snowmobile tour | Sage Outdoor Adventures

Colorado Snow Update & Whitewater Rafting Forecast

Posted March 15, 2022 by by Ryan McSparran

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?

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.

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.

Technology Improves Backcountry Snowmobiling in Colorado

Posted February 18, 2022 by by Ryan McSparran

These aren’t your father’s snowmobiles. When arriving for a snowmobile tour, many of our guests are surprised at the change in snowmobiles since they last rode as a kid. Machines used to be noisy, and emit a strong smell of gas exhaust. But the modern snowmobile experience is something completely different.

Gone are the days of loud engines and the smell of exhaust. Ever since the pressure on snowmobile manufacturers to clean up emissions in places like Yellowstone National Park, the industry has responded with some incredible new technology. In addition to being cleaner, the new era of snowmobiles creates the opportunity for wilderness experiences like never before.

Reduced Snowmobile Emissions Due to New Technology

You might be surprised to learn that snowmobiles have an incredibly small carbon footprint, particularly compared to the amount of energy required to operate ski lifts. On an average snowmobile tour, your sled will use less than a gallon of gas. In the modern era of sled technology, Colorado snowmobile tours are an environmentally responsible and memorable way to experience the beautiful backcountry of this state.

Sage’s Ski-Doo Snowmobiles

Here at Sage Outdoor Adventures, our guests get the very best in snowmobile technology. We are proud to have a lineup of 90 Ski-Doo Grand Touring Sport sleds. These snowmobiles feature 4 stroke engines, which are incredibly quiet, clean and very fuel-efficient. They are lightweight, comfortable and fun to ride!

They are so quiet that you’re more likely to hear the tracks turning on the snow than the engine itself. With extremely low emissions and no odor, there’s little else to distract from the beautiful mountain experience. In fact, the number one reason among guests to go snowmobiling is the wilderness experience.

Today’s snowmobiles are much lighter with more horsepower than ever before. Improvements in clutching, throttle control, and suspensions offer an effortless riding experience, even in deep powder. What all that technology really means is that it’s an incredibly fun ride while maintaining a wonderful outdoor experience.

You can always count on Sage to have the best possible machines available. That’s because we are a Ski-Doo direct dealer, getting sleds direct from the factory and having factory-trained mechanics. Our snowmobiles are on a two-year rotation, guaranteeing our guests the newest and best technology available.

What to Expect while Snowmobiling

When you embark on that snowmobile tour, you can expect an outstanding Colorado mountain experience. Many of our guests have the opportunity to see wildlife that winters on the ranch. You’ll enjoy catching speed through some of our freshly groomed meadows, and winding peacefully through stands of aspen and spruce trees. And you’ll have to catch your breath as you see the incredible views over the Eagle River Canyon and the whole Vail Valley. Snowmobiling near Vail Colorado is a must-do activity if you’re here in the winter!

Snowmobile technology has certainly changed dramatically over the past 15 years. If you haven’t experienced it, it’s time to hop on and take a ride! Be sure to check out our Snowmobiling Page to learn more about our Colorado snowmobile trails and tours.

If you have questions about tours or availability, please call us at 970-476-3700. You can also contact us online for information.

See You On the Snow! Preparing For Snowmobile Season

Posted September 29, 2021 by by Ryan McSparran

We are getting ready for an awesome snowmobile season in Colorado’s Vail Valley! The sleds are getting tuned and ready, trail groomers are ready to rock and the snow has already begun to fall at the higher elevations for awesome Vail, Colorado snowmobiling!

Preparing Our Custom Snowmobile Playground

Here at Sage, we have the benefit of operating on a massive, 6,000-acre private mountain, for pristine snowmobiling in Vail, Colorado. If you’re looking for an escape from the lift lines and ski area crowds this winter, it doesn’t get any better than a snowmobile ride on this wild peaceful mountain.

Our mountain headquarters is home to a comfortable base of operations with a heated lodge and indoor restrooms. We’re continuing to take all precautions to clean and sanitize all surfaces and equipment for our guests’ safety.

And with 100 miles of perfectly groomed trails, sweeping views from the edge of the Eagle River Canyon, trails with views of six different mountain ranges, and an unbelievable variety of terrain, there’s plenty of space to roam. There’s no better way to experience winter in the beautiful Colorado high country.

