About Nova Guides Vail
Nova Guides is one of Vail's most established multi-sport outfitters, operating year-round from their base camp at Camp Hale — a historic World War II training site for the 10th Mountain Division nestled in the mountains between Vail and Leadville. The Camp Hale location provides direct access to some of the most spectacular backcountry terrain in the Colorado Rockies, and Nova's guides draw on the area's military mountaineering heritage to deliver adventures that are both thrilling and steeped in history.
Summer activities centre on whitewater rafting on the Arkansas and Eagle rivers, with trip options ranging from gentle family floats to aggressive Class IV runs through steep-walled canyons. ATV and side-by-side tours explore the alpine terrain above Camp Hale, climbing to panoramic viewpoints where the history of the 10th Mountain Division comes alive against a backdrop of towering peaks. Mountain bike tours take advantage of the extensive trail networks in the White River National Forest, with guide-led rides suited to intermediate and advanced riders. Fly fishing excursions round out the summer roster, targeting trout on the Eagle River and its tributaries.
Winter transforms Nova Guides into a snowmobile tour operator, with guided rides through the same backcountry that the 10th Mountain Division once used for ski training. Tours range from beginner-friendly meadow cruises to advanced mountain summit rides that climb above treeline for staggering views of the Gore and Sawatch ranges. The Camp Hale base camp — complete with a warming yurt, hot beverages, and a crackling fire — makes the staging experience as memorable as the riding itself. For visitors seeking authentic Colorado backcountry adventure with a unique historical dimension, Nova Guides offers an experience unlike anything else in the Vail Valley.
