When it comes to ski resorts and wintery adventures, the mountain towns in Colorado have an embarrassment of riches. Growing up in New Jersey, my family would drive nearly five hours to ski the resorts of Vermont. Sometimes my dad would pile us in his van and do a 10-hour round trip in a single day. I have so many fond memories of chilly outdoor time with my family as a kid. Then, I headed west later in life.

Why I Love These Mountain Towns in Colorado

When I moved to Boulder, Colorado I was blown away to learn that I had nearly a dozen resorts within a two-hour drive and another dozen more just a bit further. The initial allure was, of course, the downhill. But then I began to discover the other adventures on offer, from fat tire biking along stunning singletrack and Nordic skiing past old gold mines, to snowmobiling and dog sledding in the backcountry.

Every ski town has its own personality, plus quirky annual events that I try to time my visits around. The properties from 鈥攁 hip hotel membership club that started in Breckenridge and now has outposts in Vail, Winter Park, and Steamboat Springs鈥攊s my typical go-to stay for the hyperlocal vibe, convenient co-working spaces, athlete-worthy gyms, and restaurants with high-quality cocktails and food (from $169 to $299 minimum per night).

If you prefer a vacation rental, has properties in Vail, Beaver, Creek, Aspen, and Snowmass and recently introduced Peak Pursuits, an adventure-focused concierge service that can arrange activities such as heli-skiing and sleigh ride dinners. Here鈥檚 my cheat sheet on how to navigate the on and off-piste winter thrills of the most beautiful mountain towns in Colorado.

Best Things to Do in Aspen-Snowmass

I have a soft spot for Aspen. If you look past the glitz and glamor you can still find a soulful mountain town with epic adventures on offer. A free public transportation system transfers you between the resort鈥檚 four mountains, each with its own personality and appeal (Buttermilk for families; Aspen-Highlands for its mythic bowl). And Hero鈥檚, the new terrain expansion on Aspen Mountain, will push your edge with chutes and gladed areas. You can be part of the downtown apr猫s scene, but I prefer to get my culture fix after skiing and visit the or .

Where to Play

In my opinion, Aspen-Snowmass has Colorado鈥檚 best . A season uphill pass costs $69 ($10 of the fee goes to Mountain Rescue Aspen) and gives you access to dedicated routes on Buttermilk and Snowmass mountains all day, and you can uphill Ajax Mountain and Aspen Highlands when the lift isn鈥檛 spinning. The Roaring Fork Valley is also a , boasting 60 miles of free cross-country and snowshoe trails between Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt.

I like to work up an appetite, skate skiing the so I can splurge on the burger at Woody Creek Tavern or I鈥檒l pay for a $25 pass at Ashcroft Nordic Center, set across from an old ghost town, so I can cross-country ski out to for their pre-fixe lunch menu. They also have an option to reach the restaurant by horse-drawn sleigh.

For unreal views without a lot of effort, book a with T Lazy Ranch (from $275).

Where to Stay

Aspen has no shortage of ritzy hotels with see-and-be-seen crowds but I prefer the low-key properties in both Aspen (from $629 a night) and Snowmass (from $569 a night). Rooms are outfitted with Smeg fridges and microwaves, banquette seating for dining or remote working, plus plenty of hooks and cubbies for ski gear. In the morning, you鈥檙e treated to a complimentary breakfast buffet. After skiing, you can soak in the hot tub or heated outdoor pool then hit the bar for live music and wood-fired pizza.

Where to Eat

The former log cabin recently underwent a renovation and expansion and this season will be accessible by foot off of Snowmass鈥檚 new Coney Express Lift. You can ski in for lunch or extended apr猫s hours, which feature shotskis and charcuterie boards, or book an evening snowcat dinner.

I buy an uphill pass just so I can attend the monthly at the Cliffhouse at Buttermilk.

, a new dive bar in Aspen, was recently opened by two locals and affordably-priced food was a term of the restaurant鈥檚 deed-restricted lease. A beer and beef slider will cost you less than $10; a steal in Aspen.

And if you鈥檙e flying in or out of the airport, a detour to , tucked away in the Aspen Airport Center, is a must. Her flavorful dishes, like vegetable maffe, a West African peanut curry, and seafood gumbo, pay homage to her French and Ivory Coast roots.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Buttermilk Mountain will host the Winter X Games January 23-25, 2025 and the and the Visa Big Air January 30-February 6. But I鈥檓 most excited for the inaugural halfpipe event of Olympic snowboarder Shaun White鈥檚 new Snow League, happening March 7-8.

Best Things to Do in Breckenridge

Just 80 miles west of Denver, Breckenridge is one of the state鈥檚 most popular Front Range ski resorts. Some lament the crowds, but I find once you鈥檙e on the mountain, it鈥檚 easy to spread out. Five peaks boast more than 180 trails webbed across nearly 3,000 skiable acres of terrain, ranging from high-alpine bowls to beginner-friendly tree runs.

I like to rise early and warm up with a yoga class at and always build in a down day to explore the boutiques, restaurants, and public art and studios of the in Breck鈥檚 charming Victorian downtown.

Where to Play

Rent a fat bike (they also have e-fat bikes) from and explore the nearly 20 miles of groomed trails at the Gold Run Nordic Center (half-day rentals from $65). The outfitter鈥檚 guided rides to and are great because they provide transportation back to town so you can imbibe worry-free (from $85).听

Where to Stay

The feels more like a restaurant with rooms. The Euro-style inn has just four, Scandi-minimalist suites stocked with useful amenities like Topo Designs backpacks and yoga mats. Two of the town’s best eateries are just below the rooms. The seafood-centric, ground-floor restaurant features a raw bar and items like fish and chips and lobster roll sliders; the basement-level speakeasy-inspired tavern serves comfort foods like cheesesteaks and fried chicken sammys. (From $399 per night.)

Where to Eat

Matt Vawter, chef and owner of , was recently named the James Beard Awards鈥� best chef in the mountain region. The mega accolade, often called the Oscars of the food world, has made reservations to experience his exceptional tasting menu a must.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

, a wacky celebration of the Norse god of snow, takes place December 12-14, 2024 with a colorful parade of costumed revelers. This year, Breck will try to lure 1,370 participants to help reclaim the unofficial world鈥檚 longest shotski record from Park City. I hope to be there.

Best Things to Do in Crested Butte

I live in one of the greatest mountain towns in Colorado, but I still get mountain-town envy every time I visit Crested Butte. The soulful vibe and lack of big brand hotels and chains have earned it the reputation as Colorado鈥檚 last great ski town. If you鈥檙e seeking rowdy terrain, Crested Butte Mountain Resort delivers. Known as the North American birthplace of inbounds extreme skiing and riding, it boasts more than 560 acres of expert terrain. Want bragging rights? Tackle Rambo, a 55-degree-pitch run considered the steepest lift-served, tree-cut trail in the U.S. Beyond the resort, the surrounding Gunnison Valley offers a treasure trove of backcountry adventures to satiate all types of outdoor lovers.

Where to Play

Cat skiing with local outfitter on 1,000 acres of powder-blessed terrain just ten miles out of town ranks as one of my all-time snowboard days (private cat for up to 10 people costs $8,500 or buy a single seat for $850).

If there鈥檚 a dry spell, is a perfect alternative to downhill skiing and grooms a number of areas around town that are free to access. The maintains nearly 35 miles of trails that can be accessed with a $25 day pass. The six miles of trails at the Town Ranch and on the Rec Path can be accessed for free.

Where to Stay

Ski-in/ski-out has an on-site ski rental shop, a sprawling spa, spacious rooms, and a lounge in partnership with local film company Matchstick Productions that hosts screenings and athlete activations (from $230 a night).

Where to Eat

Carb up at the , a dive-y pizza spot. I love that the menu at the has healthy options like the completely satisfying quinoa-spiked power salad, as well as the not-so-healthy stuff you crave after a day slaying pow, like a burger topped with pork belly and fried onions.

On Sundays, in-the-know locals Nordic ski or snowshoe to , located one-mile from the Peanut Lake Trailhead Loop.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

, an outrageous costumed American Birkebeiner qualifying Nordic event, takes place February 1, 2025 and the course winds through the heart of downtown making it a favorite spectator event.

Best Things to Do in Steamboat Springs

Ski Town USA is known for both its ultra-dry, trademark 鈥渃hampagne powder鈥� and Old Western cowboy character. In the last few years, the resort has been re-imagined with a new base area, complete with a skating rink and food hall, and a dedicated beginner area, Greenhorn Ranch. Advanced skiers once bemoaned the lack of expert runs. No more. Last year the resort debuted Mahogany Ridge & Fish Creek Canyon, some 650 acres of test-your-mettle terrain.

A free bus runs every 20 minutes between the village and town, making it easy to explore galleries and shops like stalwart western wear.

Where to Play

Channel your inner cowboy (or girl) on a snowy trail ride at , led by fifth-generation wrangler (and enthralling storyteller) Ray Heid ($150). Then warm up with a steamy soak. I like the ease of ($29) but clothing-optional-after-dark is an experience ($20, cash only). If you don鈥檛 have 4WD and snow tires, book a to reach the secluded springs ($50 round-trip, entry fee included).

Where to Stay

The historic recently renovated its 35 rooms and has a hard-to-beat downtown location walking distance to shops and restaurants. (From $199 a night.)

Where to Eat

Options abound. On the hill, you can choose from ramen, pizza, tacos, and subs at the . In town, the offers Jamaican jerk chicken, poke bowls, classic cocktails, and more. Brunch at is worth a late start on the slopes, particularly for the banana foster French toast and smoked tomato and pesto Benedict.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Like a rodeo on the slopes, the annual , January 20, 2025, always leaves me in stitches as I watch cowgirls and cowboys in their chaps and Stetsons speed down a dual slalom course, hit jumps, then lasso a person, saddle a horse, and ski across the finish line.

Families shouldn鈥檛 miss the oldest west of the Mississippi. Celebrating 112 years on February 7-9, 2025 the festivities include ski racing, skijoring, and a fireworks-studded night show featuring the famed Lighted Man, who shoots fireworks from his pyrotechnic suit while skiing down the hill.

Best Things to Do in Telluride

Telluride looks like it was meant for a snow globe. Nestled in a picturesque box canyon within the jagged San Juan Mountains, it isn鈥檛 the easiest resort to reach in winter, which means you rarely find crowds. If you make the effort, you鈥檙e rewarded with quad-burning slopes and a darling downtown lined with Victorian homes, art galleries, indie boutiques, and some seriously great dining.

A free, pedestrian gondola makes it effortless to bounce between the mountain and the historic downtown while soaking in awesome views.

Where to Play

can access more than 200 square miles of high-alpine skiing and its single-day heli-trip promises six runs with up to 14,000 feet of leg-quivering vert (from $1,875 per person).

I always like to build in a mellow activity to temper all of the adrenaline and one of my favorite experiences over the years has been dog sledding the snowy trails of the Uncompahgre National Forest with family-run company, . (Prices vary, for current rates.)

Where to Stay

I like the convenience of the ski-in/ski-out (from $399 a night), and appreciate their massive fitness center. Intimate, five-bedroom (from $550 a night) is steps from the town gondola and feels like a fancy B&B, complete with complimentary wine, beer, and snacks, and hearty breakfast spread.

Where to Eat

Sometimes I opt to stay downtown just so I can be walking distance to the , an institution beloved for its monster-sized, made-from-scratch baked goods (the homemade pop tarts are addictive).

On piste, , North America鈥檚 second highest elevation fine-dining restaurant, channels Italy鈥檚 Dolomites with its charcuterie and cheese spreads, deep wine list, and killer mountain views. I still haven鈥檛 experienced the omakase menu at , a stellar sushi spot in town, but their happy hour is one of the best deals around with half price sushi rolls.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

Many Colorado resorts now host a , but Telluride鈥檚 (February 22-March 1, 2025) stands out for its raucous pool parties and kick-off event, the Telluride Aids Benefit fashion show gala.

Best Things to Do in Vail

People like to hate on Vail because its parent company is a mega ski conglomerate. That shouldn鈥檛 take away from its seriously great terrain. I鈥檝e lived in Colorado for a decade and am still discovering all that the resort鈥檚 seven back bowls have to offer in its 2,785 acres of terrain. And in the last few years, the Bavarian-inspired village has been reinvigorated with new bars, restaurants, and the wild entertainment venue, .

