Planners interested in executing an itinerary with wellness at its core will find ample opportunity throughout Colorado’s mountain destinations.
Beyond the fresh air, Colorado’s mountain resort areas also promote an active lifestyle, a healthy diet and various ways to unwind, including yoga classes, spa time and other calming experiences that will benefit any group.
Aspen/Snowmass
It’s a snap to facilitate outdoor group activities in the Aspen/Snowmass area, from rafting the Colorado River during summer to hiking the Rio Grande Trail during autumn.
While skiing remains the No. 1 snowy pursuit to get the blood pumping during the winter, “fat biking” is a newly popular activity off the slopes, according to Melissa Wisenbaker, public relations representative for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association.
“Riders cycle on trails and roads that are snowy or snow-packed,” she says, citing popular routes that include the Aspen-based Hunter Creek Trail and Snowmass-based Maroon Bells.
On the nutrition side, one way to a healthy meal is to tag along with St. Regis Aspen Resort’s Executive Chef David Viviano on a tour of the Aspen Saturday Market.
“After choosing produce, the group returns to the St. Regis for a cooking lesson and alfresco lunch,” Wisenbaker says.
Among the popular area spas are those found at Westin Snowmass Resort, Viceroy Snowmass and St. Regis Aspen Resort.
“The Remede Spa at the St. Regis is often used for corporate gatherings—everything from spa breakfasts in the Relaxation Lounge to late-night cocktail parties in its unique indoor Confluence Waterfall room,” Wisenbaker says.
Vail/Beaver Creek
Two standout group-friendly spas in Vail are found at the Arrabelle at Vail Square and the Lodge at Vail.
“At either spa, the entire group experience is customized, from signature smoothies to personalized spa gifts,” says Pamela Dixon, director of group sales for Vail Resorts. “And either can arrange for guided group meditation.”
An exciting new option in town is the Peak Wellness Retreat. The outfitter works with groups of 20 to 250 people and offers a lengthy menu of activities, including yoga classes, sunset mountain runs and nutrition lessons.
According to Dixon, an early-morning ski or snowboard workout is a must during winter.
“Get your group up and moving before the general public with exclusive early access to the mountain followed by a private on-mountain breakfast,” she says.
During the warmer months, Adventure Ridge at the top of Vail Mountain is a great setting for group bonding. Among the activities offered are ziplining and a ropes challenge course.
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According to Wendy Zentz, director of group sales at Beaver Creek Resort, most groups enjoy the friendly competition during a golf tournament at Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club, located just west of Vail and Beaver Creek, or Beaver Creek Golf Club.
The Beaver Creek Stables, she adds, offers horseback riding and the meditative experience of fly-fishing.
“Groups are lead through aspen groves and wildflower meadows to the secluded Beaver Lake and then fly-fishing guides are there to teach and help,” Zentz says.
If time permits, the group can arrange for pampering options at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa and Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa.
Breckenridge
From a hike with scenic views to a cruise down the ski slopes, Breckenridge offers many zen-inducing opportunities for attendees.
According to Donna Horii, director of sales for the Breckenridge Tourism Office, groups can arrange a yoga and meditation experience with Meta Yoga Studios.
“Mobile spas such as A Spa Ahhfair also cater to the needs of groups,” she adds. “It’s a great way to offer wellness services without the fuss of transportation and timing.”
A great summertime activity is stand-up paddleboard yoga on Maggie Pond.
“It encourages everyone in the group to step out of their comfort zones and step up to a new challenge,” Horii says.
And at Hearthstone Restaurant, attendees will enjoy a menu featuring naturally raised and regionally sourced ingredients.
Keystone
Hitting the slopes, booking a yoga class and taking a picturesque hike are among the activities that fulfill a group’s wellness quota in Keystone.
Studio K, Keystone’s full-service fitness studio, offers health and wellness events, and a class schedule including yoga atop Dercum Mountain, complete with breathtaking views of the Tenmile mountain range.
“Keystone Resort’s sales managers focus on delivering Rocky Mountain wellness to all groups and offer a variety of wellness-themed activities, including the 2,000-calorie-burner/picnic lunch, paint-a-memory guided by a local artist, and fly-fishing for meditation,” says Matt Walsh, director of spa, fitness and tennis for Keystone Resort.
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The Keystone Spa, he adds, provides a central point of relaxation for group attendees.
Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain, located in a national forest, encourages outdoor activities, according to Carol E. Schmidt, senior manager of conference sales for Copper Mountain Meetings.
“We are an active resort that inspires people to move their bodies, release stress and connect with their ‘higher selves,’” she says.
An interesting initiative here is the cleaning of meeting spaces with essential oil-based organic cleaners.
“Available upon request, we will diffuse oils that add the appropriate energy and intention for the gathering, whether for improved focus or for relaxing and meditating,” Schmidt says.
She adds that the Iron Chef teambuilding program incorporates fresh local ingredients and inspires attendees to create wholesome meals.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs caters to all fitness levels with options such as ascending the 224 steps up Seven Falls or ziplining over them with The Broadmoor Soaring Adventure, facilitated by The Broadmoor resort. Other area activities include whitewater rafting during the warmer months, bicycling down Pikes Peak and ice climbing in the fall and winter.
Kathy Reak, director of convention sales at the Colorado Springs CVB, adds that guided yoga classes in beautiful surroundings and a treatment at either the new Alluvia Spa at Cheyenne Mountain Resort or the MX Spa at the Mining Exchange, a Wyndham Grand Hotel & Spa, are also popular with groups.
Another unique experience is a visit to the Goat Cheese Lady, who offers cheese-making classes on her five-acre farm.
“Groups will learn everything from how to milk a goat to making mozzarella, ricotta and soft goat cheese,” Reak says. “At the end of the class, participants get to indulge in a farm fresh brunch.”
Steamboat Springs
If wellness is on the agenda in Steamboat Springs, a soak in Strawberry Park Hot Springs is the perfect way to untangle some tight muscles.
Groups convening here should also book a hot-air balloon ride with Wild West Balloon Adventures.
This initially exhilarating outing becomes relaxing once groups are up in the wind enjoying the scenery, and afterward they can toast to the experience over a champagne brunch.
Durango
Durango, with more than 1,000 miles of trails to hike and/or bike, isn’t a destination for couch potatoes.
“The Durango area harbors miles of incredible hiking trails with stunning natural beauty,” says Andrea Seid, sales and marketing manager at the Durango Area Tourism Office. “It’s the perfect way to clear the mind before a presentation.”
Springtime fly-fishing on the Animas River offers tranquility, according to Seid, and in autumn, a soak in the Trimble Natural Hot Springs is recommended.
Durango Nature Studies, Seid adds, offers year-round guided trips to Haviland Lake for snowshoeing or a full-moon hike to get the best view of the summer sky.
Telluride
Much like all the other Colorado mountain getaways, Telluride is rich with outdoor pursuits, from wintertime skiing, fat biking and sleigh rides to summertime hiking, biking and fly-fishing.
Local properties with spas to comfort attendees include Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge and the Peaks Resort.
