Extreme Colorado
Written by Travel, Trek & Tour Contributor, June 10, 2014
If you just want to see the Rocky Mountains, stay home and look at a picture. If you want to experience them the way they are meant to be experienced, get a helmet, grab a guide and get ready for an extreme adventure. Colorado is the destination for rafting, rock climbing, skydiving, paragliding, and even surfing. If the Rockies themselves don’t humble you, the experience will.
Whitewater Kayaking and Sledging
The high season for whitewater kayaking and sledging is on right now. Colorado’s rocky rivers make for some of the most exhilarating rafting no matter your level of experience. The Colorado River, Arkansas River, and Clear Cree are accommodating for paddlers of all skill levels, as you can chose from calm to rapid rivers.
Local and international climbers flock to Boulder, Colorado, home of some of the most legendary rock-climbing enclaves in the world. One of the most popular is Canyon State Park, with more than 500 climbing routes! Don’t look down but do look around as you take in one of the most spectacular sights you’ll ever see.
Colorado is one the best places to experience the quintessential extreme sport of skydiving. Feel the air above the Rockies and enjoy the views of the snow capped mountains and green meadows, as you free fall from 18,000 feet. Indoor skydiving lessons at SkyVenture will get you well prepped for your moment of truth.
Soar through the crisp Colorado air while paragliding in Telluride. The box canyon (a narrow canyon with a flat bottom and vertical walls) makes Telluride a world-class destination for paragliders. The canyon walls create an updraft, which keeps you sailing longer.
New to the extreme sports scene is river surfing. Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park is a manmade surf and raft wonderland. A popular sport year round, the best time to go to Glenwood Springs is between May and September, when the mountain snow melts and makes the swells stronger. The break, known simply as G-Wave is an ideal spot for pros and newbies alike.
For trip ideas, inspiration and accommodation deals, visit http://www.colorado.com/canadian/welcome-colorado.
To learn more about Colorado’s ski country, check out this article.
