BEST BUDDIES BREAKAWAY CAMP: ASPEN
TRIATHLON EXPERIENCE
SEPT. 13-17, 2026
What to Expect
Attendees at the Best Buddies Breakaway Triathlon Camp are treated to an epic five-day swim, bike and run experience from September 13-17, 2026. Staying at The Little Nell, Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel, triathletes will receive all the amenities, support, and structure typically reserved for professional athletes. Each day is a full curriculum, with pro tips on pacing, fitness, nutrition, recovery and wellness.
Ability and distance requirements are managed with thoughtfully planned itineraries and training venues, enabling triathletes to fully execute their workouts.
The camp features Ironman multiple World Triathlon Champion and fitness guru, Leanda Cave and pro Ironman triathlete and pro cyclist, Cameron Wurf. These two exceptional athletes bring years of racing, mentoring, expertise and coaching experience to the triathlon camp.
Those hoping for a structured, objective based approach to Camp will have the opportunity to work with Leanda, who is a USAT and Ironman Certified Coach, to achieve their performance goals. Through focused pre/post-workout meetings, triathletes will be given the tools to achieve their training goals for the week, and feedback on how to maintain or improve their performance after the camp concludes.
Supported by a full staff of licensed coaches, professional chefs, and massage therapists, this five-star Camp helps to raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies International’s global mission to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What's included
Five days of professionally-led triathlon training in Aspen with Pro guides SAG support.
- Train alongside former professional triathlete, Leanda Cave, and pro triathlete/cyclist, Cameron Wurf.
- On-site swim, bike and run coaches for support before, during and after workouts.
- Fully catered and luxury style health-conscious rest stops to include some homemade items, bars, electrolyte powder, gels, and towelettes.
- Custom Best Buddies triathlon gear including swim cap, goggles, T-shirt, hat, water bottles, running belt and more.
- Daily pre-workout briefing, route-overview, technical discussion and Q&A with coaches over coffee and light breakfast.
- Correspondence with coach in the weeks leading up to the Camp to discuss preparation and fitness goals.
- Option for one-on-one break-out sessions with a coach throughout the Camp.
- Every triathlete will obtain a fitness knowledge to achieve health, nutrition and wellness goals for the year.
Nutrition and Wellness
Providing a holistic approach to training with special attention given to nutrition and post-training recovery.
- Daily gourmet, nutrient-dense group breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
- Daily post-workout massage and nutrition in the Best Buddies Recovery Room
- Presentations by leading fitness experts, including professional exercise physiologists
- Learn how train and recover for optimal performance day-in and day-out
- Hiking focused guided yoga, stretch, and foam-rolling sessions designed to improve flexibility, relieve tension, alleviate sore muscles, and promote recovery
The Little Nell
The Camp package includes a complimentary four (4) night stay at The Little Nell - Aspen's only Five Star, Five Dimond hotel.
- Complimentary stay at The Little Nell for four (4) nights.
- Guests will have access to the resort’s five-star spa, pool, and fitness facilities
- Complimentary daily laundry service
DAILY ITINERARY
Sunday, Sept. 13 - Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026
Your premium triathlon camp experience all begins as you wake up in the refined comfort of a spacious room in The Little Nell, a luxurious hotel located at Aspen’s foothills, and enjoy a healthy breakfast while breathing in the fresh mountain air. Now that you have disconnected from the hustle and bustle of your daily grind, it’s time to take a deep dive into nature while taking in the majestic beauty of the Colorado mountains during vigorous swim, bike or run workout, all coached by one of our experts. Once you return to the Little Nell, you will receive a bountiful lunch in preparation for your afternoon workout. Finally, after a rewarding day of training, it will be time to rejuvenate at the spa with a massage, before rolling into the evening for a social dinner amongst fellow triathletes, where we recap the day over a culinary delight.
Day 1
After arriving and either building up or getting familiar with your demo Pinarello bike, triathletes will join the cycling campers and ride from the Little Nell along McLain Flats Road for an approximately 90-minute loop around Aspen’s partner mountain, Snowmass. This gentle and approachable route allows campers to assess their gear and their bodies to ensure they are primed to embark on this experience. For those who are ready to get into the triathlon spirit early, a flat 20-30min optional transition run will follow.
