How Early Should I Book My Summer Tours?

Snow is still falling around us, and multiple layers are required to step out the door, but yet, summer is still sneaking up quicker than we can imagine. Thoughts of booking summer outdoor tours in Colorado Springs may seem like dreams of a time unknown rather than something that needs to happen now. 

It’s an easy mistake to make. Putting off booking tours because it doesn’t seem likely that people will make their plans so far in advance is something that only needs to be experienced once to never do again.

Summer in Colorado is one of the most luxurious times and places anyone can find on the entire planet. Tourist season skyrockets, so booking tours needs to happen as soon as possible. 

When to Visit Colorado Springs

Every city has its attractions. Colorado Springs has many things to do, whether in the height of summer or the midst of a long winter. It all depends on the types of activities you like to do. 

The spring and fall offer cooler weather with fewer crowds, while the winter brings about some of the best snowsport terrain. The summer is different, though. Families have lived for the summer.

Remember getting out of school and knowing that you’re on summer break? Name another feeling that comes close to the exhilaration kids feel on the final school bell. It’s hard to match. 

For most, it’s safe to say that summer is a time for going out and being active. We’ve spent our winter hibernating, or at least skiing for a few hours and hustling back in to escape the cold. When the temperature starts to rise and the day gets long, there’s more reason to get out and stay out. 

Summer is the peak of the tourist season for Colorado Springs. People can find activities in every corner of the city and move out of the city limits to find more. Due to the huge level of demand, booking tours early on, maybe as soon as you finish reading this, is important to finding the best outdoor tours in Colorado Springs. 

Sunshine and more sunshine

When kids get out of school and families can take the time to vacation, everyone is out and about. It’s the summer, so people naturally want to find the sunshine and feel the warmth on their skin as they hike out and find gorgeous backdrops for family photos. 

Colorado averages 300 days of sunshine per year. Put that up against almost anywhere else in the United States, and you’ll be glad you’ve chosen Colorado. Temperatures hover between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the ultimate climate for summer travel. 

The only part of the summers in the mountains that needs special attention is the near-daily mountain storm. Up high in the peaks, there’s a large possibility for afternoon storms that roll in and are gone before you can even process the fact that it just rained. With the right amount of planning, you can arrange your day to avoid the high peaks in the afternoon. 

What to do in the Summer in Colorado Springs

With the summer comes a plethora of options, especially for outdoor tours. Colorado Springs is surrounded by natural beauty. One of the best activities to explore the area is getting out and hiking in any local park. Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak will be more crowded in the summer, but they’re spectacular places to visit. 

Summer outdoor tours in Colorado Springs can take you to more isolated places. Local guides know the places to go that are still magnificent but don’t draw as much of a crowd. These guides are one of the few places to get information that can’t be found with a quick Google search. 

Book a tour ahead of time and lock a place in with mountain biking or guided zipline tours to expand upon what the typical family vacation may encompass. Trying something new is always a safe bet in the summer, and it can be reassuring to have a guided tour helping you explore that new activity. 

It’s safe to say that there’s something for everyone to do in the summertime in Colorado Springs. If you’re looking for something outdoorsy and adventurous, there are almost too many options to choose from. Those who feel more drawn to a foodie or city-based adventure will find that the town itself has a ton of local restaurants and shops that are full of energy throughout the summer months.

The summer is full of different festivals like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Manitou Springs Wine Festival, the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, and the El Paso County Fair. These events are perfect for planning your summer vacation around. Once you’re tired enough from hiking to the summit of Pikes Peak, you can sit back and watch cars do it instead. 

Photo by Ian Baldwin on Unsplash

When to Book Summer Tours

The best time to get a summer reservation with the best outdoor tours in Colorado Springs is now. Spots fill up quickly, and planning the perfect vacation requires a lot of time spent thinking ahead. 

Last-minute bookings with us are difficult to snag. Typically, bookings are completely filled up from Easter all the way until Thanksgiving. With Easter just around the corner, we wanted to remind you to book your tours today and start looking forward to soaking in that Colorado summer sun!

