Frisco Ice Park

Calling all Colorado ice climbers:

I have been in very preliminary talks with the Town of Frisco trying to convince them that constructing an ice wall at the Peninsula Recreation Area is a good idea. When the PRA was expanded a few years, one of the possible ideas on the table was a man-made ice climbing area. Not surprisingly, the idea didn't receive much support from Frisco residents and it didn't move forward.

The Town has asked about construction costs, as well as operational and maintenance costs. I, for one, would be stoked to see something like this constructed in town and would absolutely volunteer my time to help build it. If we got enough volunteers, I think we could keep the construction costs pretty low and the O&M costs should be pretty minimal as well (just the cost of some water and replacing hoses if they freeze/burst).

I wanted to reach out to the CO ice climbing community to see if you folks:

A.) Would like to see something like this built in Summit County
B.) Would be interested in volunteering labor or materials
C.) Have experience in building man-made ice structures (I have already searched all the old forums and have a decent idea of how to build it, but nothing beats actual experience building these)
D.) All of the above

Cheers,
Colin

I'd be up for some volunteering! Keep me posted. I live in Denver but I'm up there almost every weekend!

-Dave

Sounds like a great idea.

I love the idea and I would fully support it.

I would be happy to volunteer through the winter to help maintain / operate the park.

I am a construction/project manager for commercial properties, so please let me know if you need help coordinating design, engineering, construction methods, etc.

Cheers,
Matt

Summit has a ice park at Keystone ski area.

I would rather see goverment money go towards the all ready under budgeted Summit school disrict.

I'm sure the liability insurance alone would cost a arm and a leg.

Great idea. I would also volunteer my time to construction and upkeep of the park. Fort Collins local. Keep us posted. Thanks

I love the idea and I live 950 miles away. Ice is ice.! Ice parks seem to be the latest safer way to introduce the sport to some degree.

Rowdy: what is the ice park in Keystone you are referring to? Do you mean the ice skating rink? The Peninsula already has a tubing hill, ski/snowboard terrain park, bike park, etc. so I'm sure they have very good liability insurance already.

I can't argue with you on the school budget! I doubt the Town has much, if any, budget to spend on this... hence why I'm soliciting interest in people volunteering to build it.

Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest! I'll let you know if this moves forward.

Colin

Have you considered approaching this from an entrepreneurial point of view? Instead of volunteers look for investors. Develop a business plan. Development costs, O&M costs, insurance, rent, etc. How much would all the ice climbers be willing to pony up? There is absolutely no need to have government do this.

I have absolutely no experience, but I would be more than happy to help!

Rowdy Wrangellian wrote:Summit has a ice park at Keystone ski area. I would rather see goverment money go towards the all ready under budgeted Summit school disrict. I'm sure the liability insurance alone would cost a arm and a leg.

keystoneresort.com/activiti…

I don't think they allow ice climbing on this "ice park" at Keystone. I've heard of Frisco trying to expand the park for winter activities and it seems not many people believe an ice park can succeed. Although I don't ice climb now - I'd be more willing to give it a shot in a semi-controlled area.

A decent ice park in Frisco would do HUGE business - even if people had to pay.

Rowdy Wrangellian wrote:Summit has a ice park at Keystone ski area.

I took this to mean the actual ski area itself, sorry 'stoners, your mountain is inferior ;).

Where would you propose the park be in town? The only really north facing and shaded area I can think of would be along the bottom of mount royal, or tucked in along the hills near the hospital. It absolutely blows my mind this has not existed for a decade. The popularity of Ouray should be an indicator to anyone how successful an ice park would be near an actual population center like Denver/Boulder. Boulder has missed out tremendously not tapping that damn pipe more.

I'd be more than happy to volunteer my time for this purpose, and I know lots of other people also would.

Sounds like a great idea and i would love to help.

Evan S wrote: I took this to mean the actual ski area itself, sorry 'stoners, your mountain is inferior ;). Where would you propose the park be in town? The only really north facing and shaded area I can think of would be along the bottom of mount royal, or tucked in along the hills near the hospital. It absolutely blows my mind this has not existed for a decade. The popularity of Ouray should be an indicator to anyone how successful an ice park would be near an actual population center like Denver/Boulder. Boulder has missed out tremendously not tapping that damn pipe more.

The three essential features required for an ice park:

1. Steep terrain
2. Water supply (ideally proximate to the top of said steep terrain)
3. Desperate economic need for ice climber visits and $ (including remoteness from major metro areas for added revenue from lodging/food)

Boulder lacks the vital #3.