As in many of Colorado’s resort towns, Vail’s summer season technically kicks off on Memorial Day weekend. The Beaver Creek Rodeo is in full-swing and the Teva Mountain Games once again drew a sexy flock of world-class paddlers, climbers and cyclists. The pictures, of course, show happy people running in shorts and sports bras. What … Read more
The sky blushes as the first rays of dawn creep over the Colorado mountains. Grand Lake appears glassy smooth, forest and rocks reflecting in its mirrored surface. One peak dominates. “That’s our signature mountain,” says resident Polly Lawler. “It’s called Mount Craig, but we affectionately know it as Baldy.” Covering 600 acres, Grand Lake is … Read more
You’ve hiked wickedly steep terrain through the Colorado National Monument’s remote canyons. You’ve rewarded yourself with visits to a dozen wineries, drinking enough tastes to fill a few bottles. It’s Sunday and you’re still in Grand Junction. Now what? Though many downtown businesses are closed on Sundays, Main Street can still be the perfect spot … Read more
In summer, walk along the Blue River bike path in downtown Breckenridge, Colorado, and you’ll likely spot outdoor sculpture faster than you can find the first T-shirt shop. Impressive, considering the amount of cotton housed in the shops along Main Street. “Sculpture on the Blue,” a summer seasonal exhibit of massive art along the Blue … Read more
At resorts and ski areas in Colorado, and across the country, lift operators make the chairs go ‘round. So don’t duck the ropes and don’t grumble when they ask for your pass on an icy day. Just smile, help your kids on the lift and be happy that you don’t have to hike up the … Read more
Remember the old Charlie Daniels song, “Uneasy Rider”? A longhair on a road trip to Los Angeles has a flat tire and chances into a redneck bar called the “Dew Drop Inn.” Of course, he’d tucked his hair up under his hat, but you’ll recall that big fella with the green teeth made him tip … Read more
Somehow it’s become entrenched in American cultural mythology that if life deals you a savage blow, you simply have to move to the mountains and your girlfriend comes back and your dog gets more handsome. The fact of the matter is that life above 9,000 feet in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains isn’t always that elegant. Take … Read more
Smile! It’s springtime in the Rockies, when snow is deep, temperatures are mild, days last longer and sun shines stronger. Best of all, you can sleep in while the snow softens to a cushy carpet and ski or ride later into the afternoon. Colorado resorts celebrate spring with an alpine version of the backyard party. … Read more
I’ve driven this road a hundred times, but it doesn’t matter. I still strain my neck trying to take in the scenic view as my car climbs the foothills out of Denver and heads into the heart of the Rockies. I rise above the city, now just a tiny speck in my rearview mirror, and … Read more
The last traces of snow have disappeared here in the Rockies, replaced by blooming wildflowers, shimmering aspen and the pure, warm breezes of summer. The temperate days and cool nights provide perfect conditions for hiking along mountain streams and horseback riding across valley pastures. Though thousands of skiers flock to Colorado each winter, summertime is … Read more