Ice and snow events to take advantage of the chilly temps

By the Thirst Team

Get Out of Town is our weekly roundup of recommended events across Colorado, mostly focusing outside of Denver, to help everyone enjoy the entire state. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

This week, we’re highlighting a handful of ice and snow events that take advantage of this week’s chilly weather.

Ouray Ice Festival

Ice climbers from around the world will compete from Thursday through Sunday at the Ouray Ice Festival.

The festival opens Thursday with presentations and parties. Climbing clinics, gear demos, fireside chats with pro climbers, competition viewing and more run Friday through Sunday. Each evening brings presentations, parties, movies and more.

If you can’t make it to Ouray, an online auction is now open, with gear, climbing trips, souvenirs and more. The festival is the largest annual fundraiser for the Ouray Ice Park.

Ice Castles

Brent Christensen built an ice cave in his Utah yard. It was such a neighborhood hit that he turned the idea into a company that now crafts ice caves and castles from Utah to New Hampshire.

The two Colorado locations — in Eagle and Cripple Creek — open today, and offer icy slides, walks, tunnels, photo opportunities and more through Feb. 23.

Skijor and more in Estes Park

Skijor races, with skiers towed by horses through challenging courses, are galloping across Colorado. Estes Park hosts its first skijor competitions on Saturday and Sunday.

The event includes novice races, a warming hut expo on Elkhorn Avenue and a family fun zone. There also are three after-party events. The Twisted Griffin Irish Pub & Restaurant hosts Fancy Bits from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Up at the Stanley Concert Hall, Whitey Morgan & The 78’s will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday. And Hogback Distillery hosts a celebration of Scottish poet Robert Burns on Saturday night, and a series of “Rocky Mountain Auld Lang Syne” culinary experiences and live entertainment all weekend.

Eat, Ski and Be Merry in Frisco

The Frisco Nordic Center will host skiing and snowshoeing on candlelit trails this Saturday. Along the trails are warming bonfires, and snacks and drinks with friends.

Tickets include food and drinks at four bonfire stops along the 2.5-kilometer course.

Timed, advance tickets are required, and rentals are available. Proceeds benefit Team Summit Nordic Program.

X Games Aspen

The X Games return to Aspen Thursday through Saturday, with a variety of extreme ski and snowboard events. The Games always bring high-profile artists for concerts after the lifts close. This year’s performers include Deadmau5, Big Gigantic and Illenium.

The events will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and the Roku Channel.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.