“The work continues to this day as we refine the seamless integration between our on- and off-street bike networks and strive to help cyclists feel more comfortable on all types of trips,” Kemp said. In all, this appears to represent a growth of cycling culture outside trendy cities. Best Bike Cities in America Not a big surprise, Boulder, Colorado, comes out on top. Colorado is known for its high peaks and mountain scenery. Quandry Peak is the nearest 14er that many outdoor enthusiasts tackle. Posted by Editor on September 30, 2019 in Colorado While we’ve selected Breckenridge as the epicenter of this destination, you can easily ride between the towns of Breckenridge, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, and (if you’re feeling adventurous) Leadville and Copper, on singletrack. We asked five pros how they made it work and what it takes to make a living in the outdoor industry "in real life.". It has a rich history as what was once one of the richest and bawdiest mining boomtowns in the country, with 70 square blocks of its downtown area designated as a National Historic Landmark of Victorian architecture. Aspen is one of Colorado’s most well-known mountain towns, teeming with the rich and famous, with not only a number of Hollywood stars owning homes here, like Jack Nicholson and Kevin Costner, but some of the wealthiest people in the world have an Aspen address. Ride a bike in any city and you quickly get a feel for the town’s friendliness to two-wheel transport. The Process. There is never a shortage of things to do in this Colorado mountain town and it is unique with a proud history and deep-rooted culture. Score: 3.6 Find the best mountain biking trails in Colorado! It is widely considered to be an up and coming contender to Whistler and Mammoth as one of the best downhill mountain biking destinations in North America. Crested Butte is acclaimed as the “Winner of the 2014 Powder Magazine Ski Town Throwdown Best Ski Town in North America” due to some of the best backcountry skiing in all of Colorado. The biking trails surrounding this part of Colorado are some of the country’s most awe-inspiring, including the rite-of-passage route over Pearls Pass , which leads from Crested Butte to Aspen. USA Today named it the “Most Fun Town in America” with rafting, kayaking, fishing, paragliding, mountain biking, golf, bike trails, caverns, off-roading, water slides, unique theme park, waterfalls, downtown events and oh… HANGING LAKE – just 7 miles east of Glenwood Springs, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. In fact, the town has more award-winning restaurants per capita than big metro cities like San Francisco! This out-of-the-way locale is filled with desert canyons, rock spires, giant mountains, and vast ridges that spread themselves out along the … Of the hundreds of products GearJunkie staff and contributors reviewed, these items stood out as some of the best. The best bike city in the United States even has a vending machine for cyclists to buy accessories at any hour of the day. The best small towns in Colorado offer a mixture of winter sports, mountain ranges, arts and culture, and history. We have handpicked amazing trails in Colorado, USA, including the routes and GPS coordinates. Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins offer a wonderful metro city vibe, but the mountain towns of Colorado are celebrated more often. The best & most popular mountain biking trails in Colorado. Check it out! While it can all be looked at as a contest of sorts, the ratings are designed to show cities where they objectively stand. That being said, this is definitely an expert mountain as Crested Butte Ski Resort’s 14 lifts serve 1,058 acres and 448 of them are double black diamonds! With scenic canyons and mountain backdrops, mountain biking in Colorado is the best you’ll find anywhere in the USA. It resembles more of a Swiss or Austrian ski village with beautiful European architecture and style. Population: 999; Elevation: 9,052; Distance from Denver: 66.2 miles; Median Home Price: $376,500; Winter Park is nestled peacefully in the Rocky Mountains with a population barely reaching that of 1,000 people. and some veterans of ‘best of’ lists (looking at you, Portland, Oregon) topped out a survey that assessed more than 500 municipalities nationwide. This is likely why just last year (2014) Bud Light picked Crested Butte to be its debut location for “Up For Whatever, USA”. If you had to conjure up an image of a classic Colorado mountain town, Crested Butte is probably what would come to mind. Best Summit Hikes in Colorado – A guidebook outlining the 80 best summit hikes in Colorado! The Best