-Book Box Canyon Lodge’s Ice Climbing Getaway for just $450-
There are many benefits to getting away with friends. Expenses are split, enjoyment is shared and memories are made. If you and your buddies are ready for a getaway as unique as your friendship is, head to Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs in beautiful Ouray, Colo., (a.k.a. ‘Switzerland of America’) to try your hand – or pick! – at the sport of ice climbing.
Ice climbing novices and gurus alike will appreciate the Box Canyon Lodge’s Ice Climbing Package. It includes a half-day ice climbing lesson for two (including ice climbing equipment) and two nights lodging in a standard room for $450 plus tax. The offer is good all winter long from mid-December until late-March, special events excluded. Call (800) 327-5080 to book.
The Ouray Ice Park – the world’s first park dedicated exclusively to the sport of ice climbing – is just two blocks from Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs. The park is located in the Uncompahgre River Gorge and was built and is operated entirely on a volunteer/donations basis. It’s free to enter and climb in the park. Local guides and instructors, as well as rental equipment are available.
The 17th Annual Ouray Ice Festival, ‘the X Games of the ice climbing world,’ is January 5-8, 2012, and features elite ice climbers from around the world. The schedule includes films, auctions, demonstrations, clinics and, of course, lots of ice climbing for beginners and experts alike.
After a day in the Ice Park, warm up with a revitalizing soak in one of Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs’ four natural hot springs hot tubs. The redwood tubs offer stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Open 365 days a year, and for the exclusive use of Box Canyon Lodge guests, the tubs provide the perfect setting to connect with your best friends and swap tales about proudly scaling vertical ice walls, no matter how tall (the tales or the walls!).
The beautiful town of Ouray provides a scenic and peaceful backdrop for strengthening the bonds of friendship. Take a stroll among the shops, socialize over a great meal, and catch up at a local watering hole. All the while, soak in the fresh mountain air and capture a few postcard-worthy snapshots with your buddies in front of the vibrant landscapes. Complement your ice-climbing adventure with any one of Ouray’s other outdoor activities including backcountry skiing and boarding, ice skating, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Celebrate the Holiday Season in Southwest Colorado!
As Fall fades into winter and all of the leaves have created a blanket on the forest floors in preparation for snow, November and December offer the weary traveller a perfect getaway for a peaceful visit enjoying the spectacular beauty around you. See Ouray and meet its townspeople when the hustle and bustle of summer is over, and the focus turns to winter recreation and family fun.
August 19 through November 19, 2011:
"A century of Ouray County Farming and Ranching: 1875-1975", Special Exhibit
The Ouray County Historical Society presents it's special exhibit of the 2011 season at theOuray County Museum. A Century of Ouray County Ranching: 1875-1975 runs from April 15th to July 5th and August 19 to November 19. Learn about the various types of ranching and farming that took place in Ouray County during the counties first 100 years.
Saturday, November 5, 2011, 5:30pm
Karaoke Contest at the Ouray Elks Lodge
Contest entry fee will be $10 with 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes a percentage of the pot.Taco Dinner starts at 5:30, with contestants beginning at 6:00pm
Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 6:00pm
Ouray County Nordic Council Banquet at the Ouray Community Center
Annual fundraiser and membership dinner to benefit the Ouray County Nordic Council and trail maintenance.
Saturday, November 12, 2011 , 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Friends of the Library Christmas Carol Luncheon and fashion Show at the Ouray Community Center
Support the public library at a fun filled luncheon and fashion show!
Saturday, November 12, 2011, 5:30 pm
Veterans Dinner, Turkey Bingo and Cash Raffle at the Ouray Elks Lodge
Annual Veterans' recognition dinner and turkey bingo, open to the public. Dinner and bingo proceeds go directly to VA hospital in Grand Junction. In addition, drawing for annual cash raffle to assist lodge with insurance
Sunday, November 13, 2011, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Friends of the Library Afternoon Delight at the Ouray Community Center
Join the Friends of the Ouray Library for a parent-child event.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011, all day
Ouray School Library fundraiser at the Ouray Brewery
Enjoy lunch or dinner at the Ouray Brewery, and help out the kids at Ouray School on Wednesday! Ouray Brewery’s monthly non-profit day will donate 10% of all sales to the Ouray School Library, so eat drink and enjoy!
Thursday, November 17, 2011, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Open Mic at the True Grit in Ridgway
Share your talent, or just come and enjoy an eveniing of music and fun at the True Grit!
Saturday, November 19, 2011, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fourth Annual Ouray County Non-Profit Holiday Bazaar at the Ouray County 4H Event Center
Bring the kids to see Santa as you peruse the assortment of gift ideas presented by a number of local merchants and non profit organizations in Ouray County. Santa Paws, sponsored by the Second Chance Humane society, will be on hand to take pictures of Santa with kids and pets alike!
Thursday, November 24, 2011, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Beaumont Hotel
Traditional American style Thanksgiving buffet. $29.95 for adults, $16.95 children
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bon Ton
Traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, or order off of a limited menu of ulinary delights! Thanksgiving dinner is $21.95 for adults, $13.95 children
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Outlaw Restauraunt
Traditional American style Thanksgiving dinner.
