SEE ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF EXCURSIONS AND TOURS ON MY PERSONAL SITE.

Tour of Denver, the state capital.

The city's most important landmark is the late 19th-century Colorado State Capitol, a massive white granite building topped by a 55-meter gold dome.

Lower Downtown, which is called LoDo for short, is a walk through the old district.

Let's visit the Molly Brown House Museum. The “unsinkable” Lady Molly Brown, one of the few surviving passengers on the Titanic, lived in a large Denver mansion in the 1880s. Today you can see not only original furniture from the period, but also a lot of charming antique trinkets on a tour.

Another pretentious mansion worthy of a visit is the residence of the Governor of Colorado. The history of the mansion, full of famous names of aristocratic residents of Colorado, and the interiors of the building are noteworthy.

The triangular-shaped Brown Palace Hotel, built in 1892 in the very center of the city, hosted Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and even the defeated Beatles. They all left their autographs in the hotel guest book. At the end of the tour, afternoon tea awaits - a long-standing Brown Palace tradition that is not forgotten for a single day. Anyone can join.

A very calm and charming place is the Botanical Garden.

On the way to the National Park we stop in the town of Boulder. Pearl Street is a cozy street with a variety of souvenir shops, galleries and cafes.

This city has long been loved by hippies, and generations of them have had a great time here.

In the surrounding area there are a number of hippie communes, and indeed various communities in general, trying to leave worldly affairs and devote themselves to spiritual things.

The “pearl” of not only the state of Colorado, but the entire country is the Rocky Mountains National Park.

The Alpine landscapes are so mesmerizing and alluring with their beauty that the National Park is overflowing with tourists from time to time. More than three million people visit the National Park every year.

Anyone who truly loves mountains will never be able to resist the sight of amazing mountain landscapes, crystal clear rivers and lakes. If you stop following the beaten tourist paths, you can easily find many places where you can calmly contemplate the beauty of pristine nature. The National Park has a total area of ​​1,075 square kilometers and contains more than 370 hiking trails.

The paths vary in difficulty, some of them pass through protected areas. On many trails it is allowed to ride horses, which you and I will not use.

The most popular ski resorts in the states are located in this area, allowing you to actively spend your winter vacation. But it’s beautiful here even in summer - the landscape is rightfully considered magnificent, how many poems and songs have American poets composed about this pearl of Colorado...

Hiking trails run through rocky mountains, alpine lakes, tundra, aspen groves, forests and meadows strewn with bright mountain flowers. There's no better place to experience the full range of mountain natural beauty than Rocky Mountain National Park in the Rocky Mountains.

The next point is the famous Colorado Springs.

The city is located in a picturesque location at the foot of the mountains, and lies at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, with some areas much higher.

Colorado Springs was founded on July 31, 1871 by William Jackson Palmer, who was involved in the construction of railroads. Palmer was so impressed by the view of the valley at the foot of the mountains that he purchased the land and founded a settlement. From the very beginning, Palmer had a desire to found a resort town, and the surrounding area only favored this. In the very near future, onlookers, settlers and gold seekers flocked to Colorado Springs. The first tourists also appeared, attracted by the beautiful area, clean mountain air, sun, mineral waters and very dry climate. Over time, the flow of gold and silver seekers dried up, but there were more and more tourists.

Colorado Springs is home to two major air bases, the United States Air Force Academy, and Fort Carson. These 4 military installations are the largest employers in the region. In addition, in the vicinity of Colorado Springs, under Cheyenne Mountain, the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) command center, responsible for missile defense, is based. The NORAD complex was built at the height of the Cold War with the USSR and at one time caused concern among local residents who believed that the city could be the target of a Soviet nuclear strike.

Most tourists come to Colorado Springs to admire the local nature. In close proximity to Colorado Springs there is Pikes Peak (4302 meters), which attracts thousands of people. It is believed that this is the second mountain in the world after Fuji in terms of the number of tourists. To see the most beautiful scenery you need to climb up the Cog Railway, by car or on foot trails. Each option is interesting and extreme in its own way. Every year, Pikes Peak hosts two popular sporting events: the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (races to the top in cars of various classes) and the Pikes Peak Marathon (marathon).

