Start your weekend at the top of the world

Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the US. Have coffee on Harrison Ave and meander the historic downtown with local shops and eateries before heading to Turquoise Lake for watery fun.

Alpine lakes with 14er views

Kayak, canoe, or SUP on the glacial lakes or go for a scenic boat ride. Hike Mount Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak, or tour the former mining town.

Cool off on the river

Experience Buena Vista’s epic whitewater rafting through Browns Canyon National Monument or cast a line on a gold-medal stretch of the Arkansas River before heading into town for dinner. The Arkansas is the most commercially rafted river in Colorado, and you’ll find anything from roaring Class IV and V rapids to milder Class II and III sections. You may even catch a mountain surfer at the Pocket Wave in Buena Vista Whitewater Park, the largest in the state. End the evening with a soak at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs’ outdoor pools, unplug at the enchanted Cottonwood Hot Springs, or visit Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens

Adventure your way

Get the adrenaline pumping with a trail run or mountain bike through S-Mountain or the Arkansas River Trail, or wander the creative district with coffee in hand.

Explore “The Crossroads of the Rockies”

Hit up Monarch Crest for one of the most famous singletrack mountain biking trails in the state, featuring an epic 6,000-foot descent. You can also cast a line and fly fish the river, try disc golf, or hike a 14er before heading home.

Ski where the river begins

Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the US, and in winter, it looks the part. Bundle up and experience a snow globe come to life. Above the picturesque headwaters, hit the slopes at Ski Cooper, one of Colorado’s most uncrowded resorts, or cross-country ski along the Leadville trail network.

Winter silence on the frozen lakes

Ice fish, snowshoe, or cross-country ski the shoreline with 14ers blanketed above for one of Colorado’s most dramatic backdrops.

Drive south into a different season for dinner and an overnight stay

By the time you reach Buena Vista, you’ve dropped 2,000 ft in elevation and left winter behind. Mild days in the 40s and 50s make angling on the Arkansas River a year-round experience. Explore the boutiques and local eateries, and soak your cares away at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, Charlotte Hot Springs, or Cottonwood Hot Springs with snow-capped mountains above.

Sunshine and dry trails

Adventure along S-Mountain, or browse the galleries and grab brunch. Hiking and fat biking are popular area attractions, even in winter, thanks to the unique “banana belt” climate that keeps days milder and drier.

A postcard-perfect snowy send-off

Enjoy a slow morning with South Arkansas River views. For one last adrenaline rush, snowmobile through the backcountry before heading home or cast one more line and see what you can catch.