Colorado Snow Update & Whitewater Rafting Forecast

Summer Season Rafting

Well, it has been an awesome winter season here in the Vail Valley and it seems nothing can stop all these smiles! Sage owner Darryl Bangert said it best, “Through our second year amid the pandemic, we’ve witnessed a big demand to get outside and reconnect with nature,” he said. “Seeing our guests come alive during these trips is very rewarding for our staff.”

An outdoor snowmobile adventure is the ultimate socially distanced activity and we have continued to keep excellent safety protocols in place. Snowmobiling throughout this season has been a ton of fun. Recent storms have led to great snow conditions. And now, we’re excited that spring is around the corner. Before we know it, we will be making the transition from snowmobiling to rafting season! Who’s ready for a Colorado whitewater rafting trip?

Snowmobile Tour in Vail, Colorado

Colorado’s Whitewater Rafting Season

As we look forward to spring and the summer Colorado river rafting season, we can’t help but get excited. This winter was unique, as every year is. Winter seemed to arrive late, with a relatively dry start to the winter sports season. But as is so often the case, when the snow did arrive, it came with a vengeance.

When is Whitewater Rafting Season in Colorado? When the Snowmelt Comes!

Since the holidays, snowpack across the state has hovered at or above median levels for much of the winter. Lots of snow on the mountains means great conditions ahead for Colorado river raft trips! Take a look at the expected conditions for our awesome Colorado river rafting 1-day and half-day trips, and prepare for an awesome Colorado white water rafting season.

Gore Creek and Eagle River Rafting Conditions

Right here in the Colorado River basin, the current snowpack sits at about 95% of average levels with more spring storms in the forecast. With a high snowpack in the high country, we can expect good early season rafting on Gore Creek and the Eagle River, which are some of Colorado’s best early summer trips.

In fact, when the Eagle River is at its peak, it’s some of the best whitewater in the country. But what makes the Eagle River is unique, is the steady downward gradient. The upper section from Minturn to Avon features a consistent elevation drop, essentially creating a 10-mile long wave train.

If you’ve never experienced Gore Creek or the Eagle River, don’t wait – come experience it this year! They’re some of the best places to consider when looking at where to whitewater raft in Colorado.

Colorado White Water Rafting Trip in March

Arkansas River Rafting Conditions

Meanwhile, over in the Arkansas River basin, we have a solid snowpack, which currently sits at about 94% of median. This is the most famous stretch of whitewater in Colorado for good reason. Once the spring thaw begins, we’re in for a memorable summer of whitewater rafting on the Ark.

The world-famous Pine Creek and Numbers sections of the Arkansas River boast some of the best class IV and V whitewater rafting in the country. Further downstream, Browns Canyon National Monument offers a trip through an incredibly scenic gorge with 10 miles of class III rapids. Add to this a backdrop of 14,000-foot peaks and rocky desert landscapes, and it’s easy to see why the Ark is a popular rafting destination, particularly with Browns Canyon rafting trips.

It’s shaping up to be a great season for whitewater rafting in Colorado! If you’re planning a trip to Colorado this year, be sure and reserve dates early for your whitewater adventure.

To learn more, visit our Rafting Page. If you have questions or to book a trip, please call us at 970-476-3700 or contact us online.

Welcome to Our Family Snowmobile Paradise

Family Snowmobile Tour

It’s our own little slice of heaven in Colorado. We’re blessed to enjoy this private mountain, all on a 6,000-acre ranch. It’s an incredible experience for families. And it’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else: snowmobiling in Vail.

Our private mountain has more acreage than Vail ski area – without the lift lines. In fact, it’s exclusive to Sage guests. We’ve got the whole place to ourselves, creating an idyllic experience for families looking to go snowmobiling in Vail.

A Family Snowmobiling Adventure

Snowmobiling here is special, “because we put the trails where we want to put the trails.” All 100+ miles of them! A fleet of snowcats and grooming equipment maintains our custom-designed trail system that runs throughout this spectacular mountain area.

It’s an authentic, Colorado backcountry experience. You’ll experience the quiet stillness of snowy aspen groves and towering spruce forests. You’ll glide through open meadows and then look off the vertical red-rock cliffs of the Eagle River canyon.

Your friendly guides, outstanding trails, and a private mountain environment will make this a family experience to remember. Passengers as young as 5-years-old can enjoy a true Colorado mountain experience on the snow.

Experience Vail Snowmobile Tours With Us

To learn more, please explore our Snowmobile Trips on the website. If you have questions or would like to speak with someone about a trip, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 970-476-3700. We’d love to help you plan a memorable Colorado snowmobile adventure!

Bring the family whitewater rafting in Colorado come spring or summer >>

Experience a September Adventure in Colorado

September in Colorado

It has been a beautiful summer here in the Vail Valley – there’s nothing like a quintessential Colorado Vail summer filled with outdoor recreation and stunning sights. We’ve had a blast on rafting trips on the Eagle, Colorado, and Arkansas Rivers. The fishing on the Piney River has been excellent. And at our mountain base, we’re having a blast on horseback rides and side-by-side ATV rides with all of our guests.

As we welcome September, we’re thrilled for one of the best months of the year here in Colorado. The temperatures are still warm, and the September weather is idyllic. Cool mornings lead to warm, sunny afternoons. Soon, the aspens will be turning a bright gold. And wildflowers are still growing throughout the mountain meadows. This is where summer meets fall, and it is spectacular!