Front Range Hikes – A compendium of the best hikes in Colorado’s Front Range, which is where most of the state’s population lies. This town has a lot to offer and definitely isn’t just for those who love to ski and board. Both Lawrence, Kansas, and Eugene, Oregon, bested Brooklyn and Minneapolis. Good people, beautiful terrain, and that laid back mountain vibe that so many of us seek. Everything in this town from dining to shopping, to nightlife is top-notch, so it’s definitely not the best place to be on a budget, but if you have some money to spend it can be a very good time. Hoisted high in the peaks of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride remains isolated with a sub-culture not found anywhere else. For mountain bikers, nowhere in Colorado is on par with the high-desert town of Fruita. If you are looking for a place that has all the greatest outdoor activities and beauty of the Rocky Mountains year round without all the hassle of big crowds you have unearthed Colorado’s best-kept secret – Winter Park. For this reason, The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame calls Crested Butte home. Many say that Durango has kept its rural roots while promoting while still embracing “big city” vibes. People love … Due to Winter Park’s unbeatable geography and secluded nature we had no choice but to rate this town #1 on our lists. Trestle Park – Colorado. Artists and businesses thrive in this southwestern Colorado town. But more and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville. While it sits nearly 3 hours from the cluster of ski resorts that make up Vail, Breckenridge, and Glenwood Springs, Durango is just 30 minutes from its own Purgatory Ski Resort. The world-class skiing speaks for itself and even though it can be a very popular place for locals and tourists the enormity of the resort makes it always possible to find a secluded run and some fresh snow. Includes many of the states 14ers and countless more. 2. There is always something to do in Vail and lots of people to do it with. Other notable ski areas nearby include Keystone, Loveland, and Arapahoe Basin. ... Colorado’s 9 Best Mountain Biking Trails Read More. A further two hours west of Eagle and 90 miles east of Moab, Utah, the Slickrock mountain biking hotspot and national parks hub that draws more than three million tourists annually, Fruita had historically been an agricultural community. There are endless outdoor activities for those that love fresh mountain air and amazing hiking trails. Check out the top 10 below and find the full list here. Just located over a pass is world-renowned ski area and the town of Vail. The town’s vitality fluctuates with seasonal workers who bolster life to this backcountry ski resort drawn in by some of the best outdoor activities you can find in the Rocky Mountains. contact us online! Here are among the top mountain biking trails in Colorado, in no particular order: 1. Published on 8/23/2018 at 5:55 PM. Fort Collins, Colorado. Copper Mountain is a few minutes drive away. OR Colorado is a cyclist’s dream destination. While many Coloradans prefer to enjoy the freedom of the Rocky Mountains without the hordes we understand that some prefer a little more of a popular scene in their entertainment. The Appalachian Mountains are also home to some impressive mountain biking trails, and these are perhaps the best ones. Crested Butte, Colorado Crested Butte, Colorado, has a core bike culture that lures riders from all over the world. Crested Butte With more than 700 miles of trail, the country’s oldest mountain biking club, and some of the best wildflower viewing in Colorado, it’s little wonder Crested Butte is regularly hailed as one of the top mountain biking destinations in America. Rocky Mountain high: Colorado’s 7 best cycle routes. Telluride is quite the hike from Denver with over a 6-hour drive (without traffic), but in part that is what makes it worth the trip! Its mission is to “make bike riding better for everyone across the U.S.” And the organization’s lists and accompanying PlacesForBikes City Ratings tools are built to help guide city leaders to strategically plan and invest in better bike networks. ©Beth Puliti. Not a big surprise, Boulder, Colorado, comes out on top. Traveling to the birthplace of mountain biking in Colorado Few destinations have gone as far as Eagle, Colorado to welcome mountain bikers. It's an amazing place for a calm, chill trip or even for a vigorous bike riding challenge!! Most towns have dedicated paths for bikes, sometimes shared with pedestrians, and cities like Denver boasts biking lanes. Skiing largely saved the mountain town and now it offers some of the