Durango, Colorado

November 1, 2010 By Brian Yaeger

Skiing: Purgatory (despite the name change, nobody calls it Durango Mountain Resort) offers over 2,000 feet of vertical for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. The naturally terraced mountain means ample opportunities for sick air, if that’s your thing.

Mountain Biking: Slothower says bikers gravitate to the Telegraph Trail system. It’s literally a choose-your-own-adventure single-track filled with loops and switchbacks meandering among canyons and meadows.

Skinny Dipping: Says Slothower, “who can deal with high-elevation hiking should check out Ice Lake, just outside of Silverton (50 winding, beautiful miles north of Durango). Marmots and wildflowers abound in the summer, but get started early before the afternoon thunderstorms roll in. For Colorado cred, skinny dip in Ice Lake, at 12,231 feet.”