This Dreamy Mountain Town Is Colorado’s Most Underrated Getaway (Even If You Don’t Like Skiing)

Share The Article

Let’s be sincere — Colorado could be hit-or-miss this time of 12 months. Most vacationers aren’t packing shades for the beaming sizzling solar such as you would on a Florida seaside vacay.

Nope — they’re packing shades for the blinding slopes that lure in 1000’s of adventurers prepared to courageous the chilly.

But snowboarding is not the one draw for Colorado’s under-hyped mountain towns. Of course, there’s Aspen, which exudes luxurious as a bougie resort hideaway, together with others following go well with, resembling Vail.

There’s one unsung retreat with its personal airport and plentiful connections to chop journey time and residential to an abundance of sights, even for individuals who favor to let their pals and fam threat operating into pine timber at full pace…

One of our favorites right here at Travel Off Path is Steamboat Springs, a dreamy city almost 7,000 toes excessive within the Rockies, boasting way over its famend slopes — and you do not have to double-check your insurance coverage coverage for any unintended wipeouts.

Colorado’s Winter Charmer: Enjoy A Hallmark Main Street & Rustic Lodges

If there’s one criticism about Aspen in addition to sky-high pricing, it is that it tries too laborious to appease guests with a “Hey! Look at me!” strategy.

Other Rockies’ gems do not should strive so laborious, presenting themselves of their birthday go well with simply as they’re.

Steamboat Springs seems to be nice within the buff when you ask us. Offering guests a picturesque downtown with snow-dusted storefronts, down-home cafes for soulful cups of Jo, and homey, rustic lodging, you will rapidly understand why everybody overspends in Aspen.

Even being one in every of Colorado’s snowiest cities, downtown is quaint sufficient to be walkable with out being uncomfortable.

Pop in an artwork gallery, a locally-owned boutique store, ample Mom ‘n Pop eateries, or just cozy up by the hearth and benefit from the magnificent surroundings.

Come dinnertime, when the mountain views are not seen, ensure to go to one in every of Steamboat’s most beloved eating places Ore House at Pine Grove, set in a revamped barn.

Who Said You Have To Settle For Cold In Winter?

No offense to Utah, however Colorado can soak with the perfect of ’em too. In this case, close by Strawberry Park is the place to be —with the appropriate planning…

Roads are tough. You can’t drive to this park with out 4WD, so most vacationers go for a simple shuttle pick-up from downtown motels.

They’re open every single day, so you may benefit from the heat and array of well being advantages from its geothermal springs. Just know they solely settle for money, there is a 2-hour restrict, and it is ‘clothes non-obligatory’ after sunset.

The extra handy choice (and fewer dangerous on your eyeballs to witness greater than they bargained for) is Old Town Hot Springs, a stone’s throw from downtown.

This extra family-friendly web site provides 8 swimming pools fed by pure springs, averaging temps round 100F in winter. Better but, there is not any time restrict or superior reservations wanted.

Plus, they open up at 5:30 am on weekdays to begin your day with some quiet time away from the ski crowds.

You’ll Be Shocked How Many Cities Have Flights Here

Steamboat Springs might not be a family title like Aspen, nevertheless it’s surprisingly easy to journey right here.

In reality, when you stay close to a significant airport, it is virtually protected to say you may catch a nonstop flight.

As a burgeoning ski resort city, Steamboat additionally provides different outside thrills resembling snowmobiling and snowshoeing, making it fashionable with vacationers of all types, whether or not it is household vacays, romantic {couples} needing time away from the kiddos, or full-on Johnny Tsunami adrenaline junkies.

As such, vacationers from the next cities can fly right here straight, in line with Yampa Regional Valley Airport’s official website:

• Austin (AUS)
• Atlanta (ATL)
• Boston (BOS)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Dallas Love (DAL)
• Denver (DEN)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Houston (IAH)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Minneapolis (MSP)
• Nashville (BNA)
• Newark (EWR)
• San Diego (SAN)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Washington (IAD)

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based mostly in San Diego has visited 36 nations and written over 1000 articles with a concentrate on sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a light-weight on lesser-known gems.