For those that enjoy nature's beauty, Colorado is a place that you must see to believe. The distinctive fun of traveling in Colorado is the fabulous views of the Rocky Mountains. You'll think of the word, gigantic, in a new way after witnessing such colossal mountains. These great mountains are a source of fun activities for any season.



Colorado is widely known for ski season. Kids, as young as 3 years old, can learn to ski, so this can be a fun activity for the whole family. I have fond memories of teaching our 12 year old how to ski and hoping that we wouldn't end up paying for someone's car repairs as he practiced his stopping on the "bunny hill" while eventually slowing in the parking lot. But besides the actual skiing or snowboarding, few relaxing moments compare to being at a ski resort with a warm fireplace after an exhilarating day on the slopes. And actually being on top of an enormous mountain is simply awe-inspiring. With the massive amounts of snow, ski season can last until June depending on conditions for the year. Snow tubing and snowmobiling are also popular activities for those that want to "conquer the mountain."

Soak in the hot springs. Naturally made and full of warm, mineral-rich water, the hot springs is like sitting in the largest hot tub you've ever seen. Pool temperatures range from 83 - 114 degrees. Many have traveled here to find the healing power in these waters, which were considered a sacred healing spot by the Ute Indians prior to our discovery of it. Nature-made relaxation and quaint mountain towns assure your pleasure.

For the more adventurous, a white-water rafting trip, down the Arkansas or Colorado River, is sure to excite. There are a variety of rapids to choose from, but in general, early spring provides the more challenging rapids and by late summer, the ride is much calmer. This can be a great event to expand your personal fear boundaries. Don't be afraid, I've been told that it wasn't as wild as the imagination thought it would be.

With numerous state and national parks throughout the state, hiking is a favorite, giving the opportunity to spot wildlife and breath-taking waterfalls along the way. A must-see is Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs. The crystal clear waters and ascending cliffs provide awesome views. Fishing enthusiasts cannot find a better view to "reel one in." Numerous trails, paved and unpaved, are available for mountain biking. Catching the mountain bike chair lifts elevate riders up the mountain giving them a jump start to begin the challenge. Spectacular views abound.

As autumn comes in, the mountain drives turn to spectacular scenes of gold, orange and red as the aspen trees make their annual change. This is a favorite even for the locals. The scenery is just amazing; the colors riveting. The difficulty is predicting exactly when the change of color will begin. Focus on the month of September and then find where the changes are taking place.

One thing remains true of all these activities, when traveling throughout Colorado, it's important to be prepared for a quick weather change and be packed accordingly.