Travel Tips & Trends

Colorado weekend getaways

What's your favorite vacation spot for a short winter trip in Colorado? Ski resorts are an obvious choice, but the state has much to offer for anything from an overnight visit to a long weekend. Here are a few quick picks:

Grand Lake: Two hours' drive from Denver, the "snowmobile capital of Colorado" draws winter visitors for its trail system-and it's legal to ride your snowmobile around town. Ice fishing, cross-country skiing and dogsledding are other attractions. Winter events include the Snowshoe Festival (Jan. 12-15) and Three Lakes Winter Fishing Contest (Jan. 26-28).

Durango: The Cascade Canyon Excursion on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the nation's premier winter scenic rail journeys. Other local highlights are Trimble Hot Springs & Spa, the historic downtown, ice climbing and almost every other winter sport. Mesa Verde National Park's ancient cliff dwellings are nearby.

Glenwood Springs: A perennial winter favorite for its three-block-long outdoor hot springs pool, the town is also convenient for excursions to Aspen and Vail. Weather permitting, the year-round Canyon Flyer at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park gives riders a 3,400-foot mountain thrill ride-it's the only alpine coaster in the USA.

Where do you like to go for a winter weekend in Colorado? Send a brief description of your favorites to editor@colorado.aaa.com, or write to the Editor, AAA Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver 80222