The Falconry Academy

Beginner’s Lesson

You will meet our birds of prey, learn about our different species, and experience this 4,000 year old sport. Experience the “sport of kings” up close and personal with a free-flight demonstration. You will also have the opportunity to hold one of our birds at the end of the lesson!

• Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $170++ per beginner adult, $154.80++ per beginner child (12 and under)
• Availability: Offered at 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm, upon reservation and availability
  • (Offered every day but Christmas day, weather permitting)

Restrictions

• Minimum 5 years of age

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Intermediate Lesson

Once you have taken the Beginner’s Lesson, don the glove and take the place of the falconer. Under supervision of our expert falconer, you will cast the hawk into a nearby pine and watch it return to your fist. Please note, you must complete the Beginner’s Lesson before the Intermediate Lesson.

• Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $226++ per adult, $154.80++ per child (12 and under)
• Availability: Offered at 9:00 am, upon reservation and availability
  • (Offered every day but Christmas day, weather permitting)

Restrictions

• Minimum age of 5 years

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Combination beginner/Intermediate Lesson

If you are interested in birds of prey and would like to learn all at once about the 3 different kinds of birds in our program, join our falconer for this combo beginner/intermediate lesson where you will have the once in a lifetime thrill of learning how to fly a bird. Then, take on the job of a falconer as you learn the behind-the-scenes workings of handling these birds of prey and learn how to command a trained hawk to your gloved hand.

• Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $310++
• Availability: Offered at 9:00 am, upon reservation and availability
  • (Offered every day but Christmas day, weather permitting)

Restrictions:

• Minimum 5 years of age

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Hiking

Guided Hiking

Enjoy the natural beauty and breathe the fresh mountain air. Find yourself mesmerized by the vast sandstone formations of the Garden of the Gods Park, or the views from sunny trails in North Cheyenne Canyon or Red Rock Canyon. Our seasoned guides will share their knowledge of the area and keep you on the right path.

• Duration: 3 hours (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $154++ per person
• Availability: Offered at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, upon reservation and availability
  • (Offered every day but Christmas day, weather permitting)
• Transportation is included

Restrictions and Inclusions

• Minimum age of 5 years
• All transportation, guides, and water is included

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Garden of the Gods Walking Tour

Join our knowledgeable guides for a walking tour of the iconic Garden of the Gods park. Learn about the towering sandstone formations, the history of this city park, and the surrounding mountains, including Pikes Peak. This tour is perfect for any family wanting to get out and explore!

• Duration: 2-2.5 hours
• Price: $136++ per adult, $50++ per child (12 and younger)
• Availability: Offered daily at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, upon reservation and availability

Restrictions and Inclusions

• All transportation, guides, and water is included

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WhiteWater Rafting

Experience the thrill of rafting Bighorn Sheep Canyon.

This rafting trip is perfect for beginner and intermediate rafters. Here you’ll find several class III rapids – generally described as easy to navigate with broad water sections moving fast enough to create 1 – 3 foot whitecaps. You’ll find yourself splashing and laughing as you bounce from one rapid to the next, enjoying many peaceful stretches to take in the majesty of the river canyon.

When rafting Bighorn Sheep Canyon, you’re likely to spot a variety of wildlife along this trip as you float past crowds of Willows and Cottonwood trees. You might catch birds like Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons flying above during a variety of trout swim below.

Restrictions and Inclusions

• Level: Beginner-Intermediate
• Duration: 1/2 Day (duration may vary due to water levels)
• Price: $226++ per person
• Participants: 18
• Age: 8+ (minimum age may vary due to water levels)
• Availability: Tuesday – Saturday | 7:00 am (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
• Note: All necessary equipment is provided. Please wear shoes with a heel strap. No flip-flops. Complimentary wetsuit gear is provided upon request.

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Ziplining

Woods Course

Restrictions and Inclusions

• Duration: 3 hours (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $195++ per person, 1-8 guests per tour
• Availability: Offered at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm (Offered November 1st – April 15th *Dates are subject to change*)
• Transportation is included

Restrictions:

Guests must weigh between 90 and 250 lbs at time of tour, wear closed toed shoes, be of sober mind (no alcohol, legal or illegal substances), and not be pregnant.

Participants will begin the Woods Course with a 15 minute drive up the historic Old Stage Road. Deep in the canyon, they will meet their guides! The guides will take the group through a short orientation and Ground School where they can practice their techniques before starting the tour.

