It’s time to put away that winter gear and think sunshine and endless, clear-blue skies.

We’re lucky enough to live in the best possible place for escaping for a day, a weekend or a week, and when the snowmelt starts to throw waterfalls down the mountains and the rivers rise up to meet the lush, green banks, then Colorado starts setting up its festival tents, and the resorts and towns throw out their wildflower-covered welcome mats.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite summer destinations, including hiking, biking, boating, fly-fishing, golfing, off-roading, horseback riding, camping and other outdoor adventures around the state, from the tried and true to the off the beaten path.

Look for some deals and a few splurges, new spots and old favorites, and be prepared to lead with Colorado when you talk about what you did on your summer vacation.

Scenic Colorado Drives

Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway

A terrific reminder of how much history there is right in our backyards, the Lariat Loop — which started as a way to get people into the mountains in cars — is a 40-mile route that links Golden, Morrison, Lookout Mountain and Evergreen and encompasses 25,000 acres of open space and more than 30 museums and stops. Just drive for the gorgeous views or stop along the way to examine the interpretive sites and historical markers. There’s less traffic midday during the week, so if you’re looking for an escape from work, this is it, and on the weekends, time it for late in the day to catch the sunset and then stop in one of the mountain towns for dinner. Not to mention that it’s a quick step into the past for a few gallons’ worth of gas. For a brochure detailing the loop and the stops along the way, visit lariatloop.org. Stay: The Loop is close enough to Denver that you don’t have to stay overnight anywhere, but if you’re looking for a sweet getaway spot that feels like a mini-vacation, check out Highland Haven Creekside Inn, tucked back in the woods right along Bear Creek. Choose from guest rooms, cottages or suites (the latter two come with hot tubs and fireplaces), and their remarkable hot breakfasts are included. Rates start at $150 (4395 Independence Trail, Evergreen, 303-674-3577, highlandhaven.com.). Dine: Saigon Landing is an exceptional Vietnamese restaurant that pays attention to detail and makes amazing lobster in black bean sauce, crispy crêpes and grilled frogs legs. In the background: a talented musician on grand piano (28080 Douglas Park Road, Evergreen, 303-674-5421, saigonlanding.com.).

Grand Mesa Scenic Byway

This 63-mile drive along Colorado 65 makes one feel very, very small, and the views atop this 6,000-foot- high mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world, are amazing. The drive covers four ecological systems, from desert sandstone canyons to thick, evergreen forests. There are more than 300 lakes and untold numbers of orchards, farms and vineyards, many of which sell their wares at stands along the way. Stop by one of the visitors centers — there’s one at the junction of Interstate 70 in Palisade and at Cedaredge — to pick up a guide to the overlooks and picnic areas (grandmesabyway.org). Stay: Cedars’ Edge Llamas B&B does actually have many llamas ready to greet guests, and they all love to take apples from your hands, picked right from the trees that line this lovely farm with its great Grand Valley vistas out the windows of the lodging. Rates start at $75 (21575 Colorado 65, Cedaredge, 970-856-6836, llamabandb.com.). Dine: Your best bet along here is to stop by the farms and stands to grab picnic foods and dine on the fresh peaches, apples, cherries, wines and other homemade goodies available in the area. There’s also The Apple Shed Deli in Cedaredge, which makes sandwiches that you could take along (250 S. Grand Mesa Drive, 970-856-7007).

Tour the ghost towns of Ashcroft and Independence

About 10 miles south of Aspen sits Ashcroft, in the Castle Creek Valley, which once had a couple thousand residents, two newspapers and two saloons. But the mines where silver was initially discovered went bust soon after they were found in 1880, and the town folded soon after that. Independence, 13.5 miles from Aspen and situated along the Roaring Fork River, has a similar tale. Hear them both and tour the towns and their still- standing buildings (some replications), with a “resident ghost” if you call ahead (970-925-3721, heritageaspen.org.).

Stay: The Hotel Jerome in Aspen is a fitting lodging for a historic tour; the place has been around since 1889 and is filled with glorious Victoriana — and is even rumored to be haunted. Rates start at $610 (330 E. Main St. 800-331-7213, hoteljerome.com.).

Dine: Balance out the old with the new at Buenos Aires Fusion, owned by the folks who run the Buenos Aires eateries in Denver, and they have a hit on their hands in Aspen, as well. The snacks are the way to go — bacon-wrapped figs in a succulent barbecue sauce, fried, breaded mozzarella in marinara, buttery crab cakes — that you can munch on with a glass of wine, or try one of a dozen stuffed empanadas. Reasonably priced; you can save room for the killer chocolate cake. Small space, but you can sit at the little bar (308 S. Hunter St., 970-920-7722).

Explore Dinosaur National Monument

This is one of those areas, located at the Colorado-Utah border, that everyone says they’ll get to one of these days, but most of the drive can be done only in the summertime, as the roads are too mucked-out to get through any other time. If you’re even remotely interested in dinosaurs, this is a must-do, including the Tour of the Tilted Rocks, an 11-mile, self-guided tour that starts at the Dinosaur Quarry (from the Jensen, Utah, side) and offers up petroglyphs and pictographs from the Fremonts, stunning tilted rock layers and short, easy canyon hikes. The Harpers Corner auto tour is 32 miles (one way, from the Dinosaur, Colo., side) and also yields outrageous views and the chance to hike or wander farther out of the way if you so desire. Stop at the visitors center to pick up maps and brochures. Fee: $10 per vehicle, valid for seven days (4545 E. U.S. 40, Dinosaur, 970-374-3000, nps.gov/dino.). And while you’re there, it’s worth stopping by Canyon Pintado National Historic District near Rangely, about 20 miles southeast of Dinosaur, to inspect the Fremont petroglyphs in Douglas Creek Canyon on Colorado 139 ( co.blm.gov.).

Stay: There aren’t a lot of options in this remote part of the state; if you’re determined to stay in a hotel, you might want to make the 150-mile drive south to Grand Junction. Rangely has a good campground, Buck ‘n’ Bull RV Park and Campground, which has a deal with nearby Cedar Ridges Golf Course. Rates start at $25 for full hookups (2811 E. Main St., 866-675-8335).

Dine: Bedrock Depot in Dinosaur is for the kid in all of us, with homemade ice creams and sandwiches (214 Brontosaurus W. Blvd., 970-374-2336.)

