When I look back at my first attempts at skiing, I wonder how I ever made it past the snowplow. I was on long, straight heavy metal skis, wore borrowed boy’s lace-up leather boots, Stephen Bradley hadn’t invented grooming yet, the teacher was my boyfriend and the rope tow at Loveland nearly shaved the skin … Read more Best Ski Areas for Beginners
Ouray may not have its own ski area, but when it comes to winter sports, there is plenty to keep you busy. This hamlet in southwestern Colorado enjoys an envious location in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. The town sits at 7,700 feet, and is surrounded by peaks that soar another 5,000 feet. … Read more Winter in Ouray
I love snowshoeing. I love the sound of nothing but aluminum crampons crunching over a packed trail, and, even better, the thumping of 25-inch tails on fresh powder. I love the solitude; the cold, high-mountain winter air and the reward of blazing new trail that I know others will follow. It wasn’t until I started … Read more Full-Moon Snowshoeing
Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway for two or a fun-filled Colorado vacation for the family, Durango proves to be the perfect staging ground for both. With picturesque scenery all around and activities that encompass all the seasons, this town is sure to be anything but a letdown. With a number of bed … Read more Decompress With A Stay In Durango
In the heart of the San Juan Mountains, the Alpine Loop Scenic and Historic Byway traverses sweeping tundra landscapes and crests two alpine passes. Tiny, fragile flowers hug sheer slopes tinged with cinnamon and saffron hues. On lower elevations, creeks gurgle through forested canyons. The 63-mile backcountry route connects Lake City with Silverton and Ouray. … Read more Scenic Byway: Alpine Loop
If you’re headed to the Four Corners area of Colorado, chances are you’ll pass through Montrose. If so, take time to stop and appreciate this hospitable town with a few choice diversions. It’s the closest town to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of the nation’s newest national parks and worth a day of … Read more Montrose: Colorado’s Gateway to the Southwest
At first glance, you can tell Crested Butte, in south-central Colorado, is not your typical glossy ski resort town. The attention paid to retaining its mining-town character is evident – and exactly why Crested Butte was chosen as one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2008 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Wildflower gardens … Read more Crested Butte: Distinctive Destination
Far southwestern Colorado is synonymous with archeology, cliff houses and Native American history. But visitors don’t need to follow packed tours and camera-toting masses to experience the area’s wealth of Ancestral Puebloan culture. Just west of Dolores, the Anasazi Heritage Center makes a great preface for a trip through the region. The center features special … Read more Exploring The Anasazi Heritage Center
If the Mobil Travel Guides rated wilderness, Chicago Basin would certainly garner five stars. It is nestled high in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, one of the most rugged and seductive alpine regions to be found in the 48 contiguous states. At 11,000 feet above sea level, its long, terraced valley is filled … Read more Chicago Basin: A Photographers Dream
There are few things that draw people to Gunnison on their Colorado vacation. The first draw is skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte in the winter months. In the summer, it is the fishing on the Gunnison River and Blue Mesa Reservoir. Others might find themselves there checking out the college, Western State. One thing … Read more Grab Breakfast Before Exploring Gunnison
If you want to tuck into a hearty breakfast to fuel a full day of skiing, look for the lines outside local restaurants in your favorite ski towns. They’re usually a good barometer of the food inside.Or ask a ski instructor – who also needs a good breakfast under his or her belt before beginning … Read more Pre-Ski Fuel-Ups: Where to Chow Down
No matter the season, slipping into natural hot springs is a relaxing, rejuvenating way to while away the hours. Heated by the planet’s interior, water bubbles up through cracks and fissures, typically gathering a load of minerals along the way. When the water finds its way at the surface, it’s Mother Nature’s hot tub. For … Read more In Hot Water: Mother Nature’s Hot Springs
We live in a state that proudly proclaims itself to be “Colorful Colorado,” and it certainly is. From purple mountain majesties to amber waves of grain, summers here treat our eye’s color-receptor cones to a good workout. It only gets better in the fall when autumn alchemy transforms leafy hillsides into mother lodes of gold. … Read more Colorado Golden Nuggets: Autumn’s Sweet Spots
Last fall, my family and I hit the highway southwest on a last-minute road trip from our home near Aspen to Montrose. We figured we’d spend the weekend exploring a part of the state we didn’t know that well, hike the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and maybe learn a little about … Read more Treasure Hunt: Antiquing in Montrose
If Durango is your family’s summer vacation destination, start planning your itinerary now to experience the best kid-friendly activities available in this historic mountain town. Durango has such an abundance of fun things for kids to do, you’ll have a tough time choosing where to begin your adventure. Here are two of Durango’s best summer … Read more Roaming Durango with Kids: From Rails to Rafting