Buena Vista Mountain Adventures (BVMA) will get you out chasing your passion, whether you are just learning or up for big objectives.
Buena Vista Mountain Adventures (BVMA) co-owner Chris Nicewarner has a simple philosophy about outdoor adventure: “It should be for everybody.” And BVMA makes it easy for everybody, from brand new outdoor enthusiasts to grizzled adventurers, to get out and find some fun in Colorado’s Arkansas Valley. Based in the happening town of Buena Vista (where you’ll find everything from a hip music venue built by pro kayakers to one of Colorado’s best distilleries), owners Nicewarner along with co-owner and operations manager, Tommy Gram have built a guiding company that’s rooted in the up-for-anything attitude that defines this place.
Chris Nicewarner 
Tommy Gram
Whether you’re seeking powder stashes in the Collegiate Peaks, a romp on snowshoes, a chance to up your Nordic game, a 14er adventure, hot springs soak, a visit to Brown’s Canyon National Monument or world-class fishing and paddling opportunities on the Arkansas River, BV offers up all-season access to any and all of it—and BVMA can help guide you through it.
“We are a boutique operation,” says Nicewarner. “We can customize any adventure to whatever you are looking for.” (Case in point, the EO staff rode snowmobiles up Cottonwood Pass and toured to find the untracked goods with BVMA two winters ago; now we are planning to learn to be more efficient Nordic skiers with them this year.)
Located in the heart of downtown, the BVMA headquarters is just inside Buna Vista’s local outdoor store, The Trailhead, where you can rent or buy all the gear you need to play or upgrade your kit. Anchored by Chris and Tommy, BVMA’s highly trained guide team draws on diverse backgrounds and experiences—from ski patrolling to leading military mountain training programs—to help you explore and learn in the Colorado backcountry.
BVMA brings you to the backcountry goods—no matter your ability level. Photo by Anna Sees Photography 
Snowmobile access wth BVMA puts your deep in the snow zone on Cottonwood Pass. Photo by Anna Sees Photography
This winter, BVMA is offers guided backcountry skiing and splitboarding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Again, Nicewarner stresses that those experiences can be customized to fit your needs and whims. And don’t be scared off by the prospect of hitting the backcountry if you have never ventured off-piste. “You don’t have to be an expert who is comfortable skiing double blacks at the resort to ski in the backcountry,” Nicewarner says. “If you are confident on difficult blues, we can get you making turns in powder.” Or strap on the snowshoes and let BVMA show you secret spots in their spacious backyard.
The best thing you can do this season is take an AIARE avalanche education course with BVMA; they offer AIARE-1, AIARE Avalanche Rescue, and AIARE-2. The slow start to the snow season means it’s easy to spend a weekend improving those skills as we wait for the backcountry to fill in. When the snow comes, especially when the snowpack stabilizes this spring, you can have confidence in those skills book a trip skiing or snowboarding with BVMA guides in the field.
So whether you’re looking to dip your toes into outdoor experience or want a full-on Colorado backcountry adventure, BVMA has you covered. Learn more at bvmountainadventures.com.
Photos courtesy of BVMA