Water Sports in Colorado

Paddle the Upper Animas

For strong paddlers, the Upper Animas is one of Colorado’s most memorable rides. It’s a wild, 25-mile stretch of whitewater that parallels the gawker-laden narrow gauge train between Durango and Silverton. The Upper A is swollen with hard (Class IV+ to V) rapids, big waves and ice-cold water. It’s a bruiser that many kayakers take two days to complete (the train will ferry your overnight gear to a midway campground and pick it up the next morning). Commercial and private rafters take out at Tacoma, before the Class V Rockwood Box. Experts find thrills galore in Rockwood, where sheer, 500-foot walls prevent both escape and scouting — but fall out in Rockwood and be prepared for an overwhelmingly bad swim. Add the must-make take-out eddy just before the entire river pours into a sieve, and Rockwood is the ultimate finish for a mind- and body-rattling paddle trip. Put in at downtown Silverton, take out at Tacoma, and hike up ATV trails to the Haviland Lake Campground. After a mile in Rockwood, the take-out is river right, with a small sign marking the mandatory exit pool. First-timers on the Upper A should bring a veteran.

Stay: The Wyman Hotel & Inn in Silverton is a 1902 building that beautifully bridges the gap between old and new — filled with period antiques, it also offers whirlpool tubs. Complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea. Rates start at $115 (1371 Greene St., 970-387-5372, thewyman.com.).

Dine: You’ll come off the river with quite an appetite, and a good place to hit soon after is Handlebars Restaurant & Saloon, a great old shrine to the mining town, filled with taxidermy and odds and ends from the area’s history. The specialty here is the baby-back ribs, slathered in the house sauce, which is also for sale by the bottle. And if you have a “handlebar” yourself, they’ll take your photo and hang it with the others (117 13th St., 970-387-5395, handlebarsco.com.).

Sailing Lake Dillon

In landlocked Colorado, it’s hard to beat 26 miles of shoreline with mountain views, and the chance to soak up some rays on the water. If you don’t own one, you can rent a pontoon boat, motorboat or a 22-foot Catalina sailboat (cost: $185-$380 for four hours). If you do own one, you can store it at the marina. Never sailed before? Not to worry — Dillon Marina offers sailing lessons (prices vary, but the basic keelboat course to prepare for the American Sailing Association certification process costs $275 per person, while a private lesson costs $60 per hour, with a two-hour minimum). If you get weary of the water (hard to imagine) there’s plenty of mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, golfing and more to keep you busy around Summit County. Don’t miss sunset at the Tiki Bar, at the north end by the marina.



Stay: There are plenty of chain spots along Interstate 70, but for something with a little more charm, just down the road in Frisco sits the reasonably priced Frisco Lodge, an adorable boutique hotel that feeds you a hearty complimentary breakfast. Rates start at $64 (321 Main St., 970-668-0195, 800-279-6000, friscolodge.com.).



Dine: The Dillon Dam Brewery in Dillon makes delicious beers and very nice BBQ pork sandwiches. Very casual, kids welcome. (100 Little Dam St., 970-262-7777, dambrewery.com.)

More fun: 16th Annual Frisco Barbecue Challenge, June 18-20, friscobbq.com.; The America Cup-International Fly Fishing Tournament, Aug. 22-28, theamericacup.com.

Jam at the FIBArk river festival in Salida

FIBArk remains the best river festival in Colorado and is poised to claim the overall festival title. This year’s 61st version of the “First In Boating on the Arkansas River, a.k.a. FIBArk” festival in Salida offers the country’s longest downriver paddle race, competitions featuring the continent’s best freestyle and slalom kayakers and a circus-like parade that epitomizes river culture. Live music — the June 18-21 hoedown includes homegrown favorites Mama’s Cooking, New Orleans funksters Porter, Batiste & Stoltz and DJ Logic — runs all weekend for free in Salida’s riverside park. Vendors sell cotton- candied and corn-dogged fair fare, which merges poorly but decoratively with kids and the collection of spinning carnival rides. Get the low-down at fibark.net.

Stay: Woodland Motel sits at the bend heading into town and is tidy, well-run and a great deal. The larger units have kitchenettes, and they welcome dogs, even offering beds for them. The rate schedule is complicated and based on dates; check website for details (903 W. First St., 800-488-0456, woodlandmotel.com.).



Dine: Benson’s Tavern & Beer Garden is the locals’ hangout, where you’re likely to find the area river rats hanging out after a day on the Arkansas, throwing back a few and carb-loading lasagne. (128 N. F St., 719-539-9391, bensonstavern.com.)

Boat at Blue Mesa Reservoir

It’s Colorado’s largest body of water, 26 miles long, and lovely, surrounded by craggy volcanic rocks and the rugged landscape of the Curecanti National Recreation Area about 10 miles west of Gunnison. The reservoir is stocked with millions of fish — including kokanee salmon (it’s the largest fishery for these in the U.S.), brook trout, lake trout, perch, rainbow trout, brown trout and white suckers, and its marinas rent boats. You can camp, find a guide to show you where to fish and how, and go swimming.

Stay: Blue Mesa Point is a nice campground that offers full hookups, tent sites and a store for essentials. Rates start at $15/tents, $42/full hookups (12271 W. U.S. 50, 970-641-3086, bluemesapoint.com.).

Dine: Pappy’s Restaurant is the best place to hang out, listen to the fish tales and get three squares a day (next to Elk Creek Marina, 970-641-0403, open seasonally).

Float-fish the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

The Gunnison River is one of the top spots for large rainbow and brown trout, and the isolated, narrow Black Canyon is one of those places that inspires either poetry or a complete loss of words when people try to describe it. The best way to thoroughly explore the area and get a real feel for this awesome river is to take a float trip through it and spend several days working on flies and getting tips from experienced guides, such as those with Black Canyon Anglers, a longtime outfitter on the “Gunny.” For 25 years, the company has been running the river and since 2000 has operated the only riverside lodge on the Gunnison. They will take care of rafting gear, camping gear, food, shuttle fees, horse-pack fees and the federal user fees, and share their expertise on catching (and releasing) the big ones. Rates start at $1,200 for a one-day trip, based on two guests with one guide (970-835-5050, blackcanyonanglers.com.).

Stay: The night before, you can stay at Black Canyon Anglers’ Lodge, which offers cabins for up to four people at $85 per night and includes a continental breakfast.

