For the Love of Ouray
By Christian Muller
It was a snowy Valentine's Day 2025 in Ouray, Colorado. Just outside the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, in Fellin Park, I came across a young woman visiting from Alaska who was in the process creating a snow sculpture. She was in town for a month of climbing at the Ouray Ice Park, which is located in a canyon within walking distance of town. It is the largest ice-climbing park in the world with 150+ ice and mixed routes. For three months every winter, the park is a mecca for ice climbers from all over the world.
The climber from Alaska was enthusiastic about our small town of Ouray and wanted to express her love with a snow-sculpture installation for Valentine’s Day. She told me “I love how friendly everyone is here, and it is very supportive community for climbing with all the great guides and volunteers. If I ever decide to leave Alaska, I will for sure move to Ouray!”
Snow Sculpture from the Alaskan Ice Climber ❤️
I use the Ouray Hot Springs Pool pretty much every day to work out in the gym, swim some laps, and soak away all my tensions and troubles from the day in the natural hot spring water. Yes, I admit, I am a true "Aquaholic", and if you love water as much as I do, then Ouray is your perfect destination! After a fun-filled day of outdoor recreation, you can unwind and renew by partaking of the town's various hot springs facilities which are tucked in to the town and surrounded by spectacular peaks. Taking in the majestic mountain views while soaking in the welcoming warm water is a completely renewing and life affirming experience.
If you would like to go deeper in your water-healing journey, I offer Watsu Aquatic Bodywork sessions at a few of the local warm pools. Imagine being floated, gently stretched, and massaged in warm water with all your tension and stress melting away. A typical session lasts one hour, with a series of techniques and free-flow movements that invite deep relaxation and renewal. I have thirty years of experience as a Watsu Practitioner and studied with its founder at Harbin Hot Springs in California. Even after all these years I still love doing Aquatic Bodywork and bringing people deep healing and happiness every day. So please come visit our healing-water town of Ouray, Colorado.
