AVA's Via Ferrata Courses

Colorado Zipline + Aerial Tours

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FIND YOUR COLORADO VIA FERRATA ADVENTURE

What is a Via Ferrata?

The Via Ferrata is a unique mountain adventure that combines hiking with climbing, using ladders, cables, and bridges. Its roots trace back to the 19th century, when the Italian military built several in the Dolomites to help soldiers navigate the rocky alpine terrain during World War I. Today, the Via Ferrata has become a popular recreational activity for tourists and hikers alike, with over 1,000 locations worldwide, including North America, China, Africa, and Iceland.

At AVA Rafting & Zipline, we offer two guided Via Ferrata experiences: the Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) Via Ferrata at our Idaho Springs outpost and the Granite Via Ferrata at our Buena Vista location. Both courses are perfect for adventurers seeking a thrilling outdoor experience. Via Ferrata requires less technical knowledge than traditional climbing since ladders and cables are built directly into the cliff face. Our courses include rappels, hanging bridges, iron rungs, and ziplines, providing breathtaking views and excitement for all levels of climbers. Join us for an unforgettable cliffside adventure in the Rocky Mountains!

OUR TRENDING VIA FERRATA TRIPS

MOUNT BLUE SKY VIA FERRATA
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO VIEW MAP
ACTIVITIES: Via Ferrata
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (Intense)
MINIMUM AGE: 12 years old
PRICE: from $129

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GRANITE VIA FERRATA
LOCATION: Buena Vista, CO VIEW MAP
ACTIVITIES: Via Ferrata
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (Intense)
MINIMUM AGE: 12 years old
PRICE: from $109

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VIA FERRATA AND RAFTING
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO VIEW MAP
ACTIVITIES: Via Ferrata and Upper Clear Creek Rafting
DURATION: Full Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (Intense)
RIVER RATING: Class IV
MINIMUM AGE: 15 years old
PRICE: $193

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WHY CHOOSE AVA FOR YOUR VIA FERRATA ADVENTURE

AVA IS 25 YEARS OF ADVENTURE

For more than 20 years, AVA Rafting & Zipline has been committed to providing unforgettable outdoor adventures in Colorado. Our goal is to help visitors have fun and connect with the Colorado outdoors through thrilling adventure opportunities. Beginning as solely a whitewater rafting company in 1998, we expanded to include a Via Ferrata course at our Idaho Springs location in 2017 and later in Buena Vista in 2018. At every turn, we prioritize exceptional guest service, safety, and sustainability, and our efforts have earned us recognition from Tripadvisor, Elevation, and Outdoor's Best of the Rockies. With accolades such as the Certificate of Excellence and Traveler's Choice, AVA is consistently ranked as a top choice for thrill-seekers of all ages.

AS ALWAYS, SAFETY FIRST

At AVA Rafting & Zipline, we value the safety of our guests above all else. We know that our guides are the key to providing a safe and enjoyable experience, which is why we hold them to high standards. Our guides undergo extensive training, surpassing industry requirements with rigorous belay and rappel instruction, certification in CPR and First-aid, and emergency response preparedness. We also ensure that all safety equipment is up to par, using only the most rigorously tested harnesses, lanyards, and carabiners. When you join us for a Via Ferrata adventure, our expert guides will provide detailed instructions, assist with gear, and answer any questions you may have before embarking on the course.

THE POWER OF PASSION

Experience the thrill of the outdoors with AVA Rafting & Zipline, where our commitment to excellence and love for the Colorado landscape drive us to deliver unforgettable adventure experiences. Our guides are dedicated to providing exceptional guest service and fostering a deep connection with the natural beauty of the region. From Via Ferrata adventures to Zipline tours, we prioritize your safety and comfort, ensuring that you have an unforgettable experience. This passion for adventure and the outdoors extends to our respect, professionalism, and teamwork among our guides, who are eager to share their excitement and knowledge with you. Join us, and let us share this passion with you!

YOUR VIA FERRATA TRIP WITH AVA

Experience the Rocky Mountains like never before with AVA Rafting & Zipline's Mount Blue Sky and Granite Via Ferrata courses. Our guided tours offer a thrilling and unique perspective of the stunning Colorado landscape as you traverse along the cliff face. You will navigate across ladders, rungs, cables, and bridges, and even swing through the trees on our zipline courses! All necessary gear, including a secure harness, lanyards with clips, gloves, and helmet, is provided to ensure your safety throughout the adventure. Our specialized two-carabiner/lanyard harness system guarantees that you remain connected to the cliff face at all times. Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear, and leave the rest to us as you embark on an unforgettable journey with breathtaking views of the Rockies.

