Intro Set in the heart of the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado, Penitente Canyon was once a refuge for the Penitente Brotherhood of Catholic monks, who lived and worked in relative seclusion near the Colorado/New Mexico border in the early 20th century. The canyon was named for this society,

From Montana’s Livingston Range to the Lechuguilla Desert of southern Arizona, the U.S. region known as the Mountain West is brimming with top-caliber hiking destinations. Narrowing down a list of 10 standouts is no small feat, but we took a stab at it anyway, choosing from the eight states that

With all the mountainous goodness surrounding Boulder, it’s easy to overlook one of the city’s best natural features: Boulder Creek. It is a geological curiosity to consider that the humble stream flowing through the heart of the city is the same agent that carved out the deep walls of Boulder

One of my favorite spring ski days of all time happened on a powder day at Snowmass—or, shall I say, it was a powder day at the top of Snowmass. The venerable ski area, which celebrates 50 years of operation in 2018, has an impressive 4,406 feet of vertical drop

There’s no shortage of things to do in Durango, Colorado. Whether you’re on the lookout for a heart-pumping hike, a high-adrenaline adventure, or something the whole family can enjoy, there’s something just outside city limits for you. Among the best adventures is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, but

There’s a reason people who love to be outdoors choose to live in Colorado. With 10,000-plus miles of trail through national parks, state parks, national forests, and other public lands, the Centennial State has no shortage of breathtaking scenery—and endless opportunities for running, mountain biking, skiing, paddling, and climbing. With

With over 67 million acres of land, it’s no wonder Colorado is home to some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities you’ll find anywhere in the country. Whether you’re into mountain biking, skiing, hiking, trail running, climbing, whitewater kayaking, there’s a world-class spot for you in Colorado. With such incredible

Whether you’re a trail running buff or a road runner, if you're looking to stoke that competitive fire when the temperature drops and the snow falls, look no further than snowshoe racing. Equal parts lung-busting workout and adventure trek, it's one of the hardest and most satisfying winter activities a

In 1893, English teacher Katharine Lee Bates found the Colorado landscape so beautiful that it inspired her to pen the lyrics to "America the Beautiful." Today, Colorado’s environment—both physically and in terms of its unique community—continues to inspire. As a result, men and women alike have moved to the state

Let’s face it: Once the holidays are over, it’s hard not to start counting the (dark) days until spring arrives. But that doesn’t there’s nothing to look forward to during those long winter days. Around the world, communities large and small come together to put on seasonal celebrations that have