Why Raft With Us

  • Our Company Learn More
  • Our Rivers Learn More
  • Our Town Learn More
  • Our Customers Learn More
  • Our Guides

CARLY STILLMAN | Guide

Carly Stillman has grown up in the Roaring Fork Valley since the age 3 and has experienced everything this area has to offer. She has grown up on the Colorado and Roaring Fork River rafting with her parents every season and enjoying the thrills of the river. She currently is a student at the University of Colorado studying Integrative Physiology, and will continue on to a career as a Physicians Assistant. Carly works here at Blue Sky Adventures during the summer in order to enjoy the outdoors as well as meet new, fun and interesting people.

CODY NELSON | Guide

LINDSAY DeFRATES | Guide

CONNOR JACKSON | Guide

LARA XIAZ | Guide

TESSA KENNEDY | Guide

Tessa moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1993 and has grown up rafting and playing on the Roaring Fork and the Colorado rivers every summer. She is currently a student at Colorado State University studying Anthropology. She has rafted for Blue Sky Adventures since 2008 and enjoys working on the river and meeting new people every day.

GARY HANSEN | Co-Owner and Founder

Starting in 1974, Gary founded Blue Sky Adventures, making it the first company in the Glenwood Springs area to offer commercially guided raft trips.  Gary has always stressed the importance of safety, service, and professionalism. He makes the relationship between guide and client the primary focus of every trip.  He was instrumental in working closely with the US Forest Service, CDOT, and other rafting companies to develop an award winning model for river running in the Glenwood Canyon. Today, you can find him running our sister company, Glenwood Canyon Rafting, and managing the Glenwood Canyon River Park take-out with his wife, Pat.

GEOFFREY OLSON | Co-Owner & Operator

Geoff Olson, aka Free, the Onion, or Art Garfunkel, hails from San Francisco, CA.  At the age of 4, Geoff's family moved to England in the search of oil and gas.  After being crammed into a MG hatchback until the age of 18, Geoff headed back stateside where he attended college in Flagstaff, AZ.  In Flagstaff, multiple outdoor activities drew his interest until eventually, in 1993, he ended up in Glenwood Springs, CO.  Guiding for Blue Sky during the day and waiting tables at night, Geoff settled in Glenwood because of the people and activities that the community and valley provided.  He continued to manage Blue Sky until 2007, at which point, he became co-owner.  For the past five years, Geoff has made a point of making sure every customer has the best experience possible.  His personality is addictive and you can't help but laugh when he is around. 

PATRICK DRAKE | Co-Owner & Operator

 

CARSON WILDE | Guide 
 
Born and raised in Glenwood Springs, currently studying music education at the University of Montana. Enjoys being on the rivers, climbing, playing music, and living life.

 

PAT WALLER | Guide

"Wawa" moved to the roaring fork valley in 2000 and grew up enjoying all the outdoor adventures that the area has to offer. This will be his 5th year with Blue Sky and even though he keeps trying to leave, the river always calls him back. He recently graduated from the University of Denver with degrees in both economics and international studies.