FAC at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Take the party to new heights at Friday Afternoon Club every week now through Feb. 23 at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.  

Celebrate the end of the work week or the beginning of a weekend getaway to Glenwood Springs with an altitude adjustment – Glenwood Caverns style. On Friday nights though late-February, ride the Iron Mountain Tramway to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, where all winter long we’ll kick-start the weekend with an evening of socializing, merry-making, drink specials, live music, free tram rides, dancing, lots of twinkly lights and delicious food specials.

FAC takes place from 5 – 8:30 p.m. With a quick ride aboard one of our signature orange gondolas, we’ll elevate your weekend plans in a matter of minutes. Guests can ride the tram free after 4 p.m. with a coupon that appears in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent on Fridays. The coupon is valid for free tram rides for up to four people.

At the top, wander around, take in the views and snuggle by the fire pits, or upgrade your free tram ride at the General Store to a Funday pass for just $26 to include 2 cave tours, the lighted Alpine Coaster, 4D Theater, and Laser Tag.

When you’re ready, settle in for the remainder of the evening at the Lookout Grille where we’ll be serving up specially priced food and drink specials that warm both the belly and the spirit. Drink specials change every half hour with the spin of a wheel.

The highlight of each Friday night is amazing music played by some of our favorite, hyper-talented local bands. Count on this lineup to have you toe-tapping, boot-scootin, and foot stompin’ the night away.

Glenwood Caverns Kicks Off the Holidays, Nov. 18

America’s only mountaintop theme park celebrates the start of the holiday season with its 4th Annual Turkey Tram-a-Ganza and Winter on the Mountain at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

The tradition continues! Count on Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, for holiday spirit and merriment – lend a helping hand to those in need, spend time with friends and family, and get into the holiday groove with music, lights, Santa and more.

It all begins on Saturday, Nov. 18.

  • Turkey Tram-a-Ganza. (Noon to 4 p.m.) Generosity and giving to those less fortunate are an integral part of the holidays; that’s why we kick off the season with our Turkey Tram-a-Ganza. Bring a frozen turkey to the Glenwood Caverns tram base and receive up to four free tram rides per donated turkey, or bring a can of food (or non-perishable) for a single tram pass. Community food pantry, LIFT-UP will distribute turkeys and other Thanksgiving fixings to area families in need. Turkey donors also get the chance to enter a drawing to win an Annual Thrill Pass or two day passes to Iron Mountain Hot Springs.

  • Winter on the Mountain Kick-off Party. (5 p.m. to closing) Stay for the festivities at this annual party that celebrates the start of the holidays with an abundance of good cheer. Kids can meet Santa in the North Pole and get bear hugs from the Coco-Cola polar bear. The Alpine Coaster will be open, as well as several other attractions. Warm up, roast s’mores and sip hot beverages around the fire pits in the plaza. Local trio, the Leonard Curry Band will be performing holiday favorites in the Lookout Grille. At 6 p.m., the lighting of a musical Christmas tree is one of the highlights of evening.

Bring a turkey to the base of the tram and get up to four free tram rides to the top!

A Mountain-full of Colorado Fall Fun

Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Autumn in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is spectacular, but fall at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, America’s only mountaintop theme park, is over-the-edge for seasonal colors, family-fun and thrills! 

Autumn splendor is on full display at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park where for four weeks you can experience your favorite Colorado fall activities including Octoberfest, leaf-peeping, hayrides and more. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of fall at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Every Day. All of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s rides and attractions are open for the fall season – that includes the Alpine Coaster, Giant Canyon Swing, Cliffside Roller Coaster, Canyon Flyer and the Flying Eagle Zip Ride.

Color Viewing. The Park’s mountaintop location is ideal for spotting colorful fall foliage. Views include Glenwood Canyon, the Roaring Fork Valley with Glenwood Springs in the foreground and the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Sopris and the Elk Range. The tram, the Lookout Grille, the Mine Wheel and viewing decks at the Giant Canyon Swing and above the restaurant are some of the best places for leaf peeping and photos.

Saturdays Only.  In addition to all the daily happenings at the park, on Saturdays (Sept. 30, Oct.7, 14, 21 & 28), from noon to 5 p.m., visitors can spend the afternoon participating in family-oriented activities such as tractor-driven hayrides, fall-themed games for kids, face painting and pumpkin decorating.

