Plan Ahead for Fun: Glenwood Caverns Annual Passes are on Sale Now

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s Annual Thrill Passes and Tram-only Passes are on sale now, buy yours before rates increase on Jan 2, 2018.

Winter is a long season in Colorado and the best way to enjoy it is make a plan to get outdoors. A tram ride to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park during snow season is the perfect way to get a healthy dose of fresh air and have a great time along the way – whether you ride the Alpine Coaster or other rides, come for dinner and events, or to enjoy the views and our season-spanning Winter on the Mountain, which kicks off on November 18.

Annual Thrill Passes include unlimited tram rides, cave tours and attractions all year long. Thrill Pass holders also receive a ten percent discount at the Lookout Grille, the Snack Shack and the General Store gift shop. Tram-only pass holders have unlimited access to the ride the tram whenever they please.

Current pass holders can also cash in on the savings before rates go up. Even if your pass isn’t expiring soon, you can upgrade it to take advantage of the discounted, lower rates and enjoy the Park this winter and every season.

After Jan. 1, Annual Thrill and Tram-only pass prices will increase, so get them now to save big!  Passes are currently on sale and can be purchased online or at the tram base all days except Monday when the Park is closed. To receive annual pass discounts online, click on the links below and select your annual pass option, then enter promo code THRILL2018  for annual Thrill Passes or TRAM2018 for Tram-only passes.

Now:  Adult Thrill Pass $79, Child $69       After Jan 1:  Adult Thrill Pass $119, Child $109

Now:  Adult or Child Tram Pass $28          After Jan 1:  Adult or Child Tram Pass $32

You can also order you annual passes by phoning  Glenwood Caverns at 970-945-4228. After ordering, your annual passes will be available for pickup at the tram base.

Glenwood Caverns’ annual passes also make great holiday gifts that can easily be slipped into a card or stocking. The best part is even after winter snows have receded, you can still catch a ride to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for all your favorite rides, events and activities.

Shop the Top: Merchants’ Point of View

 ‘Shop your Way to the Top,’ a new Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park marketing campaign provides a community boost during the Grand Avenue Bridge project.

Glenwood Springs has passed the halfway point of the largest highway construction project in western Colorado in 25 years. Upon completion, the Grand Avenue Bridge will not only be a safe and effective corridor for vehicular travel with wider lanes and better traffic flow, but a welcoming, new gateway to Glenwood Springs and all it has to offer.

During the construction, the bridge is closed through mid-November. A detour takes drivers on an alternate route through town bypassing some of the town’s major shopping districts including downtown Glenwood Springs and the Glenwood Meadows Shopping Center.

To encourage shopping and lend a helping hand to merchants during this time, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has come up with an innovative plan that benefits store owners and their guests. It’s called Shop your Way to the Top.  Here’s how it works: Shop at stores or restaurants in Glenwood Meadows or in downtown between Cooper and Colorado Avenues and 6th to 10th Streets. Make a minimum purchase of $16 and receive a free tram ride – valued at $16 – to the top of Iron Mountain, the location of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. If the receipt is for $32 or more, then two free tram passes can be redeemed, with a limit of four free tram rides per receipt!

It’s easy too; just bring your receipt to the Glenwood Caverns tram base cashier to redeem. Visitors can also upgrade tickets to a Tram & Cave or Funday Pass if they choose. Shop your Way to the Top purchases can be made until the bridge opens and those receipts are valid through Dec. 17, 2017.

Here’s what Glenwood Springs merchants are saying about Shop your Way to the Top:

“I’ve told my customers about it and they are just delighted! I ask them if they’ve taken the tram before and often they say no. I tell them, well now’s your chance,” said Vicki Van Engelenburg, owner of A La Carte, a clothing and gift boutique on Grand Ave. She added, “The Shop your Way to the Top campaign has been very successful and positive for us, bringing in customers that might not have stopped otherwise. There’s also camaraderie among businesses in Glenwood Springs that we’re all in this together, I appreciate the Caverns’ efforts to support my business and others during this project.”

From Miles Rattet, owner of The Fourth Dimension, a men’s apparel and home decor store on Cooper Ave., “We were super excited to be included in this. The Cavern’s campaign is fantastic for the entire community; it enriches our whole town by bringing us even closer together. Shop your Way to the Top is a great example of how businesses can work together to support one another and it’s a model for our community going forward in the future.”