Where to Play

Skiing the Minturn Mile, an out-of-bounds run that spans three miles and drops 3,000 vertical feet, is a right of passage for hard-charging locals.听 I usually think of Nordic skiing as a killer workout, but turns it into an adventure by leading half- and full-day tours into the White River National Forest where you鈥檙e likely to ski past abandoned mines and wildlife (from $160).

Where to Stay

I love how the celebrates the resort鈥檚 1960s heyday. Design details, like framed 10th Mountain Division pins in the rooms, nod to the region鈥檚 alpine heritage. After a day on the hill I head straight to the downstairs recovery lounge, equipped with massage guns, leg compression sleeves, and a Himalayan salt room. (From $469 per night.)

Where to Eat

Matsuhisa has some competition now that upscale sushi spot has opened in the Grand Hyatt Vail. This winter, Denver鈥檚 award-winning Italian restaurant, , opens in the Four Seasons. On the mountain, I can never resist the smell of barbecue wafting from , accessible off chairlifts 3, 17, and 7.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

I鈥檝e marked my calendar to see the action at the at neighboring Beaver Creek December 6-15, 2024. Music fans won鈥檛 want to miss , a weekend concert series April 4-5, 2025 featuring DJs like Interplanetary Criminal and Don Fuego (tickets from $99).

Best Things to Do in Winter Park

I鈥檒l admit, the initial appeal of snowboarding at Winter Park was that I could bypass traffic by hopping on the , a stress-free, direct train service that runs Friday through Sunday throughout the winter from Denver鈥檚 Union Station to the base of the resort (tickets from $19 to $39).

Widely considered Colorado鈥檚 original ski resort, it strikes a rare balance of being both a destination yet feeling like locals still rule the hill. I鈥檝e been a devotee since my first trip. You鈥檒l find newbie and kid-friendly groomers and some super fun glades at Winter Park and neighboring peak Mary Jane is known for its thigh-burning moguls and hike-accessed Cirque terrain.

Where to Play

Head to to snow tube ($35 an hour), fat bike ($20 per hour), and snowshoe (rentals $25 per day).

On select Saturday evenings this January through March, you can uphill by headlamp for an alpine dinner at , a vintage lodge near the Explorer Express and Prospector lifts, then descend under the stars.

Where to Stay

I satisfy my cabin fantasies by staying at the . This collection of 31 Instagram-worthy, mid-century-inspired cabins feature Malm fireplaces and deep soaking tubs and the restaurant has an Argentinean gaucho grill that cooks tomahawk ribeyes and wagyu for the decadent burger to perfection. (From $299 a night.)

Where to Eat

The main drag of the town of Winter Park is about three miles from the resort and even on snowy nights I brave the drive just to have the fiery curries at . And the French fries (yes, the fries) at are so good I sometimes just have a whopping serving and an old fashioned and call it dinner.

Don鈥檛-Miss Event

The annual Spring Bash and Splash is a rowdy series of bluegrass concerts, costume contests, beach parties, and pond skims held every weekend from the end of March through April.

Any time Jen Murphy gets frustrated sitting in Colorado鈥檚 I-70 ski traffic she has flashbacks to traffic jams enroute to the icy slopes of Vermont and the 30-second descents of the Poconos, the stomping grounds of her youth. Jen is a regular 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor and our travel-advice columnist who has recently written a beginner鈥檚 guide to Costa Rica, a story on how she used AI to plan a trip to Maui, and shared tips on how to get refunded for vacations听bunked by bad weather.听

The post Your Ultimate Guide to Winter 国产吃瓜黑料 in Colorado鈥檚 Top Mountain Towns appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Here鈥檚 the dream: Quit your job and hit all 64 national parks in one huge multi-month road trip where you live mostly in a van and finally see all of these iconic landscapes for yourself. To call that dream unrealistic is an understatement, at least for me, for a variety of reasons (see 鈥渜uit job,鈥� above), though it鈥檚 been accomplished by an 国产吃瓜黑料 writer.

The closest I鈥檝e ever come was in my 20s, spending a month driving around the Rocky Mountains and American Southwest in my VW Jetta during summer break from graduate school. A decade or so later, I re-created that trip with my wife and our then four-year-old twins. Both experiences were awesome. One of them had more tantrums.

You can plan a great park trip that captures the open-road spirit on a smaller scale. Below, I鈥檝e outlined five itineraries that take in multiple parks, all within a week. I picked a variety of terrain鈥攍onely desert basins, ice-cold swimming holes, perfect hikes, and cultural wonders. There are one or two classic routes.

But mostly, I chose these because they go to parks that don鈥檛 get the massive amount of attention some of their cousins receive. So gas or charge up and go.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway, from Shenandoah to Great Smoky Mountains

Virginia/North Carolina

Distance: 470 miles

Duration: Four-plus days

This trip is in my backyard, so I鈥檓 biased, but it鈥檚 also awesome, because the entire 470-plus-mile route is within a national-park unit. The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches for 469 miles along the peaks and valleys of the Southern Appalachian mountain range, connecting two of the country鈥檚 most-visited national parks, Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina/Tennessee and Shenandoah in Virginia.

Driving the entire length of the parkway is slow (speed limit is between 25 and 45 miles per hour) and full of curves in the road, and also overlooks,听 side hikes to swimming holes, and mountain hikes through a lush landscape with elevations that top 6,000 feet. And that鈥檚 just the road between the two great national parks.

Heading south on the parkway, you will find picnic areas, trailheads, and scenic views. Give yourself at least a couple of days to complete the road alone, making sure to hike the three-mile out-and-back in the Peaks of Otter area near Bedford, Virginia, which leads to a panoramic view of the Shenandoah Valley and the Allegheny Mountains. When you get to North Carolina, hit Grandfather Mountain State Park, where you can climb the 7.6-mile out-and-back , scrambling along outcroppings and climbing ladders to the summit of the 5,964-foot Callaway Peak.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Shenandoah: Located just 70 miles west of Washington, D.C, Shenandoah National Park is home to 200,000 acres of 4,000-foot peaks, dense hardwood forest, waterfalls, and historic farmland. The most popular hike is also one of the park鈥檚 toughest; is a 9.2-mile loop that requires rock scrambling with some use of your hands to reach Old Rag Mountain, which offers 360-degree views of the park and surrounding farmland. You need a permit to hike the mountain between March 1 and November 30. It鈥檚 only $2, but permits are limited to 800 a day, so get them up to .

If you鈥檙e looking to cool off, hike the , an 8.1-mile loop that gains 3,000 feet while traversing two tight gorges packed with waterfalls and swimming holes. Lower and Upper Whiteoak Canyon Falls are the highlights, as Upper Falls drops 86 feet between narrow canyon walls, and Lower Falls has a primo plunge pool.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Great Smoky Mountains: The Smokies comprise a mix of rocky streams stacked with waterfalls and swimming holes, and steep slopes thick with vegetation. It鈥檚 hard to get across just how green this park is. On the northern end, you鈥檒l find Midnight Hole, a deep, cold swimming hole at the base of a small waterfall. The pool is lined with 15-foot boulders, and locals like to jump from them into the deep part. Access is via the easy three-mile out-and-back . If you want to ditch the crowds (GSMNP gets 14 million visitors a year), hike deeper into the park. Ramsey Cascades Trail is an eight-mile round trip through stands of old-growth tulip poplars to the 100-foot Ramsey Cascade, the tallest waterfall inside the park.

A few historic fire lookout towers still stand inside the park, but the most scenic is Mount Cammerer, a circular wooden building perched on a rocky outcropping, nearly 5,000 feet in elevation, offering views of 5,000- and 6,000-foot peaks as well as the Pigeon River Gorge. from Big Creek Parking Area, and you will do a piece of the Appalachian Trail, enjoying scenic stretches along Big Creek before climbing to the ridgeline.

Stay: In Shenandoah, Big Meadows is a historic stone-and-chestnut lodge in the middle of the park. Choose from lodge rooms or rustic cabins (from ), and wander the mile to Big Meadow after dark for stargazing. Lodges and campgrounds are spaced all along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, so it鈥檚 easy to break the journey up into chunks if you鈥檙e not in a hurry. is one of the most popular overnights ($20 per night, reserve six months in advance). The 190-site facility sits next to Julian Price Lake, where you can . has a glamping resort on 182 acres of hardwood forest near the Gatlinburg entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each fully furnished safari-style tent has a private bathroom, and the place features live music, campfires at night, and yoga in the morning, not to mention an on-site restaurant with seasonal dishes and craft beer.

2. Joshua Tree to Death Valley, California

California

Distance: 250 miles

Duration: At least three days

This route will take you to an underappreciated gem.

Is it weird to spend several days in Southern California and not go to the beach? Well, this desert romp is packed with so much wild terrain you won鈥檛 miss the Pacific Ocean. Joshua Tree National Park is 800,000 acres of sandstone boulders, crusty desert floor, and stands of the eponymous trees, while 250 miles north, Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48, at 3.5 million acres. Inside are 14,000-foot peaks, expansive craters, dunes, and slot canyons.

Weather is a factor with this itinerary because both parks are in the desert and hot as hell in the middle of summer (temps can reach 120 degrees). So consider this a late-spring or early-fall trip. (If you ever go in summer, do all of your adventures at dawn, take a ton of water, and be back at your place or camp before lunch. Also tell someone exactly where you are going.)

The 250-mile drive is mostly two-lane highway that offers a mix of desolate beauty (you鈥檒l drive between Leghorn Lakes Wilderness and Sheephole Valley Wilderness) and California weirdness (the World鈥檚 Largest Thermometer is on this route). Want more adventure? As you drive between these two standout parks, try a pitstop at Mojave National Preserve, which has the largest grove of Joshua Trees in the world, natural springs, and towering dunes.

You can fly into Las Vegas or Los Angeles. L.A. to Joshua Tree is about 150 miles and not terribly interesting, so let’s just go straight to the park.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Joshua Tree: J-Tree is a bucket-list rock-climbing destination, but the hiking is easily as good, and just being in the place is amazing. The 2.5-mile gives hikers a chance to see and scramble on some of the park’s signature boulders, including Split Rock, a 20-foot-tall formation with a fissure in the middle, and to explore a few small caves. If you want to see a lot of Joshua Trees (who doesn鈥檛?), hike the in Black Rock Canyon, a 6.5-mile lollipop that traverses one of the densest groves of Joshua Trees in the park, or sections of ridgeline trail, with long-range views of the 11,000-foot peaks inside the nearby Sand to Snow National Monument.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Mojave National Preserve: Just 70 miles north of Joshua Tree, Mojave NP offers a convenient diversion on your way to Death Valley. Stretch your legs by hiking the three-mile out-and-back trail into , a 45-square-mile field with mounds of sand that rise 650 feet from the valley floor. The Kelso Dunes actually produce 鈥渂ooming,鈥� which is a deep, rumbling vibration that you can hear and feel from the crest of one. Be aware that hiking in dunes is tough, as the sand shifts below your feet with every step.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Death Valley: You hiked dunes in Mojave, so in Death Valley National Park, let鈥檚 focus on the canyons and peaks. is a six-mile out and back through a slot canyon so narrow that at points you can touch both sides from the middle.

If it鈥檚 your first time to the park, you鈥檙e obligated to visit Badwater Salt Flats, the lowest and hottest point in the U.S. There鈥檚 no designated trail through the flats, so wander at will through the flat, crispy valley, flanked by the Panamint Mountains and Black Mountains.

Stay: The is a historic lodge located inside the park, with five-star accommodations. Consider this an oasis in the desert, complete with a spring-fed swimming pool (from $359 a night). At Joshua Tree, try to reserve a spot at , which has sites tucked between massive boulders. There are no hookups, but RVs are allowed ($25 a night). If you can鈥檛 score an advance reservation there, has first come/first serve sites ($15 a night). Also, is opening a new location outside of Joshua Tree in May, with campsites for van-lifers and private rooms, all of which have access to the property’s gear shop, coffee shop and communal spaces (rooms from $127 a night).

