TABLE OF CONTENTS: Rockies
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By: Shay Williams
Colorado isn’t a huge state, nor is it a populous one. It’s not the richest, nor the poorest. Not the most glamorous, but certainly not the most unappealing. With the rolling plains on the eastern side crashing into the powerful Rockies, Colorado is ripe with lush forests and rugged mountainscapes to explore. Nestled into pockets of these landscapes lie numerous resorts; some illustrious, others more basic. Pick a holiday break, call in sick, or skip a bunch of school. However you do it, make some time for our ultimate Colorado road trip.
Get yourself to Denver, where you face the entrance to the Rockies. Head west on I-70 into the mouth of the yawning behemoths towards Dillon, CO. It’s a quick hour and a half drive over a pass to Dillon, an excellent place to make base camp for a couple days because it’s cheaper than staying in Breckenridge or Keystone. Drive on US 6 south for about 10 minutes to get to Keystone. Make sure to ski the backside and hit up the Area 51 terrain park for a few laps on your way down. In Dillon, Fiesta Jalisco serves authentic Mexican food that can’t be beat.
When you’ve had enough of Keystone, leave Summit County by continuing west on I-70, over Vail Pass to Avon. The drive will take about an hour of your time, and you’ll be ready to shred Beaver Creek. You’ll want to spend your entire day here exploring the multitudes of tree lines and steep terrain that the Beav has to offer. To refuel after a long day, stop by Pazzo’s Pizzeria for the best slice in town.
Next, head back east on I-70 a few miles to ski Vail Mountain. You’ll want to get an early start for two reasons: The mountain is enormous so you’ll need all the time you can to explore and parking is atrocious. If it’s a powder day, head to the back bowls. If it’s not, ski any of the steep terrain that this 5,200-acre, monster resort has. Hopefully you’ll have enough energy at the end of the day to get back onto I-70 west through the magnificent Glenwood Canyon, turning onto Highway 82 towards Carbondale.
Carbondale is a quiet, under-appreciated town. Staying at one of the hotels here will save you a ton of loot, and you’ll be only 30 minutes away from Aspen/Snowmass. Stop in the Red Rock Diner each morning for a great breakfast. On your first day, head straight into the town of Aspen to ski the eponymous mountain. Riding the Silver Chair Gondola to the top, you can ski steep trees all the way back down. Repeat all day. Before you head back to Carbondale, grab a late-lunch at Johnny McGuire’s Deli in Aspen, where they sling delicious, sloppy, handmade sandwiches that you’ll fall in love with.
After you’ve fueled up on diner food the next morning, you have your choice of what to do. Hike the bowl at Aspen Highlands, ride one of the country’s best terrain parks at Buttermilk or drop some cliffs and steep chutes at Snowmass. Spend as many days as your budget will allow, skiing a different resort each day. Just make sure to grab a slice or two at Timbo’s Pizza in Basalt at least once on your way back down to Carbondale.
Whether you spend one day or four in the Roaring Fork Valley, you’ll eventually head back east on I-70 for a couple hours towards Copper Mountain. When you arrive, head straight up to Spaulding Bowl for some epic skiing. If you’re feeling up to a longer voyage, take the free cat ride to Tucker Mountain for some prime hike-to lines. At night, drop into JJ’s Tavern for a juicy steak, then skate the night away at the Copper Station ice rink.
On your way back to Denver, if you still have an insatiable need to ski, exit onto Highway 40 off I 70 towards Berthoud Pass. Once a small resort, now Berthoud only exists to those who make the effort to hike around the Mount Russell area. The amount of backcountry lines you can hike and car lap is mind boggling. Inevitably, you’ll have to point your car towards Denver, thus ending your epic journey into the Centennial state. With the experience of skiing some of the nation’s best, you can return to your daily life having lived a little better, with a new found reverence for the Rockies.
