As the days grow longer and the temperatures in Colorado’s mountains warm up, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of fun summer activities at Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member resorts. From hot air balloon festivals to hiking and biking, the diversity of summer activities and events in Colorado Ski Country increases every year. Additionally, several CSCUSA member resorts will host the world’s best road and mountain bicyclists as they test themselves on the most challenging terrain Colorado offers.
Whether it’s summer or winter, you can find your mountain in Colorado. Below is a roundup of featured summer events at CSCUSA member resorts.
Arapahoe Basin:  USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 2 Finish – August 18
To celebrate hosting a thrilling mountain finish to the 100+ mile second stage of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge, Arapahoe Basin is planning two full days of fun at the mountain complete with camping, live music, and some of the world’s best cyclists. For more information, including volunteer opportunities and VIP packages, visit www.arapahoebasin.com/prochallenge.
Aspen Snowmass:  Audi Power of Four Trail Race – July 18-19
The Audi Power of Four Trail event’s signature race is a challenging 50K Ultra that has been named the US Skyrunner Series North American Continental Championships this year. The race covers the four Aspen Snowmass mountains (Snowmass, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain) utilizing a mix of single track and dirt road. The event also offers a 22K race along the famed Government Trail that covers the mountains of Buttermilk and Snowmass as well as a new Vertical K race up Aspen Mountain that is also part of the US Skyrunner Series. The Vertical K race will be held on Saturday, July 18 with the 50K and 22K races scheduled for Sunday, Jul. 19.
Copper Mountain:  USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 3 Start – August 19
Copper Mountain plays host to its first ever Pro Challenge stage and sends off Stage 3 on Wednesday, August 19. Festivities begin with live music on Tuesday evening at Copper’s Center Village, and race day on Wednesday features athlete autographs, the race start at 11:00 am, live music, a jumbotron watch party for the stage finish, and an alfresco movie night.
[tweetthis]Outdoor Recreation & Festivals Highlight Summer in High Country @ColoradoSkiUSA [/tweetthis]
Crested Butte:  Gravity Slave – June 27-28
Gravity Slave is a downhill mountain biking competition staged in conjunction with Crested Butte Bike is Week. With 10 categories for all ages, everyone can vie for a chance to win. Registration is $25 online and $30 day of, which includes race day ticket and a Budweiser or Coca-Cola at Awards party after the race. The course is on the newest expert trail, Captain Jack. Closed course practice will run on Saturday, June 27th and the competition will culminate on Sunday, June 28th.
Powderhorn: The Mud, The Bands, &The Beers Festival – July 25
Powderhorn Mountain Resort’s summer event line up is anchored by The Mud, The Bands & The Beers Festival, that takes place on July 25th. Starting the day off is the annual Powderhorn Mud Dash that will test participants’ endurance with obstacles planted throughout the mountain course. After the race, participants can enjoy craft beer tastings from over 15 breweries from around the state of Colorado. Enjoy afternoon music from four live bands, including headliner Trout Steak Revival.
Purgatory:  Muck & Mire 10k, 5k and Kids’ Mud Run – August 8
Purgatory’s signature summer event is the 1st National Bank of Durango Muck & Mire 10k, 5k and Kids’ Mud Run on Aug. 8. The 4th annual event features up to 20 different obstacles across the mountain for all ages and abilities from serious to recreational racers. Live music, a Steamworks Beer Garden, and the Coca Cola Corner for Kids will round out the festivities.
Ski Granby Ranch: Â Gears and Beers Enduro Series – various dates in June, July, August
Bike Granby Ranch is hosting a fun, family-friendly Gears and Beers Enduro Race Series. Dates are June 28, July 12, July 26, and August 23. Each race features a three-stage series featuring uphill climbs, downhill trails, a short cross-country race, and lift-accessed downhill race. Registration is $39 per race, $149 for three and includes entry fee, lift ticket for day of the event, one burger, and one beer.
Steamboat:  Hot Air Balloon Rodeo Weekend – July 11-12
The Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park offer artistry and color both on canvases and in the air making them a staple of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and the summertime activities.. Events include the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo Saturday and Sunday mornings, Art in the Park, the Balloon Glow at the Steamboat base area, Coca Cola Movies on the Mountain: Grease on the Steamboat Stage in Gondola Square and more.
Telluride: Â Telluride Adventure Center –Â throughout the summer
The Telluride Adventure Center offers guided tours and can be personalized for individual adventurers or families from novice to expert. There’s plenty of history behind Telluride, so guides provide plenty of historical perspective of the region as well. Available tours include mountain bike tours and rentals, whitewater rafting trips, stand-up paddleboard trips and rentals, horseback trail rides, rock climbing, bouldering and mountaineering , hiking, backpacking and camping, all-terrain vehicle tours and rentals, 4×4 jeep tours and rentals, private and group fly fishing tours, tandem paragliding, culinary walking and photography tours, kid’s adventure programs, and gravity play activities.
Winter Park:  Colorado Freeride Festival – July 23-26
The largest freeride festival in the United States is back with more fun for the entire family. In addition to seeing some of the best professional and amateur mountain bike riders in the world compete in Slopestyle, Air Downhill, Super Downhill (with a new, exhilarating qualification process that takes riders right through the Village at Winter Park), Cross-Country, and a special kid’s race on Trestle’s new beginner’s trail, Green Horn-It! The festival includes a number of free family activities, product demos, athlete meet-and-greets, and more.
Photo credit: kohlmann.sascha
Mary Jo Manzanares is a founder and the editor-in-chief of The Traveler’s Way, an online travel magazine proving informational and inspirational travel recommendations for curious Baby Boomer travelers. She has been a speaker at various industry events and has a personal travel blog at Traveling with MJ. When she’s not traveling, Mary Jo likes lingering over a cup of coffee, wandering in a museum, sipping wine at a cafe, and sharing it all with friends and readers. Mary Jo’s top travel destinations are Italy, Portugal, and the Caribbean.