Octoberfest. Grab your dirndls and lederhosen. For two consecutive Saturdays, from noon to 4 p.m., Oct. 14 and 21, the oompah band Alpine Echo, will regale visitors with German music including the crowd-pleasing chicken dance, polkas, waltzes, Bavarian pub songs and everyone’s favorite from the Sound of Music – Edelweiss.

Festive Food & Drink Specials. All month long, the Lookout Grille will be serving bratwurst and sauerkraut, seasonal beers, spiked apple cider and festive fall drinks for kids. Satisfy your sweet tooth at the General Store with homemade fudge, including some with pumpkin flavoring.

The Details. Face painting, kids’ games and hay rides are included with admission; pumpkins are just $3 each. Regular admission rates apply. Funday Passes, which include the tram ride, cave tours and unlimited turns on all open rides, cost $54 for adults and $49 for kids 3 to 12. Tram rides cost $16 for adults and $11 for kids. Through Oct. 29, the park is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It will be closed Oct. 30 through Nov. 9.

10 Oktoberfest Celebrations in Colorado and Nearby

Oktoberfest at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is coming up soon in October; in the meantime embrace your inner German with these other celebrations that start in September.

We started our Oktoberfest tradition at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park two years ago with extra activities for families, including a pumpkin patch, face painting, and hayrides. Last year, we added an Oktoberfest band for a weekend, and it was such a hit we’re doing two weekends this year – stay tuned for all the details. Our rides will continue to be open this fall, and we’ll have plenty of beer, brats, and other food and drink specials.

Most Oktoberfests in the Rocky Mountains get moved to September, but in Glenwood Springs, October weather is perfect for us at the Park on top of Iron Mountain. If you want to get ready for our celebration, here are our Top Ten suggestions for events in Colorado and nearby.

  1. The Denver Oktoberfest, September 22-23 and 29-30

Denver will host the 48th Annual Stein Hoisting National Championships, the Keg Bowling National Championships, the 12th Annual Long Dog (Dachshund Derby), and a bratwurst-eating contest. There will be music on a downtown German stage.

  1. The 23rd Annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest, September 8-10

Breckenridge lays claim to the largest Oktoberfest street party in the Rocky Mountains. More than three dozen vendors will sell genuine German cuisine and brew. German-themed games include Hammerschlagan, a nail-driving contest. There will be Bavarian lederhosen, oompah music, polka dancing, a 5K run, and a ceremonial keg tapping.

  1. Oktoberfest at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Sandy, Utah, August 12-October 15 (Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day)

This event started in 1973 and now draws a total of more than 60,000 visitors. The biergarten has more than 50 varieties of beer, both traditional German and local brews. Authentic German food and music, handmade arts and crafts, and children’s activities are on tap.

  1. Vail Oktoberfest, September 8-10 and 15-17, 2017

Vail’s admission-free event includes traditional food and Paulaner beer, Bavarian music, dancing, yodeling, and contests for bratwurst eating, keg bowling, stein lifting, and best Oktoberfest costume. Free concerts are on Saturday nights. Children’s events include crafts, entertainers, and a 1K fun run.

  1. Ninth Annual Steamboat OktoberWest, September 15-16

Steamboat’s Friday Beer Stroll among participating restaurants features Colorado, not German, beer. Saturday’s event in Gondola Square at the Steamboat Mountain Village includes live music, all the Colorado beef you can taste at an “I Love Beef Cook Off” from local restaurants, and 45 Rocky Mountain brewers, each sampling two beers, in the beer garden.

  1. Keystone’s Oktoberfest, River Run Village, September 2

The Das Bier Burner 5K initiates the events at noon, with a pint of craft beer for any adult who crosses the finish line. New Belgium Brewery will bring Colorado craft beers with German roots. Concerts and kids events are free.

  1. FORToberfest, Fort Collins, September 16

The last music festival in Old Town Square includes 10-plus hours of live music – funk, bluegrass, rock, indie, and more – seasonal beer from more than six local breweries, and bicycle booths. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is free.

  1. Red River Oktoberfest, New Mexico, October 6-8

At the annual Oktoberfest in Brandenburg Park, you can vote for the best brews from local microbreweries, eat German food, buy crafts from local vendors, and listen to German oompah music. There will be a Miss Oktoberfest contest, competitive stein holding, chicken yodeling, and brat-eating, as well as activities for kids.