Does Broadmoor Outfitters Run Tours in the Winter?

Colorado is a haven for year-round adventure, but which tour companies run tours through the winter? Is skiing the only option?

Once the snow hits the slopes, it seems like most of the tourism follows suit. The thing is, while the mountains fill up with snow, Colorado Springs actually sees very little snow until the springtime. While the weather can often change and fluctuate, Broadmoor Outfitters aims to run tours all year long. 

So, don’t worry, Broadmoor Outfitters runs tours through the winter season, weather permitting. Read on as we answer some of our most common questions about winter tours in Colorado Springs.

What is winter like in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Spring is well-known for its mild weather during other seasons, and winter is no different. Temperatures are known to range from 17-61 degrees Fahrenheit. The average winter temperature is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so add a little sun and some quality clothing layers, and you’re set! With the lack of moisture in the air, sunny daytime temperatures feel much warmer in the sun, making outdoor recreation not only doable but rather enjoyable. 

Sure, it can get chilly some days, but that’s where planning ahead and preparation come into play. When you are booking outdoor tours during the winter, knowing how to layer properly and spending time looking at the weather forecast will help you prepare. 

Heading into the Pikes Peak area is a really popular choice, and it can be done in the winter. Be aware that going up to Pikes Peak will be much colder than in the city of Colorado Springs. The average high temperature during the winter on Pikes Peak is around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Which tour is the best during the winter?

Although winter is relatively mild in Colorado Springs, we do not run all of our tour options in the winter months. Things like stand-up paddleboarding aren’t very popular when it is 30 degrees outside! 

Many guests enjoy our guided hiking tours during the winter months. When hiking in a new area, especially as a novice hiker, going along with a guide can ease some of the anxieties and help you feel more prepared and comfortable for the journey. 

We run more than our guided hiking tours in the winter, but this is a top choice among Colorado Springs’ visitors. 

Tours up to see Pikes Peak are also feasible in the winter months. Much like other mountain attractions that are open year-round, closures may occur due to weather conditions. 

Why would a tour be canceled?

Other than a cancellation on your end, the main reason a tour is canceled during the winter is due to inclement weather. It is relatively rare that weather gets in our way, but we take precautions when necessary. 

In most cases, tours can be rescheduled, and if we need to cancel due to weather, you will work directly with our team to find a solution that works for you. 


If you have a question about booking a winter tour or you want help choosing the best winter tour in Colorado Springs, contact us directly at +1-719-471-6168 or reserve your tour online.

Pikes Peak Railway: Cog Up, Bike Down

If you’re visiting Colorado Springs, chances are you’ve heard of Pikes Peak. It is famous for its hiking trails and downhill mountain biking, but did you know there was a railway that went to the top?

While riding to the top and back down may not seem like much of a thrill, what if we told you that Broadmoor Outfitters added a twist with their newest tour? Now, you can Cog up to the top of the famous Pikes Peak and mountain bike back down. 

Yep! You skip the grueling uphill pedal and simply can take in the views as you Cog Up Pikes Peak, but you get the adrenaline rush of biking down the mountain. 

The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway

In Colorado Springs, CO, the Cog Railway has recently reopened after being closed for reconstruction the last three years. The rebuild of the Cog Railway features all-new trains, a new track, a new depot, and a new visitor center. 

This particular railway was built back in June of 1891 as the highest rack railway in the world at the time. Now, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway remains the world’s highest and longest cog railroad, and it is the highest railroad in the entire Northern Hemisphere. 

There are only two cog railways in the United States, and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is one of the most unique railway experiences you can have in the world. 

Cog Up and Bike Down Pikes Peak

Not only is riding the railway up an exhilarating and unique experience but biking down the mountain will be one for your bucket list. While it may be tempting to try and book a ride up the mountain with your bike, the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway does not allow bicycles on board due to a limited amount of space. 

The only way to combine the railway experience with downhill mountain biking is to book with Broadmoor Outfitters. 

You will enjoy the 5.5-hour ride to the top of Pikes Peak. Then you will have a chance to check out the newly constructed Summit House at the top. We give you plenty of time to enjoy the view before the next stage of your adventure starts. 

