The Eagle River features trips for all skill levels across two sections of the river. The Lower Eagle is a beginner/intermediate section with Class III rapids. This section has a minimum age requirement of 6 years old with a minimum weight of 50 lbs, and is ideal for any beginners looking for their first taste of rafting. With varying rapid types from small holes to splashy wave trains, the Lower Eagle is the ideal section for beginners in Eagle.

For advanced and veteran river rafters, the Eagle River has one of the better offerings in the state: The Dowd Chute. With a minimum age of 16, these Class IV & V Advanced rapids are guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. Located just minutes from both Vail and Beaver Creek, the section of the Eagle known as Dowd Junction will provide you with the most aggressive parts of the entirety of the Eagle River. The way the banks of this river constrict creates the “Chute” that your raft will blast through. Please be aware that this is a very physically demanding trip, and good physical condition is recommended.

Regardless of your skill level, the Eagle River has some excellent rafting opportunities in the central Vail area to fit your desires.

Looking for a scenic float trip or a casual afternoon on the river? Look no further then our Kremmling location, which features a fun family float tour on the scenic Colorado. With the river running at just above 400 CFS, the Colorado Float trip is the perfect family getaway, rafting through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. With Colorado being hit with an abundance of snow late in the season, the rivers are running rapidly from the excess snow melt, creating many exciting trips! Running at such speeds, this is the prime time to participate in some whitewater rafting. Whether you are looking for a lazy float down the river, or a multi-day, exhilarating excursion, Arkansas Valley Adventures has it all!

Teams from all over the region will compete in a variety of categories including pork, chicken, brisket, sauce, ribs, and side dishes. There is also the coveted Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion titles up for grabs.

There are events going on all throughout the day. With everything from live music to pig races, you are sure to find something going on. Lemonade stands, adult beverage booths and plenty of food vendors line the street to keep your stomach full and a smile on your face. For those wanting to earn your BBQ, there is a Bacon Burner 6k race on Saturday morning. The race starts at 9:30 and it begins and ends at the Frisco Marina. Also, come enjoy a half day of ziplining or rafting before you cover your face with bbq sauce.

Bring the family and come enjoy a beautiful day in the mountains filled with food and fun!

July tends to be the busiest month for rafting in Colorado because it is the warmest, but with the sun comes the crowds. Rafting in early July can be quite overwhelming with the amount of people going rafting on any given day. The water will still be great, but what some people do not know is that the water is just as nice in June. This season, especially due to some late snow storms and rain in April, the rivers are running great.

Not only are the rivers at prime levels to raft on, but there are still some discounts available to those who are trying to beat the July crowds. If you happen to be planning a full day or overnight rafting trip from Monday-Thursday before June 21^st, you can receive a 20% discount if you book before June 14^th. That can add up to some considerable savings.

The weather has been splendid to start the month and will continue to get better as the weeks move on. Come and beat the crowds and get your rafting fix in today.

First on the list would be to familiarize yourself with the classifications of whitewater. Here is a list of the classes and their descriptions.

Class I: Very small rough areas, might require slight maneuvering. (Skill level: very basic)

Class II: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require some maneuvering. (Skill level: basic paddling skill)

Class III: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering. (Skill level: experienced paddling skills)

Class IV: Whitewater, medium waves, rocks, maybe a considerable drop. Quick maneuvers needed. (Skill level: whitewater experience)

Class V: Whitewater, large waves, large volume, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of large drops, requires precise maneuvering. (Skill level: advanced whitewater experience)

Class VI: Class 6 rapids are dangerous and are considered to be unraftable.

Second, you are going to want to ask the whitewater rafting company about the rapids on the particular section that you are considering. Be sure that you and the members of your party are physically, emotionally and mentally prepared and capable of running the river. Everyone in your party must be prepared to swim in swift rapids, do self-rescue, rescue other swimmers, and follow the instruction of the raft guide without question.

Lastly, know that it is better to go a class down than to go a class up and get in over your head. Taking a lower level trip will still provide plenty of excitement and you will still have an amazing day on the river. Getting in over your head could make for a terrible experience and possibly get you or a member of your group seriously injured.

Whatever you decide is best for you and your group, you are sure to have a memorable day and a story to talk about for years to come. Just start small and give it a try. You will surely be back for more!