Another mountain worthy of attention is Cheyenne Mountain.

We will take a walk through the Cheyenne Canyon.

The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are also located here. These Colorado Springs attractions are located close to each other and are very popular among tourists.

We will take a lift to this only high-mountain zoo in the country.

Next is a tour of the old city of Old Colorado City, which was one of the centers of the American Gold Rush, and today attracts tourists with historical places of the past, souvenir and art shops, bars and cafes.

We will also visit the Wild West Museum.

And we will visit the Cave of the Winds in a picturesque mountain canyon.

Midwestern town - Manitou Springs.

If you wish, you can swim in the healing hot springs.

This town is home to the legendary Indian Cliff Dwellings Museum, which consists of two parts: the first is an open-air museum of an ancient Anasazi Indian settlement in the red rocks of Colorado, the second is a gift gallery together with indoor museum rooms.

Very close to the city limits of Colorado Springs there is a park area called the “Garden of the Gods”. The main attraction of the Garden of the Gods are the bizarre orange rocks created over the years by wind erosion. The park has many hiking and biking trails, allowing you to take an unusual walk among the wonderful geological formations.

We will do a short hike along the mountain route - Red Rock Open Space Canyon.

We will pass it on the way to the magnificent Royal Gorge Bridge Park - the world's highest suspension bridge over an abyss-gorge.

And one of the best experiences for all tourists is rafting on the Arkansas River. The pleasure is simply indescribable, both for children from five years old and for all adults without exception.

An hour and a half drive from Colorado Springs is the gold mining town of Cripple Creek. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides and is located at an altitude of 2 miles above sea level (almost 3 km).

This trip will be of interest to those who not only love nature and fresh air, but are also interested in the history of the North American Gold Rush and the gambling business.

We will go for a walk in the mountains, then take the elevator down to the Molly Katlin gold mine for an excursion, visit the museum of the history of the development of the Wild West region of the United States, walk through the streets and casinos of the town, where not so long ago blood was shed in the struggle for wealth or honor.

And if there is time left, we will take a ride on an open excursion train to the Golden Valley.

Attention! Copyright! Reproduction is possible only with the written permission of the author. . Copyright infringers will be prosecuted in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado

In original: Colorado
Capital:Denver)
Joined the United States: August 1, 1876
Square: 269.7 thousand sq. km
Population: 5.024 thousand people (2009)
Largest cities: Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora Lakewood, Fort Collins, Arvada, Pueblo, Westminster, Boulder, Thornton

Colorado is a state famous for the stunning natural landscapes of the Rocky Mountain belt.

The spectacular unique beauty of the snow-capped cliffs covered with coniferous forests and the mild climate of the state, surrounded and protected from the winds by a belt of mountains, have made Colorado a center of summer tourism in the United States.

In winter, the snowy mountain slopes, sparkling under the warm rays of the sun, attract ski lovers. Having chosen the famous ski resorts of the state, numerous tourists not only from the USA, but also from all over the world come to Colorado. Each year, millions of visitors to the state flock to Colorado's famous mountain destinations of Aspen, East Park and Colorado Springs.

But it's not just Colorado's mountains that attract tourists that provide huge revenue to the state's treasury. Most of the state's citizens live and work in its eastern part, a dry, flat area that covers two-fifths of Colorado.

Tunnels cut into the mountains bring water to the dry prairies, big cities and farming areas of the state. Colorado lands are located midway between the central cities of California and the US Midwest. Therefore, the state serves as the main transport artery and cargo sorting center for the entire Rocky Mountain region.

Colorado companies are leaders in many industries. The most important branches of the state's agricultural industry include meat and dairy cattle breeding and sheep breeding. State reclamation projects have allowed Colorado farmers to successfully grow potatoes, grains, and sugar beets. Areas of former dry desert prairie are now home to endless fields of corn.

