Broadmoor Outfitters

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Natural Connections

A father and his daughters enjoy falconry, try their hand at tomahawk throwing, explore a scenic canyon, and more during their Broadmoor adventure. BY JOSHUA BERMAN

Our guide at The Broadmoor’s Falconry Academy positions my daughters to face each other, and then kneels behind them and holds up a leather-gloved arm. Suddenly, a burst of feathers grazes the girls’ faces as Goldie, a Harris Hawk, swooshes between them to land on her handler. My 12-year-old closes her eyes and stands her ground as the bird passes in front of her, and my 9-year-old jerks her head and upper body backward. Both sport enormous smiles.

We’re taking a weekend away, enjoying one another’s company in the beautiful spring setting of The Broadmoor and jam-packing our days with activities we’ve never tried before. We’ve booked everything through Broadmoor Outfitters before our arrival. All we have to do now is report on time to Base Camp, a shop and office on the lower level of the hotel’s South Tower, to sign our waivers and hop in the shuttle.

Close Encounters of the Bird Kind

The Falconry Academy was created with the goal of teaching guests about birds of prey, the history of falconry, and their role in raptor conservation. We began our ninety-minute falconry tour in the mews, as we learned the raptor house is called, behind The Broadmoor’s West Tower. There we met our guide, who taught an animated lesson and removed several birds from their cages, bringing us face-to-beak with some magnificent creatures.

Two highlights were Dalilah the Eurasian Eagle Owl (the largest owl in the world) and Cupid the Barn Owl, who sometimes plays ring bearer at Broadmoor wedding ceremonies. Lesson over, we loaded into a van and ascended the property, past the golf course, to an overlook at the edge of a steep forest and field. Our guide opened Goldie’s customized wooden box in the back of the truck, and she took off and followed us, untethered, flapping from branch to branch as we walked along a trail. This was the experiential portion of our lesson.

The handler then had Goldie fly through our entire group while we formed a tunnel with our arms, then had her ascend and dive, chasing a sling loaded with bait. Then it was time for her final trick—the two-sister

All Together Now

With an innovative selection of activities designed for groups, Broadmoor Outfitters can customize a program for any team-building objective. Whether that means a morning spent on The Broadmoor Challenge—a scavenger hunt and race rolled into one; a blindfolded tentbuilding challenge; or simply a day of hiking, mountain biking, or zip lining, the activities are designed to get your group moving and working together.

squeeze. The handler placed my girls just so, and then the whoosh and the smiles.

That evening, the three of us recounted the experience over dinner, which we ate at a high-top at our reserved bowling lane at Play, a dining option in the West Tower. We had calamari, burgers, and salads, and then split a sundae to celebrate our embarrassingly low bowling scores. The restaurant also offers shuffleboard, pool tables, foosball, and game monitors— plus a loaded bar—a perfect combo.

New Hands Try Old-West Skills

I awoke early and jogged around Cheyenne Lake, taking a scenic route to the fitness center, then returned to the cottage after my workout to wake the girls. We had a big day of unknowns ahead of us, and I encouraged them to tank up during breakfast at Ristorante del Lago. Over omelets and

HOW TO SEE THE BROADMOOR’S

Seven Falls

Located on the campus of The Broadmoor, Seven Falls is easily accessed via a complimentary shuttle that runs to and from the resort. Hotel guests may also enjoy a nature path that leads to The Broadmoor’s Seven Falls. Hotel guests may purchase their tickets at the hotel, while day visitors purchase their tickets at the entrance gate.

From the entrance of Cheyenne Canyon, guests may choose to walk to Seven Falls along a 0.8-mile, mildly inclined nature trail or ride a tram to the falls.

An elevator and stairway both lead to the Eagle’s Nest, with a panoramic view of each of Seven Falls’ seven distinct cascades. Another staircase leads visitors to the top of Seven Falls itself, from which further trails extend into South Cheyenne Canyon. Call (855) 4987558 or visit Broadmoor.com for information.

THE BROADMOOR Soaring Adventure

The Broadmoor Soaring Adventure takes guests traversing above the secluded South Cheyenne Canyon for an unbelievable zip lining experience soaring high above rocky outcroppings and forested canyons on zip lines ranging in length from 250 to 1,800 feet, with some moderate hiking.