3. White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

New Mexico and Texas

Distance: 300 miles

Duration: Four to five days

Want variety? This trip has a trio of national parks that are close geographically, but a world apart in terms of terrain. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is all about the subterranean, protecting 119 caves, the biggest of which are open to exploration. Guadalupe Mountains National Park covers a swath of 8,000-foot peaks in West Texas, and those include eight of the 10 tallest in the entire state. White Sand Dunes National Park is home to a 275-square-mile gypsum dune field that rolls towards the horizon in a series of white tidal waves.

All three parks are within a couple hundred miles of each other, and El Paso serves as an ideal starting point to fly into the area and rent a car. These parks don鈥檛 see the crowds that some of the big-ticket units draw in summer, so there鈥檚 a better chance for quiet and good campsites. The three also have totally different climates. White Sand Dunes is hot (but not like J-Tree or Death Valley), Carlsbad is underground, and Guadalupe is chilly.

Other than a brief period where you skirt around the edge of El Paso, you鈥檙e driving mostly two-lane highways with a real 鈥渕iddle of nowhere鈥� vibe between the parks. Think sand and scrub brush for as far as the eye can see.

国产吃瓜黑料s in White Sand Dunes: is a five-mile loop through the heart of the sand dunes, following red trail markers. You鈥檙e climbing and descending 60-foot dunes the entire time, so pace yourself and expect your legs to be worked at the end. Bring a sled (sold at the visitors鈥� center if you don鈥檛 have your own), as you鈥檙e allowed to slide down the steepest slopes along the route.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Guadalupe Mountains National Park: The signature adventure is hiking the 8,751-foot , with a craggy, treeless summit, the tallest in the state of Texas. The views stretching east over the plains are endless, but to earn them you will climb 3,000 feet in just over four miles. Bring a jacket, as the summit is notoriously windy. But the real treat of Guadalupe Mountains is , a four-mile out-and-back that鈥檚 rocky with mandatory scrambling to traverse a dry river wash. Towards the end, you鈥檒l climb Hiker鈥檚 Staircase, an easy hand-over-hand natural rock ladder out of the wash and into a narrow slot canyon.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Carlsbad Caverns: Start with a self-guided tour of the Big Room, the largest single-cave chamber in the U.S., loaded with bizarre stalactites and stalagmites. An elevator could deliver you into the cave, but instead walk the switchbacks down via the Natural Entrance, and feel what it鈥檚 like to go from the surface into the cold, dark underground. The full hike down the Natural Entrance and into the Big Room is 2.5 miles and should take a few hours; without the walk in, the hike is 1.25 miles, with a .6-mile shortcut also possible, and parts of the Big Room are . If you want something spicier, sign up for a ranger-led tour of , which requires descending 60 feet of ladders and ropes to a series of smaller rooms with crazy rock features, like the skinny, tall 鈥淭exas Toothpick鈥� or 鈥渃ave pearls,鈥� which look like clusters of eggs ($20, reservations required).

Where to Stay: Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Carlsbad Caverns are close enough that one campground works as a base camp to explore both. Check out in Guadalupe Mountains, which has 20 tent sites and 13 RV sites you can reserve in advance ($20 a night). A number of hiking trails (including Devil鈥檚 Hall) begin here. The closest campground to White Sands is in Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, which has private desert sites ($10 per night). The backcountry campsites in White Sands are closed indefinitely, but nearby Alamogordo has a variety of chain hotels.

4. Denali National Park to Kenai Fjords National Park

Alaska

Distance: 400 miles

Duration: Five-plus days, but if you鈥檙e flying all the way to Alaska, take your time

Alaska is an awe-inspiring collection of giant mountains, permanent ice fields, and jagged coast, and Denali and Kenai Fjords national parks encapsulate choice slices of that unique topography. Denali National Park covers more than 6 million acres of Alaska鈥檚 interior, including the 20,310-foot Denali, but also the tundra and spruce forest that surround it and attract big-time wildlife like caribou and brown bears. Kenai Fjords National Park couldn鈥檛 be more different; instead of forest and towering peaks, it鈥檚 home to 600,000 acres of glaciers, inlets, bays, and islands. More than half of the park is covered in snow and ice year round, and the majority is accessed by water. While much of Alaska isn鈥檛 conducive to road trips because of a lack of roads, these two parks are less than 400 miles apart and connected by highways.

The two-lane blacktop between the main destinations rolls out like a highlight reel of Alaska, offering views of Denali鈥檚 snow-capped peaks at one point and the Cook Inlet at another. Keep an eye out for Beluga whales, which live and breed in the inlet. Chugach State Park, with its 3,000-foot mountains, is also on the route.

A visitor can fly into Anchorage, halfway between the two parks. You鈥檒l basically have to ditch the car at each destination, as car travel is limited in both parks. There are few roads in Kenai, and the main road through Denali is limited to shuttle traffic to minimize impact on the landscape. But that鈥檚 part of the charm here.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Denali: Denali isn鈥檛 a 鈥渄rive through鈥� park. In fact, private vehicles aren鈥檛 allowed past mile 15 of the scenic Denali Park Road, though bikes get the green light. To ride in, start at the Savage River Visitor Center (mile 15) and bike to Sable Pass between miles 37 and 42, where the final 1,500-foot climb to the pass is rewarded by views that stretch all the way to Denali itself. But Sable Pass is best known for its wildlife. Mostly treeless and full of berry bushes, it attracts brown bears, caribou, and Dall sheep, which often graze in the tundra near the road. From the top of the pass, you can turn around and bike back, or, if you pre-arrange it, hop on the free , which has bike racks. offers rentals (starting at $75 per day).

Or consider a guided rafting trip on the Nenana River, a glacier-fed stream that forms the eastern border of Denali. Book a mild or wild day trip with . The 11-mile canyon run is packed with class IV rapids with names like 鈥淐offee Grinder,鈥� and the full ride, for ages 12 and up, is a brisk two hours. A different short option, the two-hour-long Wilderness Run, is ideal for young families, as it contains mostly class I-II rapids and offers a good chance to see wildlife like moose and caribou. (From $130 a person, May through September).

国产吃瓜黑料s in Kenai: Kenai is a coastal park with most of its goods accessed via boat, but land lovers have options, too. Hike on the edge of the Harding Ice Field, the largest permanent ice field in the U.S., stretching for 700 square miles and feeding Exit Glacier, which forms a half-mile-wide river of ice that melts into Exit Creek. Start at the Exit Glacier Nature Center and hike the 8.2-mile out-and-back , which climbs a total of 3,000 feet through the surrounding forest to gigantic views of the icefield. If you really want to throw yourself into the landscape, book an intro-to-ice climbing trip with , exploring crevasses and climbing pitches of vertical ice with use of rope, crampons, and axes ($249 per person).

For a water-borne adventure, head to Bear Glacier Lagoon, 12 miles south of Seward, where a thin beach separates a glacier-fed lake from the Gulf of Alaska. The lake sits in a deep bowl rising to green ridges, and the water is littered with house-sized icebergs. offers fully outfitted day trips to the lagoon ($550 per person).

Where to Stay: In Denali, book a spot at , which has 32 sites tucked into a spruce forest ($49 a night). Located on mile 13 on the Denali Park Road, it鈥檚 easy to reach with a car (some campgrounds in Denali are only accessible by shuttle bus), but the real prize is access to Savage River and incredible views of Denali via a short gravel-road walk. Reservations are recommended, but not required. In Kenai, has 12 walk-in tent sites, first-come, first-served. They鈥檙e free, but fill up most nights during July and August. The , in the middle of downtown Seward, is a seven-room mid-century-era motel with renovated rooms located just minutes from the edge of Kenai ($190 per night, two night minimum).

5. Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks

Colorado

Distance: 160 miles

Duration: Three days

Rocky Mountain National Park gets most of the love in Colorado, and while it鈥檚 incredible, the Centennial State has other unforgettable national-park units. Mesa Verde National Park and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are nestled into the southwest corner of the state, proximal enough to make for an ideal weekend road trip. Mesa Verde is a cultural treasure, containing more than 5,000 archaeological sites, including the early cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is altogether different, enveloping a nearly 2,500-foot-deep gorge surrounding the Gunnison River. It鈥檚 a deep, dark chasm with sheer vertical walls, rugged hiking and climbing, boating, and world-class trout fishing.

You can fly into Durango to kick the trip off, and Telluride is smack dab in the middle of the route between parks if you want to throw in a visit to a classic mountain town. The , a locals’ favorite and handy but fantastic afternoon outing, offers views of the ski area and entire valley on varied and forested terrain.

The majority of this road trip cruises through San Juan National Forest on a highway with views of some of Colorado鈥檚 tallest and most iconic peaks, including the 14,158-foot Mount Sneffels and 14,023-foot Wilson Peak. You鈥檒l pass right through Telluride, but you can also make a 22-mile roundtrip detour to Ouray to soak in the hot springs.

国产吃瓜黑料s in Mesa Verde: Get your bearings by driving the six-mile Mesa Top Loop Road, which winds along past excavated mesa-top villages, with overlooks to see cliff dwellings, including the Cliff Palace, which archaeologists believe could house up to 100 people. There are 30 miles of hiking trails inside the park, so you can see a lot of the area in a day. If you鈥檙e limited on time, hike the 2.4-mile , which will have you squeezing through boulder passages and traversing cliffside singletrack to a large petroglyph panel. To see the cliff dwellings up close, reserve a spot on a ranger-led ($8 per person, reservations possible 14 days in advance). The Balcony House Tour is the most adventurous: you ascend a cliff face into the 700-year-old dwelling via a series of ladders, then worm through a narrow tunnel that connects rooms.

国产吃瓜黑料s in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison: The BCOG is a tough canyon to navigate, as there are no bridges connecting the North Rim and South Rim, so it鈥檚 a circuitous two-hour drive between the two sides of the park. The South Rim is the more developed, with a dozen overlooks, a visitors鈥� center, and an 88-site campground. The North Rim is more primitive, with a gravel road providing access to a few developed trails and a handful of overlooks. Both sides are stunning, but I鈥檓 pointing you to the South Rim for its hiking and scrambling routes. If you want to stretch your legs and enjoy the view, stroll the two-mile for shots of the canyon and river below. But you鈥檙e here for the scramble to the bottom of the gorge via the unmarked , which drops 1,960 feet in just one mile (the park allows use of the trail and offers a about it). There鈥檚 a lot of down climbing and loose rock, but at the bottom you鈥檒l have the Gunnison River all to yourself. Bring a fly rod; the Gunnison is a gold-medal trout stream. This is a full-day adventure, and you鈥檒l need a permit (free) to descend into the canyon. Get one at the South Rim Visitor Center.

Where to Stay: Both parks have large campgrounds, if you want to keep it simple and budget friendly. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison鈥檚 is convenient (only a mile from the visitors’ center), but don鈥檛 expect a ton of privacy ($20 a night, reservations recommended). The North Rim has a smaller , with 13 sites separated by pi帽on and juniper trees ($20 a night, first-come, first-served). , in Mesa Verde, is large, with 267 sites within a broad, grassy canyon ($38 a night, reserve in advance).

If you want to spend a night in Telluride, check out , an upscale hostel with private or shared rooms that caters to road trippers (from $40 per night).

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. He鈥檚 currently trying to convince his 15-year-old twins to re-create the national parks road trip they undertook a decade ago. It鈥檚 not going well.

For more by this writer:

The 9 Most Fun 国产吃瓜黑料 Lodges in North America

The 9 Best Gateway Towns to U.S. National Parks

The 8 Most Adventurous States in America. Number 1 Is 鈥�

11 Remote Destinations That Are Definitely Worth the Effort to Visit

The post The 5 Best National Park Road Trips in the U.S. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Ever come across an incredible hotel that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn鈥檛 it be something to stay there? We do, too鈥攁ll the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.

I never imagined that staying in a ghost town frequented by outlaw Butch Cassidy would amount to the most fabulous wellness retreat I鈥檝e ever experienced, but then again, is full of surprises.

