Colorado
Colorado is one of America’s most compelling travel destinations — and one of the most underrated for luxury travel. The combination of dramatic mountain scenery, world-class skiing, excellent restaurants, and a summer season that rivals anything in Europe makes it a destination worth returning to year after year.
Our Colorado coverage is centered on the Roaring Fork Valley — Aspen and Snowmass Village — with additional coverage of Denver. These are places we know well and return to regularly, in winter and summer, with and without kids. Nothing here is sponsored or paid for.
Where we cover in Colorado:
Aspen — One of America’s great mountain towns, and one of the few places in the country that genuinely delivers on luxury in both winter and summer. In winter, Aspen Mountain and its three sister mountains offer world-class skiing for every ability level. In summer, the town transforms into one of the best hiking, dining, and outdoor music destinations in the country — with warm days, cool nights, and a food scene that punches well above its size. See our summer guide to Aspen, best restaurants in Aspen, best patios in Aspen, best hikes around Aspen, and Aspen winter activities for kids.
Snowmass Village — Ten minutes from Aspen and in many ways better for families, Snowmass is a self-contained mountain village with one of the best ski mountains in Colorado for beginners and intermediates. In summer it becomes a genuinely excellent hiking and biking destination, with trails accessible directly from the village center. It’s quieter than Aspen, more relaxed, and often better value. See our Snowmass Village family travel guide, best restaurants in Snowmass, and best hikes in Snowmass Village.
Aspen to Crested Butte Hike — One of Colorado’s most spectacular and underrated day hikes, crossing the Elk Mountains from Aspen to Crested Butte over an 11-mile route. It requires advance planning for logistics but is one of the most rewarding hikes in the state. Read our full guide before attempting it.
Denver — Colorado’s capital city is a worthwhile destination in its own right, and a natural gateway for a Roaring Fork Valley trip. The RiNo (River North) neighborhood is where the city’s best food, art, and nightlife scene is concentrated — see our RiNo neighborhood guide and best restaurants in Denver.
Best time to visit Colorado: Ski season runs roughly late November through April, with February and March offering the best snow conditions. Summer — late June through September — is warm, dry, and ideal for hiking and outdoor dining. Late September brings aspen leaf season, when the hillsides turn gold, and it’s arguably the most beautiful time of year in the Roaring Fork Valley.
As Aspen locals, we’ve spent years eating on every patio in town. These are the ones that are genuinely worth the wait — for lunch, sunset cocktails, and summer evenings under the mountains.