One of the first things you notice when visiting Denver is the mountains, easily visible on the western horizon. The Rocky Mountains offer tons of recreational fun, often within a few hours drive of the city. In winter the big attraction are the ski resorts and in summer it's camping, hiking, river rafting and rock climbing.
Rocky Mountains National Park
Under two hours northwest of Denver is one of Colorado's natural wonders, an area of towering peaks, alpine meadows and great lakes. There are more than 75 peaks over 12,000ft with the highest at Longs Peak (14,255ft). Use the Trail Ridge Road for a great scenic drive at altitude.
As well as hiking and backpacking, the wildlife is exceptional with bighorn sheep, elk, deer, bear and mountain lion. There are two visitor centers at the east and west entrances. The main road is closed in winter so the vast bulk of visitors arrive in summer.
Estes Park is the main resort town with a host of shops, restaurants and lodgings. The most famous is the Stanley Hotel, reputed (wrongly) to be the set for Stanley Kubrick's film The Shining. However, Stephen King was inspired to write the novel after being a guest here.
Winter Park
Winter Park ski resort is easy to reach with a rail link from Denver's Union Station. If you drive, it's a magnificent climb from I-70 over the Berthoud Pass and across the Continental Divide.
Winter Park is a Denver-owned resort and it boasts excellent facilities all year. It's also the gateway to the Fraser Valley, the attractive resort of Grand Lake and the east entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Summit County and Leadville
Just the other side of I-70's Eisenhower Tunnel, under the Continental Divide, there's stacks to see and do including the ski resorts of Breckenridge - considered one of the state's finest resorts; Keystone and Copper Mountain. Dillon sits on the banks of the mighty Dillon Reservoir, popular for its water sports.
A short drive up 91 brings you to Leadville, the highest town in the US at 10,152ft. It lies in a broad valley beneath the peaks of Mt Elbert and Mt Massive. Leadville was once a riotous mining town. It's a little quieter these days, but it still oozes atmosphere and is a virtual living museum.
Vail ski resort
Just 100 miles west of Denver on I-70, Vail is one of the world's great ski resorts and the largest in the US. It's an affluent spot with lots of character. There's much more than skiing too, with year-round entertainment including golf, tennis, rafting, cycling and fishing. Nearby Beaver Creek is worth a visit.
Aspen
Aspen oozes wealth - the property prices tell you all you need to know. Celebrities stay here in great numbers and it's easy to see why. It has stacks of character with streets lined with charming Victorian homes.
Set in some of the finest scenery in the US, the recreational facilities are superb. It also has the feel of a European ski resort with ski-lifts in the center of town.
Breckinridge
Colorado Snowboard
To the Mountains
