AVA Rafting & Zipline

What AVA Rafting & Zipline does

AVA Rafting & Zipline is a privately held outdoor adventure outfitter headquartered in Breckenridge, Colorado and founded in 1998. It operates as a member of The Outlaw Group holding structure and runs five primary outposts across Colorado and Utah — Idaho Springs, Buena Vista South Main, Buena Vista Gold Camp, Kremmling, and Moab — plus a partner-operated bike location in Breckenridge and seasonal rafting operations in Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Canon City, Durango, and Globe, Arizona. Its core activity portfolio spans guided whitewater rafting on nine rivers (Arkansas, Colorado, Clear Creek, Blue, Dolores, Salt, Fisher Towers, Westwater Canyon, plus additional seasonal rivers), ziplining at two courses (Cliffside in Idaho Springs, Mountaintop in Buena Vista), two Via Ferrata courses (Mount Blue Sky at Idaho Springs and Granite at Buena Vista with a 78-foot Flight Line freefall), rock climbing, fly fishing, horseback riding operated via partner Mt. Princeton Stables, Western scenic tours to Rocky Mountain and Arches National Parks, multi-day self-guided e-bike vacations, Polaris RZR UTV rentals across 20,000 acres in Kremmling, Georgetown Loop train rides, and on-site lodging at Buena Vista.

The company's commercial model is direct-to-consumer, anchored on its coloradorafting.net website with an "Adventure Compass" interactive trip finder, email capture ("Join the AVA Family"), and time-bound promotional codes (e.g., SAVINGS26 up to 25% off, ending June 30, 2026). Bookings are also transacted in person at outposts and via reseller/partner channels including Viator (OTA), Colorado River Rentals (sister company, self-guided rafts), Breckenridge Ski & Sport (bike rentals and e-bike tour booking engine), Mt. Princeton Stables (horseback), and Georgetown Loop Railroad (train rides). Group sales are handled by an inside-sales "Adventure Specialists" team that builds custom packages for bachelor/bachelorette, weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, church/youth groups, scouts, sports teams, and college/school trips, supported by group transportation and private scenic tour charters. Pricing is largely quote-based, with tiered duration offerings (1/3 day to multi-day), a non-refundable $250 deposit for multi-day e-bike tours, tiered cancellation windows, optional trip insurance, and an optional Polaris Adventures Damage Waiver capping UTV out-of-pocket damage at $3,000. Underlying technology consists of web-based booking, GPS-enabled Polaris Ride Command 7S displays with pre-programmed trail navigation, a proprietary two-carabiner continuous-attachment Via Ferrata harness system, expert-curated first-aid and rescue hardware on every trip, and professional on-trip photography capture sold digitally post-trip. Revenue is diversified across guided trip bookings, equipment rentals (UTVs, bikes, e-bikes, rafts), lodging, gift certificates, on-trip photography, retail apparel, and custom group packages, with a customer base split across families with children (ages 2+ on Kremmling scenic floats), group/event organizers, thrill seekers, scenic-tour travelers, fly-fishing anglers, and multi-day e-bike tourists.

