10 Best Colorado Mountain Towns, According to a Lifelong Local

As someone who grew up in a Colorado mountain town—and still calls one home—I’ve spent a lifetime getting to know my home state, often visiting friends, attending festivals, or skiing in neighboring mountain communities. My ideal Colorado mountain town has a laid-back attitude, an adventurous spirit, and a calendar filled with events that make the most of the their incredible natural setting—from live music in outdoor venues to film festivals that take place beneath the stars. The best mountain towns strike that balance between rugged and refined; the kind of places where you can disappear into the high country without seeing another soul and still enjoy a good cocktail upon your return. 

Here are 10 of the best Colorado mountain towns to visit throughout the year, whether you’re planning a winter ski trip or a wildflower-filled summer escape.

Durango

Durango is a larger mountain town, and thanks to its size, it has a bit of everything. There’s kayaking and rafting on the Animas River that runs through town, hiking part of the Colorado Trail, and easy access to mountain biking in the Horse Gulch trail system, which takes off from right in town. There’s also skiing at Purgatory Resort and hot springs at Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa, which has 32 natural mineral pools and personal Japanese-style ofuro tubs.

Salida

There is plenty of hiking and biking in Salida—in fact, it is surrounded by several 14,000-foot peaks (or what we Coloradans call “14ers”). But what really makes Salida stand out as a mountain town is its focus on the water. The heart of this town is the Arkansas River, which flows right through town and is a popular place to raft, tube, and kayak. The mountain town also has easy access to skiing at nearby Monarch Mountain (which recently nearly doubled in size).

Telluride 

Visually, Telluride might be the most idyllic mountain town on this list. It’s surrounded on three sides by mountains, has a quaint Main Street that’s lined with Victorian homes and buildings, and it has direct access to the ski area, which can be reached on foot with no shuttle or car needed. In addition to skiing, there’s a mountain bike park, golf, and plenty of hiking right from town in the summer.

Crested Butte 

Crested Butte is known for many things: its wildflowers in the summer (it’s considered the  “Wildflower Capital of Colorado”), its skiing, and its local community, who spend their days biking, hiking, and skiing in the surrounding mountains. Of course, Crested Butte is no longer a hidden gem, but it is one of the few mountain towns that has managed to retain some of its free-spirited vibe that first made the town so appealing. 

Pagosa Springs

Looking for a destination that combines mountain adventures and deep relaxation? Pagosa Springs is located on top of the deepest geothermal hot spring in the world, called the “Mother Spring.” The hot water feeds a few developed hot spring facilities around town, ideal for a dip after a day on the slopes. Pagosa Springs is located just 30 minutes south of Wolf Creek Ski Area, a Colorado ski spot known for having the most snow in the state.

Carbondale 

Carbondale is set between two mountain towns that get quite a bit of attention—Glenwood Springs to the north and Aspen to the south. But Carbondale is just as outdoorsy, and it’s noticeably more mellow with significantly fewer tourists than its neighbors. The mountain town is set in the shadow of Mount Sopris, a towering, almost-13,000-foot peak, and it’s located between two scenic rivers—the Roaring Fork and Crystal River, the latter of which is also home to the undeveloped Penny Hot Springs.

Silverton 

Those who call Silverton home tend to be outdoorsy and deeply connected to the mountains around them. Life here takes effort—a simple grocery run or doctor’s visit can mean crossing a steep mountain pass to the neighboring town of Durango. But locals embrace the town’s remoteness, enjoying the alpine trails that begin right off Main Street, the legendary ski terrain, and a downtown that hums with old mining town charm.

Aspen 

Aspen is known as one of Colorado’s most exclusive ski destinations, with five-star hotels and upscale dining and shopping that attract luxury travelers and second-homeowners. That said, it still has a year-round local population who stick around for the ample outdoor adventure. There’s plenty of hiking, biking, and fishing in the summer and everything from Nordic skiing and snowmobiling to downhill skiing (four full mountains of it) in the winter. Plus, it has plenty of historic charm with buildings that stand as a reminder of the town’s early days.

Breckenridge 

Like Aspen, Breckenridge has become a household name and a top destination for visitors looking to experience the wilds of the Colorado mountains. Winters in Breck tend to revolve around Breckenridge Ski Resort, but there’s also great cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. The outdoor adventures continue in summer with scenic gondola rides, hiking, mountain biking, ropes courses, and racing down the mountain on an alpine coaster.

Winter Park

Winter Park is home to the only Colorado ski resort that can be directly accessed by a dedicated ski train from Denver (the Winter Park Express). The town gets plenty of weekend skiers thanks to the train, but there is a small community of people who live in Winter Park year-round. And those who stick around for the summer get to enjoy some of the state’s best mountain biking, with over 600 miles of trails, including routes on the ski area’s Trestle Bike Park.