Dine: On your way in, stop at Gunnison Brewery in Gunnison, which makes a fine set of microbrews and good fish and chips (138 N. Main St., 970-641-2739).

More fun: Colorado Free Fishing Days, always the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in June. Visit wildlife.state.co.us/fishing.

Canoe the Colorado River

A great family trip or get-together for friends, this easygoing, two-day paddle down the Colorado River through Ruby and Horsethief canyons with Centennial Canoe features stretches of water where there are no roads and the canyon walls loom close. Camp overnight on the riverbank, hike up into the box canyons along the side, and get an introduction to Class I+ rapids. Minimum age is 6; rates are $225 for adults and $180 kids 6-12. You bring camping gear and clothes; they provide meals, canoes and guides. They also offer trips on the Dolores and Green rivers, and others. Check website for available dates (877-353-1850, centennialcanoe.com.).

Stay: The Colorado River trip leaves near Grand Junction; the day before put-in, stay at the newly renovated Grand Vista Hotel, which does indeed have great views and an indoor pool. Rates start at $99 (2790 Crossroads Blvd., 800-800-7796, grandvistahotel.com.). Dine: 626 on Rood has upped the sophistication quotient in GJ, with its wine-bar atmosphere and tasty sharing menu. Try the ahi tartar with fresh potato chips and blue cheese escargots with wild rice waffles (626 Rood Ave., 970-257-7663, 626onrood.net.).

Colorado Hikes

Check out the view from Mount Morrison

Few area locales say Colorado like Red Rocks, and Mount Morrison, with its 7,881-foot summit and jagged profile — seen around the world as the backdrop for many a concert and in music videos — is one of the more recognizable icons. You can hike it year-round (note that it is extremely hot midday in the summer) unless there is a concert, in which case you can’t access it from the park side, only the South Ridge or North Ridge routes, or via Bear Creek Canyon. Also, because Red Rocks Park is open 5 a.m.-11 p.m., Mount Morrison makes a lovely moonlight jaunt, as well. The hike can be as long as 2.7 miles one way or as short as about a half mile each way, depending on the route chosen. Beware of rattlesnakes. While you’re up there, you can tour the rest of Red Rocks Park. Stay: Another metro-area destination, this one nonetheless can be made into a weekend getaway by adding a stay at a local lodging, such as Morrison’s Arrowhead Manor Bed & Breakfast, which has lavishly decorated rooms, some with antique furniture, whirlpool tubs, fireplaces and mountain views. Rates start at $119 (9284 U.S. 285, 303-904-4357, arrowheadmanor.com.). Dine: Cafe Prague in Morrison serves classic Czech fare, and it’s impossible not to love it, sweet-and-sour cabbage, shnitzel and dumplings, sauerkraut and sauerbraten, brown sauce and lingonberries included. Also some of the best salmon with hollan- daise sauce ever (209 Bear Creek Ave., 303-697-9722, cafepraguerestaurant.com.).

Explore the Never Summer Range

The Never Summer Range is lonely. Wonderfully, alluringly lonely. You can hike entire days in the Never Summer Wilderness and never see another backpack. Just west of Rocky Mountain National Park lies one of the region’s most secluded gems, Parika Lake. The high alpine pool is ringed with arresting 12,000-foot peaks. A gurgling stream winds through wild-flowered meadows along the final mile of the 5-mile trail. The trail to Parika Lake begins at the Bowen-Baker Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park but crosses into the wilderness area. From Grand Lake on U.S. 34, enter the park’s western Kawuneeche entrance and follow signs to the Bowen-Baker trailhead. From Estes Park on Trail Ridge Road, the trailhead is about 11 miles south of Milner Pass. Stay: Allenspark Lodge is conveniently located on Main Street, has cozy, mountain-lodge-style rooms and serves homemade breakfasts. Rates start at $95 (184 Main St., 303-747-2552, allensparklodge.com.). Dine: Nicky’s Cattleman Steakhouse is a good choice for that last meal before heading off into the wilderness or refueling afterward, with thick-cut prime rib and big plates of spaghetti (1350 Fall River Road, 800-323-0031, nickysestespark.com.).

Trek to Conundrum Hot Springs

Conundrum Hot Springs near Aspen is one of the state’s busiest wilderness destinations — which is sort of surprising considering that it’s an 8-mile hike to the 11,200-foot pool, making it the continent’s highest hot spring. Yes, it gets crowded (more than 2,000 overnighters in the summer season) and naked, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. But if you go during the week, chances are very good you will have the secluded, 102-degree bath all to yourself. Ignore the hype and the grinning crowds: the Elk Range’s Conundrum Valley is breathtaking, with lush groves stretching toward mineral-stained walls and 14,000-foot peaks. For an added thrill, take a second day and push onward past the springs — over Triangle Pass and onto the East Maroon Creek Trail — for a 9.3-mile hike into Crested Butte. To reach the Conundrum Creek Trailhead, drive 5 miles up Castle Creek Road and turn right for 1 mile up Conundrum Creek Road. New this year: pack out your own waste in special bags provided at the trailhead. Stay: Most camp overnight after the hike in, but if you’re looking for a place to stay the night before or after, the Limelight Lodge in Aspen recently underwent a major renovation. It still remains one of the best bargains in town. Rooms are small but include Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, robes and kitchenettes, and there’s a complimentary breakfast buffet. Rates start at $109 in summer (355 S. Monarch St., 800-433-0832, limelightlodge.com.). Dine: When you come back down all tuckered out and starving, head to Little Annie’s Eating House for a giant grilled prime rib sandwich and a cheap beer on tap (517 E. Hyman Ave., 970-925-1098, littleannies.com.).

Hike Booth Lake near Vail

With 3,100 feet of elevation gain — and starting out at 8,400 feet to begin with — this isn’t exactly for the faint of heart or legs. But the reward for grunting out this 6-mile (one way) hike is serene Booth Lake, surrounded by high, jagged rocks and small stands of trees. Helping you along the way is a stop, 2 miles in, at Booth Creek Falls. Despite the punishing quality of this one, it’s enormously popular, so the early bird gets peace and quiet on weekends. (Exit 180 off Interstate 70; follow Booth Falls Road to end). Stay: Antlers at Vail on the bike path features roomy condo units and an inviting pool area. Rates start at $200 (680 W. Lionshead Place, 800-843-8245, antlersvail.com.). Dine: Terra Bistro in the Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa has an un-resort-like feel, and the wine list is filled with winners. Don’t miss the ahi tartare and sweet potato ravioli starters (352 E. Meadow Drive, Vail Village, 970-476-6836, vailmountainlodge.com.).