Strung out and exhausted after two straight months of work trips, deadlines, and family emergencies, I needed a break, and one that wouldn鈥檛 be interrupted by errant phone calls or the incessant whooshing of Colorado traffic. I鈥檇 seen photos of Dunton鈥檚 five steamy hot springs and knew that the 1,100-acre property鈥檚 location鈥攖ucked away in a beautiful valley of southwest Colorado, roughly 32 miles from Telluride鈥攚as just the respite I was after. I booked a two-night stay.

Dunton is comprised of 15 log cabins built at the turn of the century and encircling a wooden communal bathhouse and saloon. At first glance, the property looks more like a well-preserved mining village than a luxurious resort with a world-class spa and locally sourced meals. Snow was positively dumping as my friend Lexi and I pulled up its dirt driveway in March in her Subaru. We were greeted warmly by Lee Pillaro, Dunton鈥檚 activities manager. A quick tour totally bowled me over; the entire property听has been thoughtfully designed so guests can drop their worries at the door and truly unwind. Eureka.

The recently remodeled historic saloon and dance hall are complete with a massive communal table, rust-red wagon-wheel chandeliers, and the original settlement鈥檚鈥檚 wooden bar, which boasts two spots where Cassidy scratched his name.

Next was the moment we鈥檇 been waiting for: a visit to the bathhouse. It was so dreamy it nearly made me cry. Upon entering, to my right hung a lacy ivory-colored hammock; fragrant ponderosa and aspen smoke drifted toward the rafters from a small fireplace; and just beyond floor-to-ceiling windows stood an outdoor Scandinavian-style barrel sauna. But the pi猫ce de r茅sistance was its hot-spring soaking pool, five feet wide and three inches deep and taking up more than half the room. It鈥檚 been in use for more than 100 years and is haloed by verdant hanging vines and framed with monstera.

It almost didn鈥檛 matter which of the property鈥檚 bohemian cabins we鈥檇 been assigned or what sweat-inducing activities we鈥檇 enjoy over the next three days. I knew where I鈥檇 be spending all my free time.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel

Unlike a lot of luxe retreats centered around a spa or hot-springs experience, Dunton is remarkably well-rounded, with a bevy of outdoor activities throughout the year for both hardcore adventurers and those who prefer leisurely walks in the woods.

During the resort’s busy season, summer, alpine wildflowers pop and fly-fishing is the highlight for many guests.听鈥淭his is one of the best places in the country to catch a grand slam,鈥� Pillaro told me, referring to anglers on a mission to hook all four species of trout鈥揷utthroat, rainbow, brook and brown鈥揻ound in the West Dolores River.

Other popular summertime options include hiking to and , both of which can be done solo or with a hired Duntonguide. The resort also maintains a three-mile hiking trail with spectacular views into aspen- and conifer-lined river valleys. Horseback riding, mountain biking, and tastings at , 60 miles south in Cortez, are available, too.

If you鈥檙e game for a longer drive, Dunton Hot Springs is within day-trip distance to Canyon of the Ancients National Monument (61 miles) and Mesa Verde National Park (74 miles), both home to outstanding examples of Ancestral Puebloan ruins and petroglyphs. The adorable mountain town of Telluride is also worth visiting, known for its world-class skiing in听winter and its waterfall-strewn hiking trails in summer. You can stay in downtown Telluride at (from $608) if you elect to spend the night.

When I visited Dunton in March, winter was still in full swing, and I was pleasantly surprised by the number of things to do, even when a mere six guests were staying at the resort and flurries were a common occurrence. A 45-minute snowcat ride (free to guests looking to nordic-ski on Wednesdays and Fridays) brought Lexi and I to the sprawling, powder-filled expanse of Dunton Meadows, with views of the surrounding sky-high peaks, including 14,252-foot Mount Wilson. We popped out and were temporarily blinded by the reflection of sunlight against the freshly fallen layer of white, but soon donned a set of snowshoes borrowed from the resort (cross-country ski gear is also available) and traipsed across the groomed three-mile nordic ski track. We gleefully returned to our cabin, shed our snow gear for swimsuits, and hit the hot springs. I also signed up for a free yoga class the following morning, to stretch out before hitting the road.

Choice Cabins

Every cabin at Dunton Hot Springs is drop-dead gorgeous and decorated with original artwork and trinkets that the resort鈥檚 owners, Katrin Bellinger and Christoph Henkel, have amassed on their travels abroad. Lexi and I stayed in the during our sojourn, spreading out to enjoy its two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and one featuring a clawfoot tub from a local brothel. (Vertical also has a loft with additional beds, and the entire cabin can sleep up to six, making it ideal for families or groups of friends. Like many accommodations at Dunton, it鈥檚 also dog-friendly.)

Chuck鈥檚 Cabin is the newest addition to the property, boasting a king bedroom, a queen bedroom, and two bedrooms with bunk beds for kids. Couples on a romantic retreat might prefer the Well House听cabin, with its own private hot spring and cold plunge. Echo听is the most affordable option at Dunton, with just 230 square feet of space and an outdoor-only shower.

Two miles downriver is , a sister property managed as a separate resort from June through mid-October (from $2,192 for two people). With eight palatial canvas tents, all-inclusive food and beverages, and views of the West Fork of the Dolores, it goes way beyond most glamping. Pro tip: arrange a specific time with the resort if you鈥檙e interested in soaking in the hot springs.

Eat and Drink

All food and beverages (including alcoholic ones, save anything from its reserve list) are included at Dunton Hot Springs, so most guests elect to dine at the saloon and dance hall during their stay. I opted for that, as Dunton does a phenomenal job of sourcing sustainable ingredients, butchering its meat in-house, and catering to guests鈥� dietary restrictions.

Breakfast at Dunton

Served between 8 and 10 A.M., breakfast might include house-cured bacon, egg-white frittatas, blue corn johnnycakes, and smoked Rocky Mountain trout on locally baked bagels. A grab-and-go snack box atop the bar is stocked with items for those who want a few extra calories to help power their morning activities.

Lunch at Dunton

Depending on your exploration plans, lunch might be a wrap and a bag of chips or, alternatively, a fixed menu in the communal dining hall. One afternoon Lexi and I sat down to a hearty Mexican pozole with freshly prepared tostadas topped with smashed avocado and lime.

Dinner at Dunton

Supper, a fixed menu, was a special treat both nights. My favorite menu was a mouthwatering endive salad with Roquefort cheese, a cut of Native Plains bison with a smoked sweet potato puree, and house-made apple tartlets. As a fervent tea snob, I鈥檓 happy to report that the property鈥檚 tea menu is very on point.

Further, not only does the kitchen purchase a whole hog every week, staff also make a concerted effort to maximize that meat for everything from ham for lunch sandwiches to dinnertime pork roasts to happy-hour charcuterie.

When to Go

There鈥檚 no bad time to visit Dunton Hot Springs, but you should consider the types of activities you鈥檙e interested in before swan-diving into the booking process. Keep in mind that its location at a lofty 8,850 feet elevation means snow can linger into June. During the warmer months (July through September), hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and fly-fishing are going to be impressive. Late September through early October, fiery fall colors enhance the stands of aspen dotting the surrounds. And in winter, the hot springs are a great juxtaposition to snowy outings; these months also tend to be quieter, with fewer children and guests in general.

How to Get There

Dunton is convenient to four different airports, all of them the tiny regional sort. The closest is Cortez,听which is an hour鈥檚 drive from the property and sees direct flights from Denver and Phoenix. The airports in Durango, Telluride, and Montrose are farther afield. Road-tripping in from Denver or out of state? Make sure you to the hot springs before you lose cell reception.

Don鈥檛 Miss

Mesa Verde National Park, a 90-minute drive away, has some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in the world. If you鈥檙e more interested in a townie adventure, check out Telluride. In addition to all manner of sports on its eponymous mountain, I like the cheekily named , which has been independently owned and operated since 1974. It鈥檚 hard to beat the Detroit-style pie at , or if you鈥檙e looking for a more refined good time, the , located within the Madeline Hotel, has fabulous cocktails and outrageously good charcuterie (think Humbolt Fog goat cheese, fresh honeycomb, and 箩补尘贸苍 from Iberian acorn-fed pigs).

Details

To Book:

Price: From $1,165, all-inclusive for two people; two-night minimum required

Address: 8532 Road 38
Dolores, CO 81323

Emily Pennington is a frequent 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor based in Boulder, Colorado. Her work has appeared in听 The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Cond茅 Nast Traveler, and Lonely Planet, and others. When she鈥檚 not backpacking through the Rockies, she鈥檚 hell-bent on soaking in as many steamy hot springs as possible.

The post Looking for a Wild West R&R Getaway? This Colorado Hot Springs Is Your Answer. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Each time.

Whenever I come home from visiting a certain town in my state of Colorado, I look around at the wide basin where I live, punctuated by the one looming peak that is the symbol of this old mining community, and wonder, Where are all the goddamn mountains?

I live in Carbondale, under the gaze of the 12,965-foot, twin-summited Mount Sopris, jutting high above the river valley and ranchlands. From its peak, which stands alone in our sky (a 14-mile round-trip hike I try to do each year), you can see everything: up the Roaring Fork River Valley to Aspen, 30 miles away; downvalley to Glenwood Springs; and across to the Elk Range. From the Flattops above Dotsero, an hour away on the Colorado River, I鈥檝e looked across and been startled by the isolated, shoulder-y hulk of Sopris.

Though it pains me to be disloyal to the place where I live, I must take off my hat to this other Colorado town: Telluride, which I recently visited for the 15th time. The visuals and anticipation always zing me as I drive down from Delta and Montrose toward the gateway town of Ridgway and first see the jagged skyline crowned by the pyramid of Mount Sneffels, at 14,155 feet the highest peak in the Sneffels Range, part of the San Juan Mountains. I roll down that long hill, turn right at the only stoplight in Ouray County, and start the steady rise up Dallas Divide. That last part of the drive always feels shorter than expected.

Then I鈥檓 there: entering the deep valley, enclosed and folded in by the soaring box canyon, a waterfall ripping down its walls. Mountains shoot up in every direction. The road before me curves into the jewel that is Telluride.

An old Victorian mining town, Telluride sits at 8,750 feet, with a gondola arcing up over the ski slopes to Mountain Village, situated even higher at 9,547. The architecture in its National Historic District is quaint and congruent, the Victorian homes recalling the latticed Gold Rush cabins of yore. The red-brick Sheridan Opera House (built in 1913) and the old Nugget Building with its arched windows and striped canopies (1892) are familiar, welcoming forms.

In a dream of mountain grandeur, Ajax Peak dominates the view as you approach town, and faces of granite, conglomerate, and sunny sandstone鈥攔ed rock, gray rock, in horizontal striations鈥攅ncircle the canyon. Deep green forests run up the slopes, and bright snowy couloirs interlace the whole network.

With friends, I鈥檝e climbed on the rock walls and boulders (last time hiking up to the Falls Wall, level with the 365-foot Bridal Veil Falls), and hiked the classic three-mile looping up through aspen, ponderosa, and spruce, and opening to wildflower meadows, with widening views of downtown Telluride, the ski area, Bear Creek, Ballard Mountain, La Junta Peak, and Wasatch Mountain.

On both sides of the Telluride Ski Resort are the slopes where my husband and friends and I have skied and our kids used to ski race, and where the boys also raced mountain bikes each summer. One winter, from the meadows above a high pass outside of town, I snowshoed up to the towering spire of Lizard Head.

Back near Ridgway, my husband, Mike, and I have camped in the Ouray Town Park, where he was up at 3:00 a.m. to pace his friend Garett Graubins 25 miles over to Telluride as part of the Hardrock 100 endurance race in the San Juans. Garett, who in the past had placed in the top 10 in ultras, was now living in Minnesota and no longer acclimated, but he had gotten a prized entry and wanted to come.

He arrived in Ouray, mile 50, ashen and vomiting, lay on a cot doing his best to ingest some mashed potatoes, and asked me to warn his wife and son, who would be at the aid station in Telluride, that he might drop there. A few hours later, when I found Holly and Sawyer in the Telluride Town Park and delivered the message, their faces dropped. 鈥淩eally?鈥�

We three waited and worried. Garett and Mike were to tackle the steep scree slopes up and down from Kroger鈥檚 Canteen, an aid station named for a beloved local, Chuck Kroger, who personified this race and was lost to cancer in 2007. Chuck, a Stanford geophysics grad, also meticulously and not entirely legally created Telluride鈥檚 now celebrated two-mile Kroger鈥檚 Canteen, at 13,000-plus feet,听 is the race鈥檚 highest aid station, and workers pack the supplies up the col every year.