  1. Art & Oktoberfest, Boulder, September 29-October 1

This event in Boulder’s Band Shell Central Park includes arts and crafts, music, German food, polka, and a German beer garden. Dancing and polka lessons will be held in front of the bandshell.

  1. Grand Targhee’s 2nd Annual Oktoberfest, Alta, Wyoming, September 16.

This festival includes brats, sausages, pretzels, music, and beers from local microbreweries. Events for children include face painting, potato sack races, and a pumpkin toss.

Music on the Mountain Returns August 19

Music on the Mountain, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s mountaintop concerts begin again and run through September.

Music on the Mountain resumes Saturday, August 19. After a brief summer hiatus the popular Glenwood Springs concert series takes to the stage once again for six evenings of musical entertainment. A different band entertains the crowd each week through September 23. Come for the live music and stay for an evening of dancing, delicious food, drink specials, and spectacular views. Even the breaks between sets are fun-filled – with prize drawings for t-shirts, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Funday passes, and Iron Mountain Hot Springs day passes.

In addition to providing six weeks of late summer entertainment, Music on the Mountain also helps to serve the community. Guests can ride the tram or an adventure vehicle and enjoy the concerts free with the donation of a canned food item for the Lift-Up community food pantry. At last count, Music on the Mountain attendees had donated over 64,000 cans of food!

For Saturday shows, rides to the mountaintop start at 4 p.m., with music from 6 – 10 p.m.; on Sunday, Sept. 10, rides to the park begin at 2 p.m. The band plays from 4 – 8 p.m.

During the concerts the park is fully operational with outdoor rides open until dusk. The Laser Tag arena and 4D Motion Theater are open until the park closes. For the best value, we recommend purchasing the Funday Pass at the walkup window for just $38 with the free tram ride.

Come and listen to all your favorites from roadhouse blues and southern rock to modern renditions at America’s only mountaintop theme park. The lineup features award-winning artists with a heavy focus on rock classics.

Saturday, August 19 — Fifty50 (classic, modern and original rock) sponsored by Swire Coca-Cola

Saturday, August 26 — The Gerry Goodman Band (Stevie Ray Vaughan cover tunes, classic rock) sponsored by Young Services

Saturday, September 9 — Already Gone (American resort rock) sponsored by Community Banks of Colorado

Sunday, September 10 — Christian Music on the Mountain (The Orchard from Carbondale) sponsored by Glenwood TV

Saturday, September 16 — Poser (classic rock) sponsored by Bighorn Toyota

Saturday, September 23 — Emotional Rescue (Rolling Stones cover band) sponsored by Glenwood Insurance Agency

Turkey Tram-a-Ganza and Winter on the Mountain

Looking for something fun to do next weekend? Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has you covered! We’ve got a lot coming up with both the third annual Turkey Tram-a-Ganza and the kickoff of Winter on the Mountain happening on Saturday, Nov. 19. Join us in Glenwood Springs, Colorado for all the festivities!

The Turkey Tram-a-Ganza event, a benefit for LIFT-UP’s local food pantries, collects Thanksgiving food items for area families in need. Drop off a turkey at the tram base and receive up to four free tram passes! By donating a turkey, you’ll also be entered into a drawing for an Annual Thrill Pass or two day passes to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs (four winners will be selected). Guests can also donate cans of food or other non-perishable items and receive one free tram pass per person.

Bring a turkey to the base of the tram and get up to four free tram rides to the top!

Alpine Coaster at Winter on the Mountain #getuphere

The Alpine Coaster is lit up at night during Winter on the Mountain!

KSNO’s Jim Williams will broadcast live from the Iron Mountain Tramway during the Turkey Tram-a-Ganza, which runs from noon until 4 p.m.

The free tram rides are valid for Saturday Nov. 19 only, and can be used to attend the kick-off party for Winter on the Mountain, which starts at 5 p.m. It will be a festive event to start the winter season! With the park covered in twinkling lights (including lighted rides and caves), a giant musical Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m., live music and a visit from Santa Claus, Winter on the Mountain is dazzling fun for the whole family.

By donating a turkey, you’ll be eligible to receive a discounted Winter Funday Pass. For just $25, you can enjoy both walking cave tours and unlimited access to the Alpine Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, laser tag arena and 4D Motion Theater.

