Touching down at Telluride Regional Airport in Telluride makes it easy to explore, with box canyon trails, mountain villages, and the San Juan Mountains close enough for simple day trips. Telluride is a former mining town tucked at the dead end of a steep canyon, with Victorian storefronts along Colorado Avenue and 13,000-foot peaks rising on three sides. The scene is laid back and outdoorsy, mixing ski bums, festival crowds, and a few quiet locals who remember when the gondola was new.

Standout experiences around Telluride: - Ride the free gondola between town and Mountain Village for a 13-minute ride with huge views - Hike to Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado - Ski or snowboard Telluride Ski Resort's steep runs and long groomers - Catch Bluegrass Festival in June or the Film Festival over Labor Day weekend - Walk the Bear Creek Trail from the end of Pine Street to a waterfall - Clip into the Via Ferrata, a cabled ledge route across the canyon wall - Learn about the 1889 bank robbery that launched Butch Cassidy's career - Browse the Telluride Historical Museum in the old miners hospital

Telluride sits far from big cities, which is part of the charm. Ridgway and its hot springs are about 45 minutes north, Ouray and its cliff-wrapped hot springs pools are a little over an hour away, and Montrose is about 65 minutes. Durango is roughly two hours south. Try an elk burger after a day on the trail and come in late September when the aspens turn the canyon gold.