More fun: Teva Mountain Games, Thursday-June 7, tevamountaingames.com.

Colorado Bikes

Mineral Belt Trail in Leadville

The views, the workout and the history on this 11.6-mile paved trail combine to make it one of the state’s best bike trails. Walkers and in-line skaters are welcome, too, but nothing motorized, which means by the time you get to the top and the stunning views of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, the only sound will be your heavy breathing from making it to 10,653 feet. Along the way, there are chances to stop and read about points on the trail, including mines and Turquoise Lake. After you’ve worked your legs hard on the trail, give them a break with a ride on the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, which takes you to the Continental Divide through the Arkansas River Valley, with its own great views (including that of Mount Elbert, at 14,433, Colorado’s highest peak) and a narrator with a sense of humor as he shares the story of Leadville’s intriguing history. They offer night rides, as well. Tickets start at $32.50/adults, $19.50/kids 4-12 (866-386-3936, leadville-train.com). Other Leadville highlights include the Tabor Opera House (308 Harrison St., 719-486-8409, taboroperahouse.net.), open for tours in season, and the Mount Massive Golf Course, North America’s highest nine-hole green (9,680 feet), which purportedly will get that ball farther in the thinner air (259 County Road 5, 719-486-2176, mtmassivegolf.com.). Stay: The National Register of Historic Places has the Delaware Hotel listed, and for good reason: this 1886 hotel has been lovingly restored, with a gorgeous crystal chandelier gleaming in the lobby and pretty rooms that evoke the place’s Victorian origins. Rates start at $95 (700 Harrison Ave., 800-748-2004, delawarehotel.com.). Dine: The Golden Burro Cafe’s friendly staff has been serving homey favorites such as chicken-fried steak and Mexican specialties since 1938 (710 Harrison Ave., 719-486-1239).

Try the chairlifts at Winter Park

With more than 50 miles of singletrack and doubletrack to test your mountain-biking skills, Winter Park has become a mecca for fat-tire fanatics. The sweet stuff off the chairlifts is especially intriguing, particularly if you aren’t a fan of the uphill part of the ride. Simply hop on the lift and let it do all of the work — the Zephyr Express actually carries the bike for you — and then you come screaming back down the mountain. Of course, if you want to get that great workout, you’re more than welcome to grunt it uphill. Either way, the views through the alpine routes are spectacular, and like the ski trails, they’re rated green to black, with the latter being a gnarly, technical run that will have you twisting and turning, jumping rocks and roots, crossing water and dropping steeps like crazy. Stay: The Vintage Hotel has regular one- and two-bedroom hotel rooms (some have Murphy beds) and studios with kitchenettes and fireplaces, less than one-third mile from the mountain. They’ll cheerfully store your bike for you in a locked room, too. (100 Winter Park Drive, 800-472-7017, vintagehotel.com.) Rates start at $70, or $88 with a kitchenette. Dine: Mirasol Cantina in the Park Place shopping mall serves up fast, cheap tacos filled with tasty stuff. (74815 U.S. 40, 970-726-0280)

More fun: Seventh annual Blues from the Top, June 26-28, 970-726-4118, grandblues.org.; Fat Tire Classic, July 17-19 fattireclassic.org.

Sail down your first singletrack in Crested Butte

Say you’ve heard about this mountain bike thing, and maybe you even have a fat-tire bike, and you’ve always wanted to do some singletrack — but the idea of just going out on some trail in what’s pretty much the mountain biking capital of the world scares the living daylights out of you. As well it probably should. But check this out: The Lower Loop in Crested Butte is a gentle introduction to mountain biking, mostly pavement with a few miles of singletrack that can be connected to other trails to make it as long or short as you like. Simply follow Butte Avenue west out of town, taking the trail to the left after the last house. Follow the singletrack, always bearing right at crossroads. When you come to the Peanut Mine, this is the official start of the Lower Loop. All of the spurs reconnect from here. Tony’s Trail, be warned, is a bit harder (it’s a 9-mile loop that gains about 1,200 feet in elevation). But the rest of the trails, including the ride on Slate River Road back to town, are fairly easy. And the views on the upper portion of Lower Loop, which includes Paradise Divide and the Slate River Valley, are spectacular, especially when the wildflowers are in bloom. For more info or to pick up a good guide to the trails around town, stop by the Alpineer (419 Sixth St., 970-349-5210, alpineer.com.). Stay: One of the best deals in Crested Butte is the Pioneer Guest Cabins, about 10 miles outside of town. Surrounded by the Gunnison National Forest, the 1930s cabins are lavishly furnished and pet-friendly. Rates start at $131 per night, minimum stays required depending on season (2094 Cement Creek Road, 970-349-5517, thepioneer.net.). Dine: At the lively Donita’s Cantina, the Mexican fare rocks — especially the shrimp sauteed in butter — and the margaritas are so good it’s hard to stop at just one (330 Elk Ave.; 970-349-6674, donitascantina.com.).

More fun: 29th annual Fat Tire Bike Week, June 24-28, 800-545-4505, ftbw.com.; Wildflower Festival, July 6-12, crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com.

Colorado Camping

Sleep at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

With the seemingly endless dunes — 750 feet high and continuing for 55 square miles — as well as the Sangre de Cristo mountains as backdrops to your tent site, it’s hard to imagine a more fantastic campground than Pinyon Flats, the only one inside this national park, which fills on a first-come, first- served basis. When the water is flowing, Medano Creek burbles by, and there’s plenty of room on the dunes for everyone to bring a flying saucer-type sled or even snowboards, or simply hike up the ever-shifting sides for one of the best workouts ever. Fee: $3 per person for one week; $15 annual pass, or the America the Beautiful Parks Pass is $80 annually. (11500 Colorado 150, Mosca, 719-378-6399, nps.gov/grsa.). Stay: Try early for Pinyon Flats (719-378-6399), 1 mile north of the visitors center. Dine: If you aren’t camping (read: bringing your own food), the pickings around here are slim. Blanca is 25 miles away; San Marcos Mexican Restaurant there is a mom-and- pop that serves decent food for cheap (402 Main St., 719-379-5290).