Sunday, December 4, 2011 All Day
Ouray Elks Lodge Memorial Day Ceremony
Open to the public
Friday, December 9, 2011, 7:30 pm
Christmas Jazz Conert at the Wright Opera House
The North Fork Flyers return to the Opera House for Christmas Jazz.
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 5:00 pm
Ouray Annual Yule Night Celebration, Main Street, Ouray
Be sure to dress warmy, and get a good spot on Main Street when Santa arrives, leading a parade through Main Street. After the parade, wander through the shops on Main Street, to find a number of treasures for your loved ones this Christmas! Santa Paws will be at the Wright Opera House, and The Ouray Elks Lodge will be having a great dinner with Santa in attendance!
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Fest at the Wright Opera House
Third annual festival celebrating Western Slope Wineries and local chocolate creations. Taste the fantastic wines, chocolates and appetizers, then take some home with you for your holiday celebrations!
Sunday, December 11, 2011, 7:00
Ouray County Chorale Chistmas Concert at the Ouray County 4-H Event Center
Enjoy a wonderful evening of carols and fun at the annual Christmas Concert presented by the Ouray County Chorale Group.
Sunday, December 18, 2011, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Winter Sing Concert at the Wright Opera House
Winter concert presented by the Telluride Choral Society.Tickets are $10 for Adults & $5 for Students (16 & under). Tickets are available atwww.ocapg.org, and at the following locations mid-November: Ouray - Buckskin Booksellers & Mouse's Chocolates, Ridgway - Cimarron Bookstore & Coffeehouse, Montrose - The Coffee Trader.
SaturdayDecember 24, 2011, All day
Be sure to contact the Ouray Elks to have Santa visit your home or room throughout Ouray County!
Saturday, December 31, 2011, non timed event
Ouray Elks Lodge New Years Eve Party
Ouray Elks Lodge New Year's Eve Party with karaoke is open to the public.
Saturday, December 31, 2011, Midnight
Fireworks!
Celebrate New Years Eve with a spectacular fireworks display put on by the Ouray Fire Department and sponsored by the city of Ouray!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It's not too late to snag a spot in this weekend's Ouray County Winter Mine Tour. Just make your reservation by Friday, February 25 at 12 noon!
We will meet at the Ouray Visitor Center at 10am on Saturday, February 26 and return at 2pm. We will carpool to the lower end of CR 31 where it connects to Hwy. 550. Your minimum donation of $25 includes a catered lunch
plus a hot toddy/tea and coffee! Please bring cash or check payable to the OCHS
at the day of the event.
MINES TO BE VISITED: Guston, Robinson, Genesse-Vanderbilt, Yankee Girl, and discussion of the Mtn King, Barstow, and the Idarado. The tour will be by skis or snowshoes on the lower end of CR 31
MORE BACKGROUND:
Your expert guides will be:
Don Paulson, curator of the Ouray Museum: He will address the cultural and historical aspects of each site.
Rachel Boothby of the Uncompaghre Watershed Project (UWP). She will speak about reclamation needs and options.
CONTACT: More info/questions: Don Paulson, 325-0931;
RSVP: Rachel Boothby, UWPVista@gmail.com
The theme: A NEED TO PRESERVE AND A NEED TO RECLAIM
One of the more dramatic instances of point and counterpoint in Ouray County is the need to preserve the long silent historical mining structures of an era gone by and the modern-day need to remediate some of these mining sites to improve the health of our watershed. Many tourists come to Ouray County to explore mine sites and sift through the waste dumps for a shiny mineral or two. However, these structures are disappearing due to collectors’ uninformed intentions, simple neglect and the passage of time, and the fact there isn’t enough money to preserve them. Similarly, it has been documented that some of these same mine sites continue to have a negative impact on our watershed through their acidic mine drainage effluent containing harmful contaminants.
This is a fundraiser for the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership (UWP) and the Ouray County Historical Society (OCHS) – to draw attention to the need for both historical preservation and remediation of mine sites.
Proceeds are divided evenly between the two groups.
Enjoy the San Juan mountains in Southwest Colorado by riding the train!
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has extended its Local Appreciation fares to ride the Cascade Canyon Winter Train on selected days in February.
This offer is available to residents in Colorado counties: Archuleta, Dolores, San Juan, La Plata, San Miguel, Ouray, and Montezuma; San Juan County in New Mexico and Utah; and Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. Standard-Class coach seating is $20* for adults and $15* for children (ages 4 -11); Premium-Class seating is available for $45* for adults and $30* for children.
The Cascade Canyon Winter Train departs at 10:00 a.m. and returns at 3:00 p.m. The trip includes an approximate 45-minute break by the Animas River, deep in the heart of the San Juan National Forest. Tickets must be paid for at the time of booking. Proof of residence is required. Special fares may not be combined with any other offer or discount. Tickets are non-refundable and change fees do apply. *Fares subject to 4% Historic Preservation Fee.
Details on the Cascade Canyon Winter Train are available at www.durangotrain.com. Reservations for Local Appreciation fares must be made by phone at 970-247-2733 or at the depot.
