Three Budgeting Tips for Your Trip to Ouray

Ouray Main Street in the winter time with views of Mt. Hayden and the Beaumont Hotel

Aptly dubbed the “Switzerland of America”, it’s easy to see why so many holidaymakers visit our stunning mountain town of Ouray each year. If you’re planning a trip here soon, you’ll want to make sure you get to see and experience each unique sight and attraction. 

Your budget is an essential part of this, so to help you make the most of it, we’ve put together this brief guide to three budgeting tips for your trip to Ouray.

Plan for Priority Events and Attractions

Crowd of people walking vendor village at the Ouray Ice Fest

Depending on your overall budget for your holiday, you might need to prioritize some activities and events over others. Once your top choices are covered, you can then see if there’s any room in your budget to weave in some additional experiences.

Must-experience winter events happening in the coming months include Yule Day and the Winter Wine Festival, as well as a number of ice festivals – All In Ice Fest, Ouray Ice Fest, and Paradox Ice Fest are popular ones. Each of these events comes with different ticket prices and smaller attractions you may want to spend your money on, so it’s important to plan for each one individually. It’s a good idea to check Ouray’s events calendar for information on the costs associated with each event.

Choose your Accommodation Carefully

Rustic Cabins at Ouray Riverside Resort

As with any destination, the accommodation you choose for your stay can take up a significant portion of your budget. If staying in one of Ouray’s top hotels or cabins is your priority, it makes sense to budget for that – but if not, you may want to look at how you can make your stay a bit more affordable.

Consider the specific location when booking your accommodation. Sometimes, it’s better to pay a little more to stay in the center of town, if it means you’ll save money in other areas, such as on transport. However, if you don’t need to be in close proximity to the certain attractions, or are happy to walk, you have a bit more room to search for affordable accommodation on the outskirts of town.

Currently, there are a number of properties participating in the ‘Stay Two Nights, Get the Third Night Free’ campaign. Making the most of this promotion can result in significant savings if you were planning to stay in the area for at least two or three nights anyway.

Keep a Little Extra for Emergencies

Person in snow looking over Ouray

It’s essential to leave a little room in your budget for unplanned activities or unexpected events, as well as any emergencies. While it’s not the most fun part of planning your trip, ensuring you’re well prepared financially should something go wrong will give you peace of mind during your stay.

Keep this portion of your budget separate from the rest of your spending money, perhaps in a different bank account or even in cash if you’re able to keep it safe on your person. Alternatively, you could have someone back at home keep your money for you, with the understanding that they may need to transfer you should you need it – a tool like Remitly’s makes it quick and easy to transfer money if you’re visiting from overseas.

A Unique Trip Tailored to You

Couple walking in snow on the Perimeter Trail in Ouray, Colorado

Ultimately, your trip will be unique – you should tailor it to your likes and interests, and budget for them appropriately. When it comes to knowing how much to budget, there’s no magic number. Take the time to plan what you want to get out of your trip, and then allocate your money accordingly.