Getaway: A-Lodge + Adventure Vans
Originally published in the Summer 2020 issue of SPOKE+BLOSSOM
With limited options for people to get away this summer, A-Lodge is set up to provide multiple ways for you and the family to head out on an adventure or indulge in some out-of-town downtime.
Located two miles from downtown Boulder up beautiful Fourmile Canyon sits the Boulder Adventure Lodge — the original A-Lodge. Asa Firestone, one of the founders, had a vision to create a hostel for Boulder-based adventurers. He started looking for properties to fit his vision and found the Boulder Mountain Lodge. A few weeks and a few investors later, the lodge was purchased with existing guests.
The new team quickly converted two suites into hostel-style rooms, kept the rest of the hotel intact and built a community lobby.
“We wanted to invest in community first,” Firestone shares. “The foundation-less original lobby took a year and half to get permits and to complete the demolition. It was scary, having no idea about owning a hotel and having no lobby, but we figured it out.”
They have been in renovation mode for all of the rooms over the past five years and recently finished.
SAFE + SUSTAINABLE
Sustainability and limited impact are just a few of the values at the A-Lodge. The railings inside the community lobby are from Aspen Mountain’s ski lift cables and the hearth above the fireplace is the beam from the original lobby at the Boulder Mountain Lodge. The lobby now has electric car charging ports to help make the building LEEDS certified, “with hopes we will achieve the Gold certification,” shares Firestone.
A–Lodge Boulder has become a place for adventures of many kinds to stay and play. The property hosts a bluegrass picking session once a week and film nights in the summer with a 25-foot inflatable screen. It’s also a great place to hold staff retreats, sales meetings and corporate outings.
In the wake of the global pandemic, A-Lodge is set up well to keep visitors safe. Each room has its own exterior entrance with no shared ventilation or hallways. There are also campsites on property. The property is suited for those who are comfortable gathering and has enough space for those who are not.
The team at A-Lodge has made it easy to use the lodge as a hub for your adventure of choice. They have experiences listed on the A-Lodge website, highlighting local guide companies that provide robust adventure options.
We attended a media event this winter at A–Lodge Boulder. The open-air feeling of the campus was so welcoming and felt like glamping with a room. It was easy for us to go to Eldora for a day of skiing and the access to activities and nature was amazing. It was nice to have a warm room and shower to come home to, rather than a tent. We are excited to load up the bikes for an adventure in Lyons and a stay at the new A–Lodge Lyons when it is ready for us.
ADVENTURE VAN RENTALS
Another option for adventure this summer is an A–Lodge Adventure Van. Each van is specifically designed for bikers, climbers, skiers and hikers 62 by Titan Vans. There is a module set up to remove and move storage, and racks to customize the van for your experience.
“Our vans are designed and built by an engineer for the adventurer. They are clean and streamlined for function, not as sexy as the reclaimed wood you may have seen in others,” shares Firestone.
Each A-Lodge Adventure Van includes an induction stove, plus-sized sink, outdoor shower, mini-fridge, queen-size bed, solar power, fan, furnace, lighting and indoor storage for bikes, skis and gear.
The collaboration with Titan Vans is perfect for maintenance and is great branding for both organizations. It is also good for those who are planning on building out their own custom van. Titan Van will take the rental cost of an A-Lodge Adventure Van off your build up to $1,500 — what a great way to try before you buy.
Firestone and the crew at A-Lodge continue to look for opportunities to make adventure more accessible for all.
“Our goal is to give you access to the best outdoor adventures, whether you’re climbing, fishing, skiing, cycling, hiking or taking in a town,” he shares. “A-Lodge and A-Lodge Adventure Vans offers instant access to all your favorite adventures and the right amenities to come home to after an exciting day off the beaten path.
Also check out their new project, A-Lodge Lyons, that recently opened.