NATURE DISCOVERY CENTER
Love the outdoors but want to learn more about the natural and cultural histories of the Vail Valley? Gore Range Natural Science School’s award-winning interpretive programming can help you explore and appreciate the natural world, whether you’re atop Vail Mountain or alongside the banks of Gore Creek. To make winter planning a breeze, programs occur the same time, same place and are ideal for families, adults, visitors and residents. What are you waiting for? Get outside and explore!
Located in an all-seasons yurt atop Vail Mountain, the Nature Discovery Center is a community-based partnership between Vail Resorts, the US Forest Service and Gore Range Natural Science School (GRNSS). During winter, GRNSS naturalists provide daily snowshoe tours that explore Vail’s high alpine habitat. Be sure to visit our new exhibits inside the new and improved Nature Discovery Center!
WINTER HOURS
| Tues - Sat |
10 am to 6 pm |
| Sun & Mon |
10 am to 4 pm |
SEASON: Open December 16, 2009 through Aprili 11, 2010
COST: Free to all
PHONE: 970-754-4675
GUIDED SNOWSHOE TOURS
Join a Gore Range Natural Science School Naturalist for an hour long snowhoe tour through the forest atop Vail Mountain.
| Guided Snowshoe Tours from the
Nature Discovery Center |
| DATES: |
Daily |
| TIME: |
3 pm: 60 minutes in length |
| LOCATION: |
Nature Discovery Center: All-seasons yurt adjacent Eagle's Nest gondola and Adventure Ridge atop Vail Mountain. |
| COST: |
Provided courtesy of Vail Resorts, USFS, and GRNSS |
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| Nature at Night Family Program |
| DAYS: |
Thursday and Saturday |
| TIME: |
6 pm (30-45min) |
| LOCATION: |
Meet at the Discovery Center |
| COST: |
Provided courtesy of Vail Resorts, USFS, and GRNSS |
Meet at the Discovery Center for a family nature talk including fun activities for children. Each week we’ll offer one of the following programs: Wild Cats: Scary or Necessary, Creatures in the Dark, The Fox: Night Hunter in your Neighborhood, and Eyes on Owls. No reservations required. These 45 minute programs begin at 6pm every Thursday and Saturday.
No reservations required.
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| Moonlight Snowshoe Tour - Call 970-754-4675 to reserve space |
| DATES: |
January 27, 28, 29 & 30 |
| |
February 24, 25, 26 and 27 |
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| RESERVE: |
Call 970-754-4675 to reserve your space in advance of the program. |
| TIME: |
7 - 8:30 pm |
| LOCATION: |
Nature Discovery Center: All-seasons yurt adjacent Eagle's Nest gondola and Adventure Ridge atop Vail Mountain. |
| COST: |
Provided courtesy of Vail Resorts, USFS & GRNSS |
Journey into the night under the captivating glow of the full moon. Learn about astronomy and the habits of nocturnal animals while you snowshoe through the pristine silence of the moonlit mountains.
Snowshoes provided
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| Curious Critters Ski School |
| DAYS: |
Mondays & Tuesdays |
| TIMES: |
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
| LOCATION: |
Mondays - Meet at entrance to Porcupine Alleyt |
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Tuesdays - Meet at bottom of Gold Peak |
| COST: |
Free |
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Gore Range Natural Science School Naturalists provide brief slope-side lessons about Rocky Mountain Wildlife at Vail Ski Area. Each week programs focus on a different category of winter critters including Climbers, Diggers, Jumpers and Flyers. Programs are offered for ski school students and drop in visitors daily at the Nature Discovery Center at Adventure Ridge, and on Mondays at the entrance to Porcupine Alley from 1pm to 2:30pm and Tuesdays at the bottom of Gold Peak from 1pm to 2:30pm. Look for the naturalist in the red jacket and the “Stop for a Nature Lesson” sign.
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High Country Speaker Series 2010 - Speakers and schedule to be announced