NO WRONG COURSE: YOUR VIA FERRATA TRIP OPTIONS

Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Just over 30 minutes west of Denver into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, AVA’s Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata makes the perfect weekend getaway if you’re on the hunt for an adventure. A maze of iron rungs set into the cliffside, assisted rock climbing, an exciting rappel, and array of suspended bridges will keep your heart pumping as you challenge yourself on this course.

Course Features

Explore the cliffside via iron rungs and suspended bridges

Climb high above historic Idaho Springs and the Chicago Creek

Thrilling rappel opportunities

Incorporation of a few lines from AVA’s Cliffside Zipline course to finish your excursion

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Granite Via Ferrata

Buena Vista, Colorado

Nestled at the base of the mighty Collegiate Peaks in the Arkansas River Valley, AVA’s newest Via Ferrata course will have you on the edge of your seat. Between ziplining, rappelling, crossing a tight rope suspended bridge, and traversing the cliffside with a 70+ foot drop below you, we’re not sure if it will be the views or the thrills on this course that will take your breath away first. This course is complete with our newest feature, the Flight Line: a 78 foot, heart-pounding freefall!

Course Features

Suspended bridges and iron rungs embedded into the mountainside create a perfect pathway along the mountaintop

The Flight Line: a 78 foot freefall!

Rappel down the cliff face

Ziplines to start the course!

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RAPPEL INTO YOUR ADVENTURE

YOUR MOUNTAIN-TOP PACKING LIST

We strive to run our Via Ferrata trips in all but the most extreme conditions and only cancel in case of high winds or lightning! For this reason, please pack layers and a raincoat; you may also bring a small backpack to carry belongings or water. To ensure a safe and comfortable climb, we require all participants to wear closed-toe and secure shoes, comfortable clothing, and avoid loose items like scarves, long necklaces, skirts, short shorts, and jean shorts. For safety reasons, please also tie back long hair.

OUR WATCHES ARE SET TO ADVENTURE

To ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience on your Via Ferrata excursion, we kindly request that you arrive at our outpost 15 minutes prior to your scheduled trip. If you happen to miss your trip, we will make every effort to accommodate you on the next available trip. In the event that this is not feasible, you will receive an 85% credit that can be used for the current season. Once you arrive, our friendly staff will check you in and introduce you to your guide who will provide an overview of your adventure before you begin. We kindly advise that you sign your liability waiver in advance and double-check your confirmation to ensure the correct location, date, and time.

CLIFFSIDE REQUIREMENTS

To fully enjoy your Via Ferrata adventure, it is important to be aware of the physical requirements. While you don't need to be an experienced rock climber or alpinist, some sections of our routes involve climbing up iron rungs, similar to a ladder. Additionally, the adventure can last up to 3.5 hours, so make sure you are physically capable of staying active for that length of time. Our Via Ferrata trips have a minimum age requirement of 12, a minimum weight requirement of 50 lbs (Mt Evans) or 75 lbs (Granite) and a maximum of 250 lbs.

LEAVE NOTHING BUT MEMORIES

After finishing your Via Ferrata or zipline adventure, you'll join your guide back at our outpost. Here, you can return your equipment and buy pictures of your adventure. We offer a variety of clothing and mementos for purchase so that you can take a piece of your experience home with you. If your guide went above and beyond to make your journey unforgettable, feel free to show your gratitude with a tip. We hope that your time with AVA will be a memorable part of your trip, and we can't wait to have you back with us again in the future!

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So... what's the deal?
What exactly is a Via Ferrata?

No worries, this fairly new recreational activity used to be overseas as a means of transportation among the mountaintops. Today, it’s a challenging and fun adventure, and AVA has two different courses in the Colorado Rockies.

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What do I bring on the Via Ferrata?
Valid question. AVA provides all your climbing gear, but you are required to wear comfortable, athletic clothing as well as shoes that will stay on your feet. We suggest bringing a water bottle with a carabiner to attach to your harness, and small cameras are welcome to capture your adventure.

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Why should I try the Via Ferrata?
Maybe you’ve ziplined before and are on the hunt for something more, or maybe you’re just looking for a unique way to spend your time in Colorado. Whether you’re just wanting a weekend getaway in the mountains or you’re visiting from across the country, the Via Ferrata will challenge you in the best ways and you’ll make some great memories along the way with your family and friends.

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