Colorado: A Complete Four-Season Guide with the Best in Skiing, Hiking and Rafting

Experienced and first-time travelers alike rely on Fodor's Gold Guides for rich, reliable coverage the world over.  Smart travel tips and important contact info make planning your trip a breeze and detailed coverage of sights, accommodations, and restaurants give you the info you need to make your experience enriching and hassle-free.  If you only have room for one guide, this is the one for you. The best guide to Colorado, packed with essentials Vistas, canyons, mining towns, Native American ruins, arts and music festivals, rodeos, museums, and monuments Denver night and day, with LoDo and side trips Walking and driving tours to help you see it all In-depth reviews of the best ski and summer resorts Where to stay and eat, no matter what your budget Grand resorts and mountain lodges, charming B&Bs and luxury inns, dude ranches and historic city hotels Steak houses, brew pubs, burger joints, trendy bistros and cafés, and elegant salons Fresh, thorough, practical--off and on the beaten path Costs, hours, descriptions, and tips by the thousands All reviews based on visits by savvy writer-residents 14 pages of maps, 2 vacation itineraries, and more Important contacts Smart travel tips Fodor's Choice What's Where Pleasures & Pastimes, the don't-miss activities New & Noteworthy Festivals Complete index And More!

Pleasures and Pastimes

Climbing and Mountaineering
Climbing in its various forms -- mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing -- is a year-round sport in Colorado. Many "fourteeners" (peaks over 14,000 ft), such as Long's Peak, are a relatively easy (although long) ascent for the well-conditioned and well-prepared, but there are also highly technical climbs, such as the spires of El Dorado Canyon. In many areas, especially in the national parks, climbing permits are required, primarily for safety reasons. Rangers want to be sure you have the experience and skill necessary to undertake the challenge at hand. Thus, it probably goes without saying that no one should attempt technical rock or mountain climbing without proper skills or equipment.

Cycling
Mountain biking, as both a sport and cultural phenomenon, has a huge following in Colorado and is more popular in the region than touring on paved roads. Crested Butte vies with Moab, Utah, as the mountain biking center of the Rockies; the trip over the demanding Pearl Pass is supposedly how the biking craze originated. As for road cycling, the San Juan Mountains loop is as beautiful a ride as there is in the country. Keep in mind that elevations in Colorado are high, and they exact their toll in an aerobic sport such as cycling. Not only should you be physically fit, but you should be prepared to settle for riding shorter distances than you might be capable of handling at lower elevations. Valley roads tend to be clear of snow by mid- to late April; roads and trails at higher elevations may not be clear until several months later and may be snow-covered again by early October.

National Parks
Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 335 mi of hiking trails and sweeping vistas of high-country lakes, meadows, pine forests, alpine tundra, and snow-dusted peaks dotted with small glaciers. The 265,000-acre park attracts more than 3 million visitors annually. Trees grow at right angles, whipped into shape by high winds, and there are minuscule tundra versions of familiar wildflowers. Long's Peak, the highest point in the park, is a surprisingly accessible hike for those in good shape.

Skiing
Skiing has enormous clout in Colorado. Downhill skiing is the most popular activity by a large margin, although cross-country skiing and snowboarding have loyal followings. In recent years, resorts have offered an ever-increasing range of special-interest programs, such as classes for women skiers, for skiers with disabilities, and for recreational racing. Rockies resorts may open their lifts as early as October, and close as late as July; the ski season, however, usually runs from December until early April. Christmas through New Year's Day and the month of March tend to be the busiest periods for most ski areas. The months of January and February often yield good package deals, as do the early and late ends of the season. Cross-country skiing usually has a shorter season, owing to lack of snow, but as avalanche risks lessen in April, back-country skiers may take advantage of the sunbaked snow. Overall, ski resorts are the best source of information on everything from lodging to snow conditions.

CHILD CARE
Day care can be found at almost all ski areas, often accepting children under a year old. Parents pay a premium for this service, but what they get is peace of mind. Most resorts have a high caretaker-to-child ratio, and even offer beepers to parents who want to be notified if their child is unhappy. Normally, parents must supply bottles and diapers for infants, and some young children may want to bring their favorite toys. "Pre-ski" programs (more play than serious instruction) may be offered for children at age three. Reservations are always a good idea.

EQUIPMENT RENTALS
Rental equipment is available at all ski areas and at ski shops around resorts or in other cities. It's usually a good idea to rent right at the resort where you'll be skiing; that way you can go back to the shop if something doesn't fit or if you want to upgrade. Shop personnel can advise you on the appropriate equipment according to your size and level of ability, and they can make the necessary adjustments; they should also be able to answer questions on how to properly use the gear. Experienced skiers can "demo" (try out) premium equipment to get a feel for new technology before upgrading; usually the cost of the rental is deducted if you decide to buy.

LESSONS
In the United States, the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) has devised a progressive teaching system that is used with relatively little variation at most ski schools. This allows skiers to take lessons at schools at different areas based on the same principles. Classes range in length from 1 1/2 hours to all-day workshops. Many ski areas now offer specialized programs such as powder-skiing courses, mogul clinics, or lessons for women. Of note are the children's ski schools at Vail and Beaver Creek, and skiers with disabilities program at Winter Park.