5 distinctly 'Colorado' places to head to in Winter

Steamboat's Winter Carnival

It's been a while since we've been able to hit the slopes and even longer since immersing ourselves in America's Old West. Here's a refresher of Colorado ski resorts that serve a side of Cowboy culture:

• Steamboat - a small Western town with a big reputation for producing more Olympians than anywhere else in the USA, it isn't unlikely to see kids on skis being pulled along the street by horses. Plan a trip for early February and you can check out the Skijoring contest at the Steamboat Winter Carnival. Take time out to soak in the area's historic hot springs after a day on the slopes too, which have been a source of relaxation and wellness for centuries. steamboat.com
• Breckenridge - A two hour drive from Denver, previous mining camp turned civilised Victorian mountain town, Breckenridge has a historic main street of clapboard fronted stores, as well as an arts district, with over 200 boutique stores to explore and sleigh rides to really embrace the location’s Victorian charm. gobreck.com
• Winter Park - combine a ski trip with an authentic Western ranch stay. Devil's Thumb Ranch sits on 6,500 acres of land that is perfect for cross-country skiing and fat biking. A 75-minute drive from Denver international airport, the ranch is just 15 minutes to Winter Park Resort so you can enjoy hitting the slopes by day and retreating to a rustic cabin with campfire roasted marshmallows and a spa to thaw out in the evening. devilsthumbranch.com
• Telluride - tucked away in the state’s South West corner, Telluride was once the scene of a Butch Cassidy bank robbery and more recently used for the snowy mountain scenes in Tarantino’s Hateful Eight. Although now in a different guise, the bank still stands in Telluride's old town, while après drinks can be sipped in one of Telluride's saloon bars. Telluride.com
• Crested Butte - a stroll down Crested Butte's main street will have you feeling like you're in an authentically 'Colorado' ski town - clapboard fronted stores line the road with no traffic lights, chain stores or high rise buildings to obstruct the epic mountain views rising behind. While the town has a very local and friendly spirit, luxe options for international visitors are also on the cards with stays at Scarp Ridge Lodge, the flagship property of Eleven Experience. Easily mistaken for a Wild West saloon from the outside, each of the six guest rooms within offers an oxygen-enriched air system to help visitors combat any altitude sickness, with access to a media room, five-seated bar and rooftop hot tub to soak in the Rocky Mountain views. skicb.com

Colorado loves Aussies and can’t wait to see you here again when it’s safe to travel. Come, re-discover Colorado and embrace our changes for the good.

Find out more and get a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide at www.colorado.com

For more information about Colorado's ski resorts and to find out more about what there is to do in Winter for international visitors
www.colorado.com/international-visitors-winter-season

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
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