Guide to Mountain Towns

Finding The Best Mountain Vacations

Discover our comprehensive guides to mountain towns, expanding your knowledge of each location to enrich your mountain vacations.

If you are planning an outdoors-centric adventure, we’ve done the research for you — unearthing the best mountain towns for families and seasoned solo adventurers. Explore these pages for suggestions on where to ski hidden slopes, hike high-altitude trails, climb challenging peaks, bike rugged terrain, and camp surrounded by picturesque scenery.

Plus, we’ll fill you in on locals’ and insiders’ tips on popular and secret finds for lodging, dining, off-the-beaten-path exploration, and advice on where to visit next.

Regardless of which mountain towns you visit, comfort and preparedness will enhance your experience.

A rocky cliff overlooking a calm lake under a cloudy sky.

Where to Go in Colorado

The Centennial State has no shortage of open-air activities, from hiking the Great Plains in the east to climbing Black Canyon in the Western Slope. Here are some of our recommended destinations to visit first.

Our Favorite Places To Visit

Scenic View of Lake Tahoe Forests and Mountains.

Lake Tahoe

California / Nevada

Hit the slopes, hike, or roll some dice! Sitting on the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is a year-round escape built for every kind of traveler.

Scenic River Surrounded by Colorful Autumn Foliage in Taos, NM.

Taos

New Mexico

Whether you are visiting for the art, fresh air, scenic mountains, or open-air activities, check out our Taos NM travel guide & start planning your itinerary.

Two Mountain Bikers Riding on Rocky Terrain in Whistler, BC Canada.

Whistler

British Columbia (Canada)

Whistler, British Columbia is home to charming chalets, world-class winter sports facilities with plenty of mountain trails for warm-weather hiking and biking.

Historic building with clock in Chamonix, France.

Chamonix

France

Chamonix, France, is a four-season adventure capital attracting thrill-seekers across the globe. Check out our travel guide for fun things to do in Chamonix.

Snow-covered landscape with mountains and people walking in the distance.

Jackson Hole

Wyoming

Find unique things to do in Jackson Hole, WY. Plan your next hiking trip, ski outing, or open-air activity in Wyoming with our mountain town guide.

Snowy mountain landscape with a town and ski slopes under cloudy sky.

Park City

Utah

Park City, UT is nestled in the Rockies' Wasatch Range. It offers small-town charm and world-class outdoor recreation. Discover what you can do in Park City.

Person hiking on snow-covered trail surrounded by trees and mountains.

Breckenridge

Colorado

Located in the Colorado Rocky Mountain’s Tenmile Range, this mountain town is where visitors attend a wide range of festivals featuring beer, bluegrass, wine, and an overall good time.

Serene mountain landscape reflected in calm lake, surrounded by lush greenery.

Aspen

Colorado

The Centennial State has no shortage of open-air activities, from hiking the Great Plains in the east to climbing Black Canyon in the Western Slope. Here are three destinations to visit first.

Snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

Telluride

Colorado

This small town caters to various adventurers, from hikers and mountaineers to avid bikers and skiers. It is surrounded by the San Juan Mountains and is home to a world-famous international film festival.

Where to Go in Utah

Snowy mountain landscape with a town and ski slopes under cloudy sky.

Park City

Utah

Trail running and skiing are two of the numerous activities visitors and locals enjoy in Breckenridge. Located in the Colorado Rocky Mountain’s Tenmile Range, this mountain town is where visitors attend a wide range of festivals featuring beer, bluegrass, wine, and an overall good time.

Where to Go in Wyoming

Snow-covered landscape with mountains and people walking in the distance.

Jackson Hole

Wyoming

Trail running and skiing are two of the numerous activities visitors and locals enjoy in Breckenridge. Located in the Colorado Rocky Mountain’s Tenmile Range, this mountain town is where visitors attend a wide range of festivals featuring beer, bluegrass, wine, and an overall good time.

Person holding a fishing rod near water with grassy surroundings.
Person taking a selfie with a camera in a car's side mirror.