The first two “warm up” lines are 250 and 310 feet long. These shorter lines allow participants to get the feel for the essential zipping techniques. After completing the second zipline, participants will take a short walk where they can take in the beautiful sights up and down the canyon. Standing on top of the granite rock formation, participants will revel in the gorgeous scenery before taking the airy 467-foot ride over the creek below. As they slow down for the landing, they will notice a natural arch to their left just before touching down.

Their excitement will begin to grow as the guides lead the group across the fourth zipline, again touching down above Midnight Falls. Participants will reach their highest point of 156 ft in the air. The group will take another short walk to the fifth, and longest, zipline. Standing amongst the large rock formations they will get a birds’ eye view of the area behind the falls. At this point, they will be standing on one of the highest points in the Seven Falls park. With a bit of faith, participants will zip the 1,500 feet to the final platform. Make sure to take a look at the hiking trails far below. After degearing, the group will have a 15 minute hike to the top of the waterfalls. Participants will have to walk down the 224 steps in front of the waterfalls before leaving the Seven Falls Park.

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Please call for winter rates from Nov 1- May 1

Fins Course

Restrictions and Inclusions

• Duration: 3.25 hours (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $226++ per person, 1-8 guests per tour
• Availability: Offered at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm (Some tours are unavailable in the winter)
  • (Offered every day but Christmas day, weather permitting)
• Transportation is included

Restrictions:

Guests must weigh between 90 and 250 lbs at time of tour, wear closed toed shoes, be of sober mind (no alcohol, legal or illegal substances), and not be pregnant.

The tour starts much like the Woods Course with two warm up zips before getting into the cliff condition style zips that gradually get longer and longer. The third zip offers an excellent view of the Seven Falls Canyon and Colorado Springs as you land near the rock “fins”. These fin like formations are the inspiration for the name of this course!

From the cliff side, you will walk over a 200 foot rope bridge to the eastern fin. From there, you can see just how large the Broadmoor and Colorado Springs are. After taking in the views and walking the second bridge, you will find yourself zipping 1,333 feet across the canyon to the south side of Mt. Cutler! Your heartbeat begins to rise as you cross over the canyon road 509 feet below before landing on the cliff side.

As you catch your breath and look up and down the Seven Falls canyon, your guides will begin to clip you into the final zip. Prepare to zip 1,800 feet up the canyon! Don’t forget to look down at the park visitors below! If the fifth zip wasn’t enough, we have added a unique ending to the Fins course. You will end the tour with a 180 foot assisted rappel to the canyon floor. Those visiting Seven Falls will watch in amazement as you rappel off the ridge.

To finish an exciting couple hours in the mountains, you will get to enjoy the Seven Falls park and restaurant 1858 at your leisure. When you are finished, make your way to the entrance of the park to catch a shuttle back to the Outfitters pavilion for transportation back to Garden of Gods Resort and Club.

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Please call for winter rates from Nov 1- May 1

Combo Course

Restrictions and Inclusions

• Duration: 4 hours (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $316++ per person, 1-8 guests per tour
• Availability: Offered at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm (Some tours are unavailable in the winter)
  • (Offered every day but Christmas day, weather permitting)
• Transportation is included

Restrictions:

Guests must weigh between 90 and 250 lbs at time of tour, wear closed toed shoes, be of sober mind (no alcohol, legal or illegal substances), and not be pregnant.

If just one of our Colorado Springs zip line courses is not enough, you have the option to do the Combo Course! Enjoy the beauty and features of both zip line courses, all in the same day! After a quick drive up the mountain, you will be geared up and start Ground School. You will learn and practice all the essentials for ziplining. The Combo course begins with two 300 foot ziplines on the Woods Course. After a quick walk, you will embark on 2 zips traversing a 150 ft deep canyon. Make sure to look down to see Midnight Falls! Your guides will then hook you up to the second longest zip of the day. Make sure to take in the views of the forest below as you land on the platform 1500 ft away.

After finishing the Woods Course, you will have a 20-25 minute hike to reach the sixth zipline and enter the Fins Course. You are only one zip away from the iconic rope bridges. Get excited! The two 200 ft bridges traverse the rock fins that give the course it’s name. Test your nerves by walking across without holding onto the sides! As you cross the seventh zip, you will reach the highest point of 505 ft and see some of the most impressive views of the day. You will land on a platform suspended on the side of a cliff.