Name

AVA Rafting & Zipline

Legal name

AVA Rafting & Zipline

Website

https://coloradorafting.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AVA Rafting & Zipline is a private Colorado outdoor adventure outfitter, founded in 1998, offering guided whitewater rafting, ziplining, Via Ferrata, fly fishing, horseback riding, UTV rentals, e-bike tours, and scenic tours from five Colorado and Utah outposts serving families, groups, and thrill seekers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Breckenridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Guided Adventure Trip Bookings: Core revenue stream from selling guided whitewater rafting, ziplining, Via Ferrata, rock climbing, fly fishing, horseback riding, scenic tours, and combination packages. Pricing is per-person, per-trip, with tiered durations (1/4 day, 1/3 day, 1/2 day, 3/4 day, full day, overnight, multi-day). Sold directly via the website and at outposts.
2. Equipment Rentals (UTVs, Bikes, E-Bikes, Rafts): Revenue from hourly/half-day/full-day/multi-day rentals of Polaris RZR and RZR Turbo UTVs in Kremmling (with gas included, full-face helmet, and Polaris Adventures Damage Waiver), bike and E-bike rentals in Breckenridge, and raft/frame/gear rentals for self-guided river trips (via sister site Colorado River Rentals).
3. Lodging (Cabins & Campsites): Revenue from on-site rustic cabins and campsites located at the Buena Vista outpost, with staff-assisted itinerary planning for multi-day stays.
4. Trip Photography Sales: Revenue from selling professional on-trip photographs taken by AVA photographers at the most epic moments of rafting, ziplining, Via Ferrata, and other adventures. Available for immediate digital purchase at the outpost after each trip.
5. Gift Certificates: Revenue from gift certificate sales that can be redeemed across AVA's adventure portfolio; positioned as a flexible gifting product.
6. Retail (Apparel, Souvenirs, and Trip Essentials): Revenue from branded AVA Rafting & Zipline apparel, souvenirs, and trip essentials sold at outposts, including replacement items guests may have forgotten (sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.).
7. Custom Group & Private Tour Packages: Revenue from custom multi-activity packages for bachelor/bachelorette, weddings, family reunions, corporate groups, church/youth, scout troops, sports teams, college/school trips, and senior travel groups. Includes group transportation and custom scenic tour charters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AVA Rafting & Zipline is a Colorado and Utah-based outdoor adventure outfitter that sells guided whitewater rafting, ziplining, Via Ferrata climbing, rock climbing, fly fishing, horseback riding, scenic tours, self-guided e-bike tours, bike rentals, UTV rentals, overnight trips, train rides, and on-site lodging, delivered out of five physical outposts and bookable directly via coloradorafting.net. The company bundles activities into multi-adventure packages and supports custom group itineraries for events such as bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate retreats, family reunions, scout troops, and school trips.

Product overview

AVA Rafting & Zipline operates a portfolio of guided outdoor adventure experiences rather than a single unified software product. Its core offerings are organized around activity categories — Whitewater Rafting, Ziplining, Via Ferrata, Rock Climbing, Fly Fishing, Horseback Riding, Western Scenic Tours, Self-Guided E-Bike Tours and Vacations, Bike Rentals, UTV/Off-Road Rentals, Overnight Trips, Train Rides, and Lodging — each of which functions as a distinct bookable service with its own trip pages, difficulty levels, and outposts. These individual activities are then composed into Multi-Activity Adventure Packages (e.g., Raft + Zipline, Raft + Via Ferrata, Browns Canyon Sizzler) that bundle two or more services into single full-day or multi-day experiences. The portfolio is delivered out of five physical outposts (Buena Vista South Main, Buena Vista Gold Camp, Idaho Springs, Kremmling, and Moab) and supported by branded gear, professional photography, retail, and gift certificates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AVA: Short-form brand identity used throughout the website (e.g., "The AVA Difference," "AVA Outpost," "AVA Family") for the parent rafting and zipline adventure company.

