As the Winter Solstice draws near, with those (always shockingly) short days, long nights, and perhaps some bone-rattling cold and heaped-up snowbanks muffling all of our rhythms, the thrills of whitewater rafting may seem remote and far off. But, in fact, this happens to be a fantastic season for planning a Colorado summer adventure with Echo Canyon River Expeditions!
Here are some of the reasons why—and how to go about the process, here on the opposite side of the calendar from prime rafting time.
The Perfect Summer Adventure
Planning a Colorado summer adventure, as anywhere, involves figuring out where you want to go, when, and what you want to do. The Centennial State comes packed to the gills with adventuring possibilities of all kinds: from rock-climbing and horseback-riding to hiking, backpacking, and mountain-biking—not to mention wildlife-watching (elk, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, golden eagles—the list goes on and on) all throughout.
Colorado also happens to lay claim to some of the finest whitewater rafting in North America: a truly one-of-a-kind sport (and we like to think it goes far deeper than that) that continues to increase exponentially in popularity. Young or old, experienced or not, super-fit or somewhat less so, this is an activity—ranging from gentle sightseeing floats over friendly riffles to wild rides through roaring rapids—that offers something for everybody. Here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we’ve been leading rafting trips of all levels of difficulty and intensity on the preeminent whitewater of the Arkansas River and other top-class Rocky Mountain streams since the 1970s.
Planning in the Off-Season
Whitewater rafting is almost always a seasonal activity for the vast majority of participants. Our main window for rafting trips is from late spring into late summer or early fall. Wintertime is our off-season, though, needless to say, we certainly pay close attention to the weather this time of year: The buildup of the Rocky Mountain snowpack, after all, is what powers our spectacular river flows come spring and summer.
Although many vacationers end up booking their rafting experience much closer to the peak summer season, there are many advantages to planning further in advance—not least right now, in the thick of winter. Those advantages include:
Open Availability
Scheduling your river-running adventure earlier than the majority of folks means you’ll usually have a lot more availability in terms of desired dates and packages. You’re much more likely to get your first-choice trip and timetable when you plan a whitewater rafting trip in the wintertime.
Better Prices
What are some tips for maximizing savings for a summer vacation? Well, one is off-season planning! The natural lull of this downtime stretch of the calendar commonly means some real benefits to the old bank account: You’ll often be able to take advantage of various deals and discounts this time of year—never a bad thing!
Well Thought-Out Trip
You might be surprised how many travelers we see getting in touch for a very near-future rafting trip with hardly any lead time. That’s how life goes sometimes, and we certainly invite you to always contact us with last-minute rafting inquiries. But if you hash out your summer whitewater adventure well ahead, you’ll of course benefit from operating under less of a crunch and a rush.
This time of year, the Echo Canyon team doesn’t get as much of an opportunity to talk about our favorite subject—that is, taking people out on the glorious reaches of the Arkansas and other primo Colorado rivers—so we’re all the more eager to spend as much time on the phone with you as you’d like to iron down the absolute perfect itinerary for you and your party.
Coordinating With a Group
Many rafters come as a group: a family crew, say, or a passel of friends who might be meeting up from different corners of the country or the world. The more advance-planning time you have, the easier it is to coordinate with all those individuals and select a schedule that works well for everybody involved.
Flexibility
Early birds are typically going to have a lot more wiggle room when it comes to planning a Colorado rafting adventure, including nudging your trip around on the calendar and switching up river packages.
A Lot of Preparation Time
“Do I need to prepare for a rafting trip?” you might be asking yourself. Although the many decades of experience and the fine-tuned team of guides and other staff we boast here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions make planning a Colorado summer adventure as easy as can be, there is indeed still preparation involved.
Planning your summer getaway in winter gives you plenty of time to fine-tune your packing list, secure ideal accommodations like the Royal Gorge Cabins atop 8 Mile Hill, just a stone’s throw from our Echo Canyon check-in location, and even prepare physically for more challenging rafting adventures, such as all-day or multi-day trips on bigger, rougher waters.
Build the Best Itinerary With Echo Canyon
As we hope all of the above has demonstrated, winter’s actually an ideal time to plan a whitewater rafting trip. Another benefit? There’s nothing like dreaming about a sunshiny, splish-splashy odyssey on a mountain-framed Colorado River to beat away those winter doldrums!
Why wait for summer to start planning your perfect getaway? Get in touch with our rafting experts today and let us help you craft an unforgettable experience in the stunning landscapes of Canon City. Whether you’re looking for thrilling rafting experiences or cozy camping accommodations, we’ll work closely with you to ensure every detail aligns with your vision.