See Route & Schedule
Route
Schedule
12:00 PM Guest arrival at The Little Nell
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Garmin Setup and Configuration and Bike Builds
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM 90 minute – 20-mile Shakeout Ride with 1,852 feet of climbing at an easy pace with review of road rules
5 PM-5:30 PM – optional 20-30min shake out/transition run
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Welcome dinner with schedule overview and an Introduction to our Best Buddies National Ambassador
Day 2
Triathletes will start the day with a long swim at the picturesque Maroon Creek Club’s 25 yard pool. The second workout is a ride meandering up a gradual climb out of Aspen up the Castle Creek Valley before arriving at the mining ghost town of Ashcroft. After lunch, triathletes can optionally partake in a one hour run technique clinic focusing on form, running economy and injury prevention.
See Route & Schedule
Cycling Route
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:15 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:15 AM – depart for pool at Maroon Creek Club
7:45 AM – 9 AM – 75min long aerobic swim
9:30 AM – Return to Little Nell
11:00 AM – Rider Meeting
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM – 30 miles to Ashcroft return and 2,374 feet of elevation gain
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at The Little Nell
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Optional run technique clinic at the Aspen Rugby Field
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Pinarello Presentation
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Massage and compression therapy with protein smoothies in The Spa
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Garmin Setup and Configuration, Fit Seminar, & Flat and Bike Maintenance
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner at The Little Nell
Day 3
Triathletes start out the day with a track workout at Aspen High School. This is no easy task at 8,000ft, but the views and the fresh air will be a welcome relief between 400m and 800m reps. After the legs have received a pounding, it’s a quick transition to the Maroon Creek Club for a recovery/technique swim workout. For those who have left it all on the track, there is a nice place to relax in the hot tub! An optional, mostly false flat out-and-back ride to Basalt will close out the day.
See Route & Schedule
Cycling Route
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM – Depart for Aspen HS track
8 AM – 9:30 AM: 90min track run workout
10 AM: depart track for pool at Maroon Creek Club
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – 60min technique/recovery swim
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at The Little Nell
3:00 PM – Ride meeting
3:30 PM – optional 39 miles and 2,290 feet of gain as riders will complete an out and back route to Basalt.
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Massage and compression therapy with protein smoothies in The Spa
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Coaching Seminar on how to periodize your season
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner out at one of Aspens premier restaurants
Day 4
This will be the big bike day all triathletes dream of! The marquee day of the Best Buddies Breakaway Camp Aspen takes campers out of town and up world-famous Independence Pass. Climbing almost immediately upon departing Aspen, the route will take campers to 12,095 feet above sea level after climbing to the Continental Divide along Colorado’s highest paved road. After summiting, a long descent to Twin Lakes on the east side of the Pass awaits before returning to the summit and Aspen. The 73-mile route with over 7,000 feet of climbing will be a ride to be remembered forever, and for many will be the hardest challenge and the greatest success they have ever achieved on a bike. Our B group will tackle Independence pass which is a 15-mile climb gaining 4000 feet at an average gradient of 4.8%. Stories of triumph on the road can be shared over the table at Casa Tua, Aspen’s premier elegant Italian fine dining experience, where the group will gather for dinner.
See Route & Schedule
Cycling Routes
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM Rider Meeting
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- A Route: 77.6 miles and 7,627 feet of elevation gain
- B Route: 39 miles and 4,342 feet of elevation gain
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at The Little Nell
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Massage and compression therapy with protein smoothies in The Spa
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Q/A with one of the World Tour Pro’s attending camp
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner at The Little Nell
Day 5
The conclusion of Camp, triathletes will have the option to end on a long run along the Rio Grand up to 2hrs or a road ride to Maroon Bells Lake.
See Route & Schedule
Cycling Route
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM – Triathlete meeting
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Depart for run or bike
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Lunch at The Little Nell
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Massage and compression therapy with protein smoothies in the Spa
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Check Out and Departure
Five-Day Breakaway Camp Package
$10,000 One-Time Fee ($5,000 Deposit Due at Registration)
Once registered, you’ll have access to your own fundraising webpage, which you can easily personalize. Your webpage makes it easy for donors to give and for you to ask for and keep track of donations.
We’ll also provide you with fundraising materials, including email and letter templates, posters and step-by-step guides for holding your own fundraising events. And, you’ll have the support of a Best Buddies Coach. Whether you are new to fundraising, or an old pro, we’ve got all the tools you’ll need to not only meet, but exceed your fundraising goals.
Supporting Best Buddies
All funds raised benefit Best Buddies International, the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.