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Enjoy Winter on A Snowmobiling Adventure

Posted December 1, 2021 by by Ryan McSparran

When winter hits the Vail Valley, we can’t help but get excited for a new season of snowmobiling adventures! Vail, Colorado snowmobiling doesn’t get better than the trips we offer here at Sage.

It’s a magical time when the snow begins to fall. The snowmobiles are ready. The snowcats will soon begin grooming trails throughout our 6,000-acre private mountain playground. And our guides will start welcoming guests for our incredible trips.

To get a feel for the snowmobiling experience here at Sage Outdoor Adventures, check out this tour of the operation:

This is winter fun at its finest, and Sage makes the most of it!

Our Private Winter Snowmobiling Base

Having a base of operations on a beautiful private mountain near Vail, Colorado allows us to offer a snowmobiling experience that’s unrivaled. It’s one of our greatest points of pride here at Sage Outdoor Adventures. It’s a big part of what makes us different.

The Benefits of a Private Mountain Experience

A snowmobile tour with us means having access to 6,000 rideable acres. What does that mean for our guests? To put it in perspective, that’s bigger than the Vail ski area, and it’s entirely yours. The only people you’ll see on the entire mountain are other Sage guests. Most tour companies rely on Forest Service permits: they are forced to deal with public conditions and are restricted to specific trails and small play areas.

Our riders get to explore the entire mountain. This mountain paradise has 2,500 feet of vertical, more than 100 miles of maintained Colorado snowmobile trails, and expansive meadows for open riding. Our base of operations sits at 8,100 feet elevation, the same as Vail and Beaver Creek Villages. Most of our mountain is north-facing, which preserves snow conditions on our trails.

A Base Cabin with Stunning Views of the Winter Landscape

Finally, the private mountain experience offers an unparalleled level of comfort. Whereas operators on public trails are forced to use temporary check-in trailers and outhouses, our guests enjoy a cozy cabin at our mountain base. Our base is nestled in a scenic valley with incredible views. The cabin is a great place for customers to relax, with wood-burning stoves, fully equipped restrooms, and a 5,000 square-foot deck overlooking the valley.

Private Colorado Snowmobile Trails

Trail quality is another major point of pride. Our crew sets the standard for excellent trails and grooming. We operate three Snowcats for grooming, plus five drag groomers that are pulled by snowmobiles. Trail maintenance takes a lot of effort and our team is the best in the business. On a snowmobile ride with us, you won’t have to worry about hitting washboard sections or nasty dips. You’ll be free to enjoy the incredible scenery and an experience like nowhere else!

The best mountain and the greatest facilities wouldn’t mean what they do without our incredible team. Our people are still what make a Sage experience truly special – but having the opportunity to operate in such an incredible location sure doesn’t hurt!

To learn more bout the winter experience here at Sage, please take a few minutes to scroll through our Snowmobiling Page. You’ll find information on trips, pricing, and more. To reserve dates, just follow the “book now” button on the website. Or if you’d like to discuss it with our team, feel free to give us a call at 970-476-3700.

Join the Team at Sage Outdoor Adventures this Winter

Posted October 14, 2021 by by Ryan McSparran

Apply now to work with the always-friendly, happy and outdoorsy team at Sage Outdoor adventures! We are currently accepting applications for the 2021/22 winter season.

Available positions include reservations staff, guides, shuttle drivers and snowcat groomers. If you’re looking for a fun, outdoorsy career in the Vail Valley of Colorado, this could be it. The team here at Sage Outdoor Adventures is truly world class.

Not some fly-by-night outfit or ordinary seasonal business, Sage is an established guide service that offers year-round adventures near Vail and Beaver Creek. We’re proud to have a core team that works year-round. Their roles include rafting guides, safety kayakers, snowmobile guides, fishing guides, shuttle drivers, ATV guides and horse wranglers.

Our crew members are positive, upbeat and genuinely great people who love being outdoors and sharing those adventures with our guests. Sage is a drug-free workplace and you can bet that our team is made up of folks who are truly a pleasure to work with.

If that sounds like you, we’d encourage you to submit and application! To review the available positions and for more information, please click here.

Some of our 2021/22 Winter Job Openings Include:

Snowmobile Guides
Snowcat and Trail Crew
Reservations Staff
EMT Satefy Crew
CDL Drivers

Not sure what it takes to be a snowmobile guide? Not sure how to sell trips as a part of our reservations staff? We can train you and give you the opportunity to learn. All we need from you is an excellent attitude and a willingness to work!

To learn more and to apply, please visit SageOutdoorAdventures.com/Careers.

Interested in working with one of the best white water rafting companies in Colorado? Stay tuned for announcements for when we hire for the summer season!

Experience a September Adventure in Colorado

Posted September 2, 2021 by by Ryan McSparran

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!

Side-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!

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.

September 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.

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.