One of the most important sectors of the state's economy is the mining industry. In 1850, Colorado experienced its first "mining boom."

Stories of the Colorado Gold and Silver Rush, dating back to 1850, are passed down as legends. Famous musicals such as the comedy "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" and the opera "The Ballad of Baby Doe" well describe the events that took place in Colorado during the "mining boom."

Colorado mines still produce gold and silver. But now the state's most important mining industry is oil, as well as gasoline production.

Colorado is the leading US state in molybdenum mining and steel production. One of the United States "mints" is located in the capital of Colorado, the city of Denver.

The state owns more than a third of Colorado's land. The US government controls the use of these areas for grazing and mining.

The government is also a major customer of Colorado companies in the space instrumentation industry. Near the city of Colorado Springs is the Air Force Academy, whose headquarters are located at the foot of Mount Shaen, and the funding center is in the state capital, Denver.

In Spanish, the word "colorado" means "colored red." This name was originally given to the Colorado River, which flowed through a canyon of rocks whose rocks had a reddish hue. The state was named after the river. Otherwise, Colorado is also called the “Centennial State”, since Colorado entered the US Union in 1876 - the centenary year of the famous Declaration of Independence. The largest city in the state is its capital, Denver.

Colorado State Flag and Seal

In 1911, the state of Colorado passed an official flag law. The red letter “C” stands for “Colorado”, which is translated from Spanish as “colored red”. A gold ball inside the "C" indicates the presence of gold mines in the state. The blue and white stripes on the flag symbolize the blue skies and white snows of the Colorado Rockies.

On the state's coat of arms, which was officially adopted in 1877, the triangular figure symbolizes the all-seeing eye of God. The coat of arms also features the state's mountains, land, and a pickaxe, which symbolize Colorado's mining industry, the backbone of the state's economy.

Colorado is located in an elevated area. Its lands lie at an altitude of 2100 meters above sea level, and this is the highest state in the state.

The first charitable organization in the state capital, Denver, was a relief fund created in 1887, established by a priest, a rabbi and two ministers. The foundation was named "Charity Organization Society".

The largest silver nugget ever found in North America was discovered in 1894 in the Aspen area. The nugget weighed 835 kg and to this day it is the largest silver bar in the world.

There was a time when Colorado had three governors on the same day. In 1905, Alva Adams was the state's governor. But after two months of serving in this post, he was forced to resign because he was convicted of election fraud. On March 17, 1905, Adams resigned as governor, and the state legislature called James H. Peabody to the post of governor. He refused the offered position, and on the same day the office of the state governor was headed by former Lieutenant Governor Jesse McDonald.

Great Sand Dunes National Monument is called one of nature's most amazing wonders. These huge masses of sand, lying at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south central Colorado, are constantly moving and taking on bizarre shapes. Sometimes the height of sand dunes reaches 210 meters.

The center of the state's business, financial, and industrial activity, Colorado Springs is the state's largest tourist destination as well as a military hub with several military bases in the area, including the Air Force Academy. The largest city in western Colorado is Grand Junction.

Museums, tourism

The Denver Art Museum has a large collection of American Indian artifacts, and the Denver Museum of Natural History has a large exhibit of animals from the continent.

The beautiful state attracts millions of tourists every year. In the summer, visitors to Colorado fill the high-altitude ski resorts. On the slopes of mountains, in forests, near the banks of mountain streams, tourists set up their tent camps and campsites. Climbers try their hand at climbing the many peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

Old mining towns and Indian villages are of interest to tourists and local historians. Fishing enthusiasts catch trout in the clean mountain rivers of the state. In the fall, hunters roam the state's forests in search of the abundant deer.

In the winter, the Aspen ski resorts of Arapahoe Basin, Steamboat Springs, Vail and Winter Park fill up again. The ski season in Colorado begins in November and ends in April.

In the city of Grand Junction there is The Dinosaur Valley Museum, which presents a collection of fossil animals from the prehistoric period.

Nature of the state

The main areas of Colorado are the Colorado Plateau; Mezhgorye; Rocky Mountains; Great Prairie.