Start your adventure at Broadmoor Outfitters Base Camp, where you’ll be transported to the start of the course. Participants are fitted with top-of-theline gear and then receive extensive instruction on a practice zip line. Participants must weigh at least 90 pounds and no more than 250 pounds.

Guests may choose one or both of our high-wire courses: The Woods Course and The Fins Course. The Woods Course features five zip lines, while The Fins Course has five zip lines plus two 200-foot suspension-bridge crossings and a thrilling 180-foot controlled rappel at the end. Combined, they make up a four-hour adventure and the ultimate soaring experience!

“We always have two guides and no more than eight guests, so our guides connect with each person in their group individually,” says Kurt Segerberg, general manager of Broadmoor Outfitters. “We are committed to making it an amazing day for every guest.”

See for yourself why TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice awards call The Broadmoor Soaring Adventure one of the top-ten “best zip lining experiences in the world!” Call (855) 498-7558 or visit Broadmoor.com for information.

pastries, I read out loud from our itinerary for the morning: “You will learn and hone the skills once necessary to survive in the Wild West!”

We walked to Base Camp, climbed into the outfitter’s truck, and headed up Old Stage Road, on which horse-drawn coaches once traveled to the gold-mining communities of Victor and Cripple Creek. We got out and walked through ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest, finding our guides waiting for us at the archery range.

After a safety briefing, the guides gave us detailed, attentive instruction. It quickly became apparent that my 9-year-old preferred tomahawk throwing and my 12-year-old the bow and arrow. They divided and conquered, getting one-on-one instruction, the time flying by. Though neither would dream of hurting an animal, they took to the representational targets with glee.

Hiking the “Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado”

I’ll admit it: My daughters complained when I told them we were going for a hike. I thought I’d raised them better as Colorado natives, but they still resisted when I told them the afternoon activity—hiking up a canyon to a multitiered waterfall! Nevertheless, they came along and I knew that once we got there, things would turn around. We purchased our entrance bracelets from the Broadmoor Shop in the West building, hopped the five-minute shuttle to The Broadmoor’s Seven Falls gate, and started walking.

Less than a mile west of The Broadmoor, Seven Falls is a historic natural feature up South

OUTFITTERS FUN

Activities Include

• THE BROADMOOR SOARING ADVENTURE • FALCONRY • GUIDED HIKING • GUIDED ROCK CLIMBING • GUIDED MOUNTAIN BIKING • GUIDED FLY FISHING AND FLY

FISHING INSTRUCTION • THE BROADMOOR SCAVENGER HUNT • THE WILD WEST EXPERIENCE • ... AND MORE!

Call (855) 498-7558 or visit Broadmoor.com for more information and to book your adventure.

ROCK CLIMBING

Cheyenne Canyon, a 1,250-foot-wall box canyon pinched between the towering 900-foot-tall rock formations called the Pillars of Hercules and known as the “grandest mile of scenery in Colorado.” Sure enough, the moment we caught sight of a zip line way up above, spanning the canyon, my daughters were once again enthralled with the scenery, and I knew yet another proper micro-adventure had begun. The silhouetted cable against the sky was one of ten zip lines that make up the Broadmoor Soaring Adventure, which also includes two 200-foot rope bridges and a rappel at the end. Although we wouldn’t be soaring that day, just the presence of those adventurers up above added to the discovery. We declined the tram car and instead walked nearly a mile along the half-frozen, half-rushing creek that led us to Seven Falls, a series of waterfalls cascading down the rock face. We took in the impressive site, and I could see the awe on the girls’ faces as they attempted to track droplets of water flowing down each of the falls’ seven pitches. Their mood was improved as we walked back down the path and returned to the resort to pack up. As our Broadmoor mini-adventure came to a close and with so much more to explore, the girls and I were already planning our return visit.

.ESSENTIALS. BROADMOOR OUTFITTERS

Base Camp, located just outside the South Tower lobby, is your headquarters for outdoor activities at The Broadmoor and is staffed by experienced professionals who can help you choose your next adventure. Make it a point to stop by or call early in your stay, as our excursions are designed for small groups, and the spots do fill up. For more challenging endeavors, like guided mountain biking or rock climbing, your guide will reach out before the activity to better understand your fitness level and goals. When it comes time to meet up, all off-site activities begin at Base Camp, with provided transportation.

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