Biking down the mountain takes you on a 19.5 miles journey. While that is a daunting distance at an exhilarating incline, we provide safety gear and safety information to help minimize risk on the descent. We provide full-face helmets, biking gloves, high visibility vests, and GT 29” cruisers. 

The bike down Pikes Peak is a supported ride. You will have a guide to lead you down the mountain and a van that is available to take any rider back down in case they choose to leave the ride early. 

The Pikes Peak Railway Cog Up, Bike Down tour is one of our most challenging tours and does require a fair level of fitness. Most biking abilities will be able to do the ride. However, we do require some biking experience to ensure you can navigate the terrain and control your bike. 

Please consult a physician before booking your Cog Up, Bike Down tour with Broadmoor Outfitters and ask them about your fitness for a high-altitude biking adventure.

Join our Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Tour – Top Overall Experiences in the World

Colorado is a wonderland of unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and doing the Fins Course Scenic Zipline Tour is one of them you need to add to your bucket list. 

While we construct all of our tours as top-of-the-line, first-class activities, the people have spoken for us! 

Our Fins Course Scenic Zipline Tour was recently voted to be one of the top 10 overall world experiences on Tripadvisor for 2021. The Traveler’s Choice experiences are chosen by other travelers worldwide that love adventure trips like white water rafting, hang gliding, or zip-lining. 

There are three categories in the Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best, including United States, World, and Regions. 

“Such a breathtaking experience! The views were amazing, the bridges were a rush, and the ziplines? Well worth the price alone!”

Experience one of the top zipline courses in the world with heights up to 500 ft, two rope bridges, five zip lines (250-1800 ft long), and a 180 ft assisted rappel. With so much adventure jam-packed into one zipline course, it is no wonder that the Fins Course is an extreme adventure seeker’s delight. 

While we have other zipline courses, The Fins Course has steeper drops, added exposure, and includes high altitude zip lining. This course isn’t for the faint of heart, but the good news is that we do also have a milder option, our Woods Course. Some travelers like to combine both the Woods Course with the Fins Course to build up to the adventure with our Combo Course.

Ziplining is an activity that the whole family can enjoy, and the Fins Course takes you on a breathtaking tour, immersing you in nature as you zip through Seven Falls canyon in Colorado. The scenic surroundings make the experience far more memorable, and the adrenaline boost helps a bit too. 

“A must do on a Colorado Springs trip! The course was awesome with some of the most beautiful views of the mountains and Colorado Springs. The guides were knowledgeable about the area and had great tips, recommendations, and jokes! 100% recommend adding this to your trip to Colorado Springs! This was an amazing time!”

You’ll spend 3-4 hours on the Fins Course, and it does start much like our Woods Course with two warm-up zips before you have a chance to experience the cliff condition zips that increase with length. Per the name “Fins Course,” our course takes you through one of Colorado’s most breathtaking areas of Seven Falls Canyon and Colorado Springs to land you near the “fins.” The fin formation of the rocks is where our course gets its name.

The gradual build-up to the cliff-style zips prepares most adventure seekers enough to truly enjoy the views of the canyon. Once you’ve made your way across the foot rope bridges and all five ziplines, the adventure is just beginning. The Fins Course has a unique finish as you rappel 180 feet to reach the canyon floor.

The Fins Course is genuinely a zipline people from all over the world can enjoy. Come and see for yourself why we were voted into the top 10 Tripadvisor tours worldwide! 

“For the last few years, ziplining is how I spend my birthday. The zipline at Seven Falls surpassed the other ziplines I have been on by far. A breathtaking experience. The bridges and last two zips definitely got my adrenaline going. Beautiful views, a wonderful experience.”

“Wow!! I’ve ziplined many places and this has some of the best views, highest dropoffs, and most extreme platform locations I’ve seen. Super safe with double redundancy on the trolley, and a shielded cable makes for a very quiet and smooth ride. Great enthusiasm and energy among the guides, too! Can’t wait to go again.”