(The Colorado Plateau) lies along the western border of the state and occupies a fifth of its territory. It is an area of ​​high hills, plateaus and valleys. On these lands, farmers grow various varieties of cereal crops. And in the summer months, numerous herds of cows and sheep graze in the meadows of the plateau.

Mizhgorye(Intermontane Basin) is located in the north of the plateau and is the smallest region of the state. It is a region of small rolling hills that lie between the mountains in the northwest of the state. The word "intermontane" means "between the mountains". This area of ​​rolling hills is covered with forests and meadows, which provide excellent pasture for sheep.

(The Rocky Mountains) lie in central Colorado and cover two-fifths of the state. The Colorado Mountains are called the Roof of North America.

About 55 highest peaks, rising 4,270 km above sea level, are located in this region. These heights are the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountain chain, which stretches from Alaska to New Mexico.

The Rocky Mountains, in turn, also consist of five mountain ranges: Front Range, Park Range, Sawatch Range, San Juan Mountains, Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

The eastern group of the Front Range includes such high mountains as Mount Evans (4348 meters high), Longs Peak (4345 meters high), Pikes Peak (4301 meters high) and other mountains that increase in height to the west from Denver and Colorado Springs.

The Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) mountain range lies in the south of the Front Range. Together, the Front Range and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges form a kind of wall that encloses the Great Prairie region located in the east of the state.

Great Prairie eastern Colorado covers approximately two-fifths of the state. The Colorado Great Prairie region is part of the vast North American Plain that stretches from Canada to Mexico. It rises gently from east to west from the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Farmers once considered these areas unsuitable for agriculture. But modern irrigation projects in the valleys have made the once dry lands suitable for vast areas of agro-industrial activity.

Rivers and lakes

The most important rivers in many states originate from the largest water artery - the Colorado River.

The headwaters of the three major Mississippi-Missouri water systems are located on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. These are the Arkansas, South Platte and Republican rivers.

In the western Rocky Mountains, the Colorado River originates in Grand Lake. It flows through the Middle Park region to southwestern Utah and occupies a twelfth of the United States.

Several major tributaries of the Colorado River, including the Uncompahgre, Gunnison, San Juan, and Dolores, are also Colorado state waters.

The Rio Grande River, which flows in the east and south of Colorado and crosses its border with New Mexico, also originates in the area of ​​the San Juan River. And the Nose Platte River originates on the lands of North Park and carries its waters to the state of Wyoming.

Vegetation

Due to the vast differences in altitude and humidity, Colorado's lands are home to a wide variety of plant varieties.

An interesting species diversity of cacti and other desert plants, which can be found in abundance in the arid regions of the state. The most common type of grass is buffalo grass. In spring, sand lilies, buttercups, and yarrows bloom. In summer - columbines, lilacs, Indian tassels, mountain lilies, daisies, irises and roses.

More than a third of the state's territory is covered by coniferous forests: various species of aspen, spruce and pine, as well as various types of maples.

Climate

Colorado's climate is predominantly dry and sunny. But since there is a difference in altitude between different parts of the state, the air temperature also varies depending on the location of the region. It is always colder in the mountains than in the valleys and plateaus.

In the city of Burlington, located on the flatlands, the average temperature in January is -2°C. And in the city of Leadville, which is located in the mountains, it is -8°C in January. The difference in summer temperatures for the same cities is +23°C in Burlington and +13°C in Leadville.

The highest air temperature recorded in Colorado was in July 1888 in the city of Bennett. It was +48 °C. And the lowest temperature was on February 1, 1985 in the city of Maybell, when the thermometer showed -52 °C!

Production

Colorado's manufacturing turnover is $19 billion annually. Mostly, the state's production receives semi-finished products, which Colorado plants and factories bring to the final standard of finished goods.

Colorado's leading industrial manufacturing industries are computer and electronics. About 60% of the state's export production is made up of electronics, the so-called "high-tech sector." Computers and electronics manufacturing are the dominant industry in the state. Companies producing electronics and computer equipment are located in the cities of Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins.