As Garett and Mike neared Telluride, we spotted their shirt colors, strained in silence to see their faces. They arrived smiling. Chatting.

Garett leaned back on a picnic bench and beamed鈥攁nd then looked at his watch and leapt up. 鈥淚鈥檝e gotta get going!鈥� His new pacer hopped in, while Mike turned to fretting, getting up all night at our friend鈥檚 house to check times, hoping Garett would make the two-day cutoff. Garett finished in 46:07:52.

One of my favorite bike events used to be the Full Tilt in Telluride each July. Our sons, Ted and Roy, raced mountain bikes in their age divisions, Mike would sometimes enter an adult rec division, and I鈥檇 hike or climb. We and other families and friends stayed in the campground by the Town Park. The kids could ride around independently and take the free gondola to Mountain Village, where race activity centered.

Telluride is an expensive destination, and Mountain Village is studded with five-star hotels, but the area has always had great camping options. It has also always had a local community of hard-core athletes and solid all-arounders: runners, rock and ice climbers, kayakers, and skiers, the latter including various lifelong devotees, emergent high school and college racers, and ski mountaineers pulling multiple-hour approaches to no-fall couloirs.

I have heard some locals say they avoid restaurants on weekends due to crowds, but they still go to their coffee shops, like the Phoenix Bean, which closed last fall after 30 busy years. Now Bruno, which doubles as a bookstore, and the Coffee Cowboy, by the gondola, are local faves. Bakeries, such as Baked in Telluride, founded by the laid-back skier Jerry Greene in 1977, are community hubs as well.

My memories of the area are not all good. Mountain life and sports carry risks and can dole out terrible luck. The first year I went to the Mountainfilm festival鈥攁n annual late-May gathering that brings in great outdoor films and filmmakers鈥攊n 1989, my friend and housemate Katie Kemble was at the base of the 1,000-foot Ophir Wall as she belayed another climber. The news trickled in as baffling drabs. She had 鈥渂roken her leg,鈥� been taken away in a truck, been helicoptered to Grand Junction. She had, I found out in a phone call from her climbing partner Ric Hatch鈥攚ho鈥檇 carried her out from the cliff as she held her near-severed leg on with both hands鈥攂een 鈥渢aken into surgery to have her leg amputated.鈥�

I left Telluride after one day there to go to Junction, an excruciating drive. Julie Kennedy, also from Carbondale and visiting with our crew, jumped in my car, saying, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not going alone.鈥� We arrived to find Katie just being wheeled out of surgery, and Julie, Ric, and I danced with joy to hear that due to the two-finger-wide remaining section, the surgeon had reattached her leg. Yet this was no simple blessing. Katie spent months in the hospital, underwent dozens of surgeries, and is still affected, but has gone on to have a family and a great life as a nurse practitioner who also started a nonprofit, the EASE Cancer Foundation.

Another time at Mountainfilm, in 2018, I was planning to stay with my friend Charlotte Fox, with whom I used to climb when she lived in Aspen. I had stayed at her Telluride place (built by Chuck Kroger) a couple of times, once about ten years earlier with my son Roy, then age 11 or 12, for a junior ski race. Roy rode up and down the elevator鈥斺�淥h, all the kids do,鈥� Charlotte said with a smile and shrug鈥攊n her narrow, five-story house, and he lay on the floor petting her avalanche dog, Max. She and I had coffee out on her deck overlooking the whole town, across to the ski slopes.

The night before my intended recent visit, Charlotte, who鈥檇 summited and survived the Everest disaster of 1996 and also climbed Dhaulagiri, Cho Oyu, Gasherbrum II, and Manaslu (doing five of the world鈥檚 14 8000-meter peaks, and many other mountains), died in a fall on her steep stairs. Even still, though it鈥檚 been five years, I keep hearing of more of her kindnesses. My friend Randy Levensaler just told me that when he lived in Carbondale and was dating a Telluride local, and as an outsider would shyly enter dinner gatherings, Charlotte would call out his name and pat the chair beside her. 鈥淩andy! I鈥檝e got a seat for you right here!鈥�

Thankfully, there have been many good, uneventful Telluride trips. It鈥檚 a town with joyous festivals and gatherings, including the summer Bluegrass Festival (which turned 50 this year) and the Telluride Film Festival as well as Mountainfilm. The latter I have been to (at least) five times, once with friends when all our kids were tiny, many years seeing exceptional films, and a couple of times climbing on the Pipeline Wall, which offers some of the biggest views in the valley.

This past May I arrived in Telluride in a new job at 国产吃瓜黑料 and with a new team of coworkers. But some things were the same, like looking up from the streets in town and seeing the waterfall moving from two miles away. Among my crew, I was not the first to arrive, but I was the last to leave. I walked down to the final awards ceremony in the Town Park, and watched my friend and long-ago intern (at Rock and Ice magazine) Andrew Bisharat take the stage with four Palestinian climber friends, in the U.S. on miraculous visas, as their resonant film Resistance Climbing won the Charlie Fowler Best 国产吃瓜黑料 Film memorial award. Through a Mountainfilm-Telluride Academy partnership, youth from Navajo Preparatory School, Telluride High School, and Nucla High School named the powerful Full Circle as their Student Choice Award, announced by Makayla Yazzie from Navajo Prep and Akymia Ralstin of Nucla.

Leaving town, I caught a visiting bonsai exhibit at the Slate Gray Gallery on Main Street, just in time before the trees were loaded up in a truck for home. Telluride, like Aspen, has a longstanding creative arts and culture scene. The ski area is primo and vast, though I still claim our Aspen Highlands, with its hike-to Highland Bowl, as the state鈥檚 best resort skiing. But the sheer sight of Telluride鈥攖he tableau鈥攁lways gets me.

Each time, I leave with regret. But I usually stop in Ridgway to say hi to Jim McCarthy, 90, who climbed historic first ascents in the Shawangunks, New York; was on the 1963 first ascent of Mount Proboscis in the Yukon; and was instrumental in opening the once-selective American Alpine Club up to anyone who wanted to join. We sit on his back deck and look out together at the Sneffels skyline.

Alison Osius is a senior editor at 国产吃瓜黑料.

Other articles by this author:

Don鈥檛 Let Altitude Sickness Ruin Your Mountain Vacation. Heed This Doctor鈥檚 Tips to Avoid It.

Colorado’s Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail Takes You to Sacred Grounds

In 2022 A Stranger Saved Us in a Storm at Green River. Trying to Find Him, I Just Got a Surprise.

Must-Know Camping Tips from a Lifelong Camper

The post This Is the Most Beautiful Town in Colorado appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you鈥檝e been to a yoga festival, you know the hum that takes place. Everywhere you look, there鈥檚 activity. Attendees are unrolling their mats on the grass, lecturers are offering insights, vendors are sharing artisanal wares, and food trucks are dishing out their creations. As the sun goes down, the live music becomes louder and the learning shifts to dancing. It鈥檚 an unparalleled experience.

In recent years, yoga festivals have evolved to appeal to those of all experience levels and interests. Some focus on traditional practices while others are more new age-y and 鈥済littery.鈥� Whether you鈥檙e just starting yoga or are years into your practice, there is a festival that will vibe with you.

Although each yoga festival has its own distinct personality, they all share the common threads of connection, presence, and celebration. The following list explores 11 annual yoga festivals along with some of the history and highlights of each.

11 Yoga Festivals You Need to Know About

1. Bend Yoga Festival

Bend, Oregon | June 8-11, 2023

Explore the majesty of the Cascade Mountains at . Situated in the beautiful mountain town of Bend, Oregon, this festival features a focused mix of world-class presenters, wellness sessions, and outdoor adventures.

This year, the Bend Yoga Festival moves to Riverbend Park, offering direct access to the flowing Deschutes River, stunning mountain views, and more than 15,000 square feet of lawn. During the festival, attendees can explore nearby natural attractions, such as the lava caves and . Join a guided hike to the top of Smith Rock, followed by a yoga practice and local brew tasting, or take to the river in an open paddle class.

Throughout the weekend, you can join international and locally loved presenters including and for afternoon yoga sessions at participating local yoga studios, all within walking distance of the main venue. You can also schedule your own yoga photo shoot with acclaimed photographer . Lodging isn鈥檛 included, so you鈥檒l want to find a stay at a local Airbnb, campsite, or hotel.

2. Telluride Yoga Fest

Telluride, Colorado | June 22-25, 2023

For a fully immersive yoga experience, the is not to be missed. The four-day event offers more than 100 classes, including yoga, meditation, music, hiking, wellness talks, and social gatherings. The event takes place amid the intimate setting of a small village nestled at the base of the Telluride Mountains, surrounded by rugged peaks, mountain air, and crisp blue skies.

Start your day with a mountain-top meditation, hike the fan-favorite Jud Wiebe memorial trail, practice standup paddleboard (SUP) yoga on Elk Lake, or simply sleep-in. With its new campus in Mountain Village,听 connected to the historic Town of Telluride via a free gondola, the festival provides a unique gathering that鈥檚 entirely removed from the hubbub of everyday life. The festival has hosted some of the most well-seasoned yoga teachers, including , , , , and .

Telluride offers a selection of hotels, condos, and private residences that cater to every budget.

3. LoveShinePlay

Asheville, North Carolina | July 20-23, 2023

The , formerly known as the Asheville Yoga Festival, is a four-day event held in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. The festival offers an expansive schedule that includes more than 70 styles of offerings, including Bhakti and anatomy, Kundalini and Yin, and everything in between.

Asheville is considered the wellness capital of the South, and the festival takes advantage of its surroundings, allowing attendees to expand their knowledge and practice in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Throughout the weekend, attendees can experience lectures on practical astrology, Ayurvedic yoga classes, 鈥測in yoga and story time,鈥� plus classes and concerts from and .

Classes are dispersed around Asheville in hotels, community centers, and outdoor stages, all walkable from the marketplace. The central hub for the festival, the marketplace features 60-plus hand-selected vendors offering high-quality wellness products. You鈥檒l also find food trucks, free community events, and outdoor spaces to rest.

LoveShinePlay started in 2016 as the Asheville Yoga Festival and has since grown to include partnerships with Lululemon and Yoloha. In 2024, the festival will expand and offer a similar incarnation in Charleston.

4. OM Festival

Manchester, Vermont | July 26-30, 2023

Dance, flow, and play your way to wellness at the annual , a summerfest held on 150-plus mountainside acres overlooking the Battenkill River. Also known as the Vermont Yoga Festival, it offers five days of yoga, meditation, dance, and flow arts classes where festival-goers can flow, play, and groove.

The OM Festival combines natural beauty and historic charm. Classes take place in a 200-year-old barn on the expansive private grounds and in the perfectly coiffed meditation garden. At night, the festival comes alive with music and embodiment celebrations, including kirtan, bhakti yoga, and ecstatic dance DJs.

Most guests stay on-site, either at , the hub of the festival, or camp in a private field or alongside the river (river camp sites are limited and sell out quickly). Those staying at the inn can expect romantic, antique-y rooms, mountain views, and farm-fresh dining.

5. Soul Circus

Elmore, UK | August 17-20, 2023

somehow manages to be both healthy and hedonistic. And somehow it works. Spearheaded by the charismatic founders, Roman and Ella Wroath, Soul Circus is a holistic yoga, arts, and music festival set in the rural countryside of Cotswold, United Kingdom. The combination of yoga asana, wellness workshops, and live music is undeniably more glittery wellness rave than traditional yoga festival. With its world-renowned DJs and afterparties that last until 2 am, Soul Circus wants to help you tune in and let loose.

By day, stretch out in yoga tents dotted along the countryside or join sought-after yoga instructors and wellness practitioners in any of the 300-plus wellness sessions, including cacao ceremonies, astral projection, lucid dreaming, and ecstatic dance. It鈥檚 a chance to indulge your woo-woo side.

As the light fades, the festival takes on an entirely different vibe. DJs set the skies alight with exhilarating music and dance. Those who need a reset after a marathon dance session can settle into a wood-fired hot tub or sauna at the on-site Soul Spa, which also offers daytime holistic therapy sessions.

