Welcome to our web site!  Venture on Demand is a travel resource for the active, independent minded traveler, like myself.  I decided to set up Venture on Demand because I was frustrated with the lack of current, qualitative information that is available on the Internet to plan self-directed outdoor activities in resort and vacation areas. I love to travel and to experience the various outdoor activities that the areas I visit offer, but do not want to be pigeonholed into participating in a structured tour.  When I am traveling, I want the flexibility to start my day when I choose, eat when and where I want, and to socialize if and when I want. Oh, and I want to be able to change my mind, especially if the weather isn’t as anticipated or the music and lager at the local microbrewery was just too good to leave before close.  In other words, I want to Venture on Demand; not when the tour guide dictates and with “tour mates” whom I may or may not care to hang around.

I also found that even if you are willing to accept the formal tour structure, tours are generally a weeklong. Many of us hard driving, active adults simply do not have time to commit a week to one sport or one area. Our lifestyles are so intense and calendar driven that vacations are really “quick trips” or “long weekends”.   And we want to start our trips up and running; not wasting a day trying to figure out what outfitter rents the best cycles, which trails fit our skill level, what river has the best kayaking, and how late we can hit the hot springs. 

Venture on Demand has brought together a group of adventure-minded people, each of whom is expert in certain outdoor activities or sports.  Here is our play book:

Using defined criteria, each expert qualitatively and quantitatively evaluates the outfitters, services, and activity alternatives available in a specific resort area.  For example, a cyclist with decades of riding experience checks out local bike rental shops, cycles various routes, videotaping the trip and gathering GPS way-point data so that you can decide for yourself if “rolling hills” are really rolling or more akin to a roller coaster, etc.  His findings and observations are available to the adventure-minded traveler who visits Venture on Demand.

My team of experts has been assembled; our questionnaires have been tested, and our bags are packed!  Among the destinations that have already or will be evaluating are:

Stowe, Vermont

Appalachian Trail (various segments)

Salida, CO

Bend, OR

Asheville, NC

Moab, UT

Austin, TX

Costa Rica

Banff/Whistler

Alaska

The activities that will be evaluated vary by destination, but include white water rafting, fishing, kayaking, mountain and road cycling, ATV trailing, and hiking.

Stay Tuned!!!

Jan Beresford, CEO