Take a break at Barr Camp in Pike National Forest

Named for Fred Barr, an avid mountaineer who believed the best views of Pikes Peak could be had by folks who hiked the area rather than accessed it by automobile, Barr Camp is the rest stop after hiking 6.8 miles on Barr Trail, the path leading up to the summit that Barr worked on for years in the early 1900s. The base camp offers bunkhouse-style cabin accommodations, lean-to shelters, a private cabin that sleeps 12 and tent sites, as well as breakfast (usually pancakes) for overnighters and an optional dinner for an extra fee. Not to mention the possibility of good conversation with fellow hikers who have made it this far, which usually involves some type of weird weather, tales of gear mishaps and other typical fourteener fun. Leashed dogs are allowed (lean-tos, upper cabins or tents only) and there is water available, but it has to be treated. Most important: an outhouse, and unlimited coffee. From here, the summit is 5.8 miles away. Rates start at $12/tent site, $17/lean-to, $28/bunkhouse (barrcamp.com).

Other adventures in Colorado

Relax at Gold Lake

Sometimes you just want to go somewhere and unwind, and Gold Lake is just that kind of place. Quiet and remote — but not so far that you can’t make a quick weekend of it — this enclave of 19 cabins situated around a 35-acre, natural lake also is surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest, with views of the Indian Peaks. Located just 35 miles from Boulder, Gold Lake offers horseback riding, fly-fishing, kayaking and hiking, or you can get a massage in their spa and then just sit outside your cabin and chill. The on-site “The Farm” has goats and chickens, where they produce the milk and eggs used at the restaurant. Rates start at $250 midweek for a hideaway cabin and $290 on weekends (3371 Gold Lake Road, Ward, 303-459-3544, goldlake.com.). Stay: Right here in the historic cabins, some of which are secluded. Dine: Right here at the restaurant. Or drive into Nederland or Estes Park, both of which are nearby off the Peak-to-Peak Highway.

4×4 to Yankee Boy Basin

The most delicate stashes of wildflowers as far as the eye can see in some places can be found by the most rugged of means — four-wheel-drive vehicle. Just south of Ouray, taking County Road 361 off U.S. 550, you’ll encounter Canyon Creek — feel free to pull over and pan for gold, if you like — old mining sites, waterfalls and free-flowing springs, and the basin itself is breathtakingly beautiful. This is considered one of the premiere four-wheeling drives in the state, but also a good one for newbies behind the wheel. The road is passable about May to September, but check to be sure. Call 970-240-5300 or visit fs.fed.us/r2/gmug. Stay: Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs in Ouray can help soak away those bruises from bumping around in the Basin in one of their private redwood tubs. Great mountain views. Rates start at $115 (45 Third Ave., 970-325-4981, boxcanyonouray.com.). Dine: O’Brien’s Pub in Ouray serves up big portions of bangers and mash and has deep-fried pickles and Guinness on tap (726 Main St., 970-325-4386).

Tour the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs

Closed for a while after 9/11, the open but heavily secured 18,000-acre site is currently a huge draw in Colorado, and a terrific way to pay homage to our constant battle for freedom. There’s a 1/3-mile paved nature trail, a short movie that shows daily cadet life, a chapel, historical exhibits and beautiful hiking trails around and through the property. At the visitors center, there’s a model of a cadet’s room, as well. At noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday you can watch the cadets march to lunch, which is quite a sight. The Academy is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; the visitors center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is free. (North Gate, accessed from Exit 156B on Interstate 25, 719-333-2025, usafa.af.mil). Stay: The Broadmoor is the obvious choice here, and turns an excursion to the area into a true retreat. Add world-class golf, the spa and tennis to the top-notch dining available in the more than a dozen eateries on the property and exceptional accommodations and service. Rates start at $330; check the website for family package specials (1 Lake Avenue, 866-837-9520, broadmoor.com.). Dine: The Summit at the Broadmoor is a destination restaurant on its own, but if you’re already staying at the hotel, it’s the best option. The sumptuous French fare, snappy service and well-chosen wine list combine for a truly pleasurable experience.

Attend Ski/Snowboard Camp at Woodward at Copper

Say you’re one of those types who skis that very last slushy day on the slopes, the one where the bottom of the hill is so gunked up your skis get stuck and you almost have to walk off. Or, you’re a solid beginner-intermediate shredder longing to bump up into the next level soon after the next season starts. Woodward is there for you. There’s a camp for everyone, from kids who have never been on sticks before to advanced adults looking to get more advanced. You also can drop in for a single session on the weekends for $25. And while you’re there, you can rock climb, hike, bike or take advantage of the other cool things Copper has to offer. Rates start at $399 for the day camps. (888-350-1544, woodwardatcopper.com.). Stay: Overnight campers stay in the Copper’s Edge building, and meals are included in the fee. But families or friends could come along and make a trip of it, and day campers need a place to stay and meals. Copper Mountain Resort has condo units with multiple bedrooms, just right for gathering a group. And kitchens mean cooking, so you won’t have to eat out every meal. The central location at the Village makes it easy to get around, and you can add mountain biking or hiking to your activities roster (209 Tenmile Circle, 800-458-8386, coppercolorado.com.). Dine: During the ski season, JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern at the base of the Super Bee Lift is jam-packed, but in summer, it’s a bit more relaxed (and lunch-only) — which means you can stop in for a delicious burger and a draft beer (10 on tap) and kick back a bit. Good salads, too. (102 Wheeler Circle, 970-968-3062)

More fun: 3Ring Weekend, July 3-5, 3ringweekend.com.

Horseback ride in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

There are so few truly unspoiled places left in Colorado, but the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests definitely qualify — with 10 designated Wilderness Areas and plenty of space for wildlife, including large herds of elk, to roam. This is where Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch in Clark takes its guests on horseback rides, anything from a full-day trip to a multi-day pack trip, where you bring your sleeping bag and, if desired, fishing gear, and they feed you and set up tents so that you get the real backcountry experience. You’ll ride across wide-open meadows of wildflowers and climb up high alpine hills, all the while breathing the fresh air of the forest, with the backdrop of the Gore Range, the Flat Tops and the Medicine Bow Mountains along the way. Rates start at $300 per person per day with a five-person minimum at that rate, and trips can go from two to five days. One-day trips are $250 per person, lunch included (970-879-3495, steamboathorses.com.). Stay and dine: If you’re looking for something a little more genteel, the stay couldn’t be nicer or the horse program more polished than at the Home Ranch, which in summer requires a seven- night stay. The property is tucked away, and the staff is as nice as can be, not to mention that the food is out of this world. Rates start at $5,280 for the week, all meals and activities included. (54880 Routt County Road 129, Clark, 970-879-1780, home ranch.com.).