Other equally important industries in Colorado include the production of medical equipment and parts for various electrical devices.

The second leading industry in Colorado is the manufacture of special machines and units for food production. Brewing equipment, conveyors for bottling drinks, lines for packaging meat products - these are the main mechanized lines for the food industry produced in Colorado.

The third largest brewing company in the United States, Coors Brewing Company, has its “headquarters” in the Colorado city of Golden. In addition, several other large American brewing companies locate their production facilities in Fort Collins.

Other leading industries in the state include transportation equipment, chemical manufacturing, and metallurgy. Automotive engine parts and aerospace equipment are the state's most important manufacturing assets. Colorado leads the nation in the production of pharmaceuticals and cleaning and coating materials.

Mining industry

Oil, coal and natural gas are the most important products of Colorado's mining industry. Rio Blanco County, located in the northwest of the state, produces the largest amount of Colorado oil. The oil deposits of these lands contain half of the state's underground petroleum reserves. In addition, extensive oil deposits have also been discovered in the east of Denver.

Agriculture

About 60% of Colorado's land is agricultural land. There are about 29 thousand different farms in the state. From huge ranches to small "truck" vegetable gardens.

Livestock and livestock products account for two-thirds of the state's agricultural output. Beef production is Colorado's primary farming industry, and the state is one of the top suppliers of beef to the state market.

For many years pasture and ranch work was the most important activity for the people of the state. Colorado farmers are still feeding their livestock. But already - using modern agricultural technologies. Operators of “feed distribution stations” purchase calves, fattening them at the ranch to the required condition.

Of course, such a scientifically developed “food conveyor”, enriched with mineral salts and vitamins necessary for growth, increases the weight of the animal much faster than natural pastures. And heavier animals are valued much higher on the market. The Greeley region is a major animal feeding area.

The state's dairy production is Colorado's most important agricultural sector. In addition, Colorado is a leader in wool and beef sheep farming. The state also raises pigs and poultry.

Reprinting or publication of articles on websites, forums, blogs, contact groups and mailing lists is permitted only if there is active link to the website .

In Colorado, there is a huge flat plain right in front of the mountains. But as soon as you drive an hour west from Denver, the Rocky Mountains begin. They are the reason I came to Boulder. This ridge divides the continent of North America into two parts, and in the past people spent enormous effort and risked their lives to cross it. Today, here lies one of the most beautiful roads in the United States.

Today’s post is about the Rocky Mountains and this road.

In fact, I flew to Boulder (Colorado) to combine business with pleasure. We have a branch there where several people work that I needed to meet. For two days I worked from the office with this view:

Yes, unlike neighboring Denver, the mountains here begin right outside the city limits. Let's get closer - there is a street, there are houses on it, and right behind them there are already beautiful rocky formations.

Because of their shape, they are called "Flatirons" - flat irons, or pieces of iron. If you come closer, you can see that they are a beautiful yellowish color and are covered with coniferous forest.

When I finished the work week, my friends arrived and we staged a forced march on these “pieces of iron.” After an hour and a half of tiring climb along a rather steep path, our reward was a beautiful natural arch - the Royal Arch. And a small bottle of sake.

From this place there is a beautiful view of the entire town of Boulder. But I won't show it to you. Go and see for yourself.

By the way, Boulder has not only beautiful mountains and amazing sunsets. This happens because mountains rise immediately to the west of the city, the sun hides behind them a little earlier, while continuing to illuminate the sky. At Burning Man, which is completely surrounded by mountains, you can see something similar.

But why am I fixated on Boulder? After all, we came to see real mountains, and those near Boulder are just that, hills. Let's go to Rocky Mountain National Park!

The road we are interested in is called the Trail Ridge Road, which is part of the first American highway system that existed before the creation of Interstate Highways. It got its name because it runs next to the old trail along which Indian tribes crossed these mountains. Trail Ridge Road is a section of Highway 34. In general, this is the “highest” highway in America! (There are paved roads that go a little higher, but they are not considered highways.)

