Legacy Attractions: Adventures Out West

Adventures Out West

When visitors come to the Pikes Peak region looking for adrenaline and excitement, there’s only one place that can deliver the quintessential Colorado outdoor experience. For five decades, Adventures Out West has been Colorado Springs’ premiere outfitter for action-packed fun, outdoor exploration and memorable Rocky Mountain excursions. 

Getting Started

Adventures Out West was founded by Bruce and Patty Wellens, two Breckenridge Ski Patrol volunteers living in Colorado and on the hunt for adventure. When they found it, however, it wasn’t on the snowy slopes. It was in the sky. Greg Wellens, owner of AOW and son of Patty and Bruce, says it was love at first sight when the Wellens’ friends purchased a hot air balloon, “They were hooked and never looked back.” Three generations have operated the business since the couple launched Adventures Out West. Greg notes that the third and most recent generation currently work on both the zipline and hot air balloon crews. 

What makes an outfitter so special that it can thrive for 50 years in a city packed with cool attractions? Greg says it’s the personal touch. 

“Our tours are transformative for many of our guests,” says Greg. “Our employees are dedicated professionals and are unmatched in the industry. Guests come for the activity but leave with lasting bonds and memories. Family-friendly is our mantra, and we are fun”

Famous Guests

Adventures Out West has welcomed thousands of visitors to explore the Rockies, including some names you’ll definitely recognize. Rock band Aerosmith enjoyed a guided llama hike with Adventures Out West, with Steven Tyler delightedly deciding to ride in the back of the crew’s truck since he could never do it in Los Angeles. As if the vibrant and avant-garde Tyler and company weren’t enough awesomeness and elegance for the Pikes Peak region, AOW has also welcomed the ever-classy Cher, complete with her two dogs and a body guard and clad in a hot pink jumpsuit. We’re told she strutted through the Garden of the Gods exactly like the goddess she is. Even Super Bowl champions have paid a visit to the region to ride AOW’s signature hot air balloons over the foothills. The San Francisco 49ers took flight after their win in 1990. Name notes that the balloons have never carried so much weight in all 50 years of operation. 

If you want a wild fact that’s even more bonkers, check this out: Adventures Out West is the oldest hot air balloon ride company in the world. They launched in 1973 — which means they’ve been in business for a whopping 50 years. Hot air balloons themselves have been around since the late 1700s, with the first balloon launching in Philadelphia in 1793. It’s worth mentioning that in the olden days, they burned manure, straw and wool to get the air hot enough to lift off. Fortunately, AOW uses the far more pleasant propane fuel to power their aircraft. 

While the balloons are certainly the most unique offering from Adventures Out West, they are hardly the only option. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of experiences, from cruising Garden of the Gods on a segway to exploring Gold Camp road via mountain bike. They also have some of the coolest zipline courses in Southern Colorado, with all-natural bases — no climbing platforms or ladders. 

One of the most-loved options for visitors is the outfitter’s open-air Jeep tours. Their customized Jeeps will make you feel like you’re on a safari or off to hunt runaway dinosaurs from a nearby lab. The tours options vary; easy jaunts around the Garden of the Gods foothills, high country 4-wheel excursions or a guided tour up the Pikes Peak highway. 

AOW even has options for white water rafting and horseback riding. Or, if you prefer your own two feet, you can take guided hikes with the AOW crew. According to Greg, that’s still not enough fun. There are more plans for new activities that lie ahead, but no one’s talking. Yet. 

“We have too many to discuss and can’t spill the beans,” says Greg. 

Even with so much to offer, the outfitter has had its share of ups and downs in five decades of business. In 2001, Adventures Out West found all of its hot air balloon flights grounded after the September 11 terrorist attacks caused the FAA to shutdown all U.S. airspace. When the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center was closed for a year for remodeling, the outfitter ran tours from a hot dog cart in the parking lot. Fires, floods and the global pandemic have also taken their toll on business in recent years. However, AOW has managed to thrive in spite of all those challenges. For Greg, that’s the best part of the business (besides the hot air balloon tours). 

“I like the balloons because no two flights are ever the same. But as the owner, I truly enjoy developing the business, designing new jeep tours and modifying the existing tour experience.  And I make a lot of t-shirts.”

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Colorado kind of sells itself simply by existing. How can you lose with such a gorgeous location as your business partner? 

“It is a unique place with unique characters and unique natural amenities,” says Greg. “The history of the town is second to none. The view of Pikes Peak from the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center? Wow! Everyone wants the dream and cool air that Colorado offers.”

We wholeheartedly agree.