Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! And once those flurries stop falling?
Well, when that blanket of powder melts away, Colorado’s popular mountain towns, including Vail and Breckenridge, offer visiting groups a whole other glorious season filled with fun activities and blue skies.
Spring and summer are amazing times for meetings, and according to Brandy Sawyer, director of sales at Breckenridge Resort, the non-snowy months are “a bit of an unknown secret” in the Colorado Rockies.
“Groups can easily escape the heat of the cities with the mountains’ sun-soaked days, with an average temperature of 70 and crisp, star-filled evenings,” she said, adding groups who book during the warmer months will find “inspiring scenery, bustling mountain towns and a plethora of outdoor activities.”
Vail
In spring, when the snow first melts in Colorado’s high country, groups can plan a rafting outing on one of Vail’s iconic local rivers, including the Lower Eagle River and Gore Creek, which runs right through Vail Village.
“Spring groups are often meetings-focused with limited time for play,” said Pam Dixon, director of resort group sales, Vail, for Vail Resorts. “So offer a ‘Cocktails and Canvas’ event before dinner. It’s a great way to bring fun and teambuilding into a packed agenda.”
During this activity, attendees paint portions of a mountain scene that together create a large mural that can be brought back to the office for display in a common area.
“No artistic talent is necessary as art teachers walk teams through each step,” Dixon said.
Groups convening here during spring are also encouraged to disconnect from e-mail and other tech addictions during a meditative waterborne experience with Gore Creek Fly Fishermen.
While spring is a lovely time of year, and wintertime meetings in Vail are “like nothing on Earth,” according to Dixon, summer is “Colorado’s best-kept secret.”
“Summer offers the same luxury and charm as winter but at more affordable rates than most cities, opening the door for companies to easily host internal sales or plan meetings in an unparalleled inspirational setting,” she said.
There is added excitement this summer, as the new Epic Discovery program debuted on Vail Mountain.
This action-packed program offers groups Vail’s first zipline tour, which includes seven segments of adventure through the resort’s famed Game Creek Bowl, ropes challenge courses and other venues.
For groups who can’t decide what to pursue, the Epic Discovery Ultimate Adventure Pass has special group pricing and includes unlimited, all-day access to an array of activities, including the mountain coaster, ropes courses, tubing hills and a climbing tour.
“All this adventure is sure to make a group hungry,” Dixon said. “Top off the experience with a gourmet mountaintop meal at Vail’s famed Game Creek Restaurant or casual Western fare barbecue at Eagle’s Nest.”
Breckenridge
Springtime kicks off Breckenridge’s most popular conference season, which peaks in late June and continues through much of October, according to Stacy Long, national sales manager for the Breckenridge Tourism Office.
“Our groups benefit from lower room rates than in the winter months, allowing extra money in their budgets for teambuilding and activities, or simply to meet their bottom line,” she said.
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A group favorite during spring is an outing with Breckenridge Tours, which facilitates ghost tours and English tea tours.
“These tours are known to end in a swinging saloon for a cold drink or a hot cup of tea in a historic tea house,” Long said.
Fly-fishing via the Orvis-endorsed Breckenridge Outfitters is another standout option during spring, as the full-service fly shop offers a recently expanded retail space, rentals and a variety of guided trips.
Since Breckenridge is situated within easy distance of five rivers, rafting is also popular when the snow melts. Local companies can tailor group outings depending on desired adventure levels, including oar-captained rafts, inflatable kayaks or stand-up paddleboarding.
For a liquid adventure of another kind, stop by Breckenridge Distillery, which offers groups a VIP tour during which attendees taste a variety of spirits and get a behind-the-scenes look at production.
New this summer at the distillery is an event space and kitchen that will work together to host private tastings and various corporate events.
At Your Pace Freestyle Cycling Adventures also has something new on tap this summer.
“Sample favorites and seasonal taps from Breckenridge Brewery, Broken Compass Brewing and more,” Long said. “It’s a chance to explore the best in Colorado brews via the countywide paved bike path, and planners are invited to customize tours to suit their groups’ interests.”
At the end of a summer day, groups will enjoy a progressive arts walk/reception during which attendees can browse a variety of gallery exhibits and taste a different dessert at each location, including unique venues such as Fuqua Livery Stable, Barney Ford House Museum and Tin Shop.
“Resident artists are on hand at each stop to discuss the work and lead make-and-take art projects,” Long said. “Planners can tailor the reception to their needs with a variety of catering options—not limited to dessert—art projects, performances and more.”
Beaver Creek
The spring and summer seasons are wonderful and welcoming to groups visiting Beaver Creek as well.
“It’s an incredible time to be in the mountains, and lodging rates are very competitive, offering an excellent value,” said Wendy Zentz, director of resort group sales, Beaver Creek, for Vail Resorts. “Beaver Creek often offers more competitive rates than city-based properties while allowing groups to experience a luxury resort atmosphere with endless activities and festivals, including the Wine & Spirits Festival.”
Dining out and fun dine-arounds are on the menu for groups meeting here during spring.
“We offer an assortment of venues both on and off the mountain,” Zentz said. “SaddleRidge, for example, offers a unique collection of Native American artifacts in the library and main dining rooms, and the space is available year-round for groups of up to 120.”
Golf opportunities at Beaver Creek Golf Club and Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club begin in mid-May, and springtime in Beaver Creek is also a great time for guided hikes or scenic Jeep tours that Zentz recommends concluding with a wine-pairing experience at Beano’s Cabin.
Summertime groups can arrange a guided horseback-riding excursion to Beaver Lake, where attendees may try fly-fishing to round out the experience.
“Scenic ‘Lift & Lunch’ packages start mid-June and include a scenic chairlift or gondola ride to the top of Beaver Creek Mountain, where an extensive barbeque lunch is offered along with incredible views of the Gore Range,” Zentz said. “Groups can also enjoy the resort’s year-round ice-skating rink in the center of Beaver Creek Village.”
