Colorado is a state known for its beautiful scenery, including the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding areas. But is touring the state still possible when snow and ice make many back roads and secondary highways inaccessible in the winter?
Well, the answer is yes. You just have to know where to look. When national parks are either closed for the winter or are only accessible to certain cars, one of the next best places to look is ski towns.
Located off of 1-70, ski towns cater to tourists, resulting in well-maintained roads. Furthermore, many of those roads have designated scenic pull-outs that come with the perfect photo opportunities. If that isn’t enough, many of those towns such as Vail or Glenwood Springs have gondola rides to the top of nearby mountains overlooking the town. “Its really cold, but I love the views” said Junior Sydney York. Both the top of surrounding mountains and the gondola rides themselves offer gorgeous views and opportunities for photos.
There are even more options for those who enjoy exercise, as many lesser-known viewpoints are accessible only by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. One example is Maroon Bells, located near Aspen. In the winter months, this route is known for its snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities.
Those who would rather skip the hike and focus on the views are still in luck, as guides can be hired for snowmobile tours.
Colorado is a state known for its magnificent natural wonders. While some roads are rendered more or even completely inaccessible in the winter, this does not mean that touring the state is impossible. Towns located in the mountains, especially those off the interstate, are still reachable and can even provide more opportunities for thrilling scenery, such as on gondola rides.