OTHER ADVENTURES

Hot Air Balloon Flights

Start Your Day With An Adventure!
There is no better way to view the spectacular scenery of the majestic Rocky Mountains than from a hot air balloon. Our flights of fantasy are scheduled every morning at sunrise and take you over the lovely, rugged landscape of the Aspen/Snowmass area. Our distinctive balloons will carry you aloft for approximately one hour to a gentle landing downwind, offering breathtaking vistas of the mountain ranges around you and the flora and fauna below.

During the course of your flight, we will give you the pleasure of flying high, in order to fully appreciate the magnitude of the mountains, as well as low to see what it's like to fly close to the trees and animals. Our celebration of this adventure-of-a-lifetime begins anew upon landing as we toast our passengers with the 200-year-old tradition of serving champagne; re-tell the story of the first balloon flight in 1783; and recite the prayer to celebrate a successful flight.

Please feel free to bring a camera and lots of film! For those of you with a video camera, bring an extra battery.

Launch Sites: We schedule flights daily from the rodeo grounds in Snowmass Village. As we fly with the breezes, a launch site change due to unfavorable wind direction is at our discretion.

What to Wear: Comfortable slacks and flat shoes and a warm jacket are recommended. Mornings can be brisk, but once in the air, we will feel no wind, and the 15 million BTU burners reflect enough heat to keep us warm.

Reservations: Although we can accommodate large groups of passengers with our fleet of matching balloons, we recommend making reservations as far in advance as possible to ensure availability. Reservations are guaranteed with a credit card number. Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to flight time.

TRANSPORTATION: We provide complimentary transportation to and from local hotels.

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Try out your boating skills!

Whitewater kayaking ranges from gentle moving water to technical and powerful whitewater. Learn the basic skills of kayaking or work on some higher end skills and manoueveures with one of the most experienced and well versed instructors in the Valley.  

Paddle a REAL kayak. They are short and easy to turn, stable, very comfortable and warm, fast, and feature carveable edges for turning. Certified A.C.A. Instructors. 20 year perfect safety record. Weekend, week-long, introductory, and private lessons plus rentals.


Fishing Guides

Try Your Hand At Fly Fishing - Half-Day and Full Day trips
Fly fishing for wild trout in the unspoiled waters of Western Colorado is surely one of life's greatest pleasures. The Aspen/Snowmass area, with the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan Rivers at its back door, is the center of the finest wild trout fishing in Western Colorado.

Both rivers are designated as Gold Medal Rivers by the Colorado Department of Wildlife to signify outstanding trout fisheries.

The Roaring Fork River originates high in the Rockies near Independence Pass and flows through Aspen, emptying into the Colorado River. One of the best-kept secrets for many years is the great spring and summer insect hatches along the Roaring Fork, producing incredible dry fly fishing for months on end.

The Frying Pan River is a tail water fishery with controlled water release from Ruedi Reservoir, and is a thirty-minute drive from Aspen or Snowmass Village. The Frying Pan is well known by avid fly-fishermen across the country for its outstanding insect hatches and year round fishing. Spectacular vistas of mountains and canyons and sightings of mule deer, elk, and wild duck and geese are common experiences for anglers.

Half-day trips include drinks, and we send a guide for each 2-3 guests. Full day trips include lunch.

What To Wear: Adequate hiking apparel, with long or short pants to offer easy mobility; a brimmed hat; polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended. Full waders and boots are provided.

Half Day Team Building Clinic - (For Groups Only)
The professional guides from Aspen Fly fishing will give participants a "crash course" in fly-fishing skills in a riverside park near Aspen. Techniques taught will include: casting for accuracy, knot tying, "reading the river," landing fish on light tackle and fly-tying. At the conclusion of the clinic section of the event, participants will be broken into teams of 5 (each with a guide mentor), and judged on the skills taught. Contests will include: casting to a moving target (judged on accuracy); "landing" a fish in fine line (most likely a guide running around with a large hook in his mouth); actually tying a fly to replicate an insect (local expert Kevin Hurley will judge the finished products); and finally, creating a believable fish story in 5 minutes or less. Prizes can be awarded based on points earned. Clinics are from 9:00-1:00 or an afternoon option from noon-5:00. Minimum: 20, maximum: 40. A buffet lunch is included.

Fishing at Moon Run Ranch
Moon Run is a beautiful working horse ranch in the shadow of Mt. Daly in pristine Old Snowmass. The ranch provides a scenic out-of-Aspen venue for small group or family fishing programs. Aspen Fly Fishing has stocked a safe, shallow farm pond with eager rainbow trout. Allow 4 hours, including transport.