Products and services

• Whitewater Rafting Guided whitewater rafting trips on nine Colorado and Utah rivers (Arkansas, Colorado, Clear Creek, Blue, Dolores, Salt, plus Fisher Towers and Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River in Moab). Trips range from mellow Class I–II scenic floats and family-friendly Class II–III floats (Browns Canyon, Gold Rush, Blue River) up to advanced Class IV–V whitewater (Numbers, Pine Creek, Upper/Lower Clear Creek, Phoenix). All trips include wetsuit, splash jacket, life jacket, paddle, helmet, and expert CPR/First-Aid certified guides.
• Ziplining Guided multi-line zipline courses at two Colorado locations: the Cliffside Zipline (Idaho Springs, 6 lines above Chicago Creek with dual race line, jungle bridge, and log cross) and the Mountaintop Zipline (Buena Vista, 6 lines including a 900-foot dual race line and 3,500 feet of cable, with swinging log bridge and hanging log staircase). Includes a Starlight & Full Moon zipline experience. Courses are built into mountainsides, accessed via AVA zip truck, with gear including harness, trolley, lanyards, gloves, and helmet provided.
• Via Ferrata Guided mountain climbing routes equipped with fixed ladders, cables, iron rungs, and bridges. Two courses offered: Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata (Idaho Springs, featuring suspended bridges and a 70-foot rappel plus 3 integrated ziplines) and Granite Via Ferrata (Buena Vista, begins with a zipline launch and includes the 78-foot Flight Line freefall above the Arkansas River Valley with Collegiate Peaks views). Specialized two-carabiner continuous-attachment harness system provided.
• Rock Climbing Guided rock climbing experiences in the Arkansas River Valley led by experienced guides who provide all necessary equipment and instruction for beginners through advanced climbers, set against the Collegiate Peaks scenery.
• Fly Fishing Guided fly fishing trips on the Upper Colorado River (Kremmling outpost) and Arkansas River (Buena Vista outpost). Options include 4-hour float trips, 2-hour walk-and-wade trips, Never-Ever half-day or full-day instructional trips (gear and one-day license included), plus 2-day and 3-day overnight trips combining float/wade fishing with camping. Minimum age 10; Colorado fishing license required for guests 16 and older.
• Horseback Riding Guided trail rides operated by Mount Princeton Stables near Buena Vista, Colorado, across the Arkansas River Valley and Chalk Creek. Options include a 2-hour ride, Mt. Princeton Waterfall Ride, and Mt. Princeton Sunset Ride, with views of the Collegiate Peaks (Mt. Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Antero). Available to children as young as 5 years old; all equipment provided.
• Western Scenic Tours Guided, transportation-based sightseeing tours through Colorado and Utah in comfortable AVA vehicles. Includes the Rocky Mountain National Park Tour (Summer-Fall and Winter-Spring variants), Arches National Park Scenic Tour, and private/custom charters. Designed for couples, families, photographers, corporate groups, and seniors with multiple photo stops and narration on wildlife, geology, and history.
• Self-Guided E-Bike Tours and Vacations Multi-day, fully supported scenic E-bike tours using IZIP premium E-bikes (Class 1, pedal-assist up to 20 mph). Includes 1-day Breckenridge Lake Loop, 2-day Breck-to-Vail, 3-day Taos-to-Santa Fe, 4-day Aspen-to-Palisade, 5-day Breck-to-Aspen, 5-day Aspen-to-Moab, and 6-day Breck-to-Moab tours, with lodging, luggage transfers, van support, and GPS-guided routes.
• Bike Rentals Half-day, full-day, and multi-day bike rentals out of Breckenridge, Colorado (operated via partner Breckenridge Ski & Sport). Fleet includes Diamondback full-suspension and hardtail mountain bikes (27.5 in. tires), leisure bikes, E-bikes, and youth bikes (ages 6+). Helmet included; flat-pedal bikes requiring closed-toe mountain bike shoes.
• UTV / Off-Road Rentals Polaris RZR and 225-horsepower RZR Turbo side-by-side UTV rentals out of the Kremmling outpost, exploring over 20,000 acres including Wolford Mountain Recreation Area, Gore Canyon, Fossil Ridge, Muddy Creek Pass, and Red Dirt Reservoir. Available in 2-hour, half-day (4-hour), and full-day (8-hour) durations. Includes full tank of gas, full-face motocross helmet, pre-programmed GPS/Polaris Ride Command 7S Display, and Polaris Adventures Damage Waiver (out-of-pocket cap of $3,000). Renters must be 21+; drivers must be 18+ with a valid driver's license.
• Overnight Trips Multi-day overnight adventure experiences combining rafting, fly fishing, and camping, including 24 Hours in Browns Canyon, Fisher Towers Overnight Rafting, Westwater Canyon Overnight, 2-Day Overnight Fishing Trip, and 3-Day Westwater Canyon rafting. Meals and gear are provided; sleeping bag optional.
• Train Rides Georgetown Loop Train Ride departing from Idaho Springs, approximately 45 minutes from Denver, offering steam-powered or diesel-powered locomotive rides through Georgetown with narration on Colorado's mining history.
• Lodging Onsite rustic cabins and campsites at the Buena Vista Outpost, placing guests in the heart of the action to extend their Colorado adventure; staff can help plan multi-day itineraries.
• Multi-Activity Adventure Packages Pre-built and customizable multi-adventure packages combining rafting with ziplining, via ferrata, UTV rentals, biking, and scenic tours, including Browns Canyon Half Day + Zipline, Gold Rush Rafting + Zipline, Upper Clear Creek Rafting + Zipline, Browns Canyon Rafting + Via Ferrata, The Numbers Half Day + Zipline, Gold Rush Rafting + Via Ferrata, Lower Canyon Rafting + Via Ferrata, Raft + UTV Rentals, Raft + Bike, and Raft + Scenic Tour packages.