For more information, visit our Park Info page. We hope to see you at the Park on Saturday, Nov. 19!

Two More Weeks of Mountain Fall Festival!

Have you made it up to the Mountain Fall Festival? If not, no worries! There’s plenty of time to head up Iron Mountain to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where autumn fun awaits!
The park is still alive with fall colors, and there are lots of great photo opportunities all over the park. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy your fall day.

Every day of the week, we have autumn decorations, a pumpkin patch, and Oktoberfest food and drink specials, including brats & kraut, seasonal beer and a Bloody Mary bar. We’ve also got spiked cider, hot chocolate and other cozy fall drinks. On Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., we ramp up the festivities with hayrides, kids games (with prizes!), face painting and pumpkin decorating. Kids can also participate in a sticker scavenger hunt! Watch our Fall Festival video to see what the festival is all about.

As always, you can enjoy our thrill rides and attractions. Get a spectacular view of the valley on the Soaring Eagle Zip Line and the Glenwood Canyon Flyer, or watch your little one’s face light up on the Wild West Express kid’s coaster. Zoom down through beautiful fall foliage on the Alpine Coaster, and then experience the magic and wonder waiting underground on one of our Cave Tours. Buy a Funday Pass for a whole day of fun at a great value.

Saturday, October 22 brings the band Alpine Echo up to the mountaintop, where they will play Octoberfest tunes all day long. Founding member Gerhard Rill is originally from Bavaria, Germany. He came to Colorado and started making music, and soon partnered with Bill Rill (also from Bavaria) and John Pataky (from Hungary). Together, the trio formed Alpine Echo. Joe Pologar of Leadville, Colorado later came on board to round out the band’s sound. The foursome performs festive, lively tunes that are a treat for the ears!

To celebrate the band, we’re bringing back Can-for-a-Tram: On October 22, bring at least one can of food to donate for a free tram ride to the top. Can-for-a-Tram benefits Lift-Up, a non-proft organization that provides humanitarian aid to struggling families and individuals in our community.

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Mardi Gras at Glenwood Caverns is a family friendly event

For more information, visit the Fall Festival page. The festival runs until October 30, and there are still two Saturdays left. We hope to see you soon!

Music on the Mountain is back!

Our popular concert series returns August 20th after a mid-summer hiatus! Music on the Mountain, showcasing local and regional bands, has been a staple in the Glenwood Springs, Colorado live music scene for eight seasons now. Music on the Mountain also helps to serve the community. By collecting canned goods for Lift-Up in exchange for a free tram ride to the top, we’ve been able to donate thousands of cans to needy families in the Roaring Fork Valley. In the 2016 season alone, our Can for a Tram program has collected 2,571 cans so far!

Kicking off the August concerts is Fifty50, a local rock band who have won many Local’s Choice Awards over the years. Beth Getzen Stoltzfus, Dave Stoltzfus, Dale Loper, Jerry Larsen and Tom Mercer play covers of favorite tunes and original music, and they’re known for a special blend of instrumental energy and unique harmonies.

They’ll be followed the next week by the Gerry Goodman Band, a rockin’ trio that plays classic rock. The band specializes in Stevie Ray Vaughan tunes, paying tribute to one of the most influential electric guitarists of all time.

Music on the Mountain returns August 20th with Fifty50

September 10th brings us “A Tribute to Bob Dylan and The Band.” This special night will bring together a select group of valley musicians to honor Americana music at its best. Folk, rock, bluegrass and gospel music blend together for a magical evening!

September 11th, a special Sunday show, showcases The Orchard and New Creation Church. Bringing faith-based music to the mountain, these local church groups will celebrate worship and spirituality with their passionate, uplifting music.

On September 17th, Fifty50 makes a return to Music on the Mountain, bringing back their infectious enthusiasm and love for music.

The Missing Link Band will close out the 2016 Music on the Mountain series on September 24th. Fans love this local band for their diverse sound and energetic performances. It’s been a tradition for the Missing Link Band to play the last show of the season, and they always make it a party!