Soul Circus is an undoubtedly energetic and unique yoga experience.

6. Dirty South Yoga Festival

Atlanta, Georgia | August 25-27, 2023

The , held at the end of August, is a homegrown celebration that鈥檚 all about promoting community and mindfulness in a way that embraces the 鈥渞ough around the edges鈥� energy of the South.

Founded in 2013 by a group of Atlanta-based yoga teachers, Dirty South Yoga arose from a need for authentic connection in the wellness community. The group cites the Zen Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh and his famous saying 鈥淣o mud, no lotus鈥� as a foundational inspiration and will be the first to admit they鈥檙e not prim and proper. They regularly practice falling and try to show up to themselves, their practice, and each other as best they can.

The festival takes place at The Loudermilk Conference Center in downtown Atlanta, where participants can revel in an entire weekend of workshops, classes, and activities. Founder has said she knows what it鈥檚 like to long for connection in the yoga world, and with Dirty South Yoga, she hopes to provide a place of support, guidance, and friendship. It鈥檚 yoga, real and raw.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoYRp9NPMgR/

7. Mammoth Yoga Festival

Mammoth Lakes, California | September 14-17, 2023

is a getaway for those seeking adventure, growth, and connection in California鈥檚 Sierra Nevada Mountains. Every September, it offers 鈥測oga and meditation for every body, every age, and every ability,鈥� making it accessible to all who wish to make the pilgrimage.

Whether you鈥檙e a curious beginner or a yoga teacher seeking to expand your understanding of how to share the practice, Mammoth Festival shares an array of classes to help you develop your practice. Anyone can attend early morning sessions on creative yoga sequencing, the power of cueing, and decolonizing yoga. And every night, the Vendor Village Market lights up with performances from mystically-minded musicians, which included , , and in recent years.

Weekend asana and meditation classes from teachers such as and will help you settle a restless spirit and immerse yourself in the present. Also, presentations from yoga and health institutions such as Mammoth Hospital and the work trade and job opportunity website, , allow instructors to diversify their teaching tools beyond advanced asana. The festival is recognized as an approved Continuing Education Provider by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, making it an excellent opportunity for yoga and fitness professionals to gain needed continuing education credits.

8. Lamu Yoga Festival

Lamu Island, Kenya | October 25-29, 2023

From sunrise yoga sessions on pristine beaches to moonlit meditations beneath the stars, emphasizes total, undisturbed bliss. This celebration of yoga, culture, and tranquility happens in the coastal region of Kenya and immerses in a world of serenity, culture, and mindful exploration.

Yoga, breathwork, and meditation are taught at a dozen unique venues and studios. Discover the allure of Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its charming architecture and captivating history. With no cars in sight and donkeys and boats instead dotting the landscape, the scene creates a true escape from the everyday. Experience the local culture and traditions through an awe-inspiring opening ceremony on the beach, a traditional Kenyan dinner, a scenic sailing trip, and a mesmerizing bonfire to close your journey.

9. International Yoga Festival

Banks of Ganges River, India | March 2024

A week-long celebration of yoga and meditation, the in Rishikesh, India, attracts thousands of people from around the world to the birthplace of yoga. Nestled among the Himalayas on the banks of the holy River Ganga, the festival takes place at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, one of the largest interfaith yoga institutions in India. It鈥檚 a tranquil environment where participants can connect with themselves and their spiritual practice.

The aim of the International Yoga Festival is to 鈥渆xpand global consciousness and bring healing back to the planet, one person at a time.鈥� In support of that, it hosts some of the greatest teachers from both eastern and western lineages of yoga, making it an ideal pilgrimage for dedicated students looking to connect with the origins of the practice.

The extensive schedule includes a mind-boggling array of activities, from early morning kundalini sadhana to evening kirtan and everything in between, including asana classes and talks. It regularly draws more than 2000 participants from 80 countries, offering a unique opportunity to come together and share in the transformative power of yoga. The festival鈥檚 emphasis on the origins of the practice is a testament to yoga鈥檚 enduring spirit, influence, and ability to unite people in the pursuit of growth and well-being.

10. Sedona Yoga Festival

Sedona, Arizona | April 2024

Many believe that certain locations on the planet experience a higher vibrational energy than others. With its seven vortices, or energy centers, Sedona is one of those places. The , now in its tenth year, draws on this enigmatic energy to foster community and spiritual growth.

Billed as a 鈥渃onsciousness evolution conference,鈥� the festival boasts an impressive roster of speakers and rich coursework and continues to be a pioneer of large-scale mindful events in the United States. Workshops and immersions take place amid Sedona鈥檚 mystical landscape and world-class performing arts facilities and offer opportunities to explore all eight limbs of yoga.

Attendees can gather in the mornings for a communal ceremony before dispersing into lectures or desert excursions. There are more than 100 sessions to choose from, including yoga practices amid the red rocks. Evenings feature keynote addresses from top-tier spiritual minds, lectures, sacred chanting sessions, and live entertainment.

11. BaliSpirit

Ubud, Bali | May 2024

If practicing yoga in Bali is your dream, the in Ubud may be the ultimate destination. Held annually at the , this three-day 鈥渟pirit festival鈥� encompasses yoga, dance, martial arts, breathwork, personal development, and more, making it a catalyst for transformation.

A magnet for conscious travelers and spiritual seekers, BaliSpirit has grown considerably since it was founded in 2008, bringing economic growth and evolution to the town of Ubud. Held in a traditional Balinese open-air venue surrounded by wildlife and flanked by a sacred river, the fest offers a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with themselves, others, and the surroundings.

The holistic approach of the festival is reflected in its more than 150 workshops representing different styles of yoga (including Hatha, Yin, Anusara, and Ashtanga) as well as other types of movement (Capoeira, Qi Gong, Silat, Poi, Laughter, and hula hooping). Each night ends with a musical lineup of global performers, creating an intimate concert experience leading to deeper connections and sacred celebration.

About Our Contributor

Sierra is a writer, yogi, and music lover living in the Pacific Northwest. She鈥檚 been practicing yoga for nearly a decade & got certified to teach in 2018. She writes and teaches all about connection: connection to the body, to nature, and to the universal love that holds us together. She鈥檚 also the author of , a moon magic journal and witchy workbook.

For free yoga and witchy wisdom, find Sierra at , on Instagram , and on .

The post 11 Yoga Festivals You Need to Know About appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 no surprise that mountain towns across the West have a problem. The pandemic-fueled real estate boom has priced out locals from Bozeman, Montana, to Bend, Oregon. In the Colorado towns of Ouray and Telluride, housing shortages have led to worker shortages, forcing businesses to operate at reduced capacity. And in Crested Butte, Colorado, the 2021 school year began听without school buses, because the district can鈥檛 find anyone in the area to hire to drive them.

But for some mountain-town residents, this problem is nothing new.

Karla Garcia Gonzales moved from Peru to Telluride in 2004, where she began working as a cultural outreach coordinator and organizing for immigrants鈥� rights. For more than a decade she tried to bridge the Latino community with the wealth and opportunity that exist in Telluride. But she could never reconcile the fact that she could casually talk to a billionaire at the coffee shop and then walk down the block to help a single mother with multiple jobs figure out how to make rent.

San Miguel County, where Telluride is located, ranked eighth in the nation in highest income inequality, according to a . And it isn鈥檛 exactly the most racially equitable either. The Latino population there makes up a significant percentage of the local workforce but until recently not have access to federally funded affordable housing because many of them are undocumented, leaving few options in an already limited workforce-housing market. Many are forced to commute long distances or share housing. Meanwhile, Black residents make up less than 1 percent of the population.

Eventually, for Gonzalez, the wealth inequality was 鈥渢oo much in her face.鈥� She worked tirelessly for her community but couldn鈥檛 afford to buy a home. In 2011, she moved to Denver, away from the friends and landscape she loved.

鈥淭he joys of skiing and small-mountain-town living have disproportionately been conferred to wealthy white people,鈥� says Willa Williford, an affordable-housing consultant for mountain communities across Colorado.

Many of these mountain towns began to address racial and social inequities more seriously in response to the Black Lives Matter groundswell in 2020. Now they are struggling to house even the longtime locals (who are largely white and middle class). Yet what feels like two separate losing battles actually creates one collective opportunity. If these places can find a way to stop catering to the ultrarich and instead create more accessible, just, and equitable atmospheres for BIPOC residents and visitors, they may have a chance to save what is left of their middle-class souls.

In Williford鈥檚 opinion, the first thing to address is affordable housing. In Telluride, where the median household income is $66,000 and the average residential property sells for $2.1 million (not to mention the many houses listed in the area at $36 million), the pain of inequality is felt by nearly all of the full-time residents making local wages.

Williford says that many mountain communities where she works are keenly aware of the ways that state and federal resources don鈥檛 adequately address housing needs; as a result, local leaders are innovating solutions that could be applied elsewhere. In Steamboat Springs, is working on housing-advocacy programs for its听Latino community. In Leadville, are negotiating with a mining company to donate land for a project aimed at increasing the rental pool. In Crested Butte, is exploring ideas to provide housing specifically to attract BIPOC folks. And in Bozeman, creators of an innovative, are hoping to further prove that smart, equitable growth is possible.

鈥淚 think we need to do a white paper on the cost to these places of keeping people out,鈥� says Christine Walker, former director of the Jackson/Teton County Housing Authority, in Wyoming, and now a workforce-housing consultant. She notes that to be inclusive, you must increase density, a concept that most mountain communities fiercely resist to such an extent that residents have often relocated in an effort to escape crowds. In the end, though, this exclusivity hurts all members of the community.

Low-density zoning policies in many mountain-resort towns favor large, expensive single-family homes that are often used as second homes and vacation rentals. (Generally one- to two-thirds of housing stock in ski-resort communities aren鈥檛 occupied year-round, according to a conducted by the Colorado Association of Ski Towns and the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments.) The simple equation of finite land and increased demand for housing means that a local wage is not enough to buy a home, and workers are forced downvalley. Small-town perks like biking to work or living next to friends are lost. Business owners struggle to find employees. Water and energy are used inefficiently, traffic increases, carbon dioxide emissions rise, and wildlife collisions increase.

When a community has to import its workforce, it leaves residents, commuters, and visitors exposed. For example, when a massive storm is expected to roll through the Tetons, emergency responders employed in Jackson鈥攎any of whom live outside Teton County鈥攈ave to decide whether they will go home for the night and risk sketchy or closed roads in the morning, or stay somewhere in town (local hotels offer discounted rates for these occasions). One such storm could prohibit 20 percent of teachers from getting to school, 18 of 21听Teton County patrol officers from reporting for duty, and almost half of its hospital employees and critical workers, like snowplow drivers and mechanics, from getting to their jobs.

In San Francisco, a city notorious for its absurd housing prices and the resulting gentrification, a 2018 report showed that an average teacher could afford just 0.7 percent of the available housing, and first responders could afford 2.4 percent of the currently listed housing. To help solve their housing crises, voters a ballot measure that increased taxes on property sales worth over $10 million. This revenue will help fund rent relief and affordable housing for low- and middle-income residents. Seattle passed in July, imposing an additional tax on high-income earners that will then go toward community development, local business assistance, and workforce housing. Vancouver, British Columbia, Oakland, California, and Washington, D.C., have implemented taxes on homes that remain vacant a majority of the year. Mountain towns need to follow suit.

Fortunately, some are. A Teton County legislator is proposing a second-home fee, and Breckenridge, Colorado, is buying houses in town and converting them to deed-restricted dwellings to increase the number of diverse inhabitants year-round. Other places, including Summit County, Colorado, Truckee, California, and Steamboat Springs and Crested Butte, have all elected to tax themselves and/or visitors to create dedicated local funding sources for housing.

An increasing amount of demonstrate that individuals who interact with different socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds, whether at school, work, or in neighborhoods, fare better in mental health, personal finances, academics, and employment rates. There鈥檚 evidence that corporations with better gender and racial representation have higher profits and are more , that children who attend more integrated schools develop more , and that diversity fosters more and consensus building.

