Colorado is located in Southwestern United States of America. The rugged Rocky Mountain range dominates the western half of the state. It is a favorite destination for hikers, backpackers, campers and mountain climbers who love to trek through and enjoy the spectacular scenery. In the winter, it attracts numerous skiers and snowboarders to some of the best ski resorts in the USA.

The Rockies.

The Rocky Mountains are the backbone of North America, and Colorado is their heart, with more than 50 peaks that soar above 14,000 feet. The Rockies--with their evergreen and aspen forests, racing streams and rivers, and wealth of wildlife--are perfect for recreation throughout the year, from summer hiking and rafting to winter skiing through deep powder snow.

The old and the new, the rustic and the sophisticated, the wild and the refined--all of these experiences exist practically side by side in Colorado, amid what is arguably the most breathtaking mountain scenery in America. The Rocky Mountain National Park home to majestic snowcapped mountains, crystal lakes and abundant wildlife, hosts over 3 million visitors annually. At Mesa Verde National Park, travelers can explore the cave dwellings left centuries ago by the Anasazi, "the Ancient Ones", who mysteriously vanished about 1,300 AD.

Colorado's booming cities--Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver--and its admittedly somewhat glitzy resorts--especially Vail and Aspen--offer much of the comfort and culture of New York or Los Angeles but at a slower, more relaxed, pace.

Colorado truly comes alive for those who venture outdoors--among the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the western canyons, or the broad plains in the east. Once atop Pikes Peak, you'll know what inspired Katharine Lee Bates to pen the lyrics to "America the Beautiful." Climb on a horse or mountain bike, take a hike or raft trip--or simply sit in the sun and gaze at the mountains. Whatever you do, though, don't stay indoors.

Get another view of things and relive the romance of the Old West on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, a steam-powered train that takes passengers past the state’s largest wilderness area - one of several narrow gauge trains that thread through Colorado’s mountainous terrain.

The Royal Gorge.

If you prefer being airborne, visit Royal Gorge, site of the world’s highest suspension bridge. Here, the world’s steepest incline tram takes you down and back.
You needn't’t dangle over a ravine to enjoy Colorado’s spectacular vistas: Seventeen of the state’s roads have been designated as scenic and historic byways.
With its challenging slopes and plentiful snow, Colorado is a favorite destination for skiers, ice skaters and snowmobilers.

Snow Over The Rockies.

Aspen: Not only does Aspen have predictably superior ski terrain that ranges from some of the most fantastic expert skiing in Colorado to what Ski magazine has called the best mountain in America for those just learning to ski (Buttermilk), it is also one of the most fun, genuinely historic ski towns in Colorado. Although the town might come off at first as somewhat glitzy and certainly expensive, Aspen is still a real town, with longtime, year-round residents and a history that goes beyond the slopes.

Breckenridge: The lure of Breckenridge, somewhat like Aspen, lies in its fabulous trails for skiers of all abilities, its location in an old gold-prospecting settlement, and its abundance of ski-in/ski-out lodging. Breckenridge is also less expensive than Aspen and more down home in feel. It's especially attractive to families because of its variety of après-ski activities.

Vail: This is it, the big one, America's most popular ski resort as well as one of its largest, with 5,289 acres of skiable terrain, 174 trails, and 33 lifts. Every serious skier needs to ski Vail at least once. With its free bus system, Vail is probably the easiest major resort to get around. But be prepared for steep prices, and don't look for Victorian charm--all you'll find are rows of condominiums.

Durango Mountain Resort: One of Colorado's best-kept skiing secrets, this resort in the state's southwest corner is known for its beautiful sunny days, heavy annual snowfall, and exceptionally friendly and easy-going atmosphere.

The Best Views:

Trail Ridge Road: Transversing Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge affords expansive and sometimes dizzying views in all directions. There are a dozen stops along the way where you can take a short hike, possibly glimpse the unofficial mascots of the park (bighorn sheep), and get a close-up look at tundra. The drive rises above 12,000 feet and crosses the Continental Divide.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Among the steepest and most narrow canyons in North America, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, near Montrose, offers breathtaking and sometimes eerie views into the darkness below or, for ambitious hikers, from the canyon depths to the daylight above. The sheerness of its 2,500-foot-high walls, the narrowness of its 40-foot-wide base, and the resulting darkness at its core evoke a somber, almost religious mood.

Colorado National Monument: Located just west of Grand Junction, this national monument provides stunning vistas across its red-rock canyons and sandstone monoliths. The 23-mile Rim Rock Drive offers incredible views, and a series of short walks and backcountry trails provide a lot more solitude. The best light is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the rocks are deep red and shadows dance among the stone sculptures.

The San Juan Skyway: This 238-mile circle drive that passes through the towns of Durango, Telluride, and Ouray is among the most beautiful scenic drives in America, crossing five mountain passes and leading past historic mining camps, fields of wildflowers, stately forests, snowcapped peaks, and cascading waterfalls. It's a thrilling drive but not advisable for those who have difficulty with high elevation (Red Mountain Pass is 11,008 feet above sea level) or steep, winding roads. Except in summer, it's wise to check first to see if the passes are closed due to snow.

The Rockies, Colorado.

The Best Wilderness Experiences:

Hiking the Colorado Trail: For some 500 miles, this trail winds from Denver to Durango, through some of the state's most spectacular--and rugged--terrain, crossing the Continental Divide, eight mountain ranges, and six wilderness areas. Just to the west of Leadville, the trail passes through the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness with a view of some of Colorado's most prominent fourteeners (mountains more than 14,000 feet in elevation) and fields of wildflowers. The more hardy might take a side trip to the top of Mount Elbert, the state's tallest peak at 14,433 feet.

Hiking the Mills Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park: Although it's packed at first, this trail usually becomes much less crowded after you've logged a few miles. At trail's end (elevation 10,000 feet), there's a gorgeous mountain lake ringed by towering peaks.

Rafting Glenwood Canyon: Running the rapids of the Colorado River is one of the best and surely most exciting ways to see one of the most beautiful canyons in the West. Although a bit too popular to provide a genuine wilderness experience, this stretch of river has sections rated for experts during the high spring runoff as well as quieter areas appropriate for everyone.