Since writing about amusing places as something different for groups to tap into for the summer issue of Colorado Meetings + Events, I’ve run across additions to the state’s fun quota. Colorado Springs’ is embracing the new 30,000-square-foot WhirlyBall, an entertainment center where the meeting space can be utilized and team-building incorporated into the program all in one location. Opened in June, Colorado Springs is the fourth location of this family-run, Chicago-based company and features a restaurant, bar, meeting and event space, 12 bowling lanes and two courts for WhirlyBall. Remember the plastic scoop and wiffle ball yard game many of us played as kids? In this setting it’s taken up a notch by using bumper cars!
White Construction Group, a Colorado-based commercial general construction firm, recently completed Übergrippen Indoor Climbing Crag located in northeast Denver. The 20,733-square-foot building features 16,000 square feet of indoor climbing surfaces, including walls that exceed 40 feet, and a 3,000-square-foot fitness area with cardiovascular and strength equipment. An outdoor bouldering rock also is available along with yoga and fitness classes.
In the Summer 2017 issue, we also mentioned the addition of the Haunted Mine Drop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs. Denver’s Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park entered its 127th season in style earlier this year by introducing Star Flyer, one of the tallest rides in Colorado. On this extreme swing ride, 48 guests sit two across in open-air seats, ascending to the top of the 17-story tower while flying round and round. Star Flyer is the seventh new ride at Elitch Gardens in the last six years and is part of the more than $4 million in new capital invested for the 2017 season. Both Glenwood Caverns and Elitch Gardens have function space and offer many options for groups. Looking ahead to next summer, Aspen Snowmass will launch The Lost Forest, which includes an alpine coaster, canopy tour, challenge course, climbing wall, expanded hiking and biking trails, and more. The alpine coaster is actually slated to open this December for winter operations, featuring a 5,700-foot track with a total ride time of seven to nine minutes and lights for night operations.
When finished, the zip line canopy tour will take up to three hours total from shuttle to finish back at Elk Camp and features eight zip lines and two sky bridges and speeds are controlled by the rider. The high ropes course is being built in the trees above the Meadows Carpet lift, features five separate paths of varying difficulty across multiple levels and will take anywhere from 30 and 90 minutes to complete. The permanent climbing wall being installed at Elk Camp is approximately 40 feet tall and 60 feet wide and features 13 to 15 lanes equipped with auto belay devices.
During or after a day of meetings, what a great way to take a break or enjoy some memorable team-building opportunities! Get out an enjoy Colorado’s amusing places.
