Publish Date: November 11^th, 2024

It’s that time of year when we’re all on the hunt for the perfect gift for the special people in our lives. Giving to our loved ones is a way to show your care, consideration, and gratitude for them. And while we encourage intentional giving to people who matter to you all year long, we know that this season is particularly ripe for giving.

At Namaste Solar, we bring you a new holiday gift guide each season. And they always have a special twist. This year’s edition focuses on giving experiences here in Colorado and beyond.

Holiday Gift Guide: Experiences

We’ve curated a list of experiences to help you find that perfect gift while making memories that last a lifetime. Whether your recipient is adventurous, a foodie, or a sports enthusiast, we have a variety of ideas to cross off everyone on your list.

1. National or State Park Pass – Daily passes for our beautiful National and State Parks can add up, and since visiting these parks is often a bucket list item for people, gifting an annual pass can be a great choice for the nature lover on your list. Bonus: with an annual pass, you can explore now and throughout the year for additional memories together.
   
   
2. Hot Air Balloon Ride – Ranked #1 of Outdoor Activities in Lafayette, Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures is an experience like no other. Rides go year-round and ride along the Front Range ensuring you’ll get stunning views of the Rocky Mountains every minute you’re in the air.
   
   
3. Game or Season Passes – Sports are inherently experienced based and there’s nothing like seeing a live game for a sports fan. Consider getting tickets to see a local team or go a step further to get the season passes.
   
   
4. Snowshoe to Dinner – The Tennessee Pass Cookhouse is the epitome of backcountry fine dining. With gift cards available, you can give your loved one a dinner to remember. Nestled in the backcountry north of Leadville, the cookhouse is a 1-mile ski, hike, or snowshoe from the parking area. With only 300 feet elevation gain in that distance, it’s a manageable trek for many folks. And after completion, you get to enjoy fine dining with a stunning view. If you’d like to extend your stay, yurts are available for rent. Reservations required for the yurts and cookhouse.
   
   
5. Concert Tickets – If you’ve got a music lover on your list, concert tickets are a great way to treat them to something they’ll love this season. A world-class venue like Red Rocks is a way to gift the experience of a lifetime. In Denver, other venues to look into are Mission Ballroom, Fillmore Auditorium, and the Ogden Theatre. The Fox Theatre in Boulder is a great option, too. And for an intimate, outdoor amphitheater experience, consider the Mishawaka.
   
   
6. Movie Pass – Unlimited movies are sure to excite the theater lover in your life. Buying them a movie pass allows them to catch all the newest releases in a way that they enjoy – plush with movie theater seats and sound system. Plans start as low as $10/month.
   
   
7. Book a Stay in Sustainable Accommodations – Choosing to travel sustainably with your loved one or booking them a trip using sustainable accommodations is a sure way to make a trip memorable and meaningful. Ecobnb is a great resource to find sustainable accommodations around the world.
   
   
8. A road trip – Colorado in the winter is breathtaking. The mountains covered in snow, and are a sight people come from all over the world for. If you’re looking to build an itinerary that’ll make your road-trip companion swoon, check out this list of 6 Colorado towns named prettiest to visit in winter in the US.
   
   
9. A Day or Season Pass to a Ski Resort – Skiing and snowboarding is a crowd favorite for Colorado residents. And it makes sense since there are world famous runs in our backyard. If you’ve got an avid skier or snowboarder on your list, getting them a day or season pass can help them to get out and do what they love most. And if the person on your list is new to the sport, consider getting them ski or snowboard lessons so that they can shred in confidence.
   
   
10. Dog Sledding in Breckenridge – Good Times Adventures will take you out into the backcountry behind a team of Siberian huskies. This six-mile tour is exciting and unique. Plus, if you get there early you can hang with the pups, which might be worth it on its own.
    
    
11. A Cooking Class – With an abundance of cooking schools for the average person across the Front Range, a cooking class is a great way to nourish your loved one. Sur la Table in Boulder and Create Kitchen and Bar in Denver both offer a variety of classes for a variety of tastes.
    
    
12. An Art Class –Art isn’t about being the best, it’s about tapping into a creative flow – and that will look different for every person. Good thing there’s an abundance of art classes on the Front Range that vary in price, experience, and medium. Tinker Art Studio in Boulder offers classes and is a staple of the Boulder art community. And Fleur in Denver offers classes by local makers.
    