A popular place to stay while participating in a rafting trip is going to be in the heart of the mountains in Summit County. Summit County averages a high of 68 degrees and sunny skies for most of the day in June. With that kind of weather, most outdoor activities are available a short distance away. Here are a few events you might want to check out while in Summit:

• Breckenridge Kingdom Days-This annual Breckenridge tradition is unlike any other. Events include Outhouse races, town party, live music and historical tours. Come be part of this Breckenridge tradition, learn about the town and meet some locals for an experience you will never forget. Admission is FREE Saturday August 15^th and 16^th!
• The PRCA Rodeo- Also located in Breckenridge, the Rodeo kicks off June 22^nd and runs every Saturday and Sunday through September 1^st. Watch as some of the best riders and wranglers take part in events such as the Saddle Bronc, Bareback Riding, and Barrel Racing.
• Lake Dillon Brew Fest- Looking to get your pallet wet this summer? The Lake Dillon Brew Fest will be taking place June 22^nd where you can sample beers from 25 different Colorado breweries and dance the afternoon away as live music plays the soundtrack to your drinking dance party.

For those of you who will be making Denver your home base for your trip to Colorado, here are a few other activities we think are worth looking into:

• The Denver Renaissance Festival- Beginning June 15^th and running through August 4^th this renaissance gives you the opportunity to experience the 16^th century close up. With markets, jousting and live music it’s a hit for the whole family.
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre- Known throughout the world as one of the best venues to see a live show, Red Rocks is a must see for live music and to simply experience the beauty of this natural amphitheater.

Colorado is full of adventure and you are lucky enough to experience one of the most thrilling rides of your life! Be sure to look into these events while you are visiting and see what Colorado is all about!

The Board of County Commissioners even offered us a 50% discount on our dumping fee which we hope to increase the next time we have another event like this. We are also looking to grow the number of companies and people that can help with cleaning up our rivers. It’s not just boaters who can benefit from having a clean river but fishers, local companies, and the greater population can all benefit.

Below are some photos of photos of the event donated by Rapid Image Photography. Photographers include Jessica Marsan and Kathleen Bonk:

Thanks to everyone for their help and support!

Or use this link: http://coloradoactionpass.com/assets/images/logos/colorado_actionpass-map.jpg

Here’s a quick list of what deals the Action Pass offers for Rafting, Rock Climbing, & Ziplining:

• 20% off Idaho Springs Rafting Trips. Valid Monday thru Friday. Not Valid June 29th-July 7th
• 20% off Idaho Springs Rafting/Zip Packages. Valid Monday thru Friday. Not valid June 29th-July 7th.
• Buy one Rafting or Inflatable Kayak trip on the Colorado River and get one 50% off. Valid Monday thru Friday, June 1-Sept 2. Not valid June 29-July 7th.
• Buy one Idaho Springs Zipline Tour and get one 50% off. Valid daily: May 20-24 and Sept 3-15. Valid Monday thru Friday: May 25-Sept 2. Not valid June 29-July 7.
• Buy one Rock Climbing Trip in Granite and get one 50% off. Valid daily: May 20-24 and Aug 19-Sept 2. Valid Monday thru Friday: May 25-Aug 18. Not valid June 29-July 7.

Don’t miss out on these incredible deals! Grab your Action Pass today and use it for all it’s worth!

It’s official: we’ve received the 2013 Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor, putting us in the top 10% of businesses for guest experience.  A big THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us grow and improve over the years.  You are the reason we are able to offer world class experiences on trips across Colorado.

If you’ve taken a trip with us recently, we hope you’ll post a review on our Trip Advisor pages for Granite (for Granite zipline tours, rock climbing and Arkansas River rafting), Idaho Springs (for Idaho Springs zipline and Clear Creek rafting), and Kremmling (for Blue River and Colorado River rafting).

Thanks again from everyone at AVA….we guide Colorado!

We are pleased to announce the opening of our Kremmling outpost running trips on the Upper Colorado River.  With everything from beginner class II float trips to the thrill and adrenaline pumping rapids of class V Gore Canyon, we are sure you will find something to fit the needs of your family or group.  We also offer inflatable one person kayaks for that person in your group who wants to be in control of their own boat.  And new this year, you can test your skill and core strength on one of our stand up paddle boards.  Journey down the river on a gigantic surf board and even try out a rapid or two!

Bring the family and enjoy one of the most beautiful stretches of river in Colorado!