Quantifiable outcome

• Operations across 9 rivers and 2 zipline locations in Colorado and Utah
• +7 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• The Outlaw GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAVA Rafting & Zipline is explicitly listed as "A Member of The Outlaw Group" on the company's homepage footer. The Outlaw Group functions as AVA's parent/holding organization, anchoring AVA within a broader portfolio of Colorado outdoor adventure brands.
• Colorado River RentalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister/affiliated company (coloradoriverrentals.com) that AVA directs self-guided rafters to for boat, frame, and river gear rentals — including multi-day excursions and transportation services. Operates as a complementary channel for AVA's non-guided rafting audience.
• Breckenridge Ski & SportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing bike rentals (mountain, leisure, E-bikes) and the booking engine for AVA's multi-day self-guided E-bike tours since 2020. Located at 400 North Park Avenue #13b, Breckenridge, CO 80424. Powers bookings.breckenridgeskiandsport.com.
• Mt. Princeton StablescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHorseback riding outfitter in Nathrop, Colorado, that operates AVA's horseback riding experiences (Mt. Princeton Waterfall Ride, Mt. Princeton Sunset Ride, Mt. Princeton 2 Hour Ride). Provides horses, tack, and guides; AVA packages and resells the rides as part of its portfolio.
• Georgetown Loop RailroadminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHistorical steam/diesel-powered train experience located 45 minutes from Denver in Idaho Springs, offered as the "Georgetown Loop Train Ride" trip in AVA's portfolio. Allows AVA to bundle rail sightseeing with rafting/Via Ferrata/zipline packages.
• Polaris (Polaris Adventures)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPolaris RZR and RZR Turbo side-by-side UTVs form AVA's entire off-road rental fleet in Kremmling. Includes Polaris Adventures Damage Waiver Program (capping out-of-pocket damage at $3000) and Polaris Ride Command 7S Displays with GPS-enabled trail maps.
• IZIP (E-Bike Brand)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPremium IZIP E-bikes (pedal-assist up to 20mph, Class 1, no throttle) form AVA's rental and multi-day e-bike tour fleet; minimum rental age is 12. Provided through the Breckenridge Ski & Sport partner location.
• Diamondback (Bikes)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFull-suspension and hardtail Diamondback mountain bikes (27.5-inch tires) form the core of AVA's mountain bike rental fleet at the Breckenridge location.
• Viator (OTA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party online travel agency where AVA's experiences are listed for resale; referenced in customer reviews (e.g., Andrew B., September 24, 2025) where refund disputes arose from a Viator-mediated booking. Extends AVA's reach to international and OTA-driven travelers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Backroads: Established active-travel tour operator running guided and self-guided biking, hiking, and multi-sport trips worldwide. Comparable to AVA on multi-day supported e-bike tours and active-leisure customer segments, but with a much broader national/international footprint.
• REI Adventures: National guided adventure travel brand operated by Recreational Equipment, Inc., offering rafting, hiking, and cycling trips across multiple states and continents. A broader incumbent with overlapping activity categories but wider geographic and product scope than AVA.

Direct peers

• Wilderness Aware Rafting: Long-standing Colorado rafting outfitter (since 1976) running trips on the Arkansas and other Colorado rivers. Directly comparable to AVA in activity portfolio (rafting + multi-activity packages) and family/adventure customer mix.
• Mad Adventures: Colorado adventure outfitter offering rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and multi-sport packages in the same geographies AVA serves. Closely comparable on multi-activity bundling and group/adventure traveler targeting.
• Adventures in Whitewater: Buena Vista, Colorado-based rafting and adventure outfitter offering Arkansas River rafting and multi-activity packages in the same primary market as AVA. Directly comparable on geography, activity mix, and family-friendly customer targeting.
• Mountain Trip: Colorado-based guided adventure outfitter specializing in multi-day rafting, climbing, and ski mountaineering expeditions. Directly comparable to AVA's overnight and multi-day adventure trips with similar high-exertion customer base.
• OARS: Established multi-state whitewater rafting and adventure outfitter (since 1969) operating trips across the American West, including Colorado and Utah rivers. Closely comparable to AVA on guided rafting, multi-day trips, and lodging-inclusive itineraries.
• Timberline Tours: Colorado rafting outfitter running trips on Clear Creek, the Arkansas, and other Front Range rivers. Directly comparable to AVA's Idaho Springs/Clear Creek and Arkansas River rafting portfolio with similar difficulty-level mix.
• Raft Masters: Canon City, Colorado-based whitewater rafting outfitter running Arkansas River trips from family-friendly floats through Class V. Directly comparable to AVA's Arkansas River rafting operations and pricing tier.
• Echo Canyon River Adventures: Colorado-based family-owned rafting outfitter operating on the Arkansas River near Canon City. Directly comparable to AVA's Buena Vista/Arkansas River rafting offerings, including beginner through advanced Class V trips.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/avarafting
• Xx.com/avarafting

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AVA Rafting & Zipline