The road was built in the 1930s, this 77-kilometer-long section is partially closed for the winter, as a lot of snow falls here. But that's later - for now it's open here. Since today the road is entirely located within the territory of the National Park, you will have to pay for entry - $20 per car for a day, or you can buy a pass for $30 for the whole week.

Don’t think that 77 km can be covered in an hour or even two. That is, it may be possible theoretically, but it is better to spend at least half a day on this road (or, if possible, the whole day), leaving yourself time for all sorts of stops and walks. The first few kilometers we drive on flat terrain, around a Christmas tree, and mountains are visible in the distance.

When we come across deciduous trees, we realize that we have arrived just in time for the richness of autumn colors. The leaves shimmer in colors from green to soft lime green to light yellow with hints of orange. But for some reason there are a lot of dead trees among the trees.

A snow-capped peak is visible ahead. This is Longs Peak, 4,300 meters high.

The road climbs up and runs along the slopes of the mountains. In many places it meanders like a serpentine. From here you can clearly see how it cuts through the coniferous forest on the slope.

The beauty of this road is that there are parking lots near all the beautiful places. You can park your car and walk around the area and see the views. You can even climb a little on the cobblestones to take photos.

In good weather there are wonderful views of the surrounding area. The relief landscape covered with forest goes into the distance. It’s not even clear where all those plains are, which seem to be very close here.

In the lowlands the river traces very sophisticated zigzags.

Meanwhile, the highway rises higher and higher. At this altitude it becomes cooler, and at some point the road crosses the forest border. Trees no longer grow above this line.

But now there is excellent visibility from anywhere!

In some places in the highlands, hiking trails extend from parking areas. You can walk through this desert area.

These landscapes reminded me a lot. Although probably the whole tundra looks like this.

But here you walk a little, and views of the mountain ranges open up.

Now they are not yet completely covered with snow, it lies only in individual crevices, giving the mountains a “gray hair” effect.

There are also islands of snow near the road.

Did you notice the deer in the previous photo? And they are there. But let me show you closer. Here they are accustomed to cars constantly passing by. Mostly the animals ignore traffic, but if you try to get closer, they run away.

Clouds spread between the mountains, creating a beautiful layering of peaks disappearing into the haze.

The road reaches a maximum altitude of 3,700 meters. This is certainly not Everest, but if you climb here by car in a couple of hours, your body begins to feel the difference. The air here is noticeably thinner than below; even people in good shape run out of air much faster.

But what views there are - right from the road! Every few hundred meters you want to stop and take pictures!

It's interesting how different the character of North American mountains is from Asian ones. For example, on (where "") the mountains look completely different. Probably it has to do with the quality of the rock - the Rocky Mountains are made of harder stone, which is why, although they are less dramatic in appearance, they are somehow more peaceful and majestic.

The grass in the highlands is now a beautiful brown color. In summer it is green. There are tall sticks along the sides of the highway. Do you know why?..

Okay, I'll tell you. In winter, an incredible amount of snow falls here. And in the spring, when the road is opened, the authorities do not wait for it to melt on its own, but clear the snow with equipment. Sticks mark the edges of the road. Sometimes there is so much snow that the tops of these poles barely stick out of it!

Don't forget that it's much colder here than below. At the beginning of October you can still wear a shirt in Boulder, but here you need a winter jacket. Not only is it cold, but also the wind is strong, it penetrates to the bones! Here is a man getting ready to film the sunset.

Another walking trail. There is a large parking lot, a toilet, a shop and a canteen. But everything except the toilet closes quite early.

Meanwhile, the road begins to gradually descend.

Soon the Christmas trees begin again.

But Trail Ridge Road has more to surprise us with. A little west of the highest point, the road crosses the North American Divide Line. This line divides the continent into the western part, where all the water sooner or later flows into the Pacific Ocean, and the eastern part, from where the water flows into the Atlantic. At the site of this invisible but very significant border there is a sign:

By evening we descended from the mountains. In the Colorado twilight, someone lit a patriotic fire next to the state flag.

