The ICELab is the entrepreneurial support organization that works to diversify Gunnison County’s economy. The ICELab assists entrepreneurs in getting their ideas off the ground and helps established companies grow. The ICELab also acts as a network hub for businesses, investors, students and workforce in Gunnison and Crested Butte. ICELab staff oversees a coworking space in Gunnison where they run programming and host networking events.

Many small businesses, especially those in the outdoor industry, are keen to move to the Gunnison Valley for outdoor sports like downhill skiing, hiking or mountain biking. In many cases, they come for the adventure and stay for the support the ICELab provides.

Watch the videos below to meet some of the Gunnison Valley’s intrepid entrepreneurs. Although their companies are all quite different, they share a few similarities—creativity, a strong work ethic and passion for outdoor sports.

Andris Zobs founded ID Sculpture in Gunnison, where he felt like he could follow his own path instead of one created for him. ID Sculpture, which designs and manufactures custom playground equipment, now employs more than 30 residents and ships products all over the country.

Crested Butte locals were friendly to penniless young filmmaker Murray Wais when he first visited to film the extreme skiing competitions in the ’80s. He liked the town so much he decided to make a life here for himself and his ski film company, Matchstick Productions. Matchstick has released a major ski film every year for the last 25-plus years.

The steep terrain of Crested Butte Mountain Resort is the perfect testing ground for Caleb and Morgan Weinberg of ROMP Skis. The custom ski company was born in a garage in Crested Butte. The company grew, and so did their families, both thriving in the supportive environment of this small mountain town.