Just the view is worth the trip
Sure beats walking
Southwestern Colorado isn’t exactly a secret gem. Rocky Mountain ski towns like Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge are world-renowned for their soft, fresh powder, luxury amenities and party scenes. But the summer months offer a more relaxed vibe, lots of great accommodations and incredible scenery. As a bonus, you can enjoy it all in a t-shirt and sandals.
Getting here is easy. The Denver airport offers direct connections to every major metro in the US and many in Europe and Asia. You’ll need a car, because public transportation is limited outside of the Denver metro area. And if you’re really exploring far afield, it’s worthwhile to get an SUV. Many roads that appear solid on Google maps are dirt at best.
Summer is prime time for hikers and mountain bikers. Most of the ski slopes run at least a few of their lifts throughout the year, offering casual hikers the opportunity to “bag” a 10,000+ foot mountain without breaking much of a sweat. It’s a good thing, too, because it takes several days to adjust to the altitude. The town of Breckenridge sits at lung-taxing 9,600 feet. The peak of the ski resort tops out at 12,998 feet. By comparison, the air in most airplane cabins is pressurized to 8,000 feet, and Denver sits at a comparatively thick 5,280 feet. It’s important to minimize alcohol consumption when you first arrive, because the thin air will leave you inebriated and dehydrated much faster.
Down in the valleys, each town offers a distinct personality. Breckenridge is known as a family vacation spot with a gondola-based transit system, while Vail attracts hipsters and fashionistas to its luxury stores. Aspen boasts a music festival and cultural scene, and Georgetown prominently displays its mining history and heritage.
Each of the towns are centered on a pedestrian-oriented downtown. It’s the perfect setting for farmers markets and pop-up Western crafts markets which rotate through the area. No matter which town you choose, you’ll be surrounded by limitless options for outdoor activities, including swimming, kayaking, white water rafting, rock climbing, fishing, tennis and golf.
If you’re interested in more laid back recreational activities, Colorado’s bars and restaurants have always been the center of its social scene. You’ll hear plenty of local life stories just by pulling up a chair. Even before the pandemic, most restaurants and bars set up outdoor seating areas to enjoy the fresh air and views.
Marijuana has been legal since 2014, and the state is home to a booming Cannabis tourism industry. Whether you’re a first-timer or old hippie, you’ll find dozens of dispensaries staffed with pleasant, knowledgeable salespeople happy to help you find the perfect tincture, edible or smokeable to “get you there.” As with alcohol, you must be 21+ to purchase and use cannabis products, and you can’t imbibe and drive.
You can time your days by the afternoon storms. In summer, the Rockies usually kick up an intense rainstorm around 2-4pm, so break your days into a “morning” and “evening” period. Expect temperatures to be cool in the evenings. After all, these are still the Rocky Mountains, and snow regularly falls well into June.
Buy him a beer and you’ll get his life story. It’s a good trade.