Ski Colorado on Your Rocky Mountain Vacation
A great winter Rocky Mountain vacation includes a ski trip to one of the fabulous resorts in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Skiing began as a necessary means of transportation during the gold rush of the 1830s. Deep snow made roads and trails impassable, so immigrants from the Scandinavian countries showed the miners how to use skis and snowshoes to get around in the mountains. Even the postman delivered on skis!
Some of the more exclusive ski resorts include Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Telluride. The rich and famous from all over the world come here to ski and to enjoy a Rocky Mountain vacation in the spectacular scenery. Five-star hotels and gourmet meals are readily available at any of these resorts.
Other resorts that offer some of the best skiing in Colorado make up The Gems. These somewhat lesser known ski areas can offer you a great ski experience at family prices. The Gems include ski areas at Arapahoe Basin, Eldora, Loveland, Monarch Mountain, Ski Cooper, Echo Mountain, Powderhorn Resort, SolVista Basin, and Sunlight Mountain.
At the Gems you can get more Rocky Mountain vacation than you expect. Because these areas tend to be less crowded, you have less wait time for a lift to the top and more trails to ski. Each of these ski areas has its own character, so do a little research first and select the one fits your style best.
Where to stay on your Rocky Mountain vacation can be a tough decision. You can choose from five-star hotels, chain hotels, bed and breakfast inns, condos, and lodges in all price ranges. If you stay at one of the ski resort areas you might choose one with easy mountain access. A variety of rooms and suites is available at many locations. Some have in-house restaurants and all are near a wide variety of dining options, from romantic dinners for two to family dining that everyone will enjoy.
Some ski areas offer special ski packages that include transportation, room, lift tickets, and lessons. Some also offer free activities like snowshoeing and ice skating with room rental. You can enjoy Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports on your Rocky Mountain vacation. Try one or try them all!
Another consideration when planning your Rocky Mountain vacation is transportation. If you fly into Denver International Airport, do you want to rent a car, or ride one of the resort shuttles? If you want to spend more time vacationing and less time driving, or if you want to avoid driving snow packed mountain roads, you might want to fly into one of the seven regional airports that serve these mountain communities.
With more than 11.5 million skiers hitting the slopes each year, you might also want to think about when to come for your Rocky Mountain vacation. Ski season begins as early as October in places like Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin, and Silverton. The higher elevation, early snow storms, and snow making equipment help skiers get an early start in these areas.
The early season at other ski areas runs from November through most of December. The skiing is generally good, but the crowds are larger for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. If you want to find a ski bargain, wait until January. Many resorts offer discounted packages to attract post-holiday skiers. You can get a lot more Rocky Mountain vacation for your money if you shop around.
February and March are generally the stormiest months in the mountains. The snow falls fast and deep. The slopes are packed with skiers looking for fresh powder. Mid-March and most of April bring spring break crowds, but again, most resorts offer bargains on ski packages, so you might want to consider planning your Rocky Mountain vacation this time of year.
The real beauty of a Rocky Mountain vacation is that you can ski almost all year round. Many resorts are often open until late June or early July, depending on the spring storms. You could have two vacations at once, skiing at the higher elevations and whitewater rafting farther down the valley.
Packing for your Rocky Mountain vacation any time of the year should include layers of clothing. It might be 85 degrees and sunny in Denver, but it can be 30 and snowing along the Continental Divide. Sunscreen and lip balm with 25 SPF or higher is a must. The sun is intense in the higher elevations, even when it is cloudy. Sunglasses that provide UV protection are also a necessity. The glare from the snow can be blinding, and you really do want to see where you are going.
Winter is a great time to enjoy a Rocky Mountain vacation. There are many resorts to choose from that will fit your personal style and budget. Many offer special packages that can help you stretch your vacation dollars. A little thought and planning can help you create a perfect ski experience for yourself and your family. Come and ski Colorado!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related posts
read moreVisit a Ski Town on a Rocky Mountain Vacation
Many people like to visit ski towns and villages on their Rocky Mountain vacation. Some of the more popular towns in Colorado include Aspen, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Vail, and Winter Park. While these towns are known for their ski resorts and wide variety of winter sports, many people planning Rocky Mountain vacation like to visit during the summer to enjoy hiking, mountain biking, camping, whitewater rafting.