For some reason I imagined a classic picture from American films - a family with children sitting around a fire, and dad telling them scary stories...

In the heart of the famous Rocky Mountains, or, as Americans simply say, The Rockies, four of the most picturesque American states are nestled: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. Translated from Spanish, "Colorado" means "red hue" - the Spanish discoverers of the 16th century struggled to find a suitable definition for the complex color of the local rocks and river. The most mountainous state in the United States, Colorado became American in 1896, and is now called the ski capital of America. Some of the best resorts in the hemisphere are concentrated here, but before heading to Aspen or the Vail Valley, skiers are strongly advised to make a short stop in the state capital, Denver. Firstly, it is from here that a small plane takes off to the desired ski resorts; the travel time is only 25 minutes. Secondly, Denver is notable for its parks and museums - we recommend visiting the Colorado History Museum and the house of Molly Brown, a resident of the state who miraculously escaped from the sinking of the Titanic. But it is the mountains that are the main feature and pride of the state. In Rocky Mountain National Park, tourists are proudly shown the natural resources of Colorado - local residents claim that the most beautiful mountain panorama in the United States can be seen only here. Traces of the Colorado Gold Rush are preserved in Manitou Springs, a charming town renowned for its spa resort thanks to the natural mineral springs fortunately discovered on this site. And Colorado Springs is a resort town, nicknamed “Little London” due to its popularity among British tourists. Colorado also has its own “Grand Canyon” - a whole Canyon City, famous, however, not so much for its picturesque mountain falls as for the museum... of local prisons. Sand dunes, rivers, forests - everything you want is in Colorado, but none of the above can compare with the eternal and rock-solid glory of the local mountains.

Aspen and others

The first “steps on alpine skiing” were made in Colorado in 1935, when pioneer skiers began skiing in the Rocky Mountains: remember the movie “Sun Valley Serenade”?.. Things almost immediately went uphill, and many small towns announced their their desire to become ski resorts: this is how the world fame of the Vail Valley, Aspen and other now world-famous resorts began. The very word “Aspen” for Americans sounds like “success” - the whole point is that the richest and most famous Hollywood stars, famous athletes and millionaires actually meet and relax here. And you can easily join the chosen society! Aspen is the main resort in Colorado, which every self-respecting skier should visit at least once in their life. The town of Aspen itself is built in typical Victorian style, and there are countless restaurants, shops and other “non-ski” activities and entertainment. For those who are firmly on skis (or dream of getting up and standing on them), four ski areas are offered, in other words, four mountains, for which they sell a single pass - a “ski pass”.

Four mountains

Aspen Mountain (or Ajax), with an altitude of 3,418 m, is best suited for experienced skiers and those who have skied for at least a couple of seasons; there are practically no easy trails here. But experienced skiers will appreciate the local slopes and picturesque views; For extreme sports enthusiasts, virgin lands and descent from peaks to gorges await. Snowmass (height 3813m) is a completely different matter, there are most of the slopes for skiers with less experience, there are long gentle slopes, but there are also interesting offers for experienced skiers (there are 83 slopes in total at Snowmass, so there is plenty to choose from!) . As for those who do not ski or snowboard and are not fundamentally going to change the situation, Snowmass invites them to take a break at one of the 11 mountain restaurants and relax for their own pleasure, admiring the snow-capped mountain views.

