From gifts from local businesses to Camp Backcountry, here's our close-to-home gift guide for the 2020 holiday season.
If you are looking to boost Small Business shopping in this holiday season (and you absolutely should be!), we have the ideas you need from three of our Backcountry Backer sponsors as well as a can't-miss idea from Camp Backcountry for a lucky kid in your life. Here are some local gifts to help you check off your holiday giving list!
Elevation Cycles
Is there anything more classic than a new bike under the tree? To be honest, we're not sure is there's ever an age when you wouldn't want a shiny new set of wheels to cruise the Backcountry Wilderness Area trails. Visit Elevation Cycles, our neighborhood bike shop, for a lineup filled with Trek, Electra, Surly, and more bikes for all ability levels and budgets.
Gift Pick: Cycling Prep Kit filled with a saddle bag, pump, wrench, tire levers, patches, and a tube.
Living the Dream Brewing Co.
The Living the Dream Brewing Co. taproom is open to outdoor seating in the its toasty warm outdoor tent. While you're waitin' on a pint and food truck snack, you can check out the brewery's merchendise room full of shirts, Drinktank insulated growlers, and hats. Bonus: You can preorder your goods here and even ship them if you are giving to someone outside the local area.
Gift Pick: The après ski package of a sixer of Powder Run and a bar of brew-infused Powder Run soap.
Quick Draw Archery
If you've driven past the Backcountry Outdoor Center archery range and 3D archery range and wanted to try it out, you don't have to go far to chat up archery gear experts. Quick Draw Archery is just a mile north on Santa Fe from our archery ranges and the team offers top notch service, sales, classes, lessons, and nuggets of archery wisdom when you can't quite nail a bullseye. If you're not sure what the archer in your life needs, stop by and snag a gift card good for any gear, services, or classes/lessons at Quick Draw Archery.
Gift Pick: Archery Starter Package: Recurve bow, Quiver, three arrows, and an arm guard ($129.99). Pair it with a season pass to the Backcountry Outdoor Center Archery Ranges which are now prorated for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.
Camp Backcountry
If you find yourself hunting your kids' bedrooms and the basement for things to giveaway before the holidays, think ahead of the game this year. Opt for an experience your adventurers won't ever get sick of ... or forget! Choose from one to 11 weeks of summer at Camp Backcountry's nature, art, and horse camps. Here's why you won't regret gifting summer camp five months ahead of time.
Gift Pick: Pick out a week of Camp Backcountry you know your kid will love! If you need something to wrap, stop by Southridge Recreation Center for a Camp Backcountry nalgene to sneak under the tree. Tip: Become a Friend of the Backcountry member at the Fox level or above to receive the best prices on Camp Backcountry. Early bird pricing runs through January 31.
Backcountry Wilderness Area
If your looking for a gift for you loved one to open and know that the gift made a difference, stop by Southridge Recreation Center's guest services desk to check out all of the Backcountry Wilderness Area wares. From Nalgenes (just $10!) and hats to hoodie sweatshirts and t-shirts, there is a stocking stuffer for everyone who loves supporting local wildlife conservation and environmental education.
Gift Pick: Backcountry Gear Bundle. Choose a topo Nalgene to pair with a Stay Wild t-shirt .
Lindsey McKissick is the Outreach Coordinator for the Backcountry Wilderness Area. She is Colorado-born, Chicago raised, and Wyoming educated. For Lindsey, there is nothing better than waking up in a warm tent on the side of a remote river with coffee preferably made by someone else. You'll find Lindsey on river rafting/SUPing, mountain biking, or camping with her husband and two pint-size, adventure-seeking daughters