According to Mike Mercatoris, owner of two Glenwood Springs’ restaurants – Zheng Asian Bistro at the Glenwood Meadows and The Grind on Grand Ave. in downtown, “The Shop your Way to the Top campaign has been awesome!” He added, “The bridge construction has definitely been a ding in our business, but the cool thing is Glenwood Caverns doesn’t have to do this. They really aren’t impacted the way downtown or the Meadows are. It really shows their character and the character of Glenwood Springs. It’s been cool to see our patrons, especially locals respond to the program. They get pretty excited when they find out in addition to a great meal they can get a free tram ride and take in some of the most amazing views of the Roaring Fork Valley from the top.”

Who says there’s no such thing as a free ride? With Shop your Way to the Top, claiming your free ride is as easy as enjoying yourself by shopping and dining in Glenwood Springs – at the Meadows or downtown. Show us your receipt, then kick back for a free tram ride to one of the most scenic overlooks around, or spend the day checking out the caves, rides and attractions at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

2017 Season of Music on the Mountain Opens in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

It’s that time again! Time for Music on the Mountain at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The 10-concert summer music series kicks off Friday, May 26, of Memorial Day weekend in Glenwood Springs.

In its ninth season, Music on the Mountain is an outdoor music lover’s dream-come-true. It takes place at America’s only mountaintop theme park where an eclectic mix of bands, lots of dancing, spectacular Colorado views, plenty of good food and thrifty drink specials converge for 10 festive summer nights. Cost of admission? Concerts are free with the donation of a canned good; beans and soups of all varieties and Spaghettios are popular choices. Not only is Music on the Mountain outstanding entertainment for visitors to Glenwood Springs and the locals who live here, the event helps stock the shelves of the Lift-Up community food pantry, a cause that helps individuals and families in need. At last count, Music on the Mountain attendees have donated a total of over 62,000 cans of food!

Hop aboard the Iron Mountain Tramway or one of the Cavern’s new adventure vehicles for a ride from the valley floor to the top of Iron Mountain where the festivities take place. Because the concerts are quite popular, there can sometimes be a wait to get to the top of Iron Mountain. Our advice is to relax and make friends with your neighbors in line while the Glenwood Caverns staff handles the work of transporting people to and from the mountaintop.

Planning & timing. With the exception of Sunday concerts on June 11, and September 10, when the Park closes at 8 p.m., bands take the stage at 6 p.m. and entertain crowds until closing time at 10 p.m. During the concerts the park is fully operational with outdoor rides open until dusk; so go ahead and take a turn while you’re here. For the best value, we recommend purchasing the Funday Pass, just $38 with the free tram ride.

The lineup. The season starts out strong with the Summer Kick-off on Friday, May 26, featuring the Missing Link Band, and from there it doesn’t miss a beat. Consider planning your Glenwood Springs vacation to coincide with one or more Music on the Mountain concerts. The combo of music, festival atmosphere and mountaintop adventure is certain to be high point of your trip. View the complete Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park events calendar.

Friday, May 26 — The Missing Link Band (blend of classic rock, dance, funk & groove tunes) all sponsors are showcased at this opening event
During the Summer Kick-off, Maciej Mrotek and partners will present two performances of the Dance of the Sacred Fire during the concert. The mesmerizing, high energy show features flame throwing and fire breathing!

Saturday, June 3 — Whiskey Stomp and the Logan Brothers (two popular local bands) sponsored by KSPN/Lift AMT

Saturday, June 10 — Bryan Savage (solo jazz saxophone and flute virtuoso) sponsored by the Hotel Glenwood Springs

Sunday, June 11 — Integrantes Del Norte (upbeat Latin music) sponsored by Glenwood Springs Post Independent

Enjoy a free tram ride after 2 p.m. with the donation of a can of food for the Lift-Up food pantry. The band plays from 4 to 8 p.m. for this special Sunday event.

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

Enjoy a free tram ride after 2 p.m. with the donation of a can of food for the LiftUp food pantry. The band plays from 4 to 8 p.m. for this special Sunday event.

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

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