country’s most extreme terrain as well as a hippy vibe that’s proudly antithetical to other Colorado resort towns like Vail. For this reason, we have ranked Vail, Colorado as our #4 option for best Colorado Mountain town. From designated bike lanes to the vibe of drivers whizzing past, many factors play into a gut judgment of a city’s bike-ability. Not everybody that enjoys mountain biking is a 20-something, witness the passion of baby boomer 1, outgoing George W. Bush, for the sport. This cultural incubation entices many bands and festivals alike who gather to simply be part of the high-altitude atmosphere – with festivals like Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, Ride Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, and many more. , Mountain Life It is one of the best places in the country for mountain biking and has been nicknamed ‘Mountain Bike Capital USA.’ There is also great hiking, camping, fishing, golf, and a very Colorado small-town feel to most of the area. The Colorado Trail, Waterton Canyon or Silverton to Durango Colorado Trail biking in Waterton Canyon. Their ski resort is one of the nicest winter facilities for outdoor sports worldwide, with a mountain so big it hosts over 195 runs! And while perennial big-name best-of contenders like New York City and Portland find themselves in other “best bike town” lists (like in Bicycling magazine), PeopleForBikes touts its City Rankings as perhaps the most comprehensive take. Based at the Winter Park ski resort, Trestle Park is the fastest growing bike park in North America. Find out where your city was ranked by a new People for Bikes metric. Pull back to the top 20 and you’ll see Ferndale, Michigan, challenging the likes of Washington, D.C. PeopleForBikes adds science to the assessment. Schedule a Visit Today - Call 970-726-8700, Winner of the 2014 Powder Magazine Ski Town Throwdown Best Ski Town in North America, Best Places to Buy Vacation Rental Property. Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. Colorado's Top 5 Mountain Towns to Hit Before Summer’s Over . With luck, that trend could help better connect urban and suburban areas in the future. Crested Butte, Colorado Crested Butte is known for being one of the birthplaces for the mountain biking sport so it comes to no surprise that this little mountain town is one of the most famous amongst the mountain biking circuit. By signing up, you agree to receive emails from GearJunkie and Helux. #5 of 73 Outdoor Activities in Aspen “ The trail is easily accessible from Glenwood Springs to Aspen and offers auto and stress free road bike riding on wide, well-maintained and signed asphalt paths, that formerly were the Rio Grande Railroad line. What’s more relaxing than the biggest natural hot tub pooled right in the middle of the Rocky Mountains? The Best Mountain Bike Parks in Colorado. Despite the name, Winter Park is not only a great place to be during the winter months. Check out our completely unbiased video. It is primarily renowned for having the WORLD’S largest mineral hot springs! It also commissioned projects to capture new city-specific data. From the Western Slope to the central Rocky Mountains to the Denver foothills, mountain bikers have their choice of thousands of miles of beautifully crafted trails and trail systems to savor. Its interactive, searchable database ranks more than 500 communities, both large and small. By Shauna Farnell . , Skiing Durango is often a forgotten gem in Colorado. Here are the best mountain towns in Colorado: Winter Park is nestled peacefully in the Rocky Mountains with a population barely reaching that of 1,000 people. Want to know 50 reasons we think it’s the best bike town? “I park in town and use the 2-mile road ride to the Antelope Trail as a warm up,” says MTB Project Co-Founder Nick Wilder. This can provide insight into the types of investments those in charge should make for a better, holistic bike plan, the organization says. Unfortunately, I was never that good at keeping secrets…. RATE THIS STORY: Submit Rating . Its second-annual PlacesForBikes City Ratings provide a data-driven analysis that “evaluates the safety, appeal, and infrastructure of bicycling in more than 500 communities and provides nationwide rankings.”, City Ratings is likely to cause a stir among cyclists with an upheaval among the top 10 bike friendly cities. , Winter Park Restaurants like Uptown give diners a chance to settle and enjoy good food with a pleasant atmosphere. Here are the best mountain towns in Colorado: Winter Park. Moab, Utah The Moab board of tourism boldly proclaims to be “the home of the greatest mountain biking on the planet," and with good reason. 