Things to do / Travel Guide
Float far above treeline, suspend yourself amidst sun-dappled, snow-kissed summits, reach an acme of altitude and then glide to the ground with the graceful guidance of gusts and gravity. In the Colorado Rockies, ballooning, paragliding, hang gliding, and soaring provide an unparalleled perspective on the region's superb scenery. And if you are looking for a wild winter ride, try dog sledding, ski biking, or snowmobiling for some very different kinds of winter adventure travel thrills.
Hot Air Ballooning in the Colorado Rockies
Sail through the Colorado Rockies' cobalt skies in your colorful balloon-and-wicker-basket ship. Hot air ballooning is one of the best ways to gaze upon Colorado Rockies' glorious mountain and valley views. Balloon tours are available in the Northwest Colorado towns of Aspen (over Roaring Fork Valley), Vail, and Steamboat Springs, the South-Central Colorado town of Buena Vista, and the Southwest Colorado community of Ridgway (over Uncompahgre River Valley). Rides can last anywhere from one hour to four hours and usually include a celebratory champagne toast.
Paragliding and Hang Gliding in the Colorado Rockies
Drift dreamily amidst snow-capped peaks over green-pastured meadows painted with wildflower blossoms. Paragliding and hang gliding are available in the Northwest Colorado towns of Aspen and Steamboat Springs (above the Yampa Valley), the South-Central Colorado community of Salida, and the Southwest Colorado towns of Crested Butte, Gunnison, and Telluride. Gliding schools and centers are generally open year-round, providing no-experience-necessary tandem glides as well as solo flights for the more experienced. Flights usually last around two hours from launch to landing.
Soaring in the Colorado Rockies
Slide and swoop on air as you sit in a plane without an engine and soar above 14,000-foot summits. Soarplanes are towed to a pre-selected altitude, released, and then steered back (on wind currents) to a “gliderport” runway. Soaring is generally available (and most spectacular) from May-October in Steamboat Springs and Telluride. In the Northwest Colorado town of Durango you can coast above the San Juan Mountains and peer down at the thin, snaking strand of the Animas River glistening far below.
Wild Winter Adventure Travel in the Colorado Rockies
For a wild, yet domesticated dogsled ride, you can head to Krabloonik Kennels in the Northwest Colorado town of Snowmass Village. Krabloonik owns about 300 dogs, 13 of which will pull you around nearby Aspen, should you so choose. The cost for a two-hour ride is about $200. If canine capers are not your thing, then climb onto the seat of a snowmobile to zip and zoom around trails at a thrilling 40 miles per hour. Snowmobile rentals and trails (maps provided) are available in the Northwest Colorado towns of Aspen, Vail, and Tiger Run (four miles north of Breckenridge) as well as in the Southwest Colorado community of Crested Butte, from November-April, depending on snowfall.
Ski Biking in Vail
For a unique type of winter adventure travel, try a harrowing downhill ride on a ski bike. What is it? A hybrid bike-ski contraption that looks like a bike, but skis replace the wheels. Indeed, ski biking challenges even the most expert or advanced-level skier with a hair-raising, tear-down-the-mountain kind of ride. The ski resort at Vail offers classes and excursions in this new, trendy downhill snow phenomenon. You can test it out during the day or, if you are feeling particularly brave, strap on a headlamp and sign up for nighttime, downhill ski biking adventure.
Vail, Aspen, Telluride, Steamboat Springs and the Colorado Rockies
Adventure-Travel
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