Ouray, Colorado

Surrounded by towering alpine mountains, Ouray (pronounced yur – ay) has earned the title “Switzerland of America.”   It is home to the Ouray Ice Park, a world-renowned canyon where artificial waterfalls are farmed into ice during the winter for climbing with specialized ice tools and spikey footwear. As a national historic district, the buildings along Main Street and in town are preserved and protected, and many are locally owned.

Ridgeway, Colorado

Ridgeway was developed during the mining boom as a stop along the Rio Grande Southern Railroad that connected Ouray and Telluride. The town has minimized light pollution to earn a designation as a certified Dark Sky Community. Popular attractions include lakeside campsites at Ridgway State Park and Orvis Hot Springs. Orvis Hot Springs features several clothing-optional pools of different temperatures and provides terrific views of the stars.

Telluride, Colorado

Located in a box canyon, the small town is full of Victorian homes and is a National Historic Landmark District. A history rich in music, arts, and mining enriches the high alpine mountain peaks surrounding the canyon. The downtown area is full of museums and gourmet eateries. A gondola sits in the corner of downtown and provides free rides to Telluride Ski Resort. The premier resort is known for its luxurious accommodations and incredible terrain.