Longmont, CO Outdoor Activities

Breckenridge Stables' herd of more than 100 steeds trots along for scenic trail rides, Western-style lessons, and historical tours of the town. As horses deftly navigate the Tenmile Range, guides point out local wildlife along the continental divide, the imaginary line drawn when Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox broke up. During colder months, Breckenridge Stables' custom-built mountain sleighs keep passengers snuggly during sleigh rides as a team of belgian, clydesdale, or percheron horses canters through the Colorado air.

Nestled in River Run Village at the base of Keystone Mountain, NorSki Sport Rental arms outdoor enthusiasts with high-quality, custom-fitted equipment from manufacturers such as K2, Nordica, or Rossignol. Cold-weather cavorters lock into a snowboard or pair of skis for a speedy journey down the slopes, or slip on a pair of snowshoes to traipse about Keystone’s extensive trail system in search of the abominable snowman’s ice-sculpture garden. For warmer amusement, patrons rent Specialized brand mountain, touring, and hybrid bikes during the summer months. NorSki’s knowledgeable team of mechanics carefully dotes on each piece of rental equipment, maintaining a fleet that is both safe to ride and assured of its self-worth.

Paddles slice through churning waters, keeping rafts on their course down Clear Creek as it cuts through the Denver Mountain Parks . At the base of the red crags of Gore Canyon, the white-capped water of the Colorado River foretells rafters’ trips through daunting class IV and V rapids. Elsewhere, guests make like protoplasmic coat hangers as they zipline over the scenery of Idaho Springs.

But rafting trips and zipline tours are just the beginning. Arkansas Valley Adventures leads all kinds of expeditions through Colorado’s mountains and valleys, tossing in ATVs, hot air balloons, helicopters, horses, and fishing rods with the paddles and ziplines. While flying down the Eagle River explorers will have plenty of chances to get in touch with their rugged side and ask ancient rock faces whether the paleo diet is an apt reflection of the habits of early humans.

After ten years of surfing and sailing around the world, Anton Rainold finally became a record-setter in an entirely different sport. In 2003, he transferred his skills to a cooler climate and became the first man in the US to open a snowkite-specific shop and school, as Summit Daily News reported. In the Colorado Kite Force shop, Rainold's team outfits shoppers for applications such as backcountry kiting, park and freestyle riding, or kiteboarding on the water in the summer. In the snow, they lead lessons for children and families, sharing techniques on how to stay safe, secure, and ready to lasso an adorable baby zephyr at any moment. After several hours, students are ready to strap into skis or snowboards, grab the control bar, and speed across the snow under the power of a majestic four-line kite.

In 1996, Jeff Martin left behind his career as a computer software programmer in Michigan to pursue his dream of a more rugged and exciting lifestyle—that of a dogsled musher. After a couple years of studying the trade, he founded Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park in 2000. Today, the outfit’s crack team of 80 Siberian and Alaskan huskies pulls sledders and their knowledgeable guides through the snowy expanses of the Fraser Valley. Covering between four and five miles in 45 minutes, each ride features dramatic views of the Continental Divide and Winter Park Ski Resort. Along the way, the guide relates the rich history of the sport, describes local attractions, and points out wildlife such as moose, coyotes, and herds of roaming landscape artists.

Good Times Adventures’ first five guides took to the trails surrounding Breckenridge in 1986, leading their first visitors around on a ramshackle collection of 20 mismatched, antiquated snowmobiles. Those first forays weren’t fancy, but they were full of lessons. Through the years, the guides put those early learning experiences to good use, collaborating with the US Forest Service to expand their network of trails and acquiring a powder-smoothing snowcat to groom more than 40 miles of scenic routes through Swan Valley and White River National Forest. Today, more than 30 employees organize excursions for hundreds of guests, drawing their vehicles from a fleet of more than 100 of the latest seasonal models.

The even, glossy swathes of snow suit not only the treads of snowmobiles, but also those of dog sleds. Breckenridge local Orion takes the reins of his father’s business and an Iditarod-style sled, leading passengers along the same trails with dogpower rather than horsepower. Good Times’ staff welcomes guests—whether travelling by animal or machine—back to their lodge after each excursion to enjoy scenic views, complimentary hot chocolate, and snowsuit fashion shows.