I'm heading down for the ice fest this weekend, my first time attending, and so I have a few general questions about the town and event.

1) My hotel is not within walking distance. How's parking for the event?

2) Anyone ever had any issues with theft either in their vehicle or hotel room? Hundreds of climbers with thousands of dollars worth of gear in almost every hotel room and car in town would be mighty tempting for thieves.

3) Is there always something to do/watch throuout the whole day?

4) Can I expect to get any climbing in? Since I hear that the vendors loan their gear for free trials, when would one actually have a chance to use the stuff and climb?

Thanks!

Keep you busy all day: http://www.ourayicefestival.com/events.php

Ouray is a very small town with a handful of residential streets and one main business street. The ice park itself has no parking that I am aware of. Don't count on parking, if you can make that work. Not sure where you're staying, but the Vic and Best Western normally are the only two that claim "walking distance" but others are reasonably close, esp. considering approach times in other canyons.

I've never climbed during the fest, but if you don't mind waiting in line, or care what line you take, you could climb.

No experience or knowledge of theft, but I suppose like anywhere else, if you leave your iPod on the dash, a smash-n-grab might happen. My probably naive bias is that thieves steal stuff to sell, not use, and pawn shops are iffy about sports stuff - realize that people don't go to pawn shops to buy ice tools in general, so they don't pay that much for them - as well, a pocket full of iPods is worth a lot more than a pocket full of ice tools.

Should be a good one this year.
I head out today. Im leaving early to get some climbing in before the fest. Typically helps since there are so many clinics its usually a dog n pony show to get on a route in the park. If you want to climb during the fest its best to try to venture out of the park to do so. Walking from the vic is pretty sweet. If you get up there very early you may catch a spot on the highway otherwise maybe try parking in town near the VIc and walk from there. No experiance on theft but I would not call it a little compton down there. Just be smart and hide or take your valued items with you.
Tons of climbing going on all day to watch from the bridges all day long. There will be miked demos and what not to entertain you. The gear demos are cool but get there early as its first come first serve and most the gear goes out in the first hour to those doing clinics. If you free I would sign up for a clinic to pass some time and learn some cool stuff.
Hope to see you out there.
Cheers,

Hey Jeff! You'll have no problem being entertained! That I can guarantee! I've never had anything stollen from me there. You can get lots of climbing in. If you avoid the areas by the bridges and the school room, you will have no problem. Where is your Hotel? I think I remember a shuttle system so you may be able to keep your vehicle at your hotel. Don't quote me. The Ice Fests that I have attended are pretty much a blur. Have fun! It's a fun party for sure.

Man don't stress things so much or you will not have a good time. Your things are fine and you do not have to worry about theft. Parking sucks so show up early or park off main street and walk up the hill to the park. There is also plenty of entertainment for you all weekend. Also don't expect to get in too much climbing unless you venture off to one of the many great San Juan backcountry routes. Enjoy!

Yea just park close and walk, it's really hard to park up at the ice park.

Be ready to shell out some cash though for every event you walk into......
$15 bucks for dinner and beer, then if you want to see a slide show after another $10 bucks.....and so on.

Trying gear is about the only free thing the weekend has to offer.

I was at the Cody Ice Fest last year and it was a totally different laid back scene to Ouray........
The way ice climbing used to be....