Tour Information
Betty Ford Alpine Garden Tour
Friday, August 17th – 10:00 am
“More than just a pretty garden…” The Worlds Highest Botanic Garden at 8,200 feet. Stroll the gardens with a docent to learn about our wonderful mountain plants and the mountain life zones in which they live. Garden Tours offer guests the opportunity to not only view the plants in bloom with a knowledgeable guide, but also to gain information about the history of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and of the Vail Valley, mountain ecology, mountain gardening, and unique plants. Explore and enjoy the stunning mountain garden in the shadow of the Gore Range mountains. An assortment of perennial beds, rock gardens, and waterfalls dramatically display an astonishing array of the world’s most unique and beautiful high elevation plants. The Alpine Gardens is public botanic garden curating a fully documented collection of high elevation plants. The garden staff work on various conservation and research programs that provide crucial information and support for diminishing mountain plant populations.
Fee: $115 per person
Includes: Knowledgeable guide, bottled water, donation to gardens, and lunch at a riverside venue in Vail Village. Participants should wear comfortable clothing.
Vail Village Gallery Tour
Friday, August 17th – 10:00 am
Guests will enjoy a customized, private tour of Vail Village’s impressive public art collection as well as a guided art gallery tour. A knowledgeable guide will meet the group in the heart of Vail Village and begin the tour with a stop at the Colorado Ski Museum where participants will learn about the history of skiing in Vail, including the near-by training grounds for the famous 10th Mountain Division during WWII. The tour will meander its way through Vail Village which will give visitors a great orientation of Vail. The guide will discuss the history of the Vail Valley, the founding of Vail Resorts, and the importance of site specific commissioned art in creating the charm and beauty of the Village. The gallery tours will provide an introduction to approximately six diverse galleries within Vail Village. Impressive collections ranging from the art of glass to fine American paintings and sculptures will be viewed. At the conclusion, guests will have a chance to catch their breath with a wine and cheese sampling at the last gallery. Participants will then have some time to visit other galleries or shops on their own in Vail Village.
Fee: $115 per person
Includes: Knowledgeable guide, bottled water, and lunch at a riverside venue in Vail Village. Participants should wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes, sunscreen, and bring a camera.
Horseback Riding
Saturday, August 18th – 9:00 am
Participants will be transferred approximately 25 minutes to an historic ranch where the rustic scenery will provide a refreshing change from the resort environment. Upon arrival at the ranch, experienced wranglers/guides will assign riders to appropriate horses and make necessary saddle adjustments. The guides will then lead the riders on a 1.5 hour ride on scenic trails with spectacular vistas. At the conclusion of the ride, guests will be treated to cool beverages and a warm lunch in the historic Nelson Cabin. Fee includes transportation, a 1.5 hour trail ride, guide gratuities and lunch.
Fee: $175 per person
Participants should dress in layers (t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, wind/waterproof jacket), long pants, closed toe shoes, hat/visor, sunglasses, sunscreen and bring a camera.
Mountain Bike Tour
Saturday, August 18th – 1:00 pm
This tour is perfect for guests wanting to enjoy a scenic two-wheel adventure. Guests will be transferred approximately 15 miles to the top of Vail Pass, an elevation of 10,600’ above sea level. Cyclists will enjoy great views while professional guides unload and set up the bikes. Guests will begin pedaling with ease on a rolling, primarily downhill, paved bike path. At the base of the Pass, the path winds through the valley floor alongside the Gore River and through Vail Village where cyclists can enjoy a beverage or snack or they can continue their journey back to the hotel. Fee includes transportation, necessary equipment including 21-speed mountain bike, helmet, water, professional guide, and gratuities.
Fee: $120 per person
Participants should dress in layers (t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, wind/waterproof jacket), long pants, closed toe shoes, hat/visor, sunglasses, sunscreen, and bring a camera.
Off Road Mountain Bike Tour
Saturday, August 18th – 1:00 pm
For those cyclists who want a more physically challenging and technical ride, we have single track trails and jeep roads within the White River National Forest and in the proximity of the historic (and scenic) Camp Hale area. Professional guides will lead the group through fields of wildflowers and mountain streams with stops to enjoy the views and to learn the interesting history of Camp Hale where WWII military troops trained for winter mountain warfare. The area offers spectacular views of Vail’s famous back bowls as well as scenic riding through pine forests and along mountain streams. Fee includes transportation, necessary equipment including 21-speed mountain bike, helmet, water, professional guide, and gratuities.
Fee: $135 per person
Participants should dress in layers (t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, wind/waterproof jacket), long pants, closed toe shoes, hat/visor, sunglasses, sunscreen, and bring a camera.
Fly Fishing
Sunday, August 19th – 12:00 pm
The Vail Valley is home to abundant designated Gold Medal Waters, which translates to “heaven” for the fly fishing
enthusiast! Knowledgeable guides will escort anglers to the best holes where the fish are biting. Participants may be taken to one of the scenic shores of the local rivers and streams including the Colorado River, the Eagle River and Gore Creek. Guests may catch one of the many local Trout including Rainbow, German Brown, Brookies or the native Colorado Cutthroat. Catch and release is encouraged. Fee includes transportation, all necessary equipment, fishing license, box lunch, and gratuities.
Fee: $210 per person
Participants should wear layered long and short sleeved shirts, light weight waterproof jacket, long pants with belt loops, warm socks, a hat/visor, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Waders are provided.
