Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor Recreation programs strive to be a community leader in providing access to our area’s variety of outdoor opportunities. To do so, we offer three unique program buckets – knowledge, skills, and leisure. Within these buckets, we have teen, adult, and family programs that are designed to educate and inspire participants to connect with themselves, one another, and the outdoors.
Locations and dates are highly dependent on weather conditions. Please see below for updated 2024 session information.
Questions? Contact us at OutdoorRec@MountainRec.org
Explore rock climbing programs and opportunities by visiting our Rock Climbing for Adults and Rock Climbing For Youth pages.
HELPFUL LINKS:
2025 Programs
- Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Blended LearningJan 9, Feb 18, & Mar 20 (5pm-8pm) | Gypsum
Mountain Recreation is excited to offer an American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certification course designed to empower you with critical life-saving skills and knowledge. This blended learning course combines online instruction with in-person scenarios and hands-on training, making it an ideal choice for community members ages 15 and up who are eager to gain the skills and confidence to respond effectively in emergencies. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or simply someone interested in being better prepared, this course will equip you with the essentials to provide aid in various first-aid situations.
Dates: Thursday January 9
Tuesday, February 18
Thursday, March 20
Time: 5pm-8pm
Location: Gypsum Rec Center
Ages: 14+
Price: $15 - Winter Wax and Care with Purl WaxJan 14 (6pm-7:30pm) | Edwards
Experts recommend waxing your alpine gear every five trips to the mountain. Don’t lose speed on the snow because of something you can easily fix at home! Learn how to wax your skis or snowboard in this hands-on workshop offered in partnership with Purl Wax, a family-owned/operated business based in Eagle County. You’ll learn how to choose the best wax for the conditions, and have expert guidance as you clean and wax your personal equipment. Bring your own gear (ski/snowboard, we’ll provide the waxing equipment) to this workshop, and leave with a freshly waxed base so you’re ready to hit the slopes! No prior experience needed.
Date: Tuesday, January 14
Time: 6pm-7:30pm
Location: Edwards Field House
Ages: 14+
Price: $15 - CAIC State of the SnowpackJan 22 (6pm-7pm) | Edwards
Join Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) forecasters from our zone, who will be leading a talk and discussion on the state of our snowpack going into the mid-winter and spring season. Enjoy pizza and drinks, connect with other winter enthusiasts, and learn about local backcountry conditions for the first of our Outdoor Rec 101 Wednesday series!
CAIC forecasters will discuss how our season has developed so far in the Vail Zone, and what our local forecasters are looking for as our snowpack transitions throughout the winter and into spring.
For more information, please contact Kaili at kschroeder@MountainRec.org or 970-688-7333.
Date: Wednesday, January 22
Time: 6pm-7pm
Location: Edwards Field House
Ages: 14+
Price: $5 - Spring Wax and Care with Purl WaxMar 4 (6pm-7:30pm) | Edwards
Experts recommend waxing your alpine gear every five trips to the mountain. Don’t lose speed on the snow because of something you can easily fix at home! Learn how to wax your skis or snowboard in this hands-on workshop offered in partnership with Purl Wax, a family-owned/operated business based in Eagle County. You’ll learn how to choose the best wax for the conditions, and have expert guidance as you clean and wax your personal equipment. Bring your own gear (ski/snowboard, we’ll provide the waxing equipment) to this workshop, and leave with a freshly waxed base so you’re ready to hit the slopes! No prior experience needed.
Date: Tuesday, March 4
Time: 6pm-7:30pm
Location: Edwards Field House
Ages: 14+
Price: $15 - Camping and Biking in FruitaApril 25-27
What’s all this talk about Fruita’s legendary bike trails? Join us and find out on our inaugural weekend of primitive camping and mountain bike sendiness. Looking to connect with other rad folks or curious how to plan a trip like this yourself? Interested in picking up mountain biking or upping your skills to the next level? Get ready for a weekend of fun on 18 Road’s trail systems and take these connections into your summer!
Mountain Rec will provide all food, transportation, camping equipment, and expertise. Contact us if you need to borrow a bike for the weekend.
Ages: 21+
Pre-Trip Meeting will take place Tuesday 4/22 from 6-7pm at the Edward Field House.
Date: April 25-27
Ages: 21+
Price: $85 - NOLS Wilderness First AidJune 7 & 8 | Gypsum
The NOLS WFA course is a two-day, hands-on training that covers essential skills, including patient assessment, environmental emergencies, wound management, and more. Through realistic scenarios and expert instruction, you’ll gain the confidence to handle injuries and illnesses far from immediate medical help. Ideal for campers, hikers, guides, and first responders, this certification will equip you with the practical knowledge needed to make sound decisions under challenging conditions.
Date: June 7 & 8
Location: Gypsum Rec Center
Ages: 16+
Price: $375