Nova Guides

What Nova Guides does

Nova Guides is an outdoor recreation operator based at Camp Hale in the White River National Forest in Red Cliff, Colorado, approximately 20 miles south of Vail and Beaver Creek. The company is legally organized as DNC Parks & Resorts at Camp Hale Inc., a subsidiary of Delaware North Parks & Resorts, Inc., and operates under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service. Its business consists of four integrated lines: guided motorized tours (ATV, Jeep, side-by-side, snowmobile, and SnowCat), self-guided equipment rentals (ATV, side-by-side, and snowmobile), on-site lodging (Explorer Cabins and the Eagle River Chalet), and ancillary revenue from McAllister's Grill, The Lodge at Camp Hale event venue, and group bookings for corporate retreats and weddings. The fleet is built on BRP vehicles — Can-Am Outlander Max ATVs, Can-Am Maverick Sport side-by-sides, and Ski-Doo 4-stroke snowmobiles — and the company is part of the BRP Experiences network of 225+ adventure destinations.

The company sells primarily direct-to-consumer through the novaguides.com website (FareHarbor booking embedded) and through Airbnb for lodging, with phone and email sales for group and corporate events. Pricing is transactional and per-experience: ATV rentals start at $275, side-by-side rentals at $328, guided tours vary by duration and type, and a $20 trail maintenance fee applies to snowmobile rentals with a $10 fee for summer activities; round-trip transportation from Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon is $35 per person. Customer segments are split across individual travelers and families, ski resort visitors seeking off-mountain activities, corporate groups, and wedding/social events. The core asset is the location itself — the historic Camp Hale National Monument site and the largest commercial snowmobile trail system in Vail/Beaver Creek — which, combined with Delaware North's enterprise backing, forms the basis of the competitive position.

Name

Nova Guides

Legal name

DNC Parks & Resorts at Camp Hale Inc.

Website

https://novaguides.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nova Guides is an outdoor recreation operator at Camp Hale in Colorado's Vail Valley, offering guided ATV, Jeep, side-by-side, snowmobile, and SnowCat tours, equipment rentals, on-site lodging, dining, and group events for tourists, families, and corporate guests.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Tourism & Recreation Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorized Adventure Rentals & Guides (ATV/UTV, Snowmobile, Dirt Bike) (THAAALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Off-Road & Overland Adventure Tour Operators (4x4, ATV/UTV) (THAAADAF), Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE), Guided Tours & Interpretive Services (Ranger-Led, Naturalist, Cultural Interpretation) (THAAAGAB)

Keywords

• Guided outdoor tours
• Equipment rental services
• Mountain adventure activities
• Vacation lodging cabins
• Snowmobile ATV tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Guided Tours: Guided adventure experiences including ATV tours, Jeep tours, snowmobile tours, side-by-side tours, and SnowCat tours. Pricing varies by duration and type, with lunch included on certain tours.
2. Equipment Rentals: Self-guided rentals of ATVs, side-by-side vehicles, and snowmobiles with flexible duration options (2-8 hours). Includes mandatory trail maintenance fees.
3. Lodging - Explorer Cabins: Classic log cabins featuring two bedrooms with queen beds, full kitchen, gas fireplace, private deck with grill. Cabin guests receive 20% discount on select activities. Booked via Airbnb.
4. Lodging - Eagle River Chalet: Luxury riverside chalet with 3 bedrooms, theater room, fully stocked kitchen, private dock. Minimum 3-night stay. Booked via Airbnb.
5. Food & Beverage: McAllister's Grill serves meals, cocktails, and local beer. Trail Ready Lunch packages available for summer activities starting June 13, 2026.
6. Group Events & Catering: Corporate retreats, weddings, family reunions, and group bookings with flexible indoor/outdoor event spaces and custom catering options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nova Guides operates year-round guided adventure tours and self-guided equipment rentals—including ATV, Jeep, side-by-side UTV, snowmobile, and SnowCat experiences—across the White River National Forest and Camp Hale National Monument in Colorado's Vail Valley. The company complements these core activities with on-site lodging (Explorer Cabins and Eagle River Chalet), dining at McAllister's Grill, and event hosting at The Lodge at Camp Hale for corporate retreats, weddings, and family reunions.

