Salida Colorado Winter Things to Do: Kayaks Cavorting on.... Snow?

The Arkansas River is one of Colorado's premier rivers for white water rafting, kayaking and white water board sports. I am not a kayaker but hear from friends that our white water alone makes the area a destination resort. Folks end up moving here just for the daily access to white water and the related sports.

Consequently, Kayaking and other White water boat and board sports reach epic proportions in the summer months. One of our biggest summer festivals is called FIBARK   First in Boats on the Arkansas) and is held in July.

Because we are in the Banana Belt, you can actually find Kayakers on the river year round (thank goodness for wetsuits!). Since the Arkansas River runs right through downtown, you can see them easily, practicing slalom with the gates or just cavorting.

Now, many kayakers who live in the area year round Ski Monarch in the Winter. But with any passion, they get a “hankering” for their boats. Re result… snow kayaking. How many of you have heard of snow kayaking? It is a crazy sport that can be participated in or watched around the world and we have a yearly event.

Near the end of the first week of April, Monarch Mountain Resort (20 minutes from Salida and the 2nd best powder in Colorado) holds their annual Kayak on Snow competition. Kayak on Snow  is similar to motocross, with a specially designed course featuring berms, banks, bumps, and an icy pond to sail into at the end of the race!  How can you miss this? I am usually and absolutely will NOT be competing!

To get you in the mood for the event, take a peek at this YouTube video on snow kayaking...pure passion and a half pinch of craziness.

Salida Colorado Winter Things to Do: Kayaks Cavorting on ...Snow?