More fun: Steamboat Wine Festival, July 30-Aug. 2, steamboatwinefestival.com.

Ride the Royal Gorge Route Railroad

There are several options for seeing the Royal Gorge, including from the suspension bridge above it and from a raft bouncing along the mighty Arkansas River that runs through it. But one of the best ways to see it up close is on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, which takes you on a 24-mile trip through it, often passing mere feet from the canyon walls, with the river right alongside. Step out onto an open gondola car for the best view, or sit in a dome car and have a gourmet lunch or dinner, or take one of the themed trains, with a murder mystery or wine tasting offered. The train also features a ride in the cab for a lucky few (extra fee). Along the route, you may see blue heron, bighorn sheep, bald eagles and other wildlife, and you can wave to the folks who will see you going past from the hanging bridge and rafts — or book a combination package that will put you on either the train and the bridge or the train and a raft (visit website for details). The train leaves from the Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City. Tickets start at $32.95/adults and $21.50/kids, 888-724-5748, royalgorgeroute.com. Stay: Jewel of the Canyons Bed and Breakfast is a cute little spot in an 1890 Queen Anne house just a few blocks off West Royal Gorge Boulevard; the guest rooms are simple and sweetly decorated, and each has a private bath. Rates start at $99 (429 Greenwood Ave., 866-875-0378, jewelofthecanyons.com.). Dine: Merlino’s Belvedere is the locals’ choice for upscale dining, not especially fancy but with decent Italian food and big portions. The entrees come with bottomless salad. (1330 Elm Ave., 719-275-5558, belvedererestaurant.com.)

Take a guided tour of Ute Mountain Tribal Park

The tours are not for those in so-so shape, but they are for the seriously interested in Ancestral Puebloan history and the glorious lands in this area owned by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The only way to see the Tree House cliff dwellings, pictographs, petroglyphs, large holdings of artifacts and geological formations in this place 15 miles south of Cortez is with a Ute guide, and it costs $40 per person, no credit cards accepted, and takes a full day. The $27 half-day is an easier jaunt and doesn’t require climbing ladders or a 3-mile hike, but you also don’t see the cliff dwellings, and most would argue, the really cool stuff, either. You need to take your own water (lots), lunch for the full-day and sunscreen (a hat is a good idea, too) (Tribal Park Visitor Center, Junction of U.S. 160 and U.S. 491, 800-847-5485, utemountainute.com.). Stay: Mesa Verde Inn of Cortez is reasonably priced and has a very welcome swimming pool. Rates start at $70 (640 Broadway, 970-565-3773, mesa-verdeinn.com). Dine: Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant serves all the old favorites — smothered burritos, chicken in mole, fajitas — done well, served promptly, and in huge portions. Good chips and salsa (and an unusual chile-chutney kind of dipper, too) and excellent margs. (1740 East Main St., Cortez, 970-565-6868).

Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

One of the nicest ways to see the Animas Valley is from the comfortable seats in the restored cars on this coal-fired, steam-operated train, which takes nine hours to wind back and forth through the canyons and wilderness of the San Juan National Forest (you have about a two-hour layover in Silverton). Choose from standard class, which is basic coach seating or open-air gondola cars, or the upscale classes that garner refreshments and nicer accommodations during the trip. Looking for more of an adventure? Hikers, fishermen and other backcountry enthusiasts also use the train as a jumping-off point for treks on the Colorado Trail and into the Chicago Basin. See website for details. Rates are $79-$179, depending on seat and season (479 Main Ave., 970-247-2733, durangotrain.com.). Stay: The Strater Hotel brings together the Old West and the New with antiques-filled spaces and an inviting old honky-tonk saloon. Rates start at $179 (699 Main Ave., 800-247-4431, strater.com.). Dine: Ariano’s Northern Italian Restaurant is a locals’ favorite that makes some of its pastas daily and some wonderful sauces, as well (the house-made pumpkin ravioli in brown butter is to die for). The vibe is warm, and the wines are inexpensive. (150 E. College Drive, 970-247-8146).

Support Creede Repertory Theatre

For a tiny town of fewer than 400 people, Creede — which during the silver boom once saw more than 10,000 call it home — is big on the arts. Coloradans, and others in the know, drive for miles around to check out the offerings from the Creede Repertory Theatre, which consistently offers quality productions, with top-notch performances and sets that seemingly defy their budgets. Everyone’s been eagerly awaiting the opening of the new, year-round Second Stage theater, which will expand its offerings. First up this Friday: “A Wonderful Noise,” a musical comedy about gals dressing like guys to be in a men-only barbershop quartet competition (124 N. Main St., 719-658-2540, creederep.org.). Stay and dine: The Creede Hotel has only a handful of rooms but is adorable, a renovated 1890s building right on the main drag; breakfast is included. Rates start at $105. (120 Main St., 719-658-2608, creedehotel.com.). You can eat at the nice restaurant at the Creede Hotel, which has a lovely foliage-covered patio and makes its own soups and breads. Also consider The Old Firehouse Restaurant Bed & Breakfast, which has actual old firehouse equipment and an ice cream parlor set up at an antique marble bar. The rooms are simple, with homemade quilts and some with small loveseats. Rates start at $85 for singles. (123 N. Main St., 719-658-0212, oldfirehouse.com.)

Hike through Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

West of Mesa Verde National Park sits the greatest concentration of Ancestral Puebloan, or Anasazi, archaeological sites, more than 6,000 in all, and visitors who brave the rough-and-tumble roads and equally difficult trails are welcome to wander at will (pick up a map at the entrance). Hovenweep National Monument, with its ingenious towers, and Lowry Pueblo, with 40 rooms and eight kivas, are must-sees; otherwise, you’ll be tripping over cliff dwellings and other architectural marvels in some spots and feeling like the first explorer here in others. It’s also worth a stop at the Anasazi Heritage Center, 3 miles west of Dolores, for road conditions, and to see the artifacts excavated from the sites. Fee: $3/adults at Anasazi Heritage Center, $6 at Hovenweep (Colorado 184 west to U.S. 491, then County Road CC 9 miles, 970-562-4282, co.blm.gov/canm.). Stay: Primitive camping is allowed in the area, except in the archaeological sites. Dine: Nero’s Italian Restaurant has a Southwestern atmosphere but serves Italian food and, what it’s best known for, steaks (303 W. Main St., 970-565-7366).