Inclusivity is also good for business. Even Rob Katz, the CEO of Vail Resorts, admits听that the ski industry has waited far too long to invest in communities of color. Katz wrote an to his employees, acknowledging that the lack of diversity in the ski industry is 鈥渘ot only a moral and societal issue, but a business issue.鈥� The U.S. Census Bureau projects that more than half of the country will be non-white by 2044, and according to a report by the National Ski Areas Association, visits by people of color have remained fairly stagnant in the past decade and are not tracking with the growth of minority populations in the U.S. Katz recognizes that the ski industry must broaden its base to more skiers of color if it wants to survive. Similarly, the mountain-biking, climbing, hunting, and fishing industries, all of which feed mountain towns鈥� tourism economies, have remained mostly white while the face of America becomes increasingly diverse.

Geographically isolated mountain communities once thought exclusionary practices could insulate them from modern and urban hardships鈥攖his is clearly no longer the case. Safety nets that previously held communities together are being stretched thin and tearing as wealth pours in and inequitable practices endure. Gonzales stresses that we cannot use old solutions for new problems, and that these communities have the power to level the playing field. She believes that bringing people to the table 鈥渘ot because they think like you or look like you, but because they are different鈥� is key to the survival of mountain towns. 鈥淲e are in this mess together,鈥� she says. 鈥淟et鈥檚 work together, so we can learn and build together.鈥�

The post Ski Towns, Stop Catering to the Ultrarich appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Mountainfilm has gained a reputation over 42 years for airing some of the best documentaries about the outdoors, and significantly increasing the number of puffy jackets per square mile in Telluride, Colorado, for a week every May. This time last year, for obvious reasons, there was nary an out-of-town down feather to be found on Telluride鈥檚 streets. But 2021 will see a slight return to normal, with a hybrid festival featuring a limited capacity in-person event from May 28 to听31 and a virtual event from May 31 to听June 6. The festival is offering all-inclusive passes for the online screeners for $150 to $250听or passes to individual screeners for $15; in-person attendees can听 for each showing and will also have the option to see speakers like ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson,听filmmaker Renan Ozturk, Arctic explorer Will Steger, and author听Justin Farrell. Whichever experience appeals, some of the听festival鈥檚 biggest draws听are exciting new feature-length documentaries. Here are some highlights from the list.

鈥榃all of Shadows鈥�

Many films about mountain expeditions exhibit the uneven power dynamics between climbers and guides.听But听in ,听this is the subject instead of the subtext. Polish director and climber Eliza Kubarska centers the story on a family living in Nepal: professional guide Ngada Sherpa, his wife Jomdoe, and son Dawa. Early on, the family discusses the mountain at the center of the film, Kumbhakarna. 鈥淚s Everest easier than Kumbhakarna?鈥� Dawa asks his father, who has climbed Everest, Ama Dablum, and many other major peaks multiple times. 鈥淥h, Everest is much easier,鈥� Ngada says. 鈥淜umbhakarna is a lot more challenging….听Sherpa people won鈥檛 climb it because the mountain is sacred. You鈥檙e also very likely to die in the process.鈥� Sure enough, it鈥檚 not long before we learn that Ngada has been hired to lead a team of Russian and Bosnian clients on Kumbhakarna. Wall of Shadows completely flips around the usual perspective of climbing films by focusing on the family鈥檚 doubts as they accompany the team to base camp, and Ngada struggles to decide whether or not he can safely bring the climbers to the peak鈥攊f he doesn鈥檛, nobody will get paid. 鈥淭hey only listen to themselves,鈥� Ngada laments of the clients at one point. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not a good thing in the mountains.鈥� Kubarska manages to follow the growing tensions between the pushy climbers and conflicted local guides so closely that the dramatic peaks feel almost beside the point.

鈥楶laying with Sharks鈥�

Scuba diver Valerie Taylor has a shark鈥檚 tooth embedded under her chin, has听friends who have survived shark attacks, and helped capture footage for the iconically scary shark film听Jaws. Despite that, she refers to the fish as her friends, and approaches shark encounters with nonchalance and even鈥� whimsy? The beginning of the documentary sees her packing for a trip to Fiji to visit a familiar group of bull sharks. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to be wearing a pink wetsuit,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 used to in the early days. And then I was told not to because it made me stand out and the bull sharks noticed. Well, I thought that was good, but apparently it鈥檚 not.鈥� , which will play at Mountainfilm before becoming available for streaming on National Geographic, follows the many twists and turns of Taylor鈥檚 career evolution from a champion spearfisher to a scrappy open-water shark diver and filmmaker. She鈥檚 spent most of her life as a staunch advocate for understanding sharks, not fearing them. 鈥淭here are hundreds of species of sharks in the ocean,鈥� she says at one point. 鈥淢aybe five or six are potentially dangerous.鈥� The documentary makes a good case that you can take her word for it; there鈥檚 almost no one else on earth who鈥檚 spent as much time alongside these听creatures.

鈥楤耻谤颈别诲鈥�

In the eighties, Alpine Meadows ski resort in California had one of the most advanced avalanche safety programs in the country, thanks to avalanche forecaster Jim Plehn and plenty of explosives. But by March 31, 1982, a series of spring snowstorms had set up conditions for the worst tragedy in the resort鈥檚 history.听At 5 P.M. that day, a massive avalanche reached the parking lot, destroyed buildings at the base, and killed seven people. Directors Jared Drake and Steven Siig live in Alpine Meadows, and in (which premieres at Mountainfilm) they revisit the disaster by interviewing locals who were part of the five-day search following the avalanche. Many Alpine Meadows employees already knew the area was听high-risk. As Lanny Johnson, a former ski patroller, says, 鈥淭here鈥檚 nowhere in the world where you can work as a ski patrolman related to avalanche hazard that鈥檚 any more dangerous than Alpine Meadows.鈥� Larry Heywood, assistant patrol director at the time, explains that every lift, the access road to the resort, the base area, and the parking lot can all be affected by avalanches. Of course, the play-by-play of the avalanche speaks for itself. Those involved are still so affected by what they witnessed that several interviewees freeze up mid-sentence while describing that day.

鈥楾he River Runner鈥�

Scott Lindgren听has achieved a lot as a professional kayaker: he鈥檚 run some of the toughest rivers in the world (and graced an 国产吃瓜黑料 cover or two). But , which premieres at Mountainfilm, focuses on the achievements that have remained听just out of his grasp. For Lindgren, that means running all four great rivers that originate from Tibet鈥檚 Mount Kailash, a task that he pursued for more than 20 years, with one final river, the Indus, remaining just out of reach. But the film is also about Lindgren鈥檚 scary 2014 diagnosis with a baseball-sized brain tumor, which challenged his at-all-costs commitment to a high-adrenaline career. In 2017, in the run-up to an attempt on the Indus, his doctor wants to treat the tumor with radiation. Lindgren cancels all his appointments to throw himself into trip planning instead, and breaks up with his girlfriend, Patricia, who felt helpless that either his brain tumor or kayaking could kill him. As everything else in his life falls to the wayside, the feel-good nature of the rest of the film hinges on whether or not Lindgren succeeds in his Indus attempt. But what makes The River Runner fascinating is its honest portrayal of the never-quite-satisfied nature of the extreme athlete鈥檚 brain.

The post 4 of Our Favorite Documentaries from Mountainfilm appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Many ski towns and resorts go out of their way to actively welcome queer snow enthusiasts with ski weeks, winter Pride fests, and other LGBTQ+ events. Want to partake in the fun? This guide breaks down where to ski and which mega-pass to use.

If you鈥檙e not interested in a pass, any of the events below can be accessed directly through the independent event organizers, and many include discounts on lift tickets.

Ikon Pass

Access to LGBTQ+ Events: 9

Not only did add Colorado鈥檚 Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Australia鈥檚 Mount听Buller, and Switzerland鈥檚 Zermatt this year, it now also gets you lift access to the inaugural at Vermont鈥檚 Stratton Mountain, which takes place from February 21 to 23. Hosted by , it鈥檚 one of the first听outdoor-industry-sponsored gay ski weekends. On top of lodging and event packages (from $435), the summit听offers a two-day lift-ticket, rental, and lesson package ($220)听as well as a two-day cross-country-skiing, snowshoeing, and ice-skating package ($150).

The king of this pass, though, is 听(from $375), the first and longest-running LGBTQ+ ski week. From January 12 to 19, the Colorado event features a downhill costume competition, a comedy show at with Julie Goldman and Alec Mapa, and a South Beach鈥搕hemed pool party at the . After joining a daily Highland Bowl hike, be sure to stop by for lunch,听a rowdy tradition. The event听raises funds for , a local听nonprofit committed to ending bullying and improving tolerance toward the LGBTQ+ community.听

Can鈥檛 swing a full week? The pass also offers lift access to three weekend events elsewhere. In Maine, there鈥檚听(January 10 to 12) and Sunday River鈥檚 听(February 7 to 9), and in Ontario, Canada, there鈥檚 Blue Mountain鈥檚听听(March 28 to 29). All feature wild parties, like White Out Weekends鈥檚 Studio 54-meets-Area 51鈥搕hemed Booty Bash at ,听complete with a live disco band. WOW also provides free telemark-skiing lessons and demos with听FreeHeeler鈥檚 Demo Tour, where participants can test gear from brands like 22 Designs, Crispi, Liberty Skis, and Meidjo.听

Farther听north, in Quebec, the second annual 听(January 30 to February 2) at Mont Tremblant Ski Resort is a great introduction to the Canadian province, with activities like dogsledding and ice climbing alongside Scandinavian-bathing sessions. The Elevation series also visits Mammoth Mountain, California, for 听(March 18 to 22), known for its exuberant apr猫s-ski parties. It draws close to 2,500 participants every year.

If you鈥檙e looking to plan a more far-flung ski trip, head Down Under for听听at New Zealand鈥檚 the Remarkables and Mount听Coronet. The ten-day festival begins August 28听and has a robust set of off-mountain outdoor activities, like zip lining and boat tours, in addition to a Pride Party Series, with听packages from $60.听Just across the Tasman Sea, in New South Wales, Australia, kicks off at 听in the country鈥檚 Snowy Mountains in early September with a jam-packed schedule of dress-up ski competitions, spa sessions, and karaoke nights.听

Epic Pass

Access to LGBTQ+ Events:听7

The season begins with , at Vermont鈥檚 Stowe Mountain Resort, from January 22 to 26. The longest running of its kind on the East Coast, Rendezvous entertains attendees after a day on the hill with performers like last year鈥檚 headliner, legendary drag queen Lady Bunny. Next up, in British Columbia,听is听Whistler Blackcomb鈥檚 听(January 26 to February 2). Its highlight is an enormous parade of skiers and boarders听decked out in Pride flags and costumes, slaloming听down the mountain, and then marching听through Whistler Village.

At听听(February 22 to 29), be sure to check out the听, billed as Cirque du听Soleil meets New York Fashion Week,听with proceeds benefiting HIV and AIDS organizations in its home state of Colorado as well as in Utah, Swaziland, and Ethiopia. , now celebrating its tenth year, overlaps with the Telluride gathering, running from February 26 to March 1 at the Park City Mountain Resort. Utah residents receive 25 percent听off Elevation听party packages (from $70), while all attendees receive up to 30 percent听off rental equipment through partnering local businesses.

Japan鈥檚 original gay ski week, 听(March 6 to 16) is just what you鈥檇 expect: next-level costumes and daily onsen parties. Budget-friendly packages, like the Kyoshi听(from $678), which听includes seven nights of lodging and five days of lift access, make the schlep across the Pacific well worth it. In late spring,听 at Colorado鈥檚 Breckenridge Ski Resort (April 1 to 5) features an听on-mountain Pride parade, a Sunday drag brunch, and a charity ski race. The year鈥檚 events culminate in early September at Falls Creek and Hotham Alpine Resorts in Australia鈥檚 Victorian Alps for , host of the highest-altitude LGBTQ+ film festival in the country, the Queer Shorts Film Fest.

Mountain Collective

Access to LGBTQ+ Events:听4

With the addition of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Mount听Buller, and Chile鈥檚 Valle Nevado, the now provides access to 18 international destinations, four of which host LGBTQ+ events. For the best value听(and 50 percent off on additional days), spend听two free days at California鈥檚听, Colorado鈥檚听, New Zealand鈥檚听, and Australia鈥檚听.

