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AVA's Via Ferrata Courses

Colorado's Best Cliffside Adventure

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Discover Your Colorado Via Ferrata Adventure

The Via Ferrata is a mountain route with added ladders, cables, and bridges with roots in the 19th century. The Via Ferrata, Italian for “Iron Way,” gained notoriety during World War I when the Italian military built several into the Dolomites to help troops navigate the rocky alpine terrain. Today, the Via Ferrata is primarily used recreationally by tourists and hikers, with over 1,000 Via Ferratas located worldwide in places such as North America, China, Africa, and Iceland. Each location offers unique features and landscapes to explore.

At AVA Rafting & Zipline, we offer two guided Via Ferrata experiences: the Mount Evans Via Ferrata at our Idaho Springs outpost and the Granite Via Ferrata at our Buena Vista location. Both courses are perfect for those seeking a thrilling new outdoor adventure. 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. Join us for an unforgettable cliffside experience in the Rocky Mountains!

OUR TRENDING VIA FERRATA TRIPS

  • MOUNT EVANS 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 $119

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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 $99

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  • VIA FERRATA AND RAFTING

  • LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO VIEW MAP
    ACTIVITIES: Via Ferrata and Gold Rush Rafting
    DURATION: Full Day
    DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (Intense)
    RIVER RATING: Class III
    MINIMUM AGE: 12  years old
    PRICE: $179

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WHY CHOOSE AVA FOR YOUR VIA FERRATA ADVENTURE

AVA SINCE 1998

For over two decades, AVA Rafting & Zipline has been dedicated to delivering unforgettable outdoor adventures in Colorado. With a focus on connecting visitors with the natural beauty of the region, AVA offers a range of thrilling experiences that draw on their extensive expertise and professionalism. Starting out as a rafting company in 1998, AVA has since expanded to include a Via Ferrata course at our Idaho Springs location in 2017, and later in Buena Vista in 2018. At every step, AVA prioritizes exceptional guest service, safety, and sustainability, earning recognition from Tripadvisor, Elevation, and Outdoor's Best of the Rockies. With awards such as the Certificate of Excellence and Traveler's Choice, AVA continues to be a top choice for adventure-seekers year after year.

EXPERT GUIDES AND SAFE ADVENTURES

At AVA Rafting & Zipline, we understand that our guides are the backbone of our adventure experiences. We prioritize your safety above all else and hold our guides to the highest standards of excellence. Our guides undergo rigorous training that exceeds industry requirements, including extensive belay and rappel training, CPR and First-aid certification, and emergency response preparedness. We also ensure that our guides are well-versed in all safety equipment, using only rigorously inspected and tested harnesses, lanyards, and carabiners. When embarking on a Via Ferrata adventure with AVA, our guides will provide thorough instructions, assist with gear, and answer any questions you may have. Trust us to guide you safely through your adventure.

OUR ROOTS AND RIVERS

At AVA Rafting & Zipline, our passion for the Colorado outdoors drives us to exceed industry standards and deliver exceptional adventure experiences with outstanding guest service. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond safety and equipment to include respect, professionalism, and teamwork. Our guides are passionate about what they do and love sharing that excitement with our guests, working hard to deliver the best adventure experiences across every course and climb. We believe that a Via Ferrata adventure with AVA will excite and thrill, as well as deepen your connection with our great outdoors.

YOUR AVA VIA FERRATA TRIP

Both our Mount Evans Via Ferrata and Granite Via Ferrata courses will reward you with a thrilling and unique perspective of the Rocky Mountains. Traverse along the cliff face, climbing across ladders, rungs, cables, and bridges to navigate the mountainside. We provide all the necessary gear for your adventure, including a harness, lanyards with secure clips, gloves, and a helmet. Our specialized two-carabiner/lanyard harness system ensures that you are always connected to the cliff face, as it is impossible to clip out of both carabiners simultaneously. Come dressed in comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear, and let us take care of the rest as you embark on an unforgettable adventure with breathtaking views.

NO WRONG COURSE: YOUR VIA FERRATA TRIP OPTIONS

We offer two different Via Ferrata trips: our Mount Evans Via Ferrata in Idaho Springs and our Granite Via Ferrata in Buena Vista.

Granite Via Ferrata
Buena Vista, CO

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Mount Evans Via Ferrata
Idaho Springs, CO

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GRANITE VIA FERRATA

Our Granite course at our Buena Vista location is just one hour from Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen, and begins with an exciting zipline to your starting point. From there, you'll ascend crags and rappel above the Arkansas River Valley, experiencing breathtaking views of the Collegiate Peaks Mountain Range and San Juan Mountains.

MOUNT EVANS VIA FERRATA

The Mount Evans course is just 30 minutes from Denver and one hour from Breckenridge, offering stunning views of Idaho Springs and the Chicago Creek from mountaintop bridges and a thrilling 70-foot rappel down the cliff face. You'll also fly across three lines of our zipline course for an aerial adventure like no other.

Not sure which course to choose? Our knowledgeable sales agents are here to answer any questions you have and help you select the best trip options for your interests and skill level, ensuring you and your family or group have the most fun possible.

RAPPEL INTO YOUR ADVENTURE

YOUR MOUNTAIN-TOP PACKING LIST

Our Via Ferrata trips are weather dependent, and we run them in all but the most extreme weather conditions. We may need to cancel trips in the event of high winds or lightning. We recommend dressing in layers and bringing a raincoat, as Colorado weather can be unpredictable and afternoon storms are common. To ensure safety and comfort during your climb, closed-toed shoes are required on all of our Via Ferrata trips. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and avoiding loose clothing items like scarves or long necklaces, as well as skirts, short shorts, and jean shorts. For safety reasons, long hair must be tied back. and we suggest bringing a small backpack to carry water and any extra layers.

OUR WATCHES ARE SET TO ADVENTURE

To ensure you have the best possible experience on your Via Ferrata trip, we kindly ask that you arrive at our outpost 15 minutes before your scheduled trip. If you happen to arrive late, we will do our best to accommodate you on the next available trip. If this is not possible, you will receive an 85% credit that can be used for the current season. Once you check in with our friendly staff, you will meet with your guide to go over the details of your adventure before heading out. Please make sure to sign your liability waiver in advance and review your confirmation to confirm 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, and participants must weigh between 50 and 250 pounds.

LEAVE NOTHING BUT MEMORIES

Upon completing your zipline or Via Ferrata excursion, you will accompany your guide back to our outpost. At our outpost, you can return your gear and purchase photos of your adventure. We offer apparel and souvenirs for sale so that you can bring a part of your experience home with you. If your guide made your journey exceptional, we encourage you to express your appreciation - gratuities are welcome. We hope that your AVA experience becomes a highlight of your travels, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future!

RECENT VIA FERRATA PHOTOS

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