The Sage Snowmobiling Tour Experience

We’ve always operated with a very small guide-to-guest ratio. We customize every tour to each group. No two tours around here are ever the same! We want all of our guests to appreciate the joy and freedom of snowmobiling in through beautiful mountain scenery – no matter your experience level.

Our tours are NOT a “follow me and keep up” experience. We teach our guests how to ride their snowmobiles and have more fun in the snow. In fact, 50 yards from the starting point are some incredible practice meadows. Guests have the opportunity to learn the feel of their sled in a perfect, wide-open setting, preparing them for the twists and turns of trails to come. There are a total of 10 free-ride meadows scattered throughout our 6,000-acre mountain playground.

Our High-End Snowmobiles

We are proud to offer guests the very best snowmobile technology. We have a stable of 90 high-end Ski-Doo snowmobiles. They are highly fuel-efficient four-stroke machines. They are incredibly quiet and offer superb handling.

With these industry-leading snowmobiles, we put our focus on our guests’ most-requested tour – and that’s the two-hour guided snowmobile tour. This is a perfect snowmobile experience for beginning riders. Skiing for half a day? Perfect! It’s so close to Vail and Beaver Creek, this is an ideal experience!

In addition to our two-hour guided tour, we also offer trips specifically for advanced riders. But no matter what tour you choose, our guides are there to be teachers. That is a major focus for all of our snowmobiling trips.

For more information about our snowmobile tours and how to prepare, please take a look at our Snowmobiling Page. If you have specific questions or would like to reserve your tour, please give us a call at 970-476-3700 or contact us online.

We look forward to seeing you on a Colorado snowmobile ride this season!

Sage Outdoor Adventures Boasts Major Snowmobile Area Improvements

Posted November 22, 2017 by by Ryan McSparran

The team at Sage Outdoor Adventures is thrilled to announce broad new improvements to an already highly rated snowmobile program; in fact, it’s the top-rated outdoor activity in Vail, according to TripAdvisor.

How Sage Improved our Snowmobile Trail System

New improvements this year at Sage Outdoor Adventures include a totally redesigned trail system and a new state-of-the-art snowcat for improved trail grooming and maintenance.

Over the past several months, the guides and designers of Sage’s snowmobile trail system have been hard at work. The team recently completed the redesign and building of a new network of trails.

“We considered the area’s geology, vegetation, wind patterns, and snow deposition zones,” said head trail designer Darryl Bangert. “Other major factors that went into this trail redesign included trail flow, view corridors, and some of our guides’ favorite places to discover with guests.”

Sage’s Private Snowmobiling Mountain

Sage operates on a private ranch near Vail, a property that covers more than 6,000 acres. The area has proven to be an ideal base of operations for snowmobile tours, with 2,500 feet of vertical relief on a north-facing mountain. Sage’s base area sits at 8,100 feet above sea level, the same as Vail and Beaver Creek.

The terrain here lends itself to incredible riding trails, and the area is actually larger than the Vail ski area.

“Imagine being able to design the ski runs on Vail Mountain, and then consider that we get to design snowmobile trails on an even bigger area,” Bangert commented. “We are all passionate about riding and discovering the most fun routes. Our extensive background in hiking and cross country skiing gives us great insight into the intimate feel of the land.”

What to Expect when Snowmobiling with Sage

Sage Outdoor Adventures has over 100 miles of marked trails and 25 different loop routes. Sage also has more open meadow riding than the combined bowl area of Vail Mountain.

Also, new this year, Sage has purchased a 2018 Prinoth Husky Snowcat. This state-of-the-art cat will be added to Sage’s grooming fleet and will allow the team at Sage to maintain the best possible trail quality.

Guests in Vail and Beaver Creek expect a high-level product, and Sage’s grooming efforts are second-to-none.

“We want our guests to learn the machines and to enjoy the views, not fight with poorly groomed terrain,” Bangert concluded.

To experience the trails yourself, check out our Snowmobiling page or contact us directly at 970.476.3700!

About Sage Outdoor Adventures: Headquartered in Vail, Colorado, Sage is a client-focused organization, whose goal is to facilitate creating memories, connecting with family and friends, and most of all, just plain having fun. Offering whitewater rafting, ATV tours, horseback riding, fishing, sporting clays, and snowmobiling, everything is planned and executed with one goal in mind: the guest experience. Learn more on our homepage.