Ascent Weeks
Where adults and families grow through
adventure and Bible teaching
1
Explore endless outdoor summer activities offered in the Colorado Rockies with qualified guides
2
Dive into the Word of God in community under gifted Bible teachers
3
Grow in your Christ-Centered Identity, Christ-Led Community, and Christ-Empowered Ministry
What are Ascent Weeks?
Ascent Weeks are Timberline's summer programming designed for adults and families of all ages and experience levels to spend time away together in the Colorado Rockies.
We offer multiple weeks each summer, all with the same goal of bringing guests outside to fellowship with their Creator and be refreshed through God’s Word.




These week-long retreats are open for everyone: college students on summer break, career focused adults who need a week away, or those wanting to spend quality time with family in a beautiful and uplifting environment.
All ages are welcome, and you don’t even need to love the outdoors to participate! We believe all who come will be blessed and impacted by this week spent in God's Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s the basic breakdown for the full week. This includes lodging, towels, linens, all meals, and guided activities.
Adults (18+): $625
Youth (11-17): $400
Child (4-10): $284
Infant/Toddler: $0
There will be a $149 non-refundable deposit after registration. Remaining balance will be due one month before your trip. If the week is already filled, your registration will be added to our waiting list.
Our goal is to help guests of all ability have meaningful experiences in the outdoors. Hikes and bike rides will be broken up by ability level and age group (for the younger guests). These divisions are just recommendations - more informed grouping will take place once we have a better handle on the ability levels of our guests.
We know that there are rarely families in which every single family member loves the same activities. This week is designed to accommodate the needs of everyone in your group or family, whether or not they decide to participate in our programmed activities. For those who’d rather stay back, this week will be a wonderful chance to get away into the beauty of the mountains, explore a tourist town, or enjoy some quiet in contemplation of the biblical truths discussed in our group sessions. None of the activities are mandated - try one, skip a day, or participate in all 4 days! It’s completely up to you!
We love young kids! (Actually, we love all kids - even the 40-year-old variety!) If the children in your party are very young or need a lot of extra care, you may find there are some limitations as to which outdoor activities you can participate in, due to the amount of time you may be away from campus.
Programmed activities and Bible teaching sessions will cater to different age groups and ability levels, designed to keep all guests engaged and growing in their understanding and relationship with Jesus.
There will be child-care provided for all ages during our teaching sessions morning and evening, should you choose to utilize it, so that you can fully engage in the study of God’s Word.
*We will not be able to provide day-long care for children ages 0-3 due to the unique needs that are involved, but we know you will find plenty to do with your little ones around campus and in the local community.
Absolutely! This is not a “family only” retreat, and we hope that a number of individuals will come to enjoy the outdoors and dig into God’s word with us. Bring a friend or two and plan to have plenty of time adventuring together and also meeting some new people.
Each individual family will have their own room, and we will have rooms designated for the singles joining us; one designated room for men and another separate room for women. If you would prefer your own room, please reach out to us and we can see if there are options in the surrounding area to accommodate your preferences.
One of the hallmarks of Timberline and Torchbearers International (our umbrella organization) is our emphasis on practical Bible teaching and growth in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This focus is at the heart of our Ascent Week and one of the things that sets this program apart from many other retreats being offered around the country.
Most mornings after breakfast, the group will be split by age for a BIBLE session, hearing from our speaker about your week’s unique theme. Another session is offered each evening after dinner, for a total of 7 BIBLE sessions throughout the week.
Children and youth will be led by our staff team in fun activities as well as personal Bible Study and discussion designed to meet their unique needs.
During the day, each outdoor adventure will be led by one of our trained staff who will often share a thought from the Word, questions from the session, or a part of their personal testimony over a water or lunch break.
We also want there to be space, both physically and in the schedule, for you to connect with God individually or as a family. Coffee and tea will be ready every morning one hour before breakfast if you want to grab a cup and take a walk in God’s creation, or find the perfect spot to sit and reflect on all you’re learning and what He may be communicating with you. As we mentioned before, we are not mandating involvement in daily activities and we encourage you to take advantage of the time during the day for what you need spiritually or personally.