Take in a performance at the Central City Opera House

Since 1878, the Opera House has been regaling its audiences with summer performances, and this season will be no exception. First up: Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” a bel canto-style work about feuding Scots and young love. The season runs through early August, plenty of time to plan a weekend in the limited-stakes gambling town, which will go 24 hours and raise its limits starting July 2. (124 Eureka St., 303-292-6700, 800-851-8175, centralcityopera.org.). Stay: Hooper Homestead is a B&B just far enough away from the Central City hustle and bustle that it’s quiet and quaint, but close enough that you can walk to the opera. Rooms are not overly fussy but nice, and breakfast is muffins and yogurt, coffee, juices and fresh fruit, and much of it is delivered to your room the night before. Rates start at $125 (210 Hooper St., 303-582-5828, hooperhomestead.com.). Dine: Kevin Taylor’s two restaurants at the Teller House are studies in contrasts — upstairs at Rouge, dine on tuna au poivre and Black Angus fillet, while the more casual The Face at street level serves upscale sandwiches and salads. Both have an elegant atmosphere and crisp service. (120 Eureka St., 303-582-0600)

Climb Penitente Canyon

Once a place of worship for Los Hermanos Penitente, Spanish and Indian men who practiced a particularly passionate type of Catholicism, this exceptionally beautiful and remote area is now a mecca for rock climbers and hikers looking for new thrills. The site is located 3 miles west of the town of Del Norte, which is 31 miles west of Alamosa, down Colorado 112. The area is run by the Bureau of Land Management, and there are some primitive campsites, trails and restrooms at the site. There is also a lot of hardware already affixed to the rock walls, and adding more is prohibited. Stay: The Best Western Alamosa Inn is a chain, but it gets the job done, with a complimentary buffet breakfast and an indoor pool. Rates start at $92 (2005 Main St., 800-459-5123, bestwestern .com/alamosainn.). Dine: The best thing on the menu at the San Luis Valley Brewing Co. in Alamosa is the locally made sausages that go perfectly with the house brews, especially the oatmeal stout. (631 Main St., slvbrewco.com., 719-587-BEER).

Take the Family to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

One of those places that can make parents groan and kids squeal with delight, Glenwood Caverns has so many things going on it’ll make your head spin. Tour the elaborate Fairy Caves, with their stalactites and stalagmites, soda straws and cave bacon (an experience that can be as mild or wild as you’d like)? Or ride the Alpine Coaster? Launch yourself into the air on the Bungee Trampoline or the Swing Shot? Ride the mechanical bull? Climb the rock wall? Or just take it easy and check out the scenery on the Iron Mountain Tramway, a gondola that offers clear views of the Glenwood Springs area. There’s also a giant maze, petting zoo, a kids’ climbing area and horseback riding. Prices depend on the activities (51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, 800-530-1635, glenwoodcaverns.com.). Stay: The best thing for you after a day of this is a soak at the Hot Springs Lodge, which has reasonably priced rooms big enough for families, and which includes everyone at the hot springs pool your day of arrival and the next and continental breakfast. Rates start at $189. (415 E. Sixth St., 800-537-7946, hotspringspool .com.) Dine: Zheng Asian Bistro does pan-Asian fare well, with an emphasis on Thai, particularly curries and soups. The space is roomy, modern and snazzy — get a booth if you can — and the alcohol prices are surprisingly reasonable (35 Market St., 970-928-9077, zhengbistro.com.).

More fun: 15th annual Bicycle Tour of Colorado, June 21-27, bicycletourcolo rado.com.

Tour Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site

Take a trip back in time at Bent’s Old Fort, 8 miles east of La Junta, once a way station for traders, Plains Indians, trappers, soldiers and travelers looking for a place to rest. The reconstructed 1840s adobe fur-trading post along the Santa Fe Trail now hosts historians who offer guided tours and demonstrations, or you can wander the grounds at your leisure, inspecting the barracks and other scenes from life back then. Fee: $3 adults, $2 kids 6-12. (35110 Colorado 194 E., 719-383-5010, nps.gov/beol.). Stay: The Stagecoach Motel in La Junta is a simple, clean spot with an outdoor pool. (905 West Third St., 719-384-5476, stagecoachlj.com.) Dine: Hog’s Breath Saloon is the locals’ hangout, the place to go for a draft beer and slow-cooked ribs. (808 E. Third St., 719-384-7879).

Learn how to rock climb at Rocky Mountain National Park

Have you driven past those daredevils on the face of Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park and wondered how they got that good? Well, they had to start somewhere, and some of them did it through the Colorado Mountain School, which offers everything from a half-day first- timers’ course to two-day intensives that will get you up and climbing in no time. Rates vary; for instance, a one-day basics course costs $170 (totalclimbing.com). Stay: The school has a tidy little hostel right in the park, which is convenient for a couple of days of lessons. Rates start at $25. (341 Moraine Ave., Estes Park, 800-836-4008, totalclimbing.com.). Dine: Mama Rose’s hearty Italian menu provides just the right kind of carbs needed, with endless bread, a salad with house-made dressing and plenty of pasta with thick sauces. (338 E. Elkhorn Ave., 970-586-3330).

More fun: Estes Park Rooftop Rodeo, July 7-12, rooftoprodeo.com.

Golf at the Grand Elk Ranch & Club in Granby

One of the top golf courses in the state, this Craig Stadler- and Tripp Davis-designed series of 18 holes finds golfers occasionally sharing the wide open with the wildlife, including the many elk wandering what some call a landscape more like the Scottish highlands than Colorado. Greens fees: $44-$69. (1300 Tenmile Dr., 866-866-1121, grandelk.com.). Stay and dine: C Lazy U Guest Ranch is an unpretentious yet comfortably pampering guest ranch that sets guests up with a horse and meals for a week. Great place for families. (2640 Colorado 125, 970-887-3344, clazyu.com.). Not looking for a whole week’s stay? The Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa in Hot Sulphur Springs has comfy rooms, and you can soak away any frustrating holes in the pools. Rates start at $108 (5609 County Road 20, 800-510-6235, hotsulphursprings.com.). Dine: Longbranch Restaurant in Granby has quintessential rustic Western decor and Old Country German fare (sauerbraten, spaetzle, strudel) (185 E. Agate Ave., 970-887-2209).

