
What we’re about
Western Slope Adventurers (WSA) meetup is a group of motivated outdoor enthusiasts who want to get together and meet other like-minded folks--to share hiking, backpacking, canyoneering, road and mountain cycling, skiing of all kinds, and water sports such as rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more socially oriented outings like pot-luck or restaurant dining events, birding, dog walks, car camping, film festivals, photography, games nights, theater outings, lectures and field trips.
You are encouraged to BE ACTIVE in the group. The beauty of this and other Meetup groups is to connect online for "IRL" --IN REAL LIFE-- outings.
We are geographically centered in southwestern Colorado (including Montrose/Grand Junction all the way to Durango), and we welcome members, hosts and activities elsewhere. MeetUp.com allows for a principal 'Organizer' (and a number of Assistant or Event Organizers . If you have an event you’d like to host, we welcome your enthusiasm! The Organizer will grant the rights for you to create and post your event. It’s very easy.
Western Colorado is a great place to live and we will meetup up to share it and make it even better , for ourselves, our group and and larger community.
Meetup.com charges $365/yr, and the Organizer pays the hosting fee. The "Pledge" donation feature you will encounter on some of our pages is to reimburse these costs, and any surplus will be used for group events (such as venue rental for social events). Event costs (such as carpooling, camping fees, etc) are managed by the event organizer(s) and participants are expected to share these. To respect the wishes of our founder, the late Doug Van Etten, there are no dues nor subscription fees to be a member, and event costs are shared amongst event participants. The only requirements for entry are a willingness to participate, to contribute to the group, to respect other members, to be responsible for yourself and your guests, and to observe responsible outdoor safety and ethics practices.
Upcoming events
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HIKE: POLLOCK BENCH to FLUME CYN 7.1 mi
Location not specified yetLate notice for a fun hike midweek hike near Fruita. This warm weather will not last! We'll ascend the narrows of Flume Cyn then descend the scenic Pollock Bench, a total of 7.1 miles with ~1000 of elevation. Those from Montrose area: let's meet in Montrose at the public lot west of Autozone for carpooling at 8. Others meet at the Pollock Bench trailhead at 9:45 am. Expect some ice at the head of the canyons.
Here is an Alltrails link , we'll do this clockwise this time.
REQUIRED on RSVP: Full name, email, cell, and emergency contact. Fit and well behaved dogs welcome, bring leash and poo bags.
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By RSVPing YES and participating in this activity you acknowledge that you and your guests have read and agree to the statements below, and will abide by them while participating in this or any Western Slope Adventurers meetup activity. Outdoor activities involve risk of injury or death. You are responsible for your own safety and staying within your own comfort limits. All Western Slope Adventurers events are peer to peer and are unguided events. By participating in a WSA event, you acknowledge that you have a personal duty and responsibility for your own safety. Western Slope Adventurers MeetUps are organized to provide a venue for outdoor enthusiasts to meet and have fun while sharing in experiences and adventures.
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By your participation, you acknowledge that you have a personal duty and responsibility to (a) assess your own skills, honestly and accurately, to determine your suitability as a participant for each event, (b) seek adequate information to assess the difficulty of each event to determine if it is within your fitness and skill level, (c) seek adequate information about the current conditions in each area and the weather to assess potential risks to you by participating, and (d) evaluate other prospective event participants and to use your own judgment to determine their suitability for the event and how their participation may affect you. All participants are encouraged and expected to: • honestly assess your skills to ensure each activity is within your ability • assess your prospective fellow event participants • accept responsibility for your own safety and comfort • do your share of any teamwork involved • share your ideas for situation assessment before and during an event • speak up if you're having a problem • speak up if you question what's going on or something that is being done, no matter who's doing it • have all of the clothing, equipment and any other special items needed for the activity • inform the event organizer or other designated participant if you are using medication (prescribed or otherwise) or have any medical condition that may affect your full participation in the event • on any biking, canyoneering; or, river event that is class II difficulty or higher, wear a helmet • have fun1 attendee
Resort ski: Powderhorn & "Young at Heart"
Powderhorn Mountain Resort, 48338 Powderhorn Rd, Mesa, CO, USHappy Tuesday! "Young at Heart" is an informal group ski event held on Tuesdays. Jan 6 is the first official one of the 2026 season.
Usually well attended with up to several dozen ski enthusiasts, YAH is intended for folks 50 and older. All abilities welcome. You can sign a season liability waiver online here first, or on paper at the lobby. Here's their FB page.
Young @ Heart Day Passes are discounted for those that are 50+ and ski with the group. Inquire at the ski school desk--they'll direct you to the ticket counter to purchase your discounted day pass.
If you RSVP here with WSA and want to meet up for carpooling, etc, write something in the COMMENTS section. We usually leave Montrose around 7am.
Meet at Flattop Flyer quad lift to split up into groups (by desired speed, terrain, ability, interest):
1-be at the base of the quad lift by 9:15
2-stand by the flag that corresponds to the group you'd like to ski with
one blue flag=slow blue group
two blue flags=fast blue group
one blue & one black flag=mostly blues with some blacks
two blue & two black flags=blacks and blue runs with fewer stops
all mountain = all black and usually no stops
If you're late, come anyway, hang out at quad lift entrance or meet downstairs for lunch 11:15-12:15, you'll find a group to ski with. Expect to discover new terrain, learn Powderhorn history and points of interest, & hear great stories. You can switch between groups if you want to explore, meet new folks, and for more/or less challenge. Social/happy-hour 2:45-4:30 in upstairs bar. Introduce yourself and expect to meet new friends. YAH wants you & your friends to participate. To some, it's the best thing about skiing Powderhorn!3 attendees
RESORT SKI: MONARCH MTN, SKI COOPER, SUNLIGHT Ski Road Trip
Location not specified yetHow about 3 resorts in 3 days? This posting is to gauge interest in a short multiday ski trip, tailored for those with a Powderhorn season pass. This pass also allows 3 days of skiing each at Monarch Mountain, Sunlight, Loveland, and 2 days at Silverton ski resorts. Weekdays preferred to avoid crowds. These unpretentious resorts are charmingly low tech, with great terrain and interesting histories.
Join for all or just a part!
Proposed itinerary (subject to group preference):
Day 1. Leave Montrose 8 am for 2 hr drive to Monarch Mtn. Ski area. Ski all day then stay at the Monarch Mtn Lodge, 4 miles away.
Day 2. Drive from Monarch Mtn Lodge to Ski Cooper, 1hr 15 min. Not part of PH pass, but tickets are only $49. Ski all day. Then drive about 30 minutes north to stay at the Green Bridge Inn in Red Cliff, CO.
Day 3. Drive from Red Cliff 1.5 hrs to Sunlight. Ski, then return home.
We did this trip in 2024, here is the writeup. Questions? 970-209-2470.1 attendee
Past events
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