Upcoming Events

Uphill with Gravity Haus
Mar
17

Uphill with Gravity Haus

Join Nicole Otake, professional mountaineer and founder of Ash to Altitude, for an evening skin up Vail Mountain every other Tuesday this winter.

These community-paced tours are all about movement, connection, and soaking in the mountain’s magic after hours. Bring your touring setup, bundle up, and enjoy a shared climb under the stars. 

What to Bring:

  • Headlamp

  • Warm layers (you’ll warm up quickly, but temps drop fast after sunset)

  • Clear goggles or glasses for night visibility

  • Touring setup (skins, poles, helmet recommended)

Meet at the Front Desk of Dryland Fitness at Gravity Haus Vail (downstairs in the members lounge).

All levels are welcome — this is a relaxed, social climb that celebrates community and time spent in the mountains.

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Gore Range Gravity Alliance Uphill
Mar
25

Gore Range Gravity Alliance Uphill

Meet at the west end of the Elk Lot Trailhead at 5:15pm - Please note that the Elk Lot is free after 3pm.

We will walk up the Beaver Cr Recreational Path to the base of the Landing to meet at 5:30pm (please note that the sidewalk can be icy). Then, we will put our skis on and depart at the Landing by 5:40pm.

We'll skin for about an hour. The route will be Leav the Beav up to The Ritz (Buffalo's) for Alpine Social Hour before skiing back down. For the go-getters, you can also skin/hike up past The Ritz up Sawbuck trail and then head down the The Ritz for the social hour. 

Registration (required) + Event Details Here!

This is a free event, but donations to GRGA are appreciated!

All abilities and fitness levels are welcome. We move in groups so no one is left behind and attendees can move at their own pace together. For us, the goal of these meetups is to offer opportunities for folks to get together, nourish current friendships or make new ones, and get outside. We just ask that you try to have an understanding on your gear as our ambassadors are not pros.

Reminder: This is not a professionally guided event, our Ambassadors will be leading the route and keeping groups together, but skiing and riding are done so at your own risk and all participants must have a signed the GRGA Waiver.

Suggested gear: clear goggles/glasses, layers, helmet, and water. Of course your touring gear too! Skis, skins, poles, etc...

No uphill pass is required.

Need Gear?

Check out our friends at Cripple Creek Backcountry in Avon for demo skis. Sorry Splitboarders - we currently don’t know of local demos for those.

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From Ash to Altitude: Inside the World of Big Mountain Expeditions with Nicole Otake
Mar
26

From Ash to Altitude: Inside the World of Big Mountain Expeditions with Nicole Otake

Join us for an evening exploring the world of high-altitude mountaineering—from volcanic summits to the tallest peaks on each continent. In this talk, we’ll dive into the Seven Summits and Seven Volcanic Summits, sharing stories and lessons from expeditions around the world, and what draws people to climb big mountains in the first place.

We’ll also take a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to plan and prepare for major expeditions, including an upcoming back-to-back climb of Denali and Alpamayo. From training and technical skills to logistics, risk management, and decision-making in the mountains, this talk will demystify the process and show how these ambitious objectives are built step by step.

Whether you’re new to the idea of mountaineering or already spend time in the mountains, this event is about showing how accessible, challenging, and genuinely fun mountaineering can be—and how anyone with curiosity and commitment can begin their own journey into bigger alpine adventures.

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Ski & Sail Norway
Apr
7
to Apr 13

Ski & Sail Norway

This trip starts and ends in Tromsø. The Lyngen Alps rise to over 1800 meters above the fjord, and are one of the most spectacular mountain areas we have in Norway. This trip is dedicated to this wonderful peninsula, and not least the surrounding mountain islands; Kågen, Arnøya, Vannøya and Ringvassøya. Here we find both large steep peaks and more mellow snowy slopes to choose from. All with fantastic views of the sea and mountains. An incredibly rich and exciting area for ski touring and sailing. On these trips we can get both powder snow, spring slush, blizzards and wind slabs.

Nicole Otake will take part in the expedition in an ambassador capacity on behalf of Ash to Altitude.

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Pico de Orizaba
Apr
17
to Apr 23

Pico de Orizaba

Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépetl) is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third-highest peak in North America, rising to 18,491 ft / 5,636 m. A dormant stratovolcano, Pico offers a classic high-altitude alpine ascent featuring glaciated terrain, sustained snow climbing, and dramatic views across central Mexico. While the route is non-technical by alpine standards, the combination of altitude, cold, wind, and summit-day length makes this a serious objective that requires solid fitness, proper acclimation, and disciplined pacing. This itinerary is designed to maximize safety and summit success while respecting the realities of high-altitude mountaineering.

Ash to Altitude is operating a private, all-women expedition team from the United States on Pico de Orizaba. Participation is by registration only, and the team is now closed to new applicants.

