Claire Healy
Imagine a fun weekend where you can play outside while learning new activities or improving your skills in your favorite activities. That’s the idea behind the Pursuit Series, which kicked off last year with two out west sessions in Snowbasin, Utah and Santa Clara County, California. The Pursuit series is back for 2018, and this summer it’s gone bi-coastal and more accessible to more people, with programming in Hunter Mountain, New York and Bear Valley, California, both mountain destinations known for skiing in winter. The concept is a summer camp-like experience (although much shorter) for adults who love the outdoors or want to try their hand at it. At each location, over 250 lessons and activities will be offered, with expert instructors to teach new skills. Individual classes are small and emphasize personalized attention, offered at introductory and intermediate levels. Activities include hiking, backpacking, kayaking, fly fishing, mountain biking, stand up paddleboarding, rock climbing, yoga, meditation, slacklining, running and more. Field sessions will provide seminar-style learning opportunities for hobbies and skills such as night photography, outdoor first aid, backcountry dining, camp cooking basics, how to pack a backpack, and trailside mountain bike repairs, among others.
Josh Currie
A huge plus is that these events are turnkey and all-inclusive, with all the gear you need to experience these outdoor activities provided as part of the rates. This means you can try a myriad of sports, all in one place, without the hassle or added expense of borrowing or renting equipment. Additionally, thanks to the sponsorship of outdoor equipment companies, the equipment provided is mostly top-notch, as equipment manufacturers are eager to introduce their products to potential new customers. There are more than 40 such sponsors for the Pursuit Series, and the all-inclusive nature extends to meals, snacks, and soft drinks, with an open bar for cocktails, wine, and beer. There is also live music every night. Pursuit Series events are hosted by The Outbound Collective, a media platform focused on travel and adventure, and building community by inspiring people to discover, explore and share their favorite activities and playgrounds local.
The price is $225 for a one-day pass, with three-day passes starting at $499 in New York and $399 in California, but only a limited number of passes from 3 days is available at these prices, which will then increase when that introductory tier is exhausted. With the ability to take so many classes packed into one weekend, and so much included, it seems like a bargain. Attendees even receive a welcome bag with goodies from event partners. What is not included in the price is accommodation. A $75 camping fee applies if you bring your own tent and gear. You can also purchase a Pursuit camping kit, with everything you need including Marmot tent and Marmot sleeping bag, Therm-A-Rest mattress and pillow, Leki folding chair, outdoor solar light MPOWERD and a PackTowel. At $549 for one or $859 for two, it’s also a pretty good deal if you’re an aspiring camper without gear, as these are very reputable manufacturers. There are also “glamping” options for $1,299 and $1,599, for two people, though you can’t keep the glamping gear. And, if camping, glamorous as it is, isn’t your thing, there are also conventional local accommodation options.
Josh Currie
The New York Pursuit Series weekend is Friday-Sunday, June 29-July 1, 2018 and the California weekend, Friday-Sunday, August 10-August 12, 2018, with arrival and departure opportunities. early Thursday registration for both events. . Hunter Mountain is in the Catskills, about a 2.5 hour drive north of New York. Bear Valley is in northern California, south of Lake Tahoe and north of Yosemite.
Jason Hatfield
