Adventure in Aspen & Snowmass

Today was a fun fitness day with mountainboarding and biking in Snowmass then stand up paddling on the Roaring Fork River in Aspen with a hometown (Greenville, SC) friend.

First for Frank and I was mountainboarding - something I've never heard of let alone try until this trip.  Our instructor Doug was fantastic.  No falls and by end of lesson felt confident on the board.  I'd call it skateboarding on steroids or a summer version of snowboarding on wheels.  Even did what's called "dropping small" which is boarding the small ramp.  Snowmass has camps for kids where they get to do this and adults can try it too.

Next was mountain biking with another fabulous instructor Kevin.  We went up the Elk Camp Gondola then did downhill mountain biking.  The trail system in Aspen/Snowmass covers 50 miles of varying terrain.  I'd never done straight downhill mountain biking.  It's challenging - especially going through the turns and bridges.  In addition to a workout for your legs, core and arms being in the athletic stance on a bike, it's also a workout for your hands since you'll be braking on the way down.





The third outdoor adventure of the day was stand up paddling (SUP) on the Roaring Fork River in Aspen with professional skier Chris Davenport and Aspen Kayak & SUP Academy owner Charlie MacArthur.  This was such a great core workout with amazing scenery.  Plus the water felt great - yes I fell in but we all did!

Tomorrow is a 12.5 mile hike from Aspen to Crested Butte!