More fun: Third annual Fly-fishing Festival, July 11-12, 970-887-2311, granbychamber.com.; 62nd Annual Western Weekend & Buffalo BBQ, July 17-19, 970-627-3402, grandlakechamber.com.

Balloon over Snowmass

Famous for hosting one of the highest hot-air balloon festivals in the nation, Snowmass also is one of the most scenic spots for taking the trip of a lifetime — a hot-air balloon ride along its majestic peaks. Above it All Balloon Co. has been making this dream happen in the Snowmass and Aspen area for more than 25 years, and their FAA-licensed, commercial balloon pilots work with guests to ensure a safe and fun trip. Flights, which rise 1,000 to 2,500 feet above ground level, can also be reserved for private parties. Rates are $245/adults, $175/kids age 6-14, $850/private flight 1-2 passengers. (Snowmass Village, 888-927-9606) Stay and dine: The Stonebridge Inn has quiet, warmly decorated rooms with views and the excellent on-site eatery Artisan, which serves moules et frites and succulent grilled lamb. Rates start at $179 (300 Carriage Way, 800-213-3214, stonebridgeinn.com.).

More fun: Chili Pepper & Brew Fest, Friday and Saturday, snowmasschiliandbrew.com.

Tour Marble and Redstone

Known as an artists’ community, Redstone counts among its charms the many studios, boutique shops and galleries that display and sell its locals’ pieces and the elaborate Redstone Castle, a late-19th century manor that is open for tours. About 11 miles down Colorado 133 and then County Road 3 from Redstone sits Marble, a quiet little town hidden by trees that also sports cutie shops, including one fun antiques store, and a generally inviting atmosphere. Stay: Fishing, biking and hiking, as well as R&R, are available at Avalanche Ranch. Stay in their comfy log cabins, pet the many animals and paddle in a little boat on the pond, all with Mount Sopris looming nearby. Rates start at $159 (12863 Colorado 133, Redstone, CO 81623 877-963-9339, avalancheranch.com.). Dine: Redstone Inn, which is also a lodging, serves food in its casual eatery, the Grill, as well as its more formal dining room. Sunday brunch is pretty special, as well. (82 Redstone Blvd., 970-963-2526, redstoneinn.thegilmorecollection.com.)

Sample the wares of the wineries in the Grand Valley

Since the turn of the century, Mesa County has been producing high-quality grapes capable of being turned into high-quality wine, and 20 wineries now call the area home. About 85 percent of the area is planted with vitis vinifera varietals, with merlot making up about a fifth of the percentage, and the rest divided mostly among cabernet sauvignon, syrah and chardonnay, with a few others added to the mix. There are formal tours available, but you also can simply get a list of the wineries and either hop on a bike or drive from place to place — don’t forget to spit — checking out the locations and stopping in at the tasting rooms. Many of the vineyards have the dramatic cliffs or the Colorado River as decoration, and the proprietors are usually more than happy to share their stories. (970-244-1480, visitgrandjunction.com.) Stay: Its farmhouse style and wraparound porches make the Wine Country Inn in Palisade so appealing; the rooms have Book Cliffs and Grand Mesa Views, and the one-site winery offers afternoon tastings. Rates start at $149 (777 Grande River Drive, 888-855-8330, coloradowinecountryinn.com.). Dine: Slice O’Life Bakery is one of those sweet-smelling spots where you just walk in and start pointing — everything is that good (105 W. Third St., 970-464-0577).

More fun: Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival, June 12-14, palisademusic.org.; Colorado Mountain Wine Fest, Palisade, Sept. 17-20, 800-704-3667, coloradowinefest.com.

Attend a festival in Telluride

It’s hard to go too long in Telluride without tripping over a festival; look at the town’s schedule, and it seems as though at about mid-spring there’s something going on pretty much every weekend. Fortunately, the locals are fairly tolerant of the constant visitors. In retaliation, though, they did come up with the Nothing Festival, usually the third weekend in July, where since 1991 they have done nothing special to give themselves a break (telluridenothingfestival.com). Aside from that well-deserved rest, however, this easygoing town nestled in a box canyon, dramatically adorned by the San Juan Mountains and the San Miguel River, celebrates jazz, balloons, art, the Wild West, bluegrass, wine, Cajuns, mushrooms, film (twice!), the blues and beer. It’s hard not to get caught up in the fun. (visittelluride.com) Stay: Hotel Telluride is just enough off the beaten path that you’re away from the noise, but close enough to walk into town or the hiking paths. Spring for a suite, which gets you a little more breathing room. Rates start at $239 (199 N. Cornet St., 866-468-3501, thehoteltelluride.com.). Dine: Honga’s Lotus Petal serves healthy, tasty, pan-Asian fare, including savvy sushi rolls (get the spicy ones) and superb laab. Stellar service. (135 E. Colorado Ave., 970-728-5134, hongaslotuspetal.com.)

Enjoy a family retreat in Beaver Creek

The resort usually pulls out all the stops in trying to lure families for the summer, and this year is no exception. The Kids’ Day Camp is set up for ages 5-12, with arts and crafts, outdoor activities and a childrens’ theater, while at the base of the Centennial Express Chairlift, the bungee trampoline, mini-golf, climbing wall and other activities attract older kids. The Black Family Ice Rink is open year-round, and the Children’s Museum and Children’s Theatre in the Village plaza also offer performances and activities. Kids under 12 can ride the Centennial Chairlift for free to the top of Spruce Saddle, where everyone can play horseshoes and disc golf, and on Thursday evenings through the summer, the Beaver Creek Rodeo has pony rides, a petting zoo, food and the usual rodeo events such as bull riding and roping (kids under 12 are free). Stay: The Pines Lodge is offering a family deal for $488 per family that includes two nights’ lodging, a scenic chairlift ride with a mountaintop picnic lunch for four and four VIP tickets to the Beaver Creek Rodeo on Thursday nights. When reserving, mention the Family Travel package. Call 888-485-4317 or log onto beavercreekresortproperties.com. (141 Scott Hill Road) Dine: Blue Moose Pizza is the family spot, where kids can draw on the butcher paper with crayons, adults can get beer, and the pizza is delish. (76 Avondale Lane, 970-845-8666, bluemoosepizza.com.)

Kyle Wagner: 303-954-1599, travel@denverpost.com, twitter.com/kylewagnerworld.

Staff writer Jason Blevins contributed to this report.