Zip Line Adventures
Sunday, August 19th – 12:00 pm
Soar like an eagle 100 to 200 feet above the floor of Alkali Canyon on 6 zip lines ranging from 150 to 1000 feet in length. Marvel as the canyon walls drop out from under you revealing the dramatic beauty of the canyon floor from a rarely seen perspective. Highly trained staff are dedicated to showing guests this fragile environment in a safe, eco-friendly way while providing fun facts about the flora, fauna, and wildlife. This ultimate adrenaline rush will definitely get the heart pumping.
Upon arrival at the headquarters, guests will be sized with harnesses while a guide provides an informative briefing of the tour, the gear, and safety issues. Each group will be assigned two guides who will lead them to a 4-wheel drive vehicle for the 5-minute drive to the canyon and the zip lines.
The tour will take approximately 2-2 ½ hours and will involve some easy to moderate hiking. Guides will be stationed throughout the course, keeping guests constantly moving through the 6 zip lines. Fee includes all equipment, gratuity, and lunch.
Fee: $230 per person
Participants should wear layered clothing including waterproof jacket, closed toe shoes, eye wear, sunscreen, and bring a camera.
Rafting
Sunday, August 19th – 12:00 pm
This family-oriented trip on the Colorado River provides wonderful scenery with moderate Class II water and a short stretch (2 miles) of class III rapids. The scenic Glenwood Canyon provides an unforgettable setting for this journey that is ideal for both beginner and intermediate rafters. Professional guides will provide interesting folklore and point out geologic landmarks as guests float this scenic stretch of water for approximately 2 hours. There may even be time for a quick swim for the adventurous. This is a great trip as it offers a little something for everyone. Fee includes transportation, equipment, river usage fee, guide gratuity, and lunch.
Fee: $155 per person
Participants should wear swimsuits or shorts, secure footwear, sunglasses with security band, and sunscreen. Helmets, dry jackets and wet-suits (if needed) are provided. Guests will be able to leave valuables, clothes, and dry towels on vehicle while rafting.
Golf Tournament
Sunday, August 19th – 1:30 pm – Red Sky Ranch – The Greg Norman Golf Course
Like his golfing career, Greg Norman’s reputation as a course designer is characterized by a zeal for achievement. At Red Sky Golf Club, Norman skillfully allows the treasures of the natural landscape to dictate the flow of play. Craggy rock outcroppings, twisted knots of scrub oak, rugged gulches, and wildflower meadows all contribute to an unparalleled wilderness golf experience. This 7,500-yard (Par 72) course enjoys the Vail Valley’s finest sunsets silhouetting the majesty of Castle Peak.
The PACB Golf Tournament is a SCRAMBLE format.
Fee: $325 per golfer
Includes: Green Fees, Practice Balls, Cart, Bag Handling Fee, Boxed Lunch, Refreshments, Prizes, Transportation
Hot Air Ballooning
Monday, August 20th – 6:00 am (Weather Dependant)
Imagine floating serenely over the Rockies with sounds from the ground carrying up to the balloon basket as visitors pass high above the mountainous terrain. The balloon drifts slowly so guests can study the details of the land and, with the added altitude, observe an even greater view of surrounding vistas. Fee includes transportation, 60-75 minute balloon excursion, pre-flight hot beverage, post-ceremony champagne toast, and commemorative certificate.
Fee: $340 per person
Participants should wear a hat (to protect their heads from the heat of the balloon), warm layered clothing, including gloves (the temperature will get colder with the increase in elevation), sunglasses, sunscreen, and bring a camera.
Historic Georgetown Loop Railroad
Monday, August 20th – 8:00 am
Guests will feel as if they have journeyed back in time as they board the Colorado Historical Societies Georgetown Loop Narrow Gauge Railroad. In 1877, the railroad reached Georgetown with the intention of extending into the rich mining town of Leadville, but the line never reached its goal. The narrow gauge railroad instead served the mining camps between Denver and Silver Plume. In its time, the stretch of track between Georgetown and Silver Plume was considered an engineering marvel! Today, guests will still marvel as they pass over the Devil’s Gate Viaduct which is 300 feet long and almost 100 feet above the rushing waters of Clear Creek.
Guests will depart Vail for a scenic 1 hour drive to the sleepy town of Silver Plume where they will board the historical, steam driven train. Passengers will ride for approximately 20 minutes to the Lebanon Silver Mine where they will disembark the train. A knowledgeable guide will take them in the mine for a one hour walking tour that will truly put perspective on what it was like to be a hard rock miner in the heart of the Rockies in the 1800s. The group will emerge from the mine and again board the train for approximately 45 minutes where passengers will be treated to spectacular mountain scenery while learning about the history of the mining days. At the conclusion of the ride, the group will board the vehicle for a short ride to historic Georgetown where a group lunch will be served at a local restaurant. The group will have time to explore the quaint town and shop.
Fee: $215 per person
Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a sweater or jacket (the temperature in the mine remains a constant 44° year round. Note that most of the seats on the train are open air. Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen are recommended.
Artisan Cheese & Boutique Wine Pairing Classes
Monday, August 20th – 10:00 am
Enjoy an afternoon at one of Vail Valley’s hottest new mecca’s for wine and cheese. An artisan cheese shop and wine bar that carries over 500 bottles of wine and a plethora of hand crafted beers and liquors. eat! drink! has been recognized by Food & Wine magazine, the New York Times, and local publications as the place to be to taste, learn, and experience. All gatherings will be guided by a licensed sommelier and epicurean expert and will be tailored to the interest level desired. Classes will be focused by region, varietals, or flavor. All participants will taste 5 wines and 5 cheeses or chocolates.
Fee: $165 per person
*Agenda subject to change*
Questions
If you have any questions, contact Saundra Cunningham, PACB VP-Education Services, at (717) 231-7447 or by email at saundra@pacb.org.