Aspen started out as a mining camp, and was first settled in 1879. Like many of the ski resorts, it was saved by a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division, an elite Army fighting force specially trained for missions at high altitude. Aspen has become a destination for the rich and famous from all over the world. You might just see Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Jack Nicholson, Goldie Hawn, Cher, Kevin Costner, or Michelle Pfeiffer eating or shopping in one of Aspen’s bistros or boutiques.
Breckenridge is another mining town that made it big. It flourished during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, and was established to serve miners working the Georgia Gulch. Breckenridge was the home of the first post office between the Continental Divide and Salt Lake City. Try fly fishing or whitewater rafting on your Rocky Mountain vacation to this picturesque mountain town.
Crested Butte was incorporated in 1880. Some of the first to settle in the area were beaver trappers. Soon the surveyors followed, and then the miners came looking for silver. Coal mining and ranching also contributed to the development of the area. History buffs will enjoy a visit to Crested Butte on their Rocky Mountain vacation. The entire town has been designated a National Historic District. Nature lovers can spend their days identifying the 600 species of wildflowers that grow nearby.
Steamboat Springs was also first visited by trappers. Ranching became a major industry and by 1918 more cattle were shipped from Steamboat Springs than from any other point in the United States. The first ski jump in the United States was built here by Carl Howelsen in 1915. Steamboat Springs has been home to many Olympic skiers and host of the Alpine Skiing World Cup.Other things to enjoy during your Rocky Mountain vacation in Steamboat Springs include a relaxing afternoon in one of the geothermal hot springs, having fun at the Yampa River Festival, or visiting the James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge, which was named by the citizens of Steamboat Springs and officially opened by James Brown.
Telluride was also a mining town. It is one of the most beautiful towns in Colorado, located in a steep box canyon. Telluride was the first town to use alternating current to power streetlights. In June of 1889 Butch Cassidy robbed the San Miguel Valley Bank. Telluride became a ski town in the late 1930’s and the first lift opened in 1974.You might see a celebrity in Telluride, as many have sought more private surroundings. Oprah, Tom Cruise, Oliver Stone, Christie Brinkley, and Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf all own homes in or near Telluride. Besides celebrity watching, you can also enjoy the Telluride Jazz Festival or the Telluride Film Festival on your Rocky Mountain vacation.
Vail is another exclusive ski town that was developed by a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division. It is one of the few ski towns that was built specifically to be a ski resort. It is one of the biggest and busiest resorts in North America with more than 1.6 million skier days annually. The gondola was the first in the United States. Former President Gerald Ford lived in nearby Beaver Creek and conducted much of the nation’s business from the Vail resort.
Other things to see in Vail on your Rocky Mountain vacation include the Vail Film Festival, the Colorado Ski Museum, and the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, a world-famous sports injury clinic whose clients include John Elway, Joe Montana, Greg Norman, Kobe Bryant, Bode Miller, Picabo Street, Martina Navratilova, and Monica Seles.Winter Park is the closest ski town to Denver, a short 67 mile drive. The resort belongs to the City and County of Denver.
Although Winter Park was incorporated in 1978, the town began as two small settlements that sprang up during construction of the Moffat Tunnel. The train trip across the Continental Divide was cut from about five hours in good weather to about 12 minutes regardless of the weather. You can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and fishing on your Rocky Mountain vacation in Winter Park.
While skiing is a great way to spend a Rocky Mountain vacation, you can enjoy visiting many of Colorado’s historic ski towns during spring and summer. You can have fun fishing, hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, shopping, and celebrity watching. Visit a ski town this summer and see what you’ve been missing. Joe Dockter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related posts
read moreRocky Mountain Vacation – Camping in a wonderland.
Reservations recommended. Camping fee $20/site/night. Recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 30 feet.
f Estes Park on Route 7 has 26 sites. Open year round. No reservations taken. Tents only. Camping fee $20/site/night when water is on, approximately late May-mid September; $14/site/night when water is off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related posts
read morePlay It Safe on Your Rocky Mountain Vacation
ions, so your body can become dehydrated quickly. Some people don’t feel thirsty, so it’s important to drink water even if you think you don’t need to. When I first moved to Colorado, I could tell I wasn’t getting enough water when my nose got stuffy.
tains. Storms can move in quickly and can become quite fierce, with heavy rain, lots of wind, and spectacular lightning. Hike early in the day. Try not to get caught above the tree line, on the summits of mountains, or near isolated trees or large rocks. If you are caught in a storm, crouch down on your heels and wait for the storm to pass.
n on the Continental Divide on the 4th of July on more than one occasion. Snow can remain on the mountains all summer, and the temptation to climb the snowy slopes is often great. It’s much safer to stay back from the steep slopes to avoid any danger from avalanches. While avalanches are more common during winter and early spring, a sudden summer snow storm could create the right conditions in some areas of the mountains. Learn more about avalanche safety from staff in Rocky Mountain National Park or visit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
e water is the tiny critter that lives in the water. Giardia can cause diarrhea, cramps, bloating, and weight loss. It is a very unpleasant illness and can leave you feeling under the weather for several weeks.
