Destination Fly4free: US Rocky Mountains

The major mountain range in western North America offers stunning wildlife and natural wonders. The Rockies encompass spectacular mountain environments with rolling hills, jagged peaks, alpine lakes, rivers and waterfalls.

2 of 5

Winter sports

With dozens of Rocky Mountain ski areas and resorts, skiing is the main attraction during winter season. The ski resort town of Aspen/Snowmass, offering 335 runs, draws huge crowds in winter. Chalet-style restaurants, shops, and hotels make you feel like you are in the heart of the Alps. Other popular ski areas include Park City (348 runs), Big Sky Resort (317 runs) and Vail (195 runs). You can rent cross-country skis, backcountry skis, snowshoes and all other equipment for winter sports. If you want to try backcountry skiing, ask a ranger about conditions.

Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to experience Rocky Mountain's majestic winter side, when the jagged peaks are softened with a blanket of snow. Many summer hiking trails winding through virgin forest become cross-country ski trails in winter. You can also take a guided tour by snowmobile.

Photo: Erik Nuenighoff, Shutterstock

2 of 5

How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Rocky Mountains:

• SUMMER: Cheap flights from Scandinavia to Denver, Colorado from only €289 >>
• SUMMER: Cheap flights from Scandinavia to Denver, Colorado from only €270 >>
• SUMMER: Cheap flights from France to Denver, Colorado from only €313 >>

Where to stay:
In Denver, 3* Hampton Inn Denver has a good price and good reviews. All 150 rooms offer free WiFi, premium bedding and LCD TVs with cable channels. Other amenities available to guests include coffee/tea makers, free newspapers and free local calls. A 24-hour fitness centre, a 24-hour business centre and coffee/tea in a common area are available at this hotel. Free buffet breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a seasonal outdoor pool, a meeting room and laundry facilities are on-site.

In Aspen we recommend you to book Mountain Chalet Aspen. This top rated hotel offers a heated year-round outdoor pool and a bar. WiFi is provided. A free hot breakfast and a continental breakfast are served. Each room at Mountain Chalet Aspen provides a flat-screen TV, an iPod dock and a refrigerator. An en suite bathroom with a hairdryer is also included. Select rooms offer a balcony. At Aspen Mountain Chalet a hot tub and a sauna are available for guest relaxation. Other facilities offered at the property include free storage for ski equipment, a shared lounge and a games room. The property offers free parking. Mountain Chalet Aspen is 5 minutes’ walk from Little Nell Ski Lift. The hotel is 200 m from Aspen Mountain Ajax. Snowmass Ski Area is 20 minutes’ drive from Mountain Chalet Aspen.

The campgrounds in the Rocky Mountains are extremely popular in the summer high season, so be sure to make reservations or arrive early in the morning for the sites that are first come, first served. You can go camping in the Arapahoe National Recreation Area, Never Summer Wilderness, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Roosevelt National Forest, and Comanche Peak Wilderness.

What to do:
The Rockies are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all types, like skiers, hikers, climbers or mountain bikers. Hiking is the main attraction of Rocky Mountains, so make sure to come prepared with comfortable shoes. Keep in mind that trails at higher elevations may have some snow on them, even in late summer. The high-alpine terrain around Bear Lake is a popular hiking area. Longs Peak is also the ultimate adventure for enthusiastic hikers. Expert rock climbers as well as novices can try hundreds of classic and big wall climbs.

You can try camping, horseback riding, mountaineering, and bouldering. Rocky Mountains National Park is also a wonderful place to fish for trout.

Soak up some tranquility, enjoy the mountain landscapes and watch for wildlife. This area is home to thousands of elk, mule and white-tailed deer, marmots, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. You can also view moose, pronghorn, badgers, black bears, coyotes, lynxes, and wolverines.

Spring and summer, early in the morning, are the best times for bird-watching. You can spot broad-tailed hummingbirds, hairy woodpeckers, and ouzels. Lumpy Ridge in the Rocky Mountains National Park is a nesting ground for several kinds of birds of prey.

Raft down a river in the La Poudre River Canyon or Gore Canyon. La Poudre River and Colorado River offer numerous rafting opportunities a short distance from the Rocky Mountain National Park area.

Discover the remnants of the dinosaurs and the cultures that inhabited the area. Dinosaur Ridge is a famous natural landmark, which features famous Jurassic dinosaur bones, and Cretaceous dinosaur footprints.

Visit Estes Park and check out the establishments along the Elkhorn Avenue. The park is a fantastic basecamp for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park’s eastern side.

The American Mountaineering Museum offers interactive exhibits and high tech displays. You can cross a crevasse, pick your route up Everest, and follow the footsteps of famous climbers.

Head to the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, an extraordinary route that takes you past gorgeous alpine peaks.

Enjoy the majestic landscapes of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Take the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, which is the highest paved road in North America.

Admire the Garden of the Gods Natural Landmark, visit Mesa Verde National Park or take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a scenic trip.

For more Destinations Fly4free click here >>>

Start planning your next trip with Lonely Planet’s travel guide >>

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 8K from More Than Just Parks on Vimeo.