Get ready for the longest zipline of our course at 1800 feet long! Below you can see the path leading other guests to the bottom of the seven falls. Make sure to let them know how much fun you are having! In order to finish the course, our guides will hook you up to our assisted rappel stations. You will descend the 180 ft to the canyon floor. Those visiting Seven Falls will watch in amazement as you rappel off the ridge. To finish an exciting couple hours in the mountains, you will get to enjoy the Seven Falls park and restaurant 1858 at your leisure. When you are finished, make your way to the entrance of the park to catch a shuttle back to the Outfitters pavilion for transportation back to Garden of Gods Resort and Club.

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Please call for winter rates from Nov 1- May 1

 

 

Rock Climbing

Looking for a new challenge in a new environment? Grab your family and experience rock climbing during the Vertical Challenge at The Garden of the Gods Resort.

Join your skilled climbing guide and spend a couple hours rock climbing at some of the local climbing hot spots which may include Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Cañon, or Red Rock Canyon. Climbing locations will be chosen based on the skills of the participants. During this experience, you will learn basic knots, climbing safety, and belay techniques. Then, our guides will help you conquer one of our many challenging natural routes.

This experience has been designed for the new climber or the climber who wants to transition from the indoor gym to real rock.

All equipment is provided; just bring is a sense of adventure and a willingness to have fun.

• Duration: 3 hours (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $220++ per person
• Availability: Offered at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, upon reservation and availability
  • (Offered every day but Christmas day, weather permitting)

Restrictions and Inclusions

• Minimum age of 8 years
• All transportation, guides, equipment, and water is included

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Paintball

During your stay at The Garden of the Gods Resort, experience one of the fastest growing sports in America. As you arrive at our wooded field, you and your team will feel the excitement grow as we discuss safety and game rules, and are issued gear and paintball markers. During your three hours at the Garden of the Gods Resort Outfitters paintball course, you will participate in multiple game scenarios.

These games might include capture the flag, where teams compete to be the first to retrieve the opposing team’s flag, or elimination, a timed game where the team with the most members left at the end of a predetermined time, wins. The price per person includes everything needed to enjoy the competition. Each team member will receive a semi-automatic gun, paintballs, coveralls, and a face shield. So, put your goggles on and feel the excitement of the pursuit.

• Duration: 3 hours (plus 1 hour round trip, travel time)
• Price: $195++ per person
• Availability: Offered on Tuesday and Friday at 9:30 am or 1:30 pm, with reservation (Weather permitting)

Restrictions and Inclusions

• Minimum age of 10 years
• Minimum of 4 guests to play (If your group has 4 players or more and would like to play outside of the times listed, please give us a call!)
• All transportation, guides, equipment, and water is included

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About Resort Outfitters

In the early 90s, newly married and each fresh out of BYU’s master’s program, Duane and Darlene Zobrist left for Scotland to attend the British School of Falconry. While there, the two fell in love with what they were learning made plans to bring the Sport of Kings home to the U.S. They soon began building a business model. The Falconry Academy was established in 1992 in the Zobrists’ home state of California.

Over the next two years, Duane and Darlene zeroed in on a lucrative target market for their falconry programs – exclusive resorts. In 1994, The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV added the Falconry Academy to their list of resort activities, and the Zobrists, along with a cadre of 8 birds of prey, moved across the country. In 1997, The Greenbrier’s existing outdoor vendor left, and the Zobrists were asked to take on bike rentals for the 11,000-acre property. Thus, Greenbrier Outfitters evolved from what had been a falconry-only business. The venture grew to include kayak trips down the Greenbrier, New, and Jackson Rivers, and from there team-building programs was a natural evolution. Drawing on a long and active involvement with Boy Scouts and his graduate degree in public administration, Duane had a natural inclination for building teams. Early programs included orienteering with map and compass as well as other mental and physical challenges that encouraged communication and trust.

In 1998, the Alpine Tower was built on the grounds of The Greenbrier Resort. This addition enabled Greenbrier Outfitters to move into the popular arena of high-ropes team building. (The tower also provided another a la carte adventure for the general resort population.) Soon, large companies and other organizations were seeking Greenbrier Outfitters to enhance corporate retreat itineraries and to build more cohesive and healthy teams.

The business began to grow as other resorts in the region sought similar programs for their own guests. The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA was next to offer falconry. Today, Resort Outfitters serves guests at The Greenbrier Resort; The Omni Homestead Resort; The Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, WV; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO; and The Boar’s Head in Charlottesville, VA. Additionally, Resort Outfitters operates an independent outfitter Gasparilla Adventures in Boca Grande, FL.