The signature feature of Colorado resorts is that it is customary to take into account even the most unusual and difficult wishes and requests of vacationers. They will select skis for you, adjust ski boots to your feet, if necessary, teach you and your children how to ski, and if children are too early to learn skiing, they can be entrusted to experienced baby sitters (while mom and dad conquer the mountains). Aspen Highlands (elevation 3,559 m) offers 131 runs, most of which are designed for advanced skiers, while the Buttermilk Ski Area (3,018 m) made history as the capital of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Winter Extreme Games. At the same time, Buttermilk is considered an ideal place... for beginner skiers. As for the weather, it seems to be specially adjusted to the needs of winter holiday lovers. The days here are usually sunny, and it snows only at night. Locals joke that the mayor of Aspen secretly turns on a special switch every night to add fresh snow, and turns it off at dawn. “Post-ski” holiday, or, as it is commonly called, apres-ski, in Aspen will give a hundred points ahead of any European resort in terms of diversity - you will find cinemas, discos, art galleries, gourmet restaurants, and clubs with live music. . Be sure to check out The J-Bar, which has been in business since 1889. It is included in the National List of Historic Landmarks. For children, Aspen offers dog sledding, special children's trails, an indoor skating rink, a swimming pool, a skate park, a Western entertainment center in Buttermilk and a nightly comedy show in Snowmass. If, despite the abundance of local entertainment, you need additional experiences, from Aspen you can go on an excursion to the picturesque Maroon Lake or to the famous spa resort of Glenwood Springs.

All inclusive

Colorado's Vail Valley takes a slightly different approach to skiing, and while it may not be as well known as Aspen, you should definitely check out the resorts here. They are famous for their variety of trails and the cozy atmosphere of the villages at the foot of the slopes. Here, skiers and snowboarders will find a huge area for skiing and not the highest prices, in addition, the ski pass of the Vail Valley resorts is valid for skiing at the resorts of nearby Beavercreek, famous for its well-groomed slopes and a village that is like two peas in a pod like an illustration of an alpine winter fairy tale However, Beavercreek also has typical American features, for example, outdoor escalators that take guests to the doors of the necessary stores, heated walkways. And also a comfortable ski concierge system: after skiing, you don’t have to worry about equipment and get to the hotel lightly. Staff specially allocated for this purpose (ski concierges) will not only help tired skiers take off heavy boots and wet overalls, but this is especially convenient for beginners and the youngest mountain conquerors. Your skis and suit will be put in order, and the next day the prepared equipment will be waiting for you at the slope chosen the day before.

Family values

Families with children are welcome here - young guests are offered a trip to an amusement park with a bear's den and an Indian village, and in a special school for little ones children from 2 months to 6 years old are supervised. Parents can ride with peace of mind knowing that their children will be cared for by qualified staff. Children from the age of 3 are taught to ski; there are lifts, equipment, and trails designed specifically for children. And after training, girls, again starting from 3 years old, can relieve stress in a special children's spa, decorated in a style reminiscent of a Barbie dollhouse. Apres-ski in the city center - Vail Village - includes all imaginable recreational options: from shopping and visiting galleries to day spas and street concerts. In the small town of Breckenridge, we recommend visiting a museum dedicated to gold miners. And for those who are partial to shopping, we advise you to look into shopping complexes similar to the megamalls we are already familiar with, located nearby. Stores of famous brands selling the latest fashion collections will delight even the most fastidious customers. Luxury items here can be bought about 7-8 times cheaper than items of the same class in Moscow!

Hotels in the mountains
In Aspen and the Vail Valley you can find a variety of hotels - from "star" hotels, going off scale for all imaginable indicators of chic and luxury, to quite affordable, but outstanding in quality, where all the needs of vacationers are taken into account - from ski storage to barbecue on street. Situated at the base of Aspen Mountain between two major ski lifts, The St. Regis is renowned for its stunning views and exceptional customer service, as well as being home to a popular hospital for people with back and spine problems. One of the best hotels in Aspen is The Little Nell.
Hotel, it is relatively small - only 92 rooms, but equipped with the latest technology. For special comfort of guests, individual service is provided here in accordance with all their wishes and the most refined cuisine. No wonder 60% of those who visit here become regular guests of the hotel. The Hotel Jerome is an Aspen landmark. Individually decorated apartments with huge bathrooms are designed for people who prefer to combine the full joys of winter holidays and sports with business. Special rooms are equipped with the latest equipment and satellite communications. Upon request, everything necessary for rest and work will be delivered to the guest upon arrival. The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Beavercreek embodies a classic approach to hospitality. They offer spacious and stylish rooms, relaxation in the SPA and fitness center, excellent cuisine and the highest level of service.