hike, Rock Climb, Jeeping, More

Telluride is a postcard-perfect town. It’s set at the end of a valley, and hedged in by sky-scraping mountains. Adding to its appeal, Telluride is home to some of Colorado’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls. In the winter, the cold freezes these watery torrents, creating pathways for climbers to follow. Bridalveil Falls, Ingraham Falls and the Ames Ice House are three favorites among locals and visitors. As they look to the ice, onlookers see specs of brave men and women leaving it all on the line for a quick jolt of pure, unadulterated adrenaline.

Ouray and the San Juan Mountains offer the finest ice climbing in the world. We invite you to experience the unique challenges and rewards of ice climbing. The world famous Ouray Ice Park is the best place to learn and improve skills. The classic backcountry ice routes in our backyard offer beautiful climbs to test your ability and experience the winter wilderness.

In addition to our programs that focus purely on ice climbing instruction, we also guide many of the classic San Juan backcountry ice climbs. Climbing objectives range from one-pitch wonders to 900+ foot multi-pitch ice climbing like Stairway to Heaven in Silverton. A popular program is to book two days of ice climbing instruction in the Ouray Ice Park and then a third day for a classic backcountry ice climb.

Classic ice climbs include (but are not limited to):

Bridalveil Falls WI 5/6
Ames Ice Hose WI 5
Whore House Hoses WI 4
Dexter Creek Slabs WI 3
Gold Rush WI 3
Stairway to Heaven WI 4
Gravity's Rainbow WI 5
The Skylight WI 5 (seen left)
Choppo's Chimney WI 4
Slip Slidin'Away WI 4
Slippery When Wet WI 4
Chockstone Chimney WI 3+
Eureka Gully 1 and 2 WI 3-4
Snowblind WI 5
Pt 12,564 Direct North Face WI 4
Seven Year Itch WI 5
Horsetail Falls WI 4/5
Birdbrain Boulevard WI 5/6
The Ribbon WI 4

The San Juan Mountains have enough backcountry ice climbs to keep even local ice climbers busy for years. Routes are very dependent upon proper conditions as many of these climbs have severe avalanche hazard. Additionally, some routes do not come into condition each and every season. Be patient and flexible with your route choices and plan to get out of bed early. Get ready for an excellent Ouray/Telluride ice climbing experience!


Rock Climbing in Telluride                           Mountain Climbing

Ophir Wall: 5.6 to 5.10 pitches. Post Office Crack, a classic 4 or 5 pitch, 5.7 - 5.8

East Buttress: Ophir Wall. 1 and 2 pitch  from 5.3 - 5.10.

Cracked Canyon: 5.6 to 5.11.

Ames Wall: Near Town of Ames2 to 4 pitch from 5.6.

Telluride Cliffs: Above Telluride School, climbs short (20 to 55 feet)

Needle Rock: Spire located near Bushwacker and The Plunge ski runs, 5.8/5.9 double pitch climb.