Featured River: The Arkansas River

Posted August 12, 2021 by by Ryan McSparran

Rafting on the Arkansas River in Colorado

Whitewater rafting has always been outstanding here in the Vail Valley and across Colorado, and we’d like to introduce you to another one of our favorite rivers.

In case you missed our previous featured rivers, go back and check out our profile on the Shoshone rapids through Glenwood Canyon – Shoshone rafting is great for families. Also check out the Upper Eagle River and Gore Creek, which offer some of Colorado’s best early-season rafting from Vail, down through Avon and Beaver Creek.

Arkansas River: Whitewater Rafting on Colorado’s Ultimate Rafting River

This time, let’s talk about the Arkansas River. The ‘Ark’ is well-known in Colorado for its incredible whitewater all summer long. But there’s more than just rapids that make the Arkansas special.

“The Arkansas River brings to mind crystal clear, relatively warm water, in a semi-arid desert with warm air temps that create a perfect rafting environment,” Commented Cole Bangert, owner and guide here at Sage. “It’s totally unique in the west. The flows on the Ark are augmented by reservoirs upstream, so rafting is phenomenal all summer; not just during early snowmelt periods.”

Those experienced with Clear Creek Colorado rafting, or trips on the Eagle River, know that those are a couple of Colorado rafting trips that rely heavily on that early snowmelt period.

Enjoy Stunning Views While Rafting Through Browns Canyon Rapids

According to Cole, the backdrop on the Arkansas, with Browns Canyon rafting trips or the Numbers excursions, also makes it unique. The entire corridor is lined with towering 14,000-foot peaks, the highest concentration of “14-ers” in the state. With snow-capped peaks above and desert granite boulders below, the banks of the Arkansas River are scattered ponderosa pine, and the vanilla aroma from their bark fills the air.

If all that isn’t enough, the whitewater is top quality.

Tackle the Arkansas River’s Powerful Rapids

“The upper stretches of the Arkansas River boast big class V rapids, with the steepest commercially-run rapid in the U.S.,” Cole added. “The Pine Creek section drops at a gradient of over 200 feet per mile. This is a mile-long class V rapid with tricky moves, fast water, big waves, and big hydraulics that must be run with precision and power.”

Just below Pine Creek is the popular, “Numbers” stretch, where rafters will find some of the most fun class IV drops anywhere in Colorado. The numbers rapids of the Arkansas River are some of the most famous waters for experienced rafters to enjoy in this great state.

Float Through a National Monument While Arkansas River Rafting

And finally, below the town of Buena Vista is the most popular stretch on the Arkansas River, Browns Canyon National Monument. This spectacular canyon was designated a National Monument in 2015, and for good reason.

“Here, you have the opportunity to float through a jaw-dropping gorge,” Cole concluded. “It consists of ten miles of class III rapids, where groups and families can enjoy an incredible experience amid these impressive natural surroundings.”

Even if you’re looking for fun things to do in Avon, CO, which is closest to the Eagle River, don’t discount the Arkansas River close by.

Explore the rest of our site for more info on rafting trips and other activities offered at Sage, or give us a call at 970-476-3700.

3 Things You Need For Every Colorado Vail Summer Adventure

Posted July 10, 2021 by by Ryan McSparran

The summer season is flying by, and we’re having a blast on rafting trips, horseback rides, side-by-side ATV rides and fly fishing trips with all of our guests. It has been a beautiful summer so far here in the Colorado high country in the Vail area.

As you prepare for your own summer adventures, here are three easy-to-overlook items that you’ll need for any Colorado summer adventure. Whether you’re on the water or on the trail, don’t forget to pack these critical items.

1. Sunblock

In the Colorado high country, the sun comes full-strength. If you appreciate your skin, don’t leave home, or your hotel room without it. We’ve seen plenty of folks put a damper on their trip by getting burned on the first day. Whether you’re out for a couple of hours of horseback riding or a full day of rafting, take the time to apply some sunblock, even if you don’t burn easily. Don’t underestimate the power of the summer sun here at altitude.

2. Sunglasses

Again, the sun at high elevations in the Rockies runs hot. It can be hard on your eyes if you’re not wearing UV protection. Glare from water and snow can be especially harmful. Be sure to pack a pair of sunglasses when you set out for a day of adventuring. If you’re headed for the river, don’t forget sunglass straps!

3. Water Bottle

The arid Colorado climate and the high altitude combine to cause quick dehydration. Headaches are the most common reaction to altitude. Fortunately, drinking plenty of water is usually the best prevention. And in an effort to limit the large amount of waste generated by plastic bottles, remember to bring your own reusable water bottle on each day’s adventure.

Finally, come with a flexible attitude and ready to have fun! Our crew will take care of the controllable factors – but on any mountain adventure, weather and conditions can vary. A smile and a sense of adventure will go a long way toward making any situation a fun one. If you have questions about summer trips with Sage Outdoor Adventures, give us a call at 970-476-3700. Explore the rest of our website for trip information, booking and more.