The UIAA World Youth Championships is coming to the United States for the first time! Ouray, Colorado is the host for this year's Ice Climbing World Youth Championships. This event features both lead/difficulty and speed competitions for both male and female athletes in the categories of U16, U18, and U20.

The event will take place over 2-3 days in the beautiful Ouray Ice Park. The Ouray Ice Park is the mecca of ice climbing in the United States and features over 200 man-made ice/mixed climbs, opportunities for all skill levels, and a 150 foot competition wall that towers over the Uncompahgre Gorge. The Ouray Ice Park is free to the public, is the largest ice park in the United States, and sees tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Utah native, and owner of The Scratch Pad Training Center in Bountiful Utah, Dustin Lyons is taking the lead in organizing this event. The Scratch Pad is Utah’s only climbing gym where you can train for this sport. The Scratch Pad has a strong youth competition team including the 3 time World Youth Champion Landers Gaydosh of Riverton Utah. 

Competition Ice Climbing is moving towards the Olympics with likely inclusion into the 2030 Winter Olympic Games (WOG) in Paris, and the 2034 WOG in Salt Lake City Utah. Hosting this event here in the USA is an important step in growing awareness and support for this sport. 

We are seeking support to help make this event unforgettable for the approximately 50 international athletes that will come from as far away as Mongolia, as well as all the USA athletes and spectators from around the mountain west. We are seeking sponsors, partners, and are raising funds through a GoFund Me here https://gofund.me/2aa2ff94

For more details about the event, to make arrangements to attend the event, or for sponsorship information, please contact: 

Dustin Lyons at uiaacompdirector@ourayicepark.com or (801) 400-5610