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Denali
May
24
to Jun 21

Denali

Denali is the highest mountain in North America, rising to 20,310 ft / 6,190 m and standing as one of the most demanding high-altitude objectives in the world. Located deep in the Alaska Range, Denali’s immense vertical relief, severe weather systems, and remote glaciated terrain create an expedition defined by scale, patience, and resilience. Climbers travel across vast glaciers while hauling sleds and carrying heavy loads, establishing successive camps as they adapt to altitude and conditions. Although the standard West Buttress route is non-technical by alpine standards, the combination of extreme cold, prolonged exposure, crevasse hazard, and the physical demands of multi-week load carries make Denali a serious expedition requiring exceptional fitness, disciplined pacing, and strong team coordination. This itinerary is structured to prioritize safety, efficient acclimatization, and sound expedition strategy while respecting the commitment required for one of the great mountaineering tests.

Ash to Altitude is the official expedition team name for nine mountaineers from India and the United States. Nicole Otake serves as the designated expedition leader under park permit authority. The expedition is private and invitation-only; applications are closed.

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Alpamayo
Jun
23
to Jul 3

Alpamayo

Alpamayo is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, rising to 19,511 ft / 5,947 m in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. Famous for its striking pyramid shape and elegant fluted snow face, Alpamayo presents a highly aesthetic but technically demanding alpine objective. Climbers ascend steep snow and ice slopes that can exceed 60 degrees, navigate exposed ridgelines, and contend with rapidly changing Andean weather conditions. While not extreme in altitude compared to the world’s highest peaks, Alpamayo’s sustained technical climbing, commitment level, and remote setting make it a serious undertaking requiring strong alpine skills, efficient movement on steep terrain, and disciplined team coordination. This itinerary is structured to prioritize acclimatization, safety, and strategic summit timing while respecting the technical nature of the climb.

Ash to Altitude is undertaking a private ascent of Alpamayo with a four-member expedition team. This is a closed, invitation-only expedition, and no additional applications are being accepted.

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Cotopaxi
Nov
26
to Dec 5

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, rising to 19,347 ft / 5,897 m in Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes. Its near-perfect conical shape and expansive glaciated slopes create a striking alpine objective that blends accessibility with serious high-altitude demands. Climbers ascend snow and ice terrain at moderate angles while navigating crevasse zones and variable equatorial weather conditions. Although considered non-technical by advanced alpine standards, Cotopaxi’s altitude, glacier travel, and early-morning summit push require strong cardiovascular fitness, efficient pacing, and comfort moving in crampons on sustained snow slopes. This itinerary is designed to support safe acclimatization, efficient glacier travel, and strategic summit timing while respecting the realities of high-altitude mountaineering.

Ash to Altitude is leading a private expedition on Cotopaxi. This is a closed, invitation-only ascent, and no additional applications are being accepted.

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Everest Base Camp
Apr
1
to Apr 17

Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp is one of the world’s most iconic high-altitude trekking objectives, reaching 17,598 ft / 5,364 m in Nepal’s Khumbu Valley beneath the slopes of Mount Everest. The route follows ancient trade paths through Sherpa villages, glacial valleys, and alpine terrain while offering close views of some of the Himalaya’s most celebrated peaks. Although the trek does not involve technical climbing, the sustained elevation gain, variable weather, and multi-day hiking demands make it a serious endurance objective. Proper acclimatization, consistent pacing, and strong cardiovascular fitness are essential for a safe and successful journey. This itinerary is designed to prioritize gradual altitude adaptation, steady daily progression, and a supportive team environment while respecting the physical demands of trekking in high-altitude terrain.

Ash to Altitude is organizing a private expedition to Everest Base Camp with a small team of climbers. Team size is limited to maintain a cohesive and supportive group environment, with only four spots remaining. Participation is by invitation and application only.

This expedition is best suited for individuals with strong hiking endurance who are comfortable with consecutive long days on trail and motivated to experience high-altitude environments within a supportive, team-oriented setting.

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Ama Dablam
Apr
25
to May 23

Ama Dablam

Ama Dablam rises to 22,349 ft / 6,812 m in Nepal’s Khumbu region and is widely regarded as one of the most striking and technically engaging mountains in the Himalaya. Known for its dramatic ridgelines and exposed alpine faces, Ama Dablam presents a sustained technical ascent involving steep rock, snow, and ice climbing along narrow, airy routes. Climbers navigate fixed lines, technical mixed terrain, and high, exposed camps while contending with altitude, variable weather, and the physical demands of multi-day summit pushes. Though lower in elevation than 8,000-meter peaks, Ama Dablam’s sustained technical difficulty and commitment level make it a serious objective requiring strong alpine proficiency, efficient movement on fixed lines, and disciplined team coordination. This itinerary is designed to emphasize acclimatization, technical preparation, and sound expedition strategy while respecting the precision and endurance required for one of the Himalaya’s most iconic climbs.

Ash to Altitude is organizing a private ascent of Ama Dablam with a four-member expedition team. Participation is currently by invitation; additional climbers may be considered for the team following successful participation in a prior Ash to Altitude expedition.

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