September Horseback Rides

Horseback riding here at our private mountain base is an awesome experience in September. You’ll ride through old-growth aspen stands and witness incredible scenery. And in typical Sage fashion, these are not your average nose-to-tail horseback rides. Being on a 6,000-acre private mountain means that we aren’t restricted to designated Forest Service trails. We can explore the entire place, and ride freely through this historic ranch that’s larger than the Vail ski area!

people horseback ridingSide-By-Side ATV Adventures

Side-by-side rides are also a great way to see Colorado in September. These rides also take place on this expansive private mountain, where you’ll have incredible views of the entire Vail Valley.  In addition to the adjoining public land, we have more than 20,000 acres of wild country to explore!

ATV trip in backcountry

Scenic September Rafting in Colorado

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the incredible rafting opportunities here in Colorado in September. River conditions are perfect on many of our favorite stretches of the river. There are a number of fun and incredibly scenic river trips to experience in September around Vail and Beaver Creek. Experience whitewater rafting near Vail during this special time of year.

river in canyonSeptember Fly Fishing on the Piney River

And finally, this is one of the best times of year to experience fly fishing. When it comes to fly fishing, we offer some of the best guided fishing trips in Colorado. And in September, big brown trout begin moving in advance of their fall spawn. Rainbow and cutthroat trout take advantage of grasshoppers and big hatches of late summer insects as they prepare for the lean winter.

angler traverses a river

If you find yourself in Vail, Beaver Creek, or Avon this September, consider yourself one of the lucky ones! Not only is it one of the most beautiful months of the year in Colorado. But it’s also usually a little bit quieter after the peak summer season. Take advantage of it, and find some adventure!

Coming from out of state and staying in Avon? If you’re looking for fun things to do in Avon, Colorado in September, know that all these above Sage-centric adventures at your fingertips. Plan your early fall excursion with us today!

For information on our trips, please explore our website at SageOutdoorAdventures.com. For details and booking you can contact us online or give us a call at 970-476-3700.

Something Completely Different: Horseback Rides through Eagle River Canyon

When was your last horseback ride? Was it a nose-to-tail, hardly thrilling experience? Well, you can forget it. We’ll show you a horseback riding experience the way it was meant to be. Come explore a wild, wide-open country for the best Colorado horseback riding tours, right here in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. We ride along the Eagle River and beyond.

Explore Stunning Scenery on Horseback

At Sage Outdoor Adventures, we explore big, wide-open spaces. These are not your typical horseback riding trails in Colorado. You can expect to ride through open meadows, aspen groves, stands of old-growth spruce forest, and along mountain lakes. Our horses are trained to ride side-by-side rather than in single-file formation. Here, you’re free to break from that routine and explore. This isn’t your usual trail ride!

Where most outfitters are limited to single-track Forest Service trails, we offer something completely different. Operating on a historic, private mountain ranch near Vail, Colorado, we get to explore 6,000 acres of spectacular Colorado scenery. The Ranch is the size of Vail Ski area, and it’s exclusive to our guests. Not only will you be able to break formation, but you’ll also have the place to yourself!

Eagle River Horseback Riding

The Base of Operations for Our Horseback Riding Trails in Colorado

Our base of operations on this incredible mountain provides the perfect summer home for our horses. There’s nothing quite like experiencing a beautiful new place on horseback, and our excellent wranglers will help make sure you feel comfortable and ready to enjoy it. We can accommodate riders of any ability level.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Beaver Creek, Colorado – or Vail – know that this mountain retreat is perched above the Vail Valley and overlooks the Eagle River Canyon. In other words, it’s a quick drive from both Beaver Creek and Vail.

Plus, we offer free hotel pickup and two-hour rides that will have you back in time to enjoy the rest of your day.

To learn more about horseback rides with Sage Outdoor Adventures, please visit our Horseback Riding Page. For availability and reservations, please give us a call at 970-476-3700 or contact us online.

A Driver’s Side Look at Our Side-By-Side ATV Tours

ATV tour near Vail, Colorado

Your summer adventure isn’t complete until you experience a side-by-side ATV tour. Our off road adventures in Colorado are like nothing you’ve ever experienced. When you feel the open air and the excitement of these 4×4 vehicles, riding on wild trails throughout our 6,000-acre private mountain, it will leave you speechless.

Tour a Private Mountain

Right here in the Vail Valley and close to Beaver Creek, we offer side-by-side ATV adventures on an area that’s larger than the Vail ski area – and it’s exclusively for Sage guests. We have the entire place to ourselves, to explore and to take in this wild, Colorado mountain experience.

Enjoy Custom-Built Side-by-Side Trails

Our side-by-side trails are custom-built, specifically for this purpose. Unlike with some off road tours in Colorado, these aren’t just old borrowed Forest Service trails. We’ve designed a trail system to maximize your experience on this epic mountain. We’ll cruise through open meadows full of wildflowers. We will twist and turn through aspen and spruce forests. And we’ll take in jaw-dropping views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Side-by-side ATVs

Catch a Glimpse of the Wildlife

The mountain is home to elk, deer, and a variety of wildlife. From here we can enjoy views of seven different mountain ranges, including the continental divide. We can even hike out to the rim of the Eagle River Canyon, and look off into the 2,400-foot gorge. It’s a special place, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

If you’d like to learn more about our side-by-side ATV tours, please click here where you’ll find pricing and the ability to book online. If you’d like to speak with someone here at Sage, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 970-476-3700.

See you on the mountain this summer!

ATV Tours in Colorado