Don’t forget to bring at least one can of food to donate for a free tram ride to the top, where there will be amazing views, great food and drink specials waiting for you. Can for a Tram starts at 4pm and music is from 6 to 10pm (except for the Sunday show with The Orchard and New Creation Church, which has a Can for a Tram start at 2pm and music from 4 to 8pm). For more information, visit Music on the Mountain.

More Live Music Ahead at FAC!

Haven’t had a chance to make it up to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for Friday Afternoon Club? It’s not too late! We’re about halfway through the FAC season, and there are still plenty of chances to take in the views and enjoy free live tunes mountaintop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. With Glenwood Caverns recently awarded a Gold for “Best Place to View the Sunset” and a Bronze for “Best Live Music Venue” by the Glenwood Springs Post Independent Locals’ Choice Awards, FAC really is the place to be!

Friday, July 15th features Frank Martin, a frequent musician at FAC. Martin’s Americana blend of country, bluegrass, folk, blues and jazz, coupled with his powerful vocals, is a crowd-pleasing valley favorite.

On July 22nd, Vid Weatherwax will take the FAC stage. Weatherwax is a beloved local who has played in many bands around the valley and is known for his amazing jazz keyboard skills and his collaborative spirit.

July 29th sees Gerry Goodman in the FAC spotlight. Based in Grand Junction, Goodman plays a variety of classic rock, blues, and a little country; something for everyone. He always puts on a great show that gets people moving!

The tram offers spectacular sunset views, the perfect way to end the week!

August 5th brings Painters Stage, whose gypsy sounds and reggae rhythms are captivating. The trio of Noemi, Kristof and Max Kosmowski have been playing together for 25 years, and their passion is stronger than ever. The pleasure they have playing on stage is contagious, so bring shoes you can dance in!

On August 12th, The Logan Brothers will close out the final FAC. Named the 2016 and 2015 Glenwood Springs Post Independent’s Locals’ Choice Favorite Band, it’s a treat to have them perform the last concert of the summer FAC season. Playing a mix of classic hits you love, and some b-sides of songs you may not have heard yet, their shows always leave the audience feeling good. They are known for occasionally inviting audience members to come join them at the microphone, so be ready!

Every Friday Afternoon Club offers food and drink specials from 5 – 8:30 p.m. You can also get a free tram ride with a coupon that appears in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent on Fridays. The coupon is valid for free tram or bus rides for up to four people starting at 4 p.m.

Visit our events page for more information on FAC and other events at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Summer will be over before you know it; come up and enjoy it with us! We can’t wait to see you!

Beatles music & fire performances kick off Music on the Mountain

It’s that time of the year again in Glenwood Springs, Colorado: live music season! Music on the Mountain, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s free mountaintop music series, returns this weekend for its 8th year. We can’t wait for another season of great music, mountaintop dancing and summertime enjoyment.

It all kicks off this Friday, May 27, with Doctor Robert. It’s become a tradition to start Music on the Mountain with this Crested Butte-based Beatles tribute band. Doctor Robert has well over 100 (and counting) Beatles tunes in its catalog. The four-member group celebrates the Fab Four in style with high energy, retro dress and a true love for playing the music. You will certainly have a great time bopping along and you can be sure that they sound amazing wherever they perform. That may be down to the Graham Slee HiFi equipment they use. The fun they have on-stage is always infectious!

Doctor Robert kicks off Music on the Mountain’s 8th season

To add to the celebration this year, Maciej Mrotek will perform the Dance of the Sacred Fire at 8:20 and 9 p.m. Mrotek and his team manipulate fire to create innovative, mesmerizing shows. Dance of the Sacred Fire has been performed on national and international stages, and we can’t wait to see it for ourselves. This magical performance is not to be missed!

Every year, Music on the Mountain, through the Can for a Tram program, raises thousands of cans of food for the Lift-Up community food pantry. This grassroots non-profit is committed to making sure no one in our Valley goes hungry. They truly “lift up” those in need, and Glenwood Caverns has been able to collect more than 53,700 food items for them since Music on the Mountain began in 2009.

The park is buzzing with activity, summer rides are open and the Summer Funday Pass is back. Come for the day to soar through the air on our Giant Canyon Swing or zoom across the cliff on the Cliffhanger Roller Coaster. Stay for an evening of music, fire, drink specials and merriment!

Bring at least one can of food to donate to Lift-Up for a free tram ride to the top. For more information, please visit Music on the Mountain. Hope to see you there!