Mountains, so a good way to avoid tick borne illnesses is to check for ticks after hiking. Remove clothing and look for ticks around sock lines, waist lines, and skin folds. Remove ticks carefully, without squeezing, with tweezers. Be sure to remove all of the mouth parts. If you feel generally unwell or have symptoms such as fever, rash, or muscle pain, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related posts
read moreRocky Mountain Vacation Backcountry Planning Checklist
Backcountry camping on a Rocky Mountain Vacation requires careful planning and advance preparation. With careful planning your backcountry camping trip can provide memories to last a lifetime. Without careful planning your trip could be disastrous. The following is a suggested checklist:
2 Months Ahead
- Decide who is going on the trip
Decide when and where you are going
Outline your hiking route
Call Backcountry Office for likely snow, trail or campsite conditions at time of trip
Call or write for reservations or permits for campsites
Backcountry Office (970) 586-1242; mailing address: Backcountry Office; Rocky Mountain National Park; 1000 Highway 36 West; Estes Park, CO 80517.
Check permit regulations
Order maps and guidebooks and compass
Begin breaking in new boots
3 Weeks Ahead
- Confirm group gear with hiking partners
Go over checklist of backpacking gear
Make sure your gear works and replace or repair
Plan your menu
1-2 Weeks Ahead
- Buy and repackage food
Days Before
- Pack gear, checking each piece off list as it enters the pack
Verify departure plans with hiking partners
Give a copy of itinerary and return time to a friend or relative
Day of Trip
- Recheck gear when you meet with your group
Stop at Backcountry Office for permit and current backcountry information
Permit cannot be issued without license plate number(s)
Put car keys in safe place; give a duplicate to your hiking companion.
Head for backcountry and have a great time
Following this checklist will help make your Rocky Mountain Vacation Backcountry Camping trip a successful adventure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related posts
read moreRocky Mountain Vacations: Trail Ridge Road
ocky Mountain National Park. This is actually US Highway 34, which connects Estes Park, Colorado on the east side of the park with Grand Lake Colorado on the west. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved highway in the United States and sits reaches a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet near Fall River Pass, near the Alpine Visitor Center.
Only those who enjoy a Rocky Mountain vacation during the warmer summer months can expect to travel across the Continental Divide via Trail Ridge Road. The harsh winters high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains bury the road in snow ten fe
et deep from October to May. Road crews work from mid-April to Memorial Day to clear the snow for summer visitors. Even so, Trail Ridge Road can be closed for a few hours to a few days any time during the summer because of snowfall.
Trail Ridge Road was built during the short summers of 1929 to 1932 to accommodate increased tourist traffic through Rocky Mountain National Park. About eleven miles of the road extend above the tree line through alpine tundra. People enjoying a Rocky Mountain vacation can see plants, animals and environmental conditions commonly seen only within the Arctic Circle. Visitors are reminded that the vegetation in this area is extremely fragile and can take years to recover from foot traffic. Please stay on marked paths to protect this delicate ecosystem.
No Rocky Mountain vacation is complete without a stop at the Alpine Visitors Center.
A restaurant, gift shop, and rest rooms are located within the center. A variety of wildlife including elk, deer, and bighorn sheep can be observed from the deck of the visitor center. It’s also serves as a stunning backdrop for those special vacation photos.
For those who enjoy a scenic drive, a Rocky Mountain vacation featuring a day spent travelling along the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is sure to create many wonderful memories for everyone in the family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related posts
read moreLatest News
- A great winter Rocky Mountain vacation includes a ski trip... »
- Many people like to visit ski towns and villages on their... »
Rocky Mountain Vacation – Camping in a wonderland.If you enjoy camping than you’re going to love camping on... »
Play It Safe on Your Rocky Mountain VacationNothing is more fun than a Rocky Mountain vacation, so play... »
Rocky Mountain Vacation Backcountry Planning ChecklistBackcountry camping on a Rocky Mountain Vacation requires... »