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Incredible. There are very few words to describe the awe inspiring beauty and experience that the Top of the Rockies Snowmobile Tour at Nova Guides provides. If you’re looking for an awe inspiring activity in Vail, look no further. Beginning at historic Camp Hale, our tour began at 9,200 feet at a spectacularly grand, yet rustic 6,000 sq ft log cabin with a double sided roaring fireplace. As we walked through the vaulted ceilings and French double doors, the initial view of the Colorado Wilderness is a sight to see. Tall deep green pine and white barked aspen trees flanked a vast open field, where the 10th Mountain Division trained during World War II. Our friendly and knowledgeable guide walked us out to rows of brand new, gleaming Ski-Doo snowmobiles and instructed us on safety and the history of Camp…

Thanksgiving in the Mountains with Nova Guides! The leaves have fallen, the majestic Rocky Mountains shimmer with a fresh layer of pure white  sparkling snow and as we gear up for a busy winter season we find ourselves taking a moment to reflect on the awe inspiring beauty that surrounds us here at Camp Hale. We’ll be snowmobiling It is the beginning of the Holiday Season and with it being Thanksgiving week, it is only natural to pause and consider what is important to each one of us and how lucky we are to live in the Mountains of Colorado.   Thanksgiving means something different to each and everyone of us.  To some, it is simply an excuse to take a day off of the normal day to day tasks and appreciate where you are.  To others, it’s a day…

Continental Divide The continental divide is located right up the road from our lodge at Historic Camp Hale.  The continental divide also known as the Great Divide is an imaginary line that runs vertically through the United States, Canada and Alaska; it is 3,100 miles!  It travels through the Sierra Madre Occidental range in Mexico, then through the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. On the West side of the divide all the streams, rivers, and snowmelt will flow to the Pacific Ocean and to the east it will flow into the Atlantic Ocean.  If you stand with one foot east of the divide and one foot west of divide and spit on each side your spit will eventually be in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; not many people can say the split in two different oceans on…

  Nova Guides and McAllisters Grill is located right in the heart of the Pando Valley at Camp Hale. The Eagle River runs through the Pando Valley making it the perfect habitat for Aspen trees.  Aspen trees typically like to live in higher elevations, with plenty of moisture and sunshine. The Pando Valley is the perfect environment for the trees, as our abundant snowfall makes for plenty of moisture. As fall approaches with the shorter, warmer days and cooler nights, the Aspens are turning magnificent yellow, orange and red colors. Aspen leaves appear to be green, because of they contain chlorophyll.  The chlorophyll helps in the photosynthesis process to turn sunlight into sugars. The trees then store the sugars for nutrient during the winter months.  However; in the fall months the carotenoids and anthocyanins become more present in the leaves.  Carotenoids make the leafs…

Saturday July, 18th was the first wedding of the season at Camp Hale. The Shell & Smith families were a great crowd to entertain for the night. I worked hand in hand with Jenny & Nathan to plan their special day. They chose Camp Hale for their wedding because they dreamed of an outdoor wedding…

  Whitewater rafting is one of the most popular recreational activities in central Rockies. Thousands of locals and visitors paddle their way down Colorado’s beautiful rivers every year. With over 31 years of commercial rafting experience, Nova Guides is the choice for the best whitewater rafting in Colorado. Nova Guides is permitted to run rafting adventures on the Colorado, Eagle, and Arkansas Rivers. Eagle River – The Eagle River is the Vail local’s favorite but is only around for a short amount of time, typically May through the first week of July. This river is based off of the local snow melt. With the lack of spring snow the 2015 rafting season on the Eagle River was predicted to be short. Fortunately with all of the spring and early summer rain the Eagle River was a blast to run through…

It’s a typical spring for Nova Guides in Camp Hale Colorado. Only a couple days after shutting down snowmobiling for the year due to warm temperatures it starts to dump snow. In an effort to provide daily activities for the Vail Valley and Summit County Nova Guides opened Jeep tours, whitewater rafting, and fly-fishing this past Wednesday. While this spring storm will surely put a hold on activities the precipitation is vital for a successful summer. Jeep Tours are a favorite for all types of tourist visiting the Vail Valley. The diverse trail system for Vail Jeep tours offer guests many options. Wildlife can be spotted more frequently on certain trails, for example you’re almost guaranteed to see a Moose when traveling to Piney Lake. Other trails are bumpier than others, or have different histories and stories to tell. Currently…

Nova Guides leads over 25,000 guests and locals of the Vail Valley and Summit County into the Colorado back country a year. Snowmobiling is rapidly growing in popularity every year, resulting in the increase of the number of people and machines on trails. Snowmobiling and the Colorado back country have many varying conditions and obstacles, which is why Nova Guides greatly stresses the importance of being prepared and snowmobile safety.   Safety starts with being equipped before entering the back country. The proper clothing and safety gear is key. It is recommended to layer clothing that is appropriate for outdoor winter activities. Start by dressing in warm under layers and wool socks, then add protection from the elements with a winter coat appropriate for outdoor recreation. Finish the wardrobe off with waterproof gloves, a neck gaiter, goggles and a helmet….

Nova Guides is located along the National and Historic US Highway 24 and is surrounded by the White River National Forest. The Nova Guides’ lodge rests in the Pando Valley at 9,200 feet in elevation, this is where all snowmobile tours and rentals begin. The winter trail system of the White River National Forest boasts over one hundred miles of groomed terrain and multiple free ride open meadows on over 55,000 acres. It is the largest and highest elevation commercial trail system in the central Rocky Mountains. Guests can snowmobile from Camp Hale to Ski Cooper, to Red Cliff, to Vail Pass. It will take you all year to get bored on this extensive trail system. A map overview of the Vail Pass winter recreation area. Access these trails with Nova Guides! Camp Hale offers direct access to the East…