Outside in Aspen delivers outdoor fun June 11-13

by Gadling Staff on

Outside magazine and the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) have announced the first annual Outside in Aspen adventure weekend set to take place in Aspen, Colorado June 11-13. The three day event will be filled with hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities, with a host of professional adventure athletes, such as Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton and mountaineer/photographer Jake Norton, on hand to take part in the fun.

The festivities get underway on Friday night with a welcome party at the Sky Hotel which will be used t for the Leave No Trace organization. Then, on Saturday the Base Camp will open, which will serve as the adventure headquarters for the weekend’s activities. Visitors will gather at BC to meet up with guides who will take them rock climbing, trail running, cycling, fly fishing, and much more. Then, following a full day of active outdoor pursuits, it’ll be time to head over to a pool party at the Hotel Jerome. An after party at the Belly Up Aspen, will round out the evening.

On Sunday, it’s back to Base Camp for another full day of outdoor fun. The weekend will be capped by a panel discussion moderated by Outside editors, with adventure athletes fielding questions from the crowd and discussing issues in the adventure community. Lunch will be served following the panel discussion, with a gear give away soon there after.

In order to make Outside in Aspen as affordable and accessible as possible, special packages are being offered through Stay Aspen Snowmass, where you can get two-night lodge packages starting at $99. Additionally, the Outside in Aspen Activity Package is available for $250 and includes entrance to the welcome party, half day outdoor activities on both Saturday and Sunday, access to Base Camp festivities throughout the weekend, and entrance to Saturday’s Pool Party as well. The package also includes admission to the adventure athlete panel discussion on Sunday, and includes lunch after that event too.

For a great weekend of outdoor fun and adventure, plan on being in Aspen on June 11-13. It is sure to be a great time. Register here.

Take a custom fly fishing excursion in Colorado this summer

by Kraig Becker on

Anglers looking for a unique fly fishing experience will have some amazing new options later this year when The Little Nell, the famous upscale resort located in Aspen, Colorado, begins offering custom guided fishing tours. Visitors will gain access to the Roaring Fork Valley and its Gold Medal waters, including the Frying Pan, Colorado, and Crystal Rivers, which are well known for having the best trout fishing anywhere in the U.S.

These custom guided tours offer a wide array of exciting and unusual options. For instance, multi-day excursions are available, including overnight camping in the pristine Colorado backcountry, some of which is only accessible by horseback. Additionally, the resort’s on site equipment shop is the only retail outlet in the U.S. that exclusively sells the legendary tackle from Hardy of England, giving anglers a chance to rent or buy gear from one of the most renowned brands in the sport.

The resort’s Director of Fly Fishing (Yes, that’s his real title. How cool is that?), David Doerr has worked closely with the Aspen Trout Guides to build an extensive selection of options that can cater to any angler’s needs. These top guides, which include former Olympic skier turned pro angler Andy Mill, know all the best places to catch trophy fish and the best ways to put you in position to do just that.

If you’re interested in booking your own custom fishing experience with the Little Nell, you can do so on the resorts website or by calling (970) 920-4600.

Go back to a simpler day at Beaver Creek Resort Summer Camp

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Once upon a time, you’d take off in the summer with a sleeping bag, a fishing pole and a pocket knife. Summer camp offered all the soft challenges you could imagine (such as stomaching awful food), but you always had a blast. No responsibilities weighed you down. Today, though, those days are gone. You worry about paying the mortgage, getting to work on time and keeping your kids entertained.

If only you could go back … if only for a little while.

Vail Beaver Creek Resort Properties has the answer: “Camp Not Exactly Roughing It.” Blend the excitement and freedom of summer camp from your childhood with cocktails and cuisine that is far from revolting, and you have the perfect adult getaway (especially if you get some mile-high action en route).

Oh, and you’ll stay in one of Beaver Creek’s resorts or condos instead of a dumpy cabin or (blech) tent.

This program runs from June 13 to September 7, 2009. So, be ready to do all the hiking your legs will handle. Play a little frisbee golf or learn to fly fish. You’ll also get two lift tickets up Beaver Creek mountain (enjoy the view) and breakfast for two ever day. Horseback riding, ziplining, bungee trampoline, mountain bike rentals and hot air balloon trips are also available. You can get in on this action for $262 a night, for a minimum of three nights.