So Many Colorado Ski Resorts So Little Time

posted by Rex Manz on 28 October 2008

If you are visiting this blog, chances are that you have visited at least one of the eleven major Colorado ski resorts. Very few people get around to visit all of them. I have as part of my business. Not only have I visited them all in the winter, but in the summer and fall as well.

In my travels, I have left the beaten path. Weather permitting, I took the most scenic routes which usually encompassed miles of unpaved roads over mountain passes. Having GPS navigation is nice, but it doesn’t tell you the condition of the road. I suggest stopping at a local gas station and ask about the unpaved road you are about to take. Once when I sought this advice, the fella looked at my truck and said that he wouldn’t take the road if he owned my truck. He suggested an alternative unpaved road that was more forgiving.

Since much of Colorado consists of Federally owned land, you will find open range land that is leased by ranchers for grazing. The photo above is nearing the top of a mountain pass. Needless-to-say, I was surprised when I rounded the corner to find these rather large cattle. I never meet another vehicle on this particular 33-mile unpaved stretch, just these creatures.

If you are interested in driving these mountain passes, I suggest a 4-wheel drive vehicle with good tires, traction and clearance — and that is in the summer! These roads are not maintained and are impassable in the winter in anything other than a snowmobile.

In driving between the Colorado ski resorts in the winter, I suggest staying on the main roads. Even then, expect to find snow to rise above the top of your vehicle on the sides of the road as you near the mountain passes. There are usually road gates as you approach the mountain passes that are lowered if the road conditions are too severe.

I find that the Colorado ski towns have a different personality in the summer along with the change in weather. Generally when the ski season closes in early April until Memorial Day, ski towns are very quiet. The shop keepers go on vacation usually heading to a warm climate with a sunny beach. Beginning with the Memorial Day weekend, everything re-opens and comes to life. Festivals are plentiful through the Labor Day weekend along with hiking, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities.

If you are called to the Colorado Rocky Mountain lifestyle and are interested in owning a place of your own, I would welcome the opportunity to assist you.

For a map of Colorado’s ski resorts visit Colorado Ski Resort Map.

For more about Colorado ski homes and ski condos for sale visit • Aspen Condos • Aspen Homes • Beaver Creek Condos • Beaver Creek Homes • Breckenridge Condos • Breckenridge Homes • Copper Mountain Condos • Copper Mountain Homes • Crested Butte Condos • Crested Butte Homes • Keystone CO Condos • Keystone CO Homes • Snowmass Village Condos • Snowmass Village Homes • Steamboat Springs Condos • Steamboat Springs Homes • Telluride Condos • Telluride Real Estate • Telluride Homes • Vail Condos • Vail Homes • Winter Park CO Condos • Winter Park CO Homes.