Whether your attendees prefer intense adventures or relaxing rambles, the rugged mountains of the American West will captivate and energize them. Following are nine unique group-friendly experiences, in ascending order from least to most extreme.
1.) Rejuvenate at Mount Princeton Hot Springs,Nathrop, Colo.
Visitors flock year-round to the Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort to soak in the relaxing waters of the geothermal pools surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks. (Whitewater rafting down the Arkansas River along Continental Divide is also popular in the area, but not nearly as soothing.) For lodging, private cabins and hotel rooms can accommodate as many as 250 overnight guests. Event spaces include the 50-person restaurant deck, a 4,800-square-foot indoor pavilion, large lawn spaces, an 85-person conference center with mountain views and a 96-person conference cabin. The soaking pools are the main attraction and can reach up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. To mix it up, attendees can check out the adults-only relaxation pool, Japanese-style cascading pools and the Chalk Creek pools situated in the middle of a cold, trickling stream. For families, there is a lazy river and 400-foot water slide.
2.) Ride the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in Elbe, Wash.
Originally built for logging transport, the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad has been preserved by volunteers and operated as a heritage railroad for tourists since 1980. Nowadays the train departs from its depot in the charming town of Elbe, rich with German heritage and named for that nation’s Elbe River, and journeys to the nearby town of Mineral, traveling through the lush foothills of the Cascade range that circle Washington’s tallest peak. Group rates and private charters are available. Diesel locomotives and steam trains can each seat up to 200 people, and private passenger cars can hold 80 guests. Planners may arrange for onboard catering, or set up a picnic on the grounds of the Historic Elbe Church. Ask nicely, and passengers are sometimes allowed to ride up front with the train’s engineer!
3.) Gallop along the Madison River in Cameron, Mont.
Kate Roberts is the third generation of women to run the CB Cattle & Guest Ranch in southwestern Montana, near Yellowstone National Park. The 6,500-acre property has been in her family for more than 43 years, since her grandmother, whom Roberts describes as a “tiny woman with a big attitude,” purchased it on a whim and fulfilled her dream of operating a country cattle ranch. The ranch has changed a lot since her grandmother bought it, and Roberts explains that she is excited to grow its group business and share the local scenery with new visitors.
“We encourage guests to pack a lunch and head out and explore in the afternoon,” she says. “There is just so much to see.”
The nearby Madison River is a world-famous fly-fishing spot, and horseback riding is the property’s other signature activity. Breakfast is made to order each morning and dinners are served family-style, with heaping portions of meat, potatoes and veggies. Guests sleep in creek-side cabins, and the entire property is available for group buyouts.
4.) Enjoy coastal comforts in Goleta, Calif.
For a seaside mountain getaway, look no further than the wilds of Santa Barbara and the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. All attendees can find a comfortable place to lay their heads at El Capitan Canyon, where accommodation options include cozy cedar cabins, safari tents and luxury yurts. In addition to stargazing, yoga and bicycle rentals, El Capitan Canyon hosts a summer canyon concert series May through September and works with local tour operators to coordinate whale watching, ocean cruises, Jeep tours, kayaking excursions and more. PageBreak
5.) Forage up a feast at Resort at the Mountain, Welches, Ore.
An hour’s drive from Portland and west of towering Mt. Hood, a unique foraging scavenger hunt on the property of the Resort at the Mountain combines wilderness adventure and culinary excitement. Teams are given a list of herbs that grow on-site and scour the property to find the plants, which are then used by chefs to prepare a custom meal. A nature concierge helps guests take advantage of the Mt. Hood territory’s abundant recreational opportunities.
6.) Journey to 11,000 feet in Big Sky, Mont.
Big Sky Resort’s Lone Peak Expedition is a 2.5-hour adventure packed with adrenaline and jaw-dropping vistas. The “Rocky Mountain Safari” offers views of three states and two national parks, as participants make their way to the top of Lone Peak via chairlift, expedition truck and summit tram. The resort also unveiled a new adventure zipline tour in 2013. The Yellowstone Conference Center in Big Sky is one of the largest event venues in the state, offering more than 46,000 square feet.
7.) Venture into the Flagstaff wilderness
At 7,000 feet, Flagstaff, Ariz., is an inviting locale for high-altitude adventure. The Museum of Northern Arizona offers a “Ventures” program that leads groups into the wilderness on trips ranging from guided day hikes to six-day excursions into the rugged backcountry. Trips may focus on ecology and examine the formations of the San Francisco Peaks, or Native American heritage, with visits to historic Navajo trading posts. MNA staff supplies group gear and does the cooking, so attendees can focus on the learning experience.PageBreak
8.) Pedal to a picnic in Aspen, Colo.
Small groups, ideally 20 people or less, can explore the summertime scenes around Aspen on a fleet of high-end road bikes found at The Little Nell. The hotel has bike fitness experts and athletic coaches on staff, and after dividing into faster and slower groups, participants set out on the windy mountain roads, breaking for a catered picnic lunch and glass of wine. GPS devices are available for participants to track their mileage and elevation gain. The Little Nell will even greet attendees at the airport with a bike upon request. For meetings, luxury venues include the hotel’s Mountain Club, mountainside sundecks and buyouts of the Element 47 restaurant.
9.) Rappel through red rocks in Ivins, Utah
Centuries ago the shifting of the tectonic plates formed the towering mountain ranges of the West, but in Southern Utah these powerful forces combined with rivers and erosion to form the deep, mysterious canyons the region is known for. Located near Snow Canyon Park and Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, Red Mountain Resort is home base for groups that want to explore the rocky spires, pinnacles and hoodoos of this unique desert-mountain topography. All-day canyoneering trips require teamwork and an intrepid spirit as participants make their way through the red rocks, while knowledgeable private guides can create custom group itineraries that combine kayaking, hiking, climbing and more.