Powder Alliance and the New England Pass

Access to LGBTQ+ Events:听3

grants three days of weekday access (with half-price tickets on weekends) at Marmot Basin in Alberta, where the four-day commences on April 23. While not on the slopes, check out the festival鈥檚 burlesque shows, line-dancing workshop, and glacier tours of the Columbia Icefield.听

The aforementioned ski weekends in Maine鈥擲ugarloaf Together and White Out Weekend鈥攃an also be accessed using the听, which provides access to Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and New Hampshire鈥檚 Loon Mountain.

Queer Ski Events Not on Specific Passes

Europe also has its own extensive circuit of听events. At Switzerland鈥檚 听(January 18 to 25), partake in the听high-altitude Drag Race Competition, where听contestants dress up in their best mountain chic听before flying听down the slopes for the crown and听grand prize: a five-day stay for two at a luxury resort in the Bahamas.听

, at Paradiski in the French Alps, runs from March 21 to 28 and hosts an exclusive set of programming specifically for queer women, with guided ski and snowboard groups, a fondue dinner, a spa party, and live sets by female DJs. Other notable European gay ski weeks include Switzerland鈥檚 , which takes place from March 8 to 15 and offers a six-day ski pass for $186, as well as France鈥檚 听(March 14 to 21), with a five-day lift and event pass from $439.听

Closer to home, Oregon鈥檚 Mount听Bachelor hosts from January 30 to February 2, while features two separate events in British Columbia: one at Sun Peaks Resort from February 26 to March 1, and one at Big White Ski Resort from April 1 to 5.

LGBTQ+ Ski and Snowboard Clubs and Outing Groups

Another way to celebrate Pride on the slopes this year is through regional and national organizations, like听, ,听,听, and many others. These clubs organize small groups of LGBTQ+ snow-sports enthusiasts for trips to local and international destinations. In the case of the nonprofit group Ski Buddies, you can register for a free membership and choose from a selection of trips, including a week in听, Austria, from January 18 to 25 (from $1,630). The trip provides seven nights of lodging at , daily breakfast and four-course dinners, and six days of lift access at the largest interconnected ski area in Austria, where you can shred听190听miles of ski runs and more than 124 miles of off-piste terrain.

The post The 2020 LGBTQ+ Ski Guide appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Sure, you won鈥檛 have the place to yourself, but who cares? These are the sights you have to see during your lifetime. Besides, if you play your cards right鈥攃ome early or late, don鈥檛 show up on a busy weekend, arrive through the sneaky back entrance that few people know about鈥攜ou can get around some of the crowds. These are our picks for top spots worth visiting, despite the fact that everyone else will be there听too.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The South Rim of Grand Canyon is notoriously jammed with shuttle busses, RVs, and hikers wearing CamelBaks. And for good reason鈥攖he views of the canyon from this side are stunning. If you鈥檙e entering the park from here, plan to line听up well before 9 a.m. or come at night. (Rangers lead听 on stars, bats, and geology at the McKee Amphitheater.) Otherwise, skip the bustling Grand Canyon Village and enter the park from听, 25 miles to the east, or via the harder-to-reach听.

While everyone else hikes down the Bright Angel Trail, opt for the more challenging but less traveled Hermit Trail, which you can reach via shuttle from Grand Canyon Village or by car if you have an听.

Foz do Igua莽u, Brazil

In June, Brazil began allowing听visa-free entry into the country for travelers from the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia. That means it鈥檚 even easier to book a trip to visit the famous waterfalls at Foz do Igua莽u, which straddle the border between Brazil and Argentina.

Thousands of people visit the park each day, most of whom come from the Argentinian side, so accessing the falls from the Brazilian side is a good bet. Stay near the falls at the听 (from $441), and you can be on the trail out to the Devil鈥檚 Throat viewpoint before everyone else.听

Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Colorado

The听, which takes place in late June, brings some 12,000 people to the normally sleepy mountain town. In the 46 years of the festival, the lineup keeps getting more impressive. This year, headliners included Brandi Carlile, the Sam Bush Band, and Railroad Earth. Camping at the festival is a must-do experience, but it鈥檚 hardly a solitary one. If you want a little more room, pitch a tent in the forested听, seven miles away, and hop the shuttle to the festival.

Don鈥檛 forget running shoes and a tarp. To claim a spot near the main stage, you鈥檒l need to line up early for the mad dash that is the听.

Tuckerman Ravine, New Hampshire

If you鈥檙e a budding backcountry skier on the East Coast, Tuckerman Ravine is your pilgrimage. It鈥檚 a classic route with some of the finest steep terrain in the country. Each spring, tens of thousands of people hike the 4.2-mile trail to ski the iconic bowl and chutes on the flanks of Mount Washington. To avoid the crowds, don鈥檛 show up on a busy weekend in April. Or you could hire听a guide from the International Mountain Climbing School to take you to听Tuckerman Ravine and some lesser-known zones off Mount Washington with far fewer people.

Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix, France

No matter the season, the scenery from the top of the听, which rises to 12,391 feet above the Chamonix valley and offers panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps, is worth battling the crowds. Nearly half a million people visit this spot every year.

During the summer peak, the lift starts running at 6:30 a.m.鈥攂e on the first tram to reduce your exposure to crowds. This is a prime launching point for experienced backcountry skiers and climbers, but 听if you鈥檙e going that route.

Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

On the west coast of New Zealand鈥檚 South Island, the Franz Josef Glacier is a true spectacle:听a massive chunk of shifting ice that used to extend from the mountains to the sea.听

Join a听 for a hike in the valley or a helicopter ride to walk on the glacier itself. Peak season is November to March, so come outside that window for less traffic. The nearby听 has treehouses (from $300), cottages (from $120), and places to park your van (from $31).

Montauk, New York

Summer crowds are a real thing in Montauk, where city dwellers escape to the eastern end of Long Island for weekend and summer holidays on the beach. Come in the fall for a quieter experience.

Things to do: Climb to the top of the听, and join the Instagrammers on the patio snapping photos of the sunset from听 or Montauket, an old-school听cliffside bar and restaurant with the best views of Fort Pond Bay. Stay at听 (from $229), a few minutes from town but far enough off the main drag to give you a feeling of serenity.听

Joshua Tree National Park, California

As the closest national park to Los Angeles,听 is as accessible as it is beautiful, with thousands of established rock-climbing routes and endless hiking trails. Get this鈥�90 percent of the park鈥檚 visitors come through a single entrance, the west gate near the town of Joshua Tree. If you want to avoid that backup, use the north entrance near Twentynine Palms or the southern entrance from Chiriaco Summit. Or听show up midwinter, when nobody else is around. Most campers head to听; instead, try for a first-come, first-served spot at the smaller听 ($15).

The post 8 Crowded Outdoor Destinations You Still Need to See appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Hilaree Nelson is one of the boldest ski mountaineers in the world. The 46-year-old lives in Telluride, Colorado, and has skied from the summit of 26,906-foot Cho Oyu听in the Himalayas, the sixth-highest mountain in the world; made the , also known as the Peak of Evil; and, last year, with her boyfriend, Jim Morrison, nailed the , at 27,940 feet, the fourth-highest mountain in the world. She鈥檚 also a听听and a mother of two.

When she鈥檚 not shredding big-mountain lines around the world, you can find her lapping runs at her home mountain听or revisiting her roots at Stevens Pass in Washington鈥檚 Cascade Mountains, where she first learned to ski at the age of three. Here are her favorite resorts and inbounds runs from听over four decades of skiing.听

Taos, New Mexico

Lift Ticket: $110

鈥淭his was the 听when I was a 19-year-old dirtbag. All the super-steep K听chutes off Kachina Peak are awesome, high-adventure lines, and they鈥檙e pretty accessible. There鈥檚 a lift to the top听now, but it rarely opens. The peak is open to hikers more often, and I actually like that you have to work to get there.

鈥淲hen I was a ski bum, I stayed in the town of Taos, which is a 30-minute drive from the resort. But now that I鈥檓 an adult with kids, I like staying up on the mountain. The last time I was there, we got a room at . It鈥檚 super nice. You walk out and you鈥檙e on the hill.鈥�

Telluride, Colorado

Lift Ticket: $139

鈥溙齣s my home mountain, so it鈥檚 obviously my favorite. The hike-to terrain is some of the best anywhere, especially off Palmyra Peak, which is technically inbounds but takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to. The top doesn鈥檛 open very often, so maybe that adds to the allure.

鈥淭he Mak-M鈥揝tairs鈥揚lunge combines three different runs鈥擪ant-Mak-M, Spiral Stairs, and Plunge鈥攐ff of Chair 9. It鈥檚 a big听giant-bump run, meaning it鈥檚 a good way to get in shape. You just lap it. It鈥檚 steep, north facing, and always dependable. Dynamo, off Chair 14, a.k.a. the Gold Hill Lift, is probably my other favorite. It鈥檚 off a high-speed quad, and it鈥檚 this fast, straight-to-the-bottom run,听which you can do in three minutes. It鈥檚 steep, rarely very moguly, and there are all these little secret shots off of it.

鈥淭he town of Telluride is small, but cool. The lifts come right out of town, and you can walk everywhere. But unlike many ski resorts, it feels real because it was a mining town in the 1800s, and then the ski area came in the seventies.鈥�

Crystal Mountain, Washington

Lift Ticket: From $59

鈥淚 grew up in Washington, so I like 听a lot.听It鈥檚 updated all of its lifts, and it鈥檚 a big mountain with really fun skiing. The snow is good,听and there is a lot of it. There鈥檚 also great hike-to terrain that鈥檚 still inbounds, and it鈥檚 not super crowded since everyone can be pretty spread out.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no real town, and the apr猫s at the base is pretty minimal: there鈥檚 only one bar. But it听has听a really cool camper scene in the parking lot, which is pretty unique.听The mountain allows it听and even has听hookups and services for RVs. It鈥檚 a total ski-bum scene.鈥�

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Lift Ticket: $154

鈥溙齢as amazing sidecountry access, and I tend to go out the backcountry gates if I have the option. But there鈥檚 lots of steep skiing inbounds, too. I love Cody Bowl, Rock Springs Bowl, and the Hobacks, below the tram. I like all the terrain off the Thunder and Sublette quad chairs, and Corbet鈥檚 Couloir is an incredible, classic inbounds run.

鈥淭he local scene in Jackson is a little more intense, a little more aggro. It reminds me of Chamonix [France] in that way, but I still have tons of fun there. Plus, it has more of an apr猫s-ski听bar scene compared to these other places.鈥�

Squaw Valley, California

Lift Ticket: $169

鈥淚 love the people at 听probably more than those at any other resort. There鈥檚 this really cool听local scene where you can go and meet up with people. Everybody鈥檚 friendly and a high-quality skier. It鈥檚 just fun. The resort gets crowded, though, but I鈥檝e never been there when it鈥檚 too crowded, because I鈥檓 able to ski weekdays.

鈥淭he terrain off Squaw Peak is really nice. The Palisades are obviously well-known, and I like the Headwall below the Headwall Express Lift and everything off听KT-22.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a good town at the base, but it doesn鈥檛 feel as authentic as Telluride, since it was built after the lifts. I usually stay in with my boyfriend. Lift tickets are pricey, but the resort is on the听, which is reasonable. California resorts also stay open the longest鈥擲quaw has run lifts through the Fourth听of July before. It has really sunny days, and it鈥檚 super fun to ski spring corn snow.鈥�

Stevens Pass, Washington

Lift Ticket: From听$84听

鈥� has fantastic skiing. I grew up skiing there听and love that it鈥檚 small and rootsy. Lift tickets are still under $100. There鈥檚 no town, no bars, no apr猫s-ski, but it has a really cool parking-lot scene. That鈥檚 it: the听parking lot, the听lodge at the base, and the mountain. Some of my favorite runs are Nancy Chute and Bobby Chute off Cowboy Mountain, and I love everything off Big Chief Mountain. It鈥檚 a quick听drive from , so its easy to make a day trip out of it.鈥�

The post Ski Mountaineer Hilaree Nelson’s Favorite Resorts appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.