Active Adventures

*NEW* Carmichael Training System Partnership

The Town of Vail and Carmichael Training Systems is proud to present the new Vail High Altitude Performance Camp for cyclists who want to increase their endurance and raise their cycling to the next level June 22-26, 2010. Participants will be able to experience classic Colorado summer rides while being coached by the world class staff of Carmichael Training. Carmichael Training Systems was created by Chris Carmichael, the legendary coach known for bringing Lance Armstrong back to cycling after his battle with cancer. The High Altitude Training Camp allows guests will train like professional cyclists in every way and is open to riders of all levels. Rides will provide a mix of breath-taking climbs, descents and flat mountain roads. Click here for more information.

Additionally, Carmichael Training Systems will be introducing post-cancer treatment recovery camps. Featuring the specialized training that Chris Carmichael utilized to bring Lance Armstrong back into competition, this camp will now available not to just the Lance Armstrongs of the world, but now to the general public, only in Vail.

TEVA MOUNTAIN GAMES
The Teva Mountain Games are the nation’s largest celebration of mountain sport, lifestyle and music featuring top professional and amateur athletes from around the world. The environmentally-friendly adventure sporting event hosts approximately 3,000 outdoor athletes, along with an estimated 40,000 spectators. Athletes converge on Vail’s mountains and rivers to compete in eight sports and 24 disciplines for over $100,000 in prize money. Events include kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, road cycling, World Cup Bouldering, amateur climbing, fly-fishing, trail running and a half marathon. Stand Up Paddle makes its debut at the 2010 Mountain Games with two competitions on tap, as well as a freestyle demo in the heart of Vail. Additional events at the Teva Mountain Games include: a film series, Outdoor Reels; a photography competition, Mountain Click; an interactive expo area, Gear Town; DockDog canine competitions; free concerts at Mountains of Music and the Teva Mountain Ball. The Teva Mountain Games are a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. For more information, visit www.tevamountaingames.com.

LA SPORTIVA VAIL MOUNTAIN TRAIL RUNNING SERIES
Named Colorado's "Best Race Series" by Colorado Runner Magazine in 2005 and 2008, the running series has fast become an iconic event taking runners up and over trails, mountain roads, through fields and streams in and around Vail for the past 12 years. In 2009, the race series took runners on approximately 52 miles for a total elevation gain of 16,475 feet. Races take place June through early September. Visit www.vailrec.com or call 970-479-2280 for information.

MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES
Vail/ Beaver Creek Mountain Bike Race Series will return for its 27th year in May 2010 offering mountain bikers of all ages and experience levels fun and exciting racing in the Vail Valley. The 2009 six-race series brought together over 1,500 riders who competed for $5,200 in cash and $30,000 in prizes. Participants can compete in individual races or the entire series. There is also a youth category. Go to www.vailrec.com or call 970-479-2280 for details.

VAIL RECREATION DISTRICT
The Vail Recreation District's (VRD) summer line up is ready to test some of the best runners and mountain bikers in the state and nation, as well as offer children's programs, sports camps, nature programs, adult hiking programs, golf, indoor ice skating and more.

Nature Center
Considered one of Vail's best kept secrets, the Nature Center will offer unique, world class programs this summer including plant and animal exhibits, wildflower and morning bird walks, evening beaver pond tours, a summer speaker series, a hiking club, fly fishing and stream ecology classes, photography in nature classes and campfire story telling with star gazing. The Nature Center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends and is located adjacent to Ford Park and across the street from the soccer fields. The Nature Center is also located within a five minute walk from the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and short stroll from Vail Village. For details, go to www.vailrec.com or call 970-479-2291.

Vail Golf Club
Open to the public, the Vail Golf Club will kick off its 44th season in late May, 2010. Nestled at the base of the Gore Mountain Range in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Vail Golf Club presents golfers with a unique 18-hole, par 71 experience at 8,200 feet in elevation. Golfers will enjoy not only the spectacular views, but also watching their balls fly 10 percent farther in the high altitude environment. The golf club offers a full service golf shop, group and corporate outings, professional instruction, launch monitor, driving range, practice area, club storage, golf swing analysis, club rentals, demo days and an on-site restaurant, Happy Valley Grill. The First Tee Junior Golf Program also will take place beginning in mid-June and teach participants life lessons and skills through the sport of golf.

In 2009, the golf club installed a new irrigation system to replace the original 40-year-old existing system. This irrigation replacement provided better water utilization, cost savings and reduction in water usage as well as enhanced play when completed. Call 970-479-2260 to book tee times or go to www.vailgolfclub.net for rates and additional details.

Instruction is available at the Vail Golf Club to improve all aspects of the game with its professional staff. Lessons can be tailored to fit a player’s needs and include items such as individual assessments of player’s physical strengths and weaknesses, strategies to improve their mental game and plans for the most efficient practices possible. Group clinics are available throughout the summer and include:

Art of Scoring: This clinic is designed for golfers who want an edge that will help them shoot lower scores.
Ladies' Clinic: This is a weekly clinic for ladies who are either new to the game or would like to score better. Weekly Ladies' Clinics are limited to 16 women and offer a variety of instruction including short and long game, equipment needs and course management.
Coors Coaching Hour: This weekly program is limited to 25 people and includes unlimited range balls, two drink tickets and instruction from the Vail Golf Club professional staff.
Senior Clinics: This week's clinic will include information on fitness and flexibility and their role in the golf swing. Senior Clinics offer those ages 50 and older bi-monthly instruction.

Tennis Center
The Ford Park Tennis Center offers a full-range of tennis activities for juniors and adults on its 12 courts late May through Labor Day weekend. The Tennis Center features amazing views of the Gore Mountain Range on what are considered some of Colorado's best clay courts. Programs will include men's and women's tennis clubs, weekly matches and junior tennis clinics. Patrons also can look forward to the annual Bill Wright Colorado Clay Court Open and Senior Tennis Tournament in the fall. Pricing and additional information are available at www.vailrec.com or by calling 970-479-2294.

Dobson Ice Arena
For those looking to escape the summer heat, public indoor ice skating will be available throughout the summer at Dobson Ice Arena beginning in early June. Dobson also offers summer skating school for all ages throughout the summer including figure skating and ice hockey camps for beginner to expert skaters. Show Time Skating will take place throughout the summer with a performance will be scheduled for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Hours for public skating vary, call 970-479-2271 or go to www.vailrec.com for details.