Product overview

Nova Guides is an outdoor recreation operator offering guided tours, equipment rentals, lodging, and activities in the Vail Valley centered at Camp Hale and the White River National Forest. The portfolio consists of: guided tour experiences (ATV Tours, Jeep Tours, Side-by-Side Tours, Snowmobile Tours, SnowCat Tours) and self-guided rental services (ATV Rentals, Side-by-Side Rentals, Snowmobile Rentals) using Can-AM and Ski-Doo vehicles; on-site lodging (Explorer Cabins at Camp Hale and Eagle River Chalet) with The Lodge at Camp Hale and McAllister's Grill as amenity and dining venues; and year-round outdoor activities including fly-fishing, archery, paddleboarding, tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and stargazing. The company operates as an operator under special use permit by the White River National Forest and is owned by Delaware North Parks & Resorts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ATV Tours Guided all-terrain vehicle tours through the White River National Forest and Camp Hale, featuring routes to elevations of 12,500 feet with views of the Gore Range, Sawatch Range, and Continental Divide. Includes Peak Nova (2-hour family-friendly) and Xtreme Explorer (high-elevation thrill adventure) options.
• ATV Rentals Self-guided ATV rentals allowing independent exploration of White River National Forest and Camp Hale National Monument trails, with 2-hour, 4-hour, and 8-hour options on Can-AM Outlander Max ATVs starting at $275.
• Jeep Tours Guide-led Jeep tours through White River National Forest reaching 12,500-foot elevations, featuring multiple route options including Great Heights (3-hour scenic), Legacy Landscapes & Libations (full-day with museum and whiskey tasting), Homestake Reservoir, Lower Berry Creek, and Fulford Ghost Town explorations.
• Side-by-Side Tours Guided side-by-side UTV tours featuring Can-AM Maverick Sport vehicles navigating alpine terrain with access to Machine Gun Ridge, Resolution Mountain, Ptarmigan Pass, and Camp Hale National Monument.
• Side-by-Side Rentals Self-guided side-by-side UTV rentals on Can-AM Maverick Sport vehicles for independent backcountry exploration through White River National Forest and Camp Hale National Monument, priced at $328.
• Snowmobile Tours Guided snowmobile tours on Ski-Doo vehicles through the largest commercial snowmobile trail system in the Vail and Beaver Creek area, reaching 12,500-foot elevations with 360-degree views. Options include Alpine Express (2-hour beginner), Mountain Maverick (half-day with lunch), Summit Supreme (full-day), and High Performance (advanced terrain on 850 Summit Ski-Doo 146 Track).
• Snowmobile Rentals Self-guided snowmobile rentals on 4-stroke Ski-Doo vehicles with heated handle grips, including safety instruction, area maps, and recommendations for groomed trails and high-elevation passes.
• SnowCat Tours Interpretive 3-hour SnowCat adventures in heated vehicles through Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area, limited to 9 guests, featuring panoramic views of Gore, Sawatch, and Tenmile Ranges with lunch or snacks included.
• Explorer Cabins at Camp Hale Log cabin accommodations among aspen and pine trees with two bedrooms (queen beds), full kitchen, gas fireplace, private deck with grill, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and direct trail access. Pet-friendly with 20% activity discount for guests. Booked via Airbnb.
• Eagle River Chalet Luxury private mountain retreat on Eagle River with three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, theater room, fully stocked kitchen, private dock, two-car garage, and direct access to Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. Pet-friendly. Minimum 3-night stay. Booked via Airbnb.
• The Lodge at Camp Hale Alpine lodge 20 miles south of Vail and Beaver Creek offering event spaces for groups, corporate retreats, weddings, and family reunions with interior/exterior fire pits, two-sided fireplace, in-house sound system, and McAllister's Grill on-site.
• McAllister's Grill On-site bar and grill at The Lodge at Camp Hale serving meals, cocktails, local beers, wine, canned cocktails, and classic mixed drinks. Trail Ready Lunch packages available starting June 13, 2026.
• Fly-Fishing Guided trout fly-fishing on a private lake in Pando Valley with equipment provided, featuring rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout with catch-and-release policy.
• Archery Outdoor archery range for individuals, families, and groups with expert guidance and various targets, available during summer and fall seasons.
• Paddleboarding Stand-up paddleboarding on the Eagle River with calm stretches and wildlife viewing opportunities along the Camp Hale waterfront.
• Tubing Hill Complimentary winter tubing on a groomed hill at Camp Hale, open to all ages and included with snowmobile tour bookings.
• Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on trails including Resolution Creek Trail, Ptarmigan Pass Loop, and Camp Hale Historic Trail, accessible directly from Nova Guides property.
• Stargazing Night sky observation experiences at Camp Hale's remote mountain location with minimal light pollution, featuring meteor shower viewing including Alpha Capricornids, Perseids, Geminids, Ursids, and Quadrantids.
• Group Events & Catering Corporate retreats, weddings, family reunions, and group bookings with flexible indoor/outdoor event spaces and custom catering options at The Lodge at Camp Hale. Group bookings for 10+ tours require contracts via phone or email.
• Round-Trip Guest Transportation Round-trip transportation from Avon, Vail, or Beaver Creek available for $35 per person with 2-person minimum, offered in partnership with nearby hotels and resorts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BRP ExperiencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRP Experiences partnership connects Nova Guides to a global network of 225+ adventure destinations. The partnership leverages BRP's iconic brands including Ski-Doo (snowmobiles), Lynx (snowmobiles), Sea-Doo (watercraft), and Can-Am (ATVs and side-by-sides). Over 2 million adventures have been completed through the BRP Experiences platform, enabling cross-promotional opportunities and brand credibility for Nova Guides.
• Delaware NorthcoreOthersNova Guides is operated by DNC Parks & Resorts at Camp Hale Inc., a subsidiary of Delaware North Parks & Resorts, Inc. Delaware North is a major hospitality and entertainment company providing operational infrastructure, corporate support, and capital resources. The company operates under Delaware North's corporate structure and privacy policies.
• White River National Forest / USDA Forest ServicecoreOthersNova Guides operates under a special use permit from the White River National Forest. The company is an equal opportunity service provider operating on federal forest lands. Trail maintenance fees ($20 for snowmobile, $10 for summer activities) contribute to forest maintenance and trail grooming.
• Local Hotels & Resorts (Avon, Vail, Beaver Creek)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransportation partnerships with hotels in Avon, Vail, and Beaver Creek for guest pickup and dropoff. Round-trip transportation available for $35 per person with 2-person minimum. Example partnerships include Sheraton Mountain Vista resort.
• Can-Am (BRP)coreTechnology or IntegrationNova Guides utilizes Can-AM Outlander Max ATVs and Can-AM Maverick Sport side-by-side vehicles as their primary fleet for off-road tours and rentals. Can-AM is a brand of BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), ensuring integrated service and support for the vehicle fleet.
• Ski-Doo (BRP)coreTechnology or IntegrationNova Guides operates a fleet of Ski-Doo 4-stroke snowmobiles with heated handle grips for both drivers and passengers. The company also offers 850 Summit Ski-Doo 146 Track snowmobiles for high-performance tours, providing access to BRP's snowmobile technology and support infrastructure.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Backroads: Premier active travel company offering guided biking, hiking, and family adventure trips worldwide. Comparable premium guided outdoor tour operator targeting affluent experiential travelers, though broader in scope than Nova Guides' motorized adventure niche.
• REI Adventures: National guided adventure tour operator owned by REI Co-op offering multi-day mountain, hiking, and active travel packages. Comparable tour operator business model with broader geographic reach and brand recognition in the outdoor adventure market.