All housing accommodations are in our European-styled mountain lodges. We have two residential lodges that have private bathrooms/showers, deck access, and adjustable bed layouts to meet your individual or family needs. If you have a child who requires a pack-n-play or crib, we may be able to provide what you need, but our access is limited to a first come, first serve basis.
Linens, pillows, bedding and towels are included in each room.
Some rooms include fireplaces, which can be used
if the evenings cool off or if you would prefer a relaxing, mountain atmosphere as you go to sleep.
*If you would like a fireplace room, please request this at registration and we will do our best to oblige while these rooms are available.
We have eight rooms available for families, one room reserved for single men, and one reserved for single women.
Each room can accommodate between 6-10 people, so the size of the retreat will be determined primarily by the size of each family.
Our limited numbers make the retreat a very intimate experience where new friends can become like family. Make sure to sign up early to ensure space is still available.
There is so much to do on the Timberline campus; including trails for walking, benches for enjoying the views, volleyball, horseshoes and a bouldering wall. The local towns of Winter Park, Fraser, Granby, and Grand Lake offer countless opportunities for shopping, exploring, eating, or sipping on a cup of quality coffee. Check out “Activities on and off campus” below for a list of specific activities available on and off campus during your stay here.
On campus:
Board Games
Pickleball
Foosball
Pool
Yard Games (Corn Hole, Spike Ball)
Horseshoes
Slackline
Bouldering Wall
Gaga Ball
Soccer field
Basketball Hoop
Fishing Pond
Walking Trails
Bike Trails
Prayer Cabin
Off campus:
Downhill Mountain Biking at Winter Park Resort
Hiking
White Water Rafting
Guided Fly Fishing
Biking (Road and Trail)
High Ropes Course
Alpine Slide
Pickle Ball
Sand Volleyball
Rec. Center (weights, pool, kids water slides)
Shopping
Horseback Riding
Boating/Stand-up Paddle Boarding
Hot Springs
Rocky Mountain National Park (tours)
And much more!
Flying in: We will NOT be able to provide transportation from Denver International Airport (into which you should book your flight) to Timberline Lodge, but there is a shuttle service that makes the two-hour trip from DIA a few times a day. You can rent a vehicle at the airport for the duration of your stay or, if you are really adventurous, take the Amtrak train which winds through mountains and tunnels as it makes its way across the continental divide and into the Winter Park area. (If you want to take the train, please know that train travel can be more unpredictable and not as timely as other means.)
Driving in: We are located at 415 County Road 5001, Fraser, CO 80442 (about 1.5 hours from downtown Denver).
Travel around town: Transportation to all programmed outdoor adventures will be provided by Timberline. During personal free time, transportation into town will be your responsibility. On Wednesday, there will be the option to explore some of the fun and recreation available in our county.
Timberline Ministries Inc. is a one-year Bible school and conference center and is a part of a larger network of similar centers under the ministry of Torchbearers International. Our Bible school runs from September through May with summer and winter conferencing taking place in between semesters. The heart of Timberline and Torchbearers International is to proclaim the life changing presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and to explore how we live this life together as a community of believers.
For more information on Timberline or Torchbearers, please click the links below.
While we desire that you would come into the mountains to “unplug” from some of the stress that technology can bring, we understand that it is not always possible to fully disconnect. Most cell companies can get coverage at the Lodge and we have complimentary WiFi for all guests. If scanning or printing is needed, please reach out to our staff team to help accommodate you. There is also a public workspace located in the nearby town where more advanced business solutions are available.
At Timberline Ministries Inc., we strive to provide a welcoming environment for all guests and students. While we are not certified as a fully accessible facility for individuals with disabilities, we are committed to addressing each situation individually to the best of our abilities. If you or a loved one has specific needs, please contact us directly at communications@timberlinelodge.org so that we can discuss how we may be able to accommodate you.

