With skiing, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, river rafting and a whole lot more — Glenwood Springs is a complete outdoor recreation locatio.
Arguably, the only thing that’s keeping this low-key, authentic location from being overrun is that most people haven’t given it a chance. Here’s a primer on where to go and what to do.
Skiing: Aspen is 45 minutes away. You can drive or take the RAFTA bus. Closer yet is Sunlight, a 680-skiable-acre gem that is only 20 minutes from town. With daily lift tickets averaging a mere $45, it’s well worth the visit and will reward adventurous skiers with plenty of untracked snow on powder days.
Climbing: Rock year-round and ice in the winter. That’s the beta on the world-class crags surrounding Glenwood Springs. Sport routes can be found in nearby Rifle, a 30-minute drive west and closer to town at a crag called the Puoux, five minutes east off of Interstate 70. For ice climbers, Glenwood Springs offers challenging, vertical routes in Glenwood canyon. www.visitglenwood.com/ climbing
Rafting and Kayaking: A dedicated whitewater park is complemented by the rapids of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, offering everything from flatwater to class IV rapids. www.visitglenwood.com/kayaking
Mountain Biking and Hiking: From the paved recreation trail through Glenwood Canyon to the singletrack charms of Boy Scout Trail, there’s a wide variety of options for walkers, hikers and bikers. www.visitglenwood.com/biking
Relaxing: The Glenwood Springs Hot Pool features water at 104 degrees, while the nearby Yampah Vapor Caves and Spa offers spa treatments using natural hot springs waters. www.hotspringspool.com and www.yampahspa.com
