Annual Rio Frio Ice Festival will feature winter Olympics-themed outdoor activities
Jan. 9, 2026
Photo provided by Alamosa Parks and Recreation
Jan. 23-25 marks this year’s Rio Frio Ice Festival, a celebration-filled, wintry weekend in Alamosa with chilly charm at its center.
Alamosa Parks and Recreation hosts this annual event, and while it centers around an icy 5K, attendees can also enjoy other frozen attractions and tournaments.
Dalton Carleo, the festival director, outlined the schedule and described its activities:
Photo provided by Alamosa Parks and Recreation
On Jan. 23, the weekend commences at 6 p.m. with a Cross-Country Luminaria Ski in Blanca Vista Park. The ski course, an almost figure-eight-shaped double loop, is lit up with the paper bag festival lights.
Those racing in the chip-timed Rio Frio 5K can pick up their packets on Jan. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Knee Knockers Bar & Grill, as well as on Jan. 24 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Alamosa Senior Center.
The race will begin at 10 a.m. on Jan. 24, taking place on top of the iced-over Rio Grande River. Carleo shared that this main event is the most popular part of the weekend, and attendees from across the United States participate.
Those interested in joining the river race must register and pay the $25 entry fee, or $30 for registrations made after Jan. 18 at 11:59 p.m. An additional processing amount may be included and vary depending on purchases, according to the registration form. Optional $15 T-shirts are also available for purchase during registration.
Carleo recommends that racers wear microspiked or trail shoes, and all festival attendees should dress in layers if the weather forecast predicts harsh winter conditions.
The Rio Frio 5K award ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at the finish line, followed by the opening of the kids’ zone, a DJ booth and other winter activities at Cole Park that will last until 2 p.m.
Carleo noted that many of the event sponsors will give away local swag, offer food and drinks and provide community prizes here and throughout the weekend.
From noon to 2 p.m., the SoCo Ice Bowl disc golf tournament takes place at the Alamosa Disc Golf Course. Registration and a $20 entry fee are required for the singles tournament; the form closes at midnight on Jan. 24.
According to the registration page, the event is capped at 30 participants, who are asked to bring canned food or cash donations for the San Luis Valley Food Bank Network.
From 2 to 6 p.m., Milagros Coffee House will host an SLV Makers Market.
Attendees can also sign up for a 3-6 p.m. cornhole tournament. Teams are required, and only 14 can participate. According to the registration form, teams must register and pay a $20 entry fee in cash.
SLV Brewery will also have a happy hour at 4 p.m., and a Fire and Ice bonfire will close out the night at 6:30 p.m. on San Juan Avenue.
Photo provided by Alamosa Parks and Recreation
Throughout the day, attendees can view ice carving demonstrations on Main Street that correspond with the festival’s Olympics theme, “Legends of the Ice.”
Photo provided by Alamosa Parks and Recreation
The festival ends with a polar plunge and ice carousel at noon in Blanca Vista Park, which Carleo said is free to watch.
Photos provided by Alamosa Parks and Recreation
Carleo emphasized that the weekend features several crowd-drawing activities, adding that events like this spotlight local creatives, culture and recreation while allowing the community to gather and show others what Alamosa is all about.
This year, the event’s organizers hope to see more attendees, especially from the community, and further showcase Alamosa’s travel-worthy traits.
More information on the festival is available on the event’s website and Facebook.
Those interested in volunteering can find more information and a registration form here.
