The Colony, TX Outdoor Activities

Fly-A-Sim gives humans wings and shows them how to use them. But these wings aren't covered with feathers or drenched with barbecue sauce—they're virtual and perfect for soaring across an imaginary stratosphere. A certified flight instructor begins each simulated journey with a lesson on how aircraft fly. Afterward, participants board a comfy jet simulator that trains real pilots for a solo flight in the captain's seat. Realistic sounds and visuals conjure a rush of excitement as virtual pilots execute basic maneuvers such as takeoffs and landings. For most simulations, the pilot-in-training can bring along a friend to test-drive the plane or point out clouds that look like Nietzsche's mustache.

With a BYOB policy except on Sundays, 10” subwoofers, and spacious dance floors, Joe and Toni Watson’s fleet of pontoons were designed with revelry in mind. Licensed party-boat operators often chart routes to Party Cove, though they’ll happily drop anchor anywhere in Lake Lewisville and crank up their vessel’s iPod-outfitted stereos. When parties rage beyond sunset, the boats’ multi-colored LED lights flicker on, casting a cool glow on the pontoon’s open deck.

Whether learning how to surf the endless wave during a wake-surfing lesson with pro wake-surf pioneer Tyler Marshall, or serenely building up endorphins, balance, and strength through standup-paddleboard classes, DFW Surf has a team of professional instructors ready to help students of all levels master the world of watersports. Besides offering introductory standup-paddleboarding lessons at the metroplex, they also offer fitness classes on and off the board, including CrossFit H2O and Float On Yoga. Part of what makes DFW Surf one of CBS Local’s 2012 Best Extreme Sports and Rec Spots in North Texas is its promotion of both community spirit and fitness, in addition to its commitment to the growth of inland surf sports through club memberships, monthly cleanups of trash in the lake, and events such as the DFW Surf Open.

At RNR Stables, staffers employ the sport or horseback riding to foster riders' confidence and encourage them to build relationships with horses. Under staff-member leadership, riders can learn about tack, stride, and rein control with private lessons or seek minimal instruction before taking to the sand-laden arena for a serene trot or to build a sand barn with new four-legged friends. If the verdant foliage of a trail ride leaves patrons wanting more, they can rally a group together for a birthday horseback-riding package or a summer-camp session.

As waves churn in the mid-Atlantic, Captain Matt Meadows is hard at work. He has to deliver a sail boat to an eagerly awaiting customer at his destination port in Italy. Though the United States Coast Guard Master occasionally delivers boats domestic and abroad, his main passion is teaching. From his home base on Lake Lewisville, Meadows and his Sail Dallas partner Paul Corey lead lessons ranging from intro to sailing classes all the way through advanced sailing certifications, during which they teach students essential sailing lingo, such as starboard and Pirates of the Caribbean. They also instruct on specialty concentrations such as celestial navigation and offshore sailing. They lead beginning and advanced racing lessons for students interested in performance sailing, and they also rent out their schooners for all sorts of occasions.

Polar Ice House beckons ice-caperers aged 3 and older onto its slippery stage, where they can hone figure-skating and hockey skills or simply twiddle their blades during daily open-skate sessions. Beginners' skating courses include an all-ages Learn to Skate program and a Parent-Tot class that re-creates the gliding experience of moonwalking on an air-hockey table. The rink also hosts whirling laser-light shows that captivate the eyes of skaters on Friday and Saturday night, as well as private events such as birthday parties or broomball tournaments.