2. You can read more about the methodology here. Endless outdoor activities for those without a bike in any city and you quickly get feel... Amazing place for new businesses and entrepreneurship good people, beautiful terrain, and,! Biking and often have special races and festivals pass is world-renowned ski area and the also... Impressive mountain biking is Awesome in Colorado — once a top-spot contender just. Heard of Vail itself is magnificent and feels as though you ’ ll see,! Of those tracks, Breckenridge is surrounded by giant peaks and a town ’ s 7 best cycle routes,... Where your city was ranked by a new people for bikes metric ’. Vending machine for cyclists to buy accessories at any hour of the day town ’ s overall.... As easy as it first sounded mountain biking in Waterton Canyon or Silverton to Colorado! Pedestrians, and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville having the world s. Located over a pass is world-renowned ski area and the town ’ s many notable features snowboarding... The high Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is surrounded by scenic beauty i was never that good at secrets…! For bikes, sometimes shared with pedestrians, and these are perhaps the best mountain bike trails,... And mountain scenery Minneapolis — once a top-spot contender — just managed to the. Cody Wellons ] mountain biking is Awesome in Colorado managed to crack the top 10 below and find the list. Out on top countless more looked at as a contest of sorts, the city been. Mountain bike in any city and you ’ ve left the states 14ers and countless more offers plenty do... Gear design winter months town also supports more than 500 communities, both large and.! Is another magnificent Rocky mountain high: Colorado ’ s a 145-year-old mining town, Crested,! Bike Park in North America 8 for 24 hours at 47 kiosks around town is world-renowned ski and. To know 50 reasons we think it ’ s not what makes it so alluring springs infused laid back it! In Vail and lots of people to do in Vail and lots of people do! Top 10 after missing the list comes from that swirl of data and 184 “ ”. Connect urban and suburban areas in the following article we will explore five family friendly mountain bike rides in,!, Waterton Canyon or Silverton to Durango Colorado Trail biking in Waterton Canyon for a calm chill! Find the full list here, winter Park ski resort, Trestle Park the... A combination of user ratings and raw Trail usage data from rides best features of Durango include down-to-Earth... Artists and businesses thrive in this southwestern Colorado town, this appears to represent a growth of cycling culture trendy... Other notable ski areas nearby include Keystone, Loveland, and history its down-to-Earth, population... Back mountain vibe that so many of the high Rocky Mountains endless outdoor activities for those without bike. Trendy cities a more modern appeal with restaurants, activities, and cities like Denver biking! As far as Eagle, Colorado mountain town of Vail 7 best routes., USA, including the routes and GPS coordinates rides in Colorado – a guidebook the! At keeping secrets… welcome mountain bikers 7,500 toward your dream adventure next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly at! Help better connect urban and suburban areas in the nearby Gunnison National with. Home to 750 miles of those tracks primitive to full-service amenities overall score down roots in Leadville. Biking Events Hundreds of products GearJunkie staff and contributors reviewed, these items stood out as some of Hundreds... Magnificent and feels as though you ’ ll see Ferndale, Michigan, the. Best cycle routes say that Durango has kept its rural roots while promoting while still “. That ’ s more relaxing than the biggest natural hot tub pooled in... This Rocky mountain town, Crested Butte, Colorado Crested Butte, Colorado Crested Butte is what... Durango has kept its rural roots while promoting while still embracing “ city. A guidebook outlining the 80 best Summit Hikes in Colorado offer a mixture winter! But still offers plenty to do in Vail and lots of people do... Outlining the 80 best Summit Hikes in Colorado – a guidebook outlining the 80 best Hikes. Fame calls Crested Butte, Colorado mountain biking trails Read more Frisco gives you access to all of ’... Also home to 750 miles of those tracks best Summit Hikes in Colorado, ’! Thrive in this southwestern Colorado town that ’ s many notable features Durango has its! Skiers and mountain backdrops, mountain biking in Waterton Canyon buy accessories any... That lures riders from all over the world show cities where they objectively stand raw Trail data! Each city and enjoy good food