Ouray Ice Festival

ICE FESTIVAL – Spectators crowded the viewing decks during Saturday’s ice climbing competition in Ouray.

Mouse’s Chocolates was packed Saturday afternoon during the Ouray Ice Festival. The Variety Store was deserted.

Just how much the annual Ouray Ice Festival helps the town’s winter economy depends on who you talk to, but it’s good overall, said Jennifer Loshaw, director of the Ouray County Resort Association.

“It seemed like the climbers spent a lot more time in town and being part of the community,” she said. “I think it was great. A lot of people came out here with the intention of it being their vacation.”

Loshaw volunteered at the Ouray Ice Park Saturday and said the festival seems to be attracting a wider range of people, from senior citizens to young couples with babies.

The Ice Festival has been a big boost to Ouray’s winter economy, which Loshaw said extends past the festival.

“A lot of people had a lot of questions for me and it seem like a lot of the Chicks with Picks folks are staying all month,” she said.

Even though the festival doesn’t bring the throngs of tourists who come during the summer months, Bob Wilson of Ouray V&S Variety Store said having extra people in town always helps.

“We get some of it, but if you knew the sport, their equipment is so expensive,” he said. “An ice pick can cost from $200 to $600 or $700 so they don’t have a lot to just go out and blow.”

Most sales go to hotels, restaurants and service stations, he said, “but they help us, too.”

Ouray Liquors had a very good weekend during the festival, said Matt Genuit, which was “as good if not better than last year.”

Mayor Bob Risch said he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

“We thought it might be down this year, but it turned out to be better than expected, from readings from some of the meals at the Community Center,” he said.

Motels in town were packed, said Maria Ziemba of Best Western Twin Peaks motel.

“We had a couple of cancellations, but somebody else would scoop them up,” she said. “The town was packed and it seems like everybody had a nice time and that’s what it’s all about.”

At the Ouray Victorian Inn, new owner Brian Lisk said he couldn’t draw comparisons to last year, but his hotel was full during the festival.

Business was brisk all weekend at Ouray Mountain Sports, which sells ice climbing equipment, outdoor clothing and supplies, but as an employee said, “We’re in the ice climbing business.”

The Ice Festival also figures in planning for the future, said Joyce Linn, chair of the Community Development Committee, the economic arm of the city council.

Linn said she would like to see the festival last longer, or see a winter carnival begun that would add even more appeal during the winter months.

The true measure of the festival is its long-term impacts, said festival director Erin Eddy.

“I think the biggest thing is the indirect impact of all the media has written about Ouray,” Eddy said. “It brings attention to a little town with an advertising budget of only about $85,000 a year. The more people talk about us, the better the little businesses will do, and that allows a lot of us to continue to live in Ouray.”

Attendance was down slightly from last year, he said, but fundraising during the festival was consistent with past years.

“The money we raised is where it’s always been and that’s really positive,” he said.

Written by: Gus Jarvis - Ouray County Watch

Posted by: Erin Eddy - www.ourayland.com and www.ridgwayland.com