Oh looky there, Travel and Leisure is telling all our local secrets. Well, not the hidden jumps the teenagers make every year. Those you’ll just have to find on your own. Happy riding, y’all!
winter
Valley View Hot Springs, just 45 minutes from Salida
The video is of the upper pools at Valley View Hot Springs. This time of year, you can have them all to yourself! The water temp hovers just below 100°, so it’s really quite perfect for a sunny day soak.
Northern Lights over S-Mountain in Salida, CO
Did you all get a chance to see Tenderfoot Mountain (S Mountain) awash in the Northern Lights? It was spectacular! Big thanks to StayinSalida guest Timothy Dwenger for providing these gorgeous shots of it!
Monarch’s Ski Season just got EXTENDED!
Thanks to all the recent storms, Monarch’s new closing day is not until April 14th!!! Don’t miss the annual chili cook-off in the parking lot. It’s a great time to carouse around with the locals between runs and get yourself a delicious, free meal! And don’t forget to join or watch the rowdy race down Gun Barrel.
Moose Playing around Beaver Creek near Fairplay, Colorado
Less than a mile north of the cute little town of Fairplay, Colorado, on the Beaver Creek trail. These four moose made a brief appearance before disappearing back into the forest above the creek. Ski it, snowshoe it, or just hike it (likely not fit for bikes for at least a couple more months). It’s an easy trek you can make as short as you like, or follow it around all day!
Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River
Spectacular sunny views from the hiking and biking trails just outside of Royal Gorge Park. This time of year, there’s almost no one on them, and they’re surprisingly dry and warm. Miles and miles of easy biking and hiking trails to explore, and
Hidden ski trail and creek near Monarch, Colorado
Not far from Monarch Ski Area, this little gem of an unofficial trail was ripe for laying down fresh tracks.
Powder Alert: Monarch is getting hammered this weekend!
Powder days all Presidents Day weekend long at Monarch Mountain, starting today and it’s slated to keep getting pounded through Monday at least. Get your fattest skis on and get out there, shredders!
Snow on the Smelter smokestack
Salida’s local photographer and filmmaker Bill Donovan captured this drone shot of Salida’s smelter dusted in snow. We’re slated to get a bit more of the white stuff Wednesday night, but fingers crossed most of it falls up at Monarch Ski Area!
Old Monarch Pass XC trek on a bluebird mornin…
Sunrise above the Continental Divide, with a sliver of a moon visible on the other side of the trail. Old Monarch Pass is all dressed up in snow and ready for your cross county outings!
Monarch is Opening this Wednesday, 12/6!
Opening day will be Wednesday, December 6, 2023!