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Let’s be honest — Colorado can be hit-or-miss this time of year. Most travelers aren’t packing shades for the beaming hot sun like you would on a Florida beach vacay.
Nope — they’re packing shades for the blinding slopes that lure in thousands of adventurers willing to brave the cold.
But skiing isn’t the only draw for Colorado’s under-hyped mountain towns. Of course, there’s Aspen, which exudes luxury as a bougie resort hideaway, along with others following suit, such as Vail.
There’s one unsung retreat with its own airport and plentiful connections to cut travel time and home to an abundance of attractions, even for those who prefer to let their friends and fam risk running into pine trees at full speed…
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One of our favorites here at Travel Off Path is Steamboat Springs, a dreamy town nearly 7,000 feet high in the Rockies, boasting far more than its renowned slopes — and you don’t have to double-check your insurance policy for any accidental wipeouts.
Colorado’s Winter Charmer: Enjoy A Hallmark Main Street & Rustic Lodges
If there’s one complaint about Aspen besides sky-high pricing, it’s that it tries too hard to appease visitors with a “Hey! Look at me!” approach.
Other Rockies’ gems don’t have to try so hard, presenting themselves in their birthday suit just as they are.
Steamboat Springs looks great in the buff if you ask us. Offering visitors a picturesque downtown with snow-dusted storefronts, down-home cafes for soulful cups of Jo, and homey, rustic lodging, you’ll quickly realize why everyone overspends in Aspen.
Even being one of Colorado’s snowiest towns, downtown is quaint enough to be walkable without being uncomfortable.
Pop in an art gallery, a locally-owned boutique shop, ample Mom ‘n Pop eateries, or simply cozy up by the fire and enjoy the magnificent scenery.
Come dinnertime, when the mountain views are no longer visible, make sure to visit one of Steamboat’s most beloved restaurants Ore House at Pine Grove, set in a revamped barn.
Who Said You Have To Settle For Cold In Winter?
No offense to Utah, but Colorado can soak with the best of ’em too. In this case, nearby Strawberry Park is the place to be —with the right planning…
Roads are rough. You cannot drive to this park without 4WD, so most tourists opt for an easy shuttle pick-up from downtown hotels.
They’re open every day, so you can enjoy the warmth and array of health benefits from its geothermal springs. Just know they only accept cash, there’s a 2-hour limit, and it’s ‘clothing optional’ after sundown.
The more convenient option (and less risky for your eyeballs to witness more than they bargained for) is Old Town Hot Springs, a stone’s throw from downtown.
This more family-friendly site offers 8 pools fed by natural springs, averaging temps around 100F in winter. Better yet, there’s no time limit or advanced reservations needed.
Plus, they open up at 5:30 am on weekdays to start your day with some quiet time away from the ski crowds.
You’ll Be Shocked How Many Cities Have Flights Here
Steamboat Springs may not be a household name like Aspen, but it’s surprisingly simple to travel here.
In fact, if you live near a major airport, it’s almost safe to say you can catch a nonstop flight.
As a burgeoning ski resort town, Steamboat also offers other outdoor thrills such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing, making it popular with travelers of all kinds, whether it’s family vacays, romantic couples needing time away from the kiddos, or full-on Johnny Tsunami adrenaline junkies.
As such, travelers from the following cities can fly here directly, according to Yampa Regional Valley Airport’s official website:
- Austin (AUS)
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Boston (BOS)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Dallas (DFW)
- Dallas Love (DAL)
- Denver (DEN)
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Houston (IAH)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Minneapolis (MSP)
- Nashville (BNA)
- Newark (EWR)
- San Diego (SAN)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Washington (IAD)
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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