Colorado's ski resorts were hit by near-record snowfalls last month – with most ski resorts already receiving more snow this season than all of last season combined.

Without COVID restrictions holding us back from the Rocky Mountains for the first time in three years, a record number of Australians and New Zealanders are hitting the Colorado ski slopes, just at the right time to ski and snowboard the deepest powder.

Not only is Colorado home to some of the best skiing in the world but also offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Its unique climate provides the best of both worlds: glorious, warm summers and snow-filled winters!

Year-round, there are endless ways to take advantage of the outdoors in 2023 – from spring skiing (until late April) to a summer of festivals and leaf-peeping road trips in the Fall.

New Year, New Adventures

Big mountain base camps meet world-class backcountry skiing in Colorado's San Juan Mountains: Mountain Trip and Telluride Helitrax have teamed up this season to create a deluxe winter camping and backcountry skiing experience inspired by the expedition-oriented base camps which Mountain Trip operates in Alaska. While the majority of Colorado's ski huts are already booked for the remainder of the season, backcountry enthusiasts can still enjoy three days of guided backcountry skiing, catered meals, and two nights in heated backcountry tents with cosy sleeping quarters. Upper Bridal Veil Basin in Telluride provides a comfortable introduction to winter camping in an immersive wilderness setting. The season runs from 18 February to 2 April 2023, available to book now at mountaintrip.com. 

Vail's High Altitude Cycle Camp

The Sebastian-Vail is hosting an exclusive cycling camp from 4 to 9 June 2023. The camp is an all-inclusive week of high-altitude road riding in scenic Vail, Colorado, and will be limited to 15 riders. It's geared towards avid cyclists seeking a challenging high-altitude riding experience. 

Participants of the Road Cycling Camp will cycle, summit and descend some of the most iconic passes in the state. Averaging 80kms per day and climbing up to 2100 metres, these rides include notable routes such as the Vail Pass, the hills of Avon and the Copper Triangle.  

Starting at $6 000 per rider, included in the experience package are five nights in a luxury plaza hotel room, three meals per day, a daily ride briefing, fully supported daily rides, a swag bag and one 60-minute massage. 

Get a Thrill on the USA's Highest Looping Rollercoaster

The highest looping roller coaster in the U.S., Defiance, just opened at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and features the steepest freefall drop in the Western U.S. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is the only mountain top theme park in the USA. 

Try Trout Fishing at a Gold Medal Fishery

Gold Medal waters are the pride of Colorado - fisheries designated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife which set the bar for cold-water habitat and offer the state's best opportunities to catch 'quality' trout.  

In cold or warm weather and everything in between, Colorado boasts 10 000 kms of fishable rivers and streams offering views of craggy peaks, blue skies and blue translucent waters. The state has 2000 lakes and reservoirs that offer diverse fishing experiences for every angler and every season, including Gold Medal waters designated as the best places to catch the largest and the most fish, with Gunnison County home to a new Gold Medal Fishery.

 
Gunnison County 

Hundreds of kilometres of picturesque waterways and thousands of new fish released each year from the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery make Gunnison County a hub for anglers.  Check out a tour at Blue Mesa Fishing https://bluemesafishing.com/ 

Glenwood Springs 

Nationally recognised for its fly-fishing excellence, Glenwood Springs offers year-round fishing on its two rivers, the Roaring Fork and the Colorado.  Located in the Roaring Fork Valley, this is one of Colorado's longest stretches of Gold Medal Water.  Tour with Glenwood Springs Outdoors https://www.glenwoodspringsoutdoors.com/ 

Southwest Colorado 

The San Juan and Animas Rivers and Vallecito Lake in south-west Colorado are also included on the state's list of Gold Medal Waters. The area's waters are filled with kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, small mouth bass, German brown trout, northern pike and walleye. Whether anglers are beginners or seasoned fishers, this area offers something for all experience levels. The San Juan River is a technical river with some stretches that hold 10 000 fish per kilometre-and-a-half.  Get guided with Duranglers in Durango  https://duranglers.com/ 

Ride the Rockies to the Red Rocks with this 2023 Deal

Extraordinary landscapes await – from vast canyons, inspiring deserts and alpine mountains to natural archways and enchanting hoodoos. The  is a luxury train with fine dining, allowing perfect views, enthralling excursions and relaxing nights' sleep in hotels along the way which combine to create a memorable journey. This journey is filled with highlights best seen by train.Rocky Mountaineer's Rockies to the Red Rocks rail journey between Denver and Moab combines unmatched views, enthralling excursions, fine dining and relaxing nights' sleep in charming hotels along the way. This journey is filled with highlights best seen by train. 

New bookings made before 23 February for travel dates in 2023 will receive $300 USD ($465 AUD) off per couple, or $150 USD off per person on qualifying bookings on Rockies to the Red Rocks. This offer is vaild on both packages and rail-only for direct, travel agents and wholesale bookings: 

• April to May & September to October: eastbound departures only   
• July & August: all departures  

New Lodgings

• A-Frame Club is now open. A lifestyle hotel consisting of 31 newly-constructed A-Frame cabins integrated into Winter Park's natural environment.  
• The Western Hotel & Spa is an iconic Old West property located in the historic district of Ouray that is being restored with select modern, luxe touches.  
• A-Lodge Lyons in Lyons, Boulder County, and 25 minutes outside Eldora Mountain Resort. A-Lodge was fully completed in July 2022 and celebrates outdoor recreation, local music and small town charm with adventure concierges and an outdoor firepit as a gathering spot for guests. 
• Rochester Hotel This historic hotel in Durango underwent a complete renovation in time for ski season.  

• Camp Eddy  Airstream, tiny home and campsite accommodations are debuting this fall at this new camp located in Grand Junction.  
• The Carlin will open Spring 2023 in Breckenridge featuring four luxury hotel suites on the top floor, an open kitchen restaurant on the main floor and a subterranean tavern.  

Grand Junction, Colorado makes the NY Times 52 places to go in 2023! 

Grand Junction is the largest city on Colorado's Western Slope and the heart of Colorado wine country, Grand Junction sprawls across the Grand Valley, perfectly situated for exploring the wonders of northwestern Colorado — and wonders certainly abound.