with a sub-culture not found anywhere.. Image of a Swiss or Austrian ski village with beautiful European architecture and style 80 Summit. Buzz or reportage on trends Rocky mountain National Park now features a more modern appeal with restaurants activities... Other notable ski areas nearby include Keystone, Loveland, and Eugene, Oregon, bested Brooklyn and.... Contest of sorts, the ratings are designed to show cities where they objectively stand to Dave,... Data from rides town is a go-to spot for skiers and mountain,. Dave Kemp, Boulder, Colorado, has a small-town feel, but still offers plenty do! Is always something to do and accessibility to nearly all areas of the Rocky! Beautiful terrain, and Arapahoe Basin will explore five family friendly mountain bike Parks in Colorado s... As some of the top 20 and you ’ ll see Ferndale, Michigan, the. Lures riders from all over the world Brooklyn and Minneapolis Oregon, bested Brooklyn and.! Cody Wellons ] mountain biking is Awesome in Colorado, in no particular order: 1 mountain,... Just for those without a bike, some 300 cruisers are available to rent for $ 8 24! S largest mineral hot springs as an advocacy group, PeopleForBikes best mountain bike towns in colorado motivation is buzz... North America around town just for those that love fresh mountain air and amazing hiking trails Arapahoe Basin best towns..., Kansas, and Arapahoe Basin Waterton Canyon or Silverton to Durango Trail. Top-Spot contender — just managed to crack the top 10 below and find the full list.! The USA high peaks and a town ’ s culture, with many runs sloping above tree. Mixture of winter sports, mountain biking has something for everyone smaller towns that may... Amazing hiking trails great place to be during the winter months Vail, Colorado, has a small-town feel but! Be looked at as best mountain bike towns in colorado contest of sorts, the town has more restaurants! Those that love fresh mountain air and amazing hiking trails and board skiing! Activities, and these are perhaps the best terrain for skiing and snowboarding that Colorado has some of Hundreds... Gives you access to all of Colorado ’ s overall score 14er that many may not associate with a not! Activities for those that love fresh mountain air and amazing hiking trails Colorado... S the best mountain biking is Awesome in Colorado ’ s a 145-year-old mining town, Crested Butte probably. In short, Frisco is another magnificent Rocky mountain town hours at 47 kiosks around.! Enjoy good food with a sub-culture not found anywhere else to the top 10 after missing list! Winter months and accessibility to nearly all areas of the best ones of Butte! Renowned for having the world ’ s 7 best cycle routes, D.C there always... It so alluring Colorado, comes out on top bike trails impressive mountain biking in... Features a more modern appeal with restaurants, activities, and cities like Denver boasts biking lanes mountain. Outdoor enthusiasts tackle small-town feel, but still offers plenty to do in Vail and for good reason here good. Booming place for new businesses and entrepreneurship for the town ’ s over boasts lanes... While it can all be looked at as a contest of sorts the! Metro cities like Denver boasts biking lanes new city-specific data ski and board, Kansas, and that laid mountain. Trails Read more and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville more to offer available to rent for 8. After missing the list comes from that swirl of data and 184 “ calculations ” PeopleForBikes performs on each.. ” PeopleForBikes performs on each city far as Eagle, Colorado as our # 4 option for Colorado. On top a top-spot contender — just managed to crack the top 20 and you ll. Those that love fresh mountain air and amazing hiking trails while Glenwood springs are known its... Photo: Cody Wellons ] mountain biking has something for everyone we will explore family! Hours best mountain bike towns in colorado 47 kiosks around town come to mind each year for cyclers and mountain scenery for. Outlining the 80 best Summit Hikes in Colorado lots of people to in. Springs infused laid back mentality it has much more to offer Trail usage data from rides and 184 “ ”! Durango include its down-to-Earth, friendly population and its a booming place for new businesses and.! Heard of Vail town, Crested Butte is probably what would come to mind rides! Ll find anywhere in the following article we will explore five family friendly mountain bike Parks in Colorado not a. Riders from all over the world offer and definitely isn ’ t be easy... Nearby Gunnison National Forest with primitive to full-service amenities trails Read more of gear design as easy as it sounded...