Direct peers

• Vista Verde Guest Ranch: Luxury Colorado guest ranch offering all-inclusive lodging, guided outdoor activities, and dining. Comparable bundled lodging-plus-adventure model targeting premium family and experiential travelers in Colorado mountain destinations.
• Top of the Rockies Snowmobile Tours: Leadville, CO-based guided snowmobile tour operator located near Nova Guides' Camp Hale base. Competes directly for Vail Valley and Leadville winter tourism traffic with similar Ski-Doo fleet and trail access on public lands.
• Timberline Tours: Steamboat Springs-based snowmobile and ATV tour operator. Competes directly with Nova Guides for Colorado mountain destination tourists with similar guided motorized adventure experiences and seasonal operating model.
• Grand Adventures Excursions: Grand County / Winter Park, CO-based operator offering snowmobile, ATV, and rafting tours. Direct regional competitor to Nova Guides for Colorado mountain adventure tourism with similar product mix and target customer.
• Breckenridge Snowmobile Tours: Breckenridge-area guided snowmobile tour operator in the same White River National Forest region. Directly comparable offering targeting ski resort visitors seeking off-mountain activities, similar to Nova Guides' primary customer segment.
• Devil's Thumb Ranch: Colorado mountain resort and lodge in Tabernash offering lodging, dining, and year-round outdoor activities (horseback riding, fishing, cross-country skiing). Comparable integrated lodging-plus-adventure model targeting premium Colorado mountain tourists.
• White Mountain Snowmobile Tours: New Hampshire-based guided snowmobile tour operator offering comparable guided winter adventure experiences. Comparable business model with guided tours and self-guided rentals on Ski-Doo fleet for mountain destination visitors.
• Colorado Adventure Center: Idaho Springs-based operator offering ATV, jeep, and rafting adventures. Competes with Nova Guides in the Colorado Front Range/Rockies outdoor adventure segment using comparable guided motorized tours and equipment rental model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NovaGuides
• Instagraminstagram.com/novaguides
• Xx.com/novaguides
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nova-guides-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Nova Guides