FLY FISHING CLINICS - Groups of 4-12 people will learn the technique and art of fly fishing from experienced guides. Instruction will progress from learning basic fly fishing theory, to actually casting to a rising trout. A great way to learn the basics in a fun environment! Minimum: 4 people.

FAMILY/KIDS POND FISHING - Children of any age will love to reel in feisty rainbow trout with lightweight "spin" tackle. This type of fishing is easy and can be enjoyed by the whole family. All equipment is provided, and no one but the guide ever has to touch a worm (unless they want to)! Minimum: 4, Maximum: 16 people.

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Horseback Riding Options

Close to Town

Breakfast Ride
Why can't every day start like this? We will pick you up in front of your hotel for our group breakfast horseback ride. It's a great Rockies adventure! Breakfast features fresh OJ, eggs, French toast, sausage and cowboy coffee at our cabin on Snowmass Mountain combined with a beautiful morning horseback ride. Add hillsides covered with wildflowers and local aspen groves, and you have the ingredients for a perfect day. Non-riders can go to the cabin by 4WD vehicles and enjoy an early morning jeep trip before breakfast. Duration: 4 hours with transfer. Minimum: 15/maximum 40 riders and 14 people in 4WD vehicles. Upgraded breakfast menus are available and may include smoked salmon platter w/capers, onions & bagels; wild game sausage; assorted cheeses; muffins or sweet breads.

1, 2 or 3-Hour Trail Rides in Snowmass Village
We'll show you Snowmass Mountain from the saddle. Two-hour trail rides include beautiful scenery with views of the Snowmass Creek Valley and Mt Daly and some peaceful time in the mountains. Public rides are available throughout the day. Private rides, for your group only, are available at times that fit your schedule. Minimum: 10 for a private trip. Good for beginner to intermediate riders.

Government Trail Rides
Let Blazing Adventures and Aspen Wilderness Outfitters give you an introduction to our beautiful mountains from atop one of our fun-loving horses. You can choose a trail ride from 2-4 hours that is located just 10 minutes from Aspen on the Government Trail. Prepare yourself for spectacular wildflowers or the gold of fall colors as you ride to Buttermilk Meadows to enjoy views of Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Valley. Minimum for a private trip is 8/maximum 24 people. Trip Level: beginner to intermediate.

Maroon Bells Wilderness Trip
A friendly horse transports you into the Maroon Bells Wilderness. Your guide will give you a tour of the famous Maroon Valley and East Maroon Canyon. You will enjoy great views of Pyramid Peak and the Bells, which are, by the way, the most photographed peaks in North America. Don't be concerned about your riding level. We promise each person a matched companion from novice to experienced rider. Duration: 5 hours with transfer.

Remote Trails

Horseback Rides on the Crown Trail
The mountains are full of snow in Aspen, but downvalley it's spring. You will ride the Crown Trail with Aspen Wilderness Outfitters, experiencing beautiful views of Mt. Sopris from a remote trail. Fall trips are also available. Transfer time is 35 minutes in each direction. Minimum 12/maximum 30.

Capitol Peak Wilderness Trip
Just 12 miles from Aspen, in the remote town of Old Snowmass, is the trailhead to the Capitol Peak Wilderness area. Here you can explore miles of remote trails on responsive horses. The impressive peaks of Mt. Daly and Capitol are always in the scene. There's no doubt that you're in the Rockies. Half and full day trips are offered daily. Group excursions are planned around your free time. Duration: 5-6 hours. Minimum for a private trip is 8/maximum 32 people.

Van Horn Park Wilderness Trip - Intermediate
Our journey will begin with a spectacular van ride to Woody Creek and up that valley to the old logging and mining community of Lenado. Along the way, we will pass several famous residences such as the $40 million Barbie Benton estate and the 53,000 sqare foot house of Prince Bandar. Once on your horses, your ride climbs out of the scenic Woody Creek drainage area to the top of Van Horn Park. Here you will ride in a huge alpine meadow on the top of a ridge that overlooks Aspen, the Maroon Bells, and the entire Elk Range. A trail lunch is included. Your ride will be 4 hours long on well-trained trail horses. We suggest this ride for guests with previous riding experience. Pick up is at 9:00 with a return by 3:00. Minimum for a private trip is 8/maximum 16 people.

WHAT TO WEAR: Jeans or long pants, sturdy shoes or boots.
OPTIONAL: Gloves & hat.
TRIP LEVEL: Beginner to advanced.
CANCELLATIONS: Please update your numbers 7 days in advance. Final minimum numbers are due 72 hours before your ride. These numbers must be within 15% of your 7 days estimated numbers.

ALL TRIPS ARE CONDUCTED BY LICENSED GUIDES. - BLAZING ADVENTURES IS THE BOOKING AGENT.