The 16 Best Mountain Towns in Colorado

Ski meccas, Victorian mining relics, box-canyon hideaways and hot-springs havens crowd this high-altitude lineup — world-famous resorts and off-the-radar gems all in one place. Which peak-framed town wins your vote?

1

Aspen

A glamorous ski resort town in the Elk Mountains known for world-class slopes and upscale culture.

1000pts

2

Telluride

A former mining town boxed in by dramatic peaks, famed for its ski resort and film festival.

943pts

3

Steamboat Springs

A ranching-and-skiing town known for its 'Champagne Powder' snow and hot springs.

877pts

4

Crested Butte

A remote, wildflower-filled town celebrated as the birthplace of mountain biking.

771pts

5

Vail

A purpose-built alpine village with one of North America's largest ski areas.

692pts

6

Breckenridge

A colorful Victorian-era mining town turned popular ski destination on the Blue River.

692pts

7

Buena Vista

A whitewater and hot-springs hub beneath the Collegiate Peaks.

600pts

8

Durango

A historic railroad town in the San Juan Mountains and gateway to Mesa Verde.

491pts

9

Pagosa Springs

A San Juan town home to some of the deepest geothermal hot springs on earth.

491pts

10

Ouray

A tiny box-canyon town nicknamed the 'Switzerland of America' for its dramatic setting.

491pts

11

Estes Park

The bustling eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

360pts

12

Glenwood Springs

A resort town built around the world's largest hot springs pool on the Colorado River.

360pts

13

Winter Park

A laid-back ski town close to Denver via a historic mountain rail line.

360pts

14

Silverton

A high-altitude former mining town at the end of a scenic narrow-gauge railway.

360pts

15

Manitou Springs

An artsy town at the foot of Pikes Peak known for its mineral springs.

360pts

16

Salida

A sunny Arkansas River town with a historic downtown and surrounding fourteeners.

200pts