Photo courtesy of Operation surf, by Steven L. Shepard
By Maryann Hammers
The weather’s fine, so what are you waiting for? Check out these military deals on year-round chairlifts up a scenic Flagstaff mountain, rock-climbing adventures in Ohio, and lodging in Idaho and Park City. We also found a California surfing program free for active duty servicemembers and wounded veterans.
Take Arizona Snowbowl’s Scenic Chairlift
While much of the Southwest swelters in the summer heat, the weather’s usually fine in Flagstaff, Ariz., among the pines at the base of the Snowbowl .
Take a ride on the scenic chairlift, which reaches an elevation of 11,500 to the top of the Agassiz Peak, with a vertical drop of 2,000 feet. In 25 minutes, you’ll reach the top, with great views of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Have lunch, hear interpretive ranger talks, or take spectacular hikes. Want to see just how pretty it is? Check out the webcam.
Regular chairlift prices are $19, but military members pay $15.50. (Show a valid military ID at the ticket window.) If you’re under age 12 or over age 64, the price is $13. Rides are free within seven days of your birthday. Call (928) 779-1951, ext. 3.
Learn to Surf in Central California
Amazing Surf Adventures offers a free weeklong surfing program for wounded veterans (including those with PTS or traumatic brain injury) or active duty military members.
Called “Operation Surf,” the program takes place on California’s beautiful Central Coast. Flights, meals, and lodging are included. Professional surfing instructors lead the program, and adaptive prosthetics and wetsuits are provided. “We work with any participant's individual ability using our unique one-on-one surfing curriculum,” says spokesperson Rory Donnelly.
Learn more about the program by watching this video.
To get on the waiting list for the next event, contact Operation Surf here. You also can reach the organization via its Facebook page. For more information, call (805) 544-SURF (7873).
Stay and Play at a Riverfront Lodge in Idaho
River Dance Lodge , near the banks of the Clearwater River in Idaho, with forest and mountain views, offers military members a 35-percent discount during fall months.
Whether you opt for a rustic-but-luxurious log cabin or prefer “glamping” (glamorous camping) you’ll be perfectly situated for adventures including rafting, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking.
Regular rates start at $109 (for glamping) or $149 for cabins (but remember, with the military discount, you’ll pay a lot less). The offer is valid Sept. 5 through Oct. 30, 2016. Call (866) 769-8747, and ask for the “Military Special.”
Rock Climb in Ohio’s Hocking Hills
Hocking Hills Ecotours/High Rock Adventures combines nature programs and rock-climbing/rappelling in the beautiful woods of the Hocking Hills, located about 40 miles southeast of Columbus.
Programs are available for all skill levels, from relatively tame Eco Adventures to more adventurous rock climbing and rappelling on natural sandstone cliffs, some nearly 100 feet high. "Incredible rock formations and natural beauty make Hocking Hills a remarkable destination,” says co-owner Steve Roley.
Tours range from 75 minutes to three hours, with regular prices starting at $30 a person. Climbing and rappelling tours include instruction and gear and start at $80 a person. Military members are offered 10-percent off these rates, and groups booking and touring together get a 20-percent discount.
Other programs include night hikes, special educational events, workshops on edible and medicinal plants, and forest survival skills. Call (740) 385-9886 for more information.
Experience Summer in Park City, Utah
Park City, one of the world’s best-known mountain towns, is a hub for year-round outdoor adventures. Though famous for winter snow sports, the warm-weather months offer hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and golfing.
Active duty military members get a 20-percent discount on lodging and vacation rentals, from condos to cabins in Park City, Deer Valley Resort, and other nearby resort towns, booked through Park City Lodging .
Peak booking periods (such as during the Sundance Film Festival and Kimball Arts Festival) are excluded from the deal. Book online using promo code MILITARY, or call (844) 207-8187 or (855) 836-5916. There’s a two-night minimum.
Want More Adventures?
For more ideas, check out these previously published articles, here (free mountain biking and white-water rafting), here (family-friendly outdoor fun), here (water adventures), here(back-to-nature fun), and here (hard-core adventures).