Ice Climbing Photo Gallery | Adventure Guide: Ouray, Colorado

OUTFITTERS: San Juan Mountain Guides, Steve Casimiro's outfitter, offers all levels of instruction, and its two-day intro course is an ideal primer ($305; www.ourayclimbing.com). Local outfitter Skyward Mountaineering ($325 a day; www.skywardmountaineering.com) also takes tyros up routes of any level and provides climbing gear. 

DOWNTIME: After hours on the ice, thaw out at Ouray Hot Springs ($8; www.ouraycolorado.com), off Highway 550, one of North America's largest.
 
GETTING THERE: United flies to Montrose ($354 from New York City; www.united.com). Rent a car ($75 a weekend; www.hertz.com) and drive 37 miles (60 kilometers) to Ouray, Colorado's ice climbing cathedral.
 
ROOM AND BOARD: Kick off your crampons at the ice climbers' old standby, the Ouray Victorian Inn ($65; www.ouraylodging.com). A ten-minute walk from the ice park, its hot tubs beckon. Chat up locals over a cup of Salvadoran joe at Exotic Earth Coffee Roasters (+1 970 325 9800). For hot fare, spice it up with tamales at Buen Tiempo (+1 970 325 4544).        
—Stephen Neill Holland

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