    
13. Lighter Load Backpacking Trips – Getting into the backcountry is one of the most Coloradan things you can do. Our remote landscape allows for breathtaking views and true immersion in nature. But for some, hiking long treks with a heavy pack isn’t possible. No need for those people to miss out. Now, you can book llama and horse assisted backcountry trips to ease the burden of exploring some of the most beautiful places Colorado has to offer. Beat the summer crowds by booking your summer experience now.
    
    
14. Cliff Camping in Estes Park – Kent Mountain Adventure Center is the place to go if you’d like to treat your loved one to one of the most memorable nights of their lives. The outfitter offers cliff-camping excursions. You’ll be taught some rock-climbing basics. And then your guide will set up a “portaledge” which is a semi-rigid hammock that hangs from cables bolted into the mountainside. Your perch high above the valley floor is your home for the night. And you’ll enjoy a sunset picnic dinner before crawling into your sleeping bag to catch some sleep. This is a summer experience that you can book for your loved ones now.
    
    
15. A Gift Certificate to a Local Brewery – Colorado ranks 4^th in the nation for most craft breweries, so you’ll have plenty of options for the beer lover in your life. You can get them a gift certificate to their favorite brewery, giving them the gift of brews and quality time.
    
    
16. An Outdoor Skills Class – Gifting an outdoor skills class gives your loved one the ability to learn new skills, brush up on old ones, or meet new people for a big expedition. REI has events and classes you can gift and NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) has some, too.
    
    
17. Interactive Art Museums – Interactive art museums allow visitors to explore at their leisure and help to stimulate the mind and body. Meow Wolf is home to a multi-level sensory experience. Their Denver site, called Convergence Station, is Meow Wolf’s largest location. Plus, photo opportunities abound here and you can catch a show since it doubles as a concert venue. Another option is Spectra Art Space. Located in south Denver, this small, intimate space houses a few indoor rooms with different themes and a bunch of interactive features. There’s also a whole outdoor space that’s stimulating to the mind and body. One other option is Prismajic in Lakewood. Prismajic is a walk-through art-adventure where the fun is in the details. Find Shiki when you visit, and you’ll get a sticker to take home with you.
    
    
18. Traditional Local Museum Passes – There’s a museum for every type of interest nowadays and gifting an entry pass is a great way to show your loved one that their interests are worth exploring. From science to art museums, there’s something for everyone. There are even wacky museums around town for the quirky ones in your life.
    
    
19. The Denver Mint – A visit to the mint is a peek into how we make coins in the U.S. The Denver location offers up to 6 free tours daily that last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Make a day of it with your recipient and get some tasty treats before or after your visit to complete this outing.
    
    
20. The Inventing Room Dessert Shop – This dessert shop in Denver offers culinary demonstrations with a major WOW factor. Liquid nitrogen, fire, and other molecular gastronomy tricks are used to create tasty treats and a show. Tickets are required in advance for these 45-minute experiences, and slots do sell out quick.
    
    
21. Book a Train Ride – Trains are a great way to go sightseeing and relax at the same time. Colorado has several railroads that the public can get tickets to ride and a few that are open in the winter including the Durango and Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad and the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway. For those who are looking for a holiday themed theatrical train ride, The Polar Express Train Ride is the one for you.
    
    
22. Hot Springs – A uniquely western thing, hot springs are natural pools of hot mineral water that comes straight from the Earth. They’re a great way to warm up in the winter while enjoying luxurious self-care since the nutrients in the water are healing and nourishing to the body. Plus, a lot of hot spring resorts have other wellness services, too, like massages and facials. Some Colorado hot springs include Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort in Glenwood Springs, Strawberry Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Pagosa Hot Springs in Pagosa Springs and Cottonwood Hot Springs in Buena Vista. With 93 known thermal areas in Colorado, there are options for anyone in Colorado both close and further from home.

Other Namaste Solar Holiday Gift Guides

We hope that you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones this season and that you create memories that last a lifetime in the process. If none of the experiences above fit the bill for someone on your list, check out our past holiday guides to find the perfect fit.

• Holiday Gift Guide: Thrifted in Colorado Published in 2023
• Holiday Gift Guide: Women & LGBTQ Owned Businesses Published in 2022
• Holiday Gift Guide: Colorado Employee-Owned Businesses Published in 2021
• Holiday Gift Guide: Colorado BIPOC Businesses Published in 2020
• Holiday Gift Guide: Sustainable Gifts from Colorado Companies Published in 2019
• Holiday Gift Guide: Shop Colorado B Corporations Published in 2018