Travel and Outdoors
Geese bask in the  late afternoon sun at Sloan's Lake. MORE
Why we love it: Whether it be hiking, running, mountain biking, or riding your horse or dirt bike, Spruce Mountain's trails have a workout for everyone.When to go: Anytime. Located south of Castle Rock near Larkspur, this park never really gets crowded, and the abundance of trails of varying difficulty means none of them are overused.... MORE
Why we love it: Evergreen has plenty of great trails, but this park is special. It's easily accessible, and they don't call it Elk Meadow Park for nothing: The town's resident herd uses this as a home base. They often cross the highway in this area, so drive with caution.When to go: Right after a snowstorm.***When I lived in Evergreen, this open... MORE
It's almost abnormal not to see skiers and boarders zooming through the trees while their favorite tunes blast from their helmet sound systems or earbuds. Recently, Colorado-based ski company Icelantic teamed up with John Denver's estate to make that audio experience more visual: Powderhounds can now bring the music legend along for... MORE
It takes at least two people to help lift and strap Cheryl Wilson into her mono-ski (also called a sit-ski), which resembles a Star Wars pod racer with its angled chair mounted on top of a single ski. Once off the lift—a feat in and of itself—Wilson uses her two ski poles (or outriggers) to propel herself down the steepest of runs. A veteran... MORE
Early-season ski conditions have been lackluster thus far, striking fear in the hearts of powderhounds that this season will be on par with last year’s dismal snowfall totals. But the past week or so has given us a glimmer of hope, with nearly two feet falling in Vail and Beaver Creek, a foot-and-a-half in Breckenridge, and a foot at Keystone,... MORE
Early-season ski conditions have been lackluster thus far, striking fear in the hearts of powderhounds that this season will be on par with last year’s dismal snowfall totals. But the past week or so has given us a glimmer of hope, with nearly two feet falling in Vail and Beaver Creek, a foot-and-a-half in Breckenridge, and a foot at Keystone,... MORE
Donny Roth's life revolves around winter. When the professional skier (pictured, right) isn't searching for the best backcountry spots around the world, he's guiding fellow powder-hounds down breathtaking runs in Chile. It's all part of what Roth calls "sharing the human-powered ski experience." It's an adventurous day job, but Roth is also aware... MORE
New owners have assumed the helm at the Inn at Steamboat, and they’re offering something that the base area has long lacked—cozy, service-oriented accommodation near the lifts. Steamboat has plenty of attractive base area condos. And downtown, there’s the Hotel Bristol, made charming by Pendleton blankets and red leather wing chairs. But the base... MORE
Sunset over Daniels Park in Douglas. MORE
In our December issue, I got the scoop on the origins of some of Vail's 193 trail names. It seemed like an appropriate time to look back: The mountain is celebrating 50 years this season. What started as a modest ski spot with one gondola, two chairlifts, and just eight runs has since transformed into a vast and prestigious resort with far-... MORE
Why we love it: It's the Red Rocks of the southern suburbs. These magnificent sandstone formations are part of the Lyons and Fountain systems, which run all the way from Morrison to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. When to go: Early morning. That's when some of the more elusive animals (bobcats, bears, and mountain lions) head back to... MORE
I'm always on the lookout for useful travel apps, and recently I found one that's not only helpful, it's also visually appealing and (most important) easy to use. Open Places allows users to search for publication-quality information and photos about a city's offerings—everything from restaurants and bars to hikes and locally-owned shops.... MORE
Breckenridge has a special place in my heart. The BreckConnect was my first Colorado gondola ride. It's where I learned to snowboard, and my go-to spot for a day trip or a quick dose of mountain air. And for the past two years, I've witnessed the impressive artistry displayed during the town's International Snow Sculpture Championships. ... MORE
One in 10 people, according to a Reuters survey conducted in May 2012, believe the world could end on December 21. For years, doomsdayers have said the date, which corresponds to the beginning of a new cycle on the Mayan calendar, marked the end of the world. Although all this doomsday talk may seem silly, at least one... MORE