Aspen, Colorado
Obviously named for the Aspen trees and sitting at the eastern edge of the White River National Forest with an elevation of 7,907 feet, Aspen, a former mining mountain town in central Colorado on the Roaring Fork River, is known for being one of the most desirable and expensive ski resorts in the US.
With famous peaks surpassing 14,000 feet and an average snowfall of over 300 inches yearly, it’s a prestigious ski destination nationally AND globally. Because of the silver collapse at the end of the 19th century, the area gained a reputation as a ghost town.
Still, it was revitalized thanks to Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke in the 1930s. The Aspen Institute of 1950 was followed by the establishment of the Aspen Music Festival and School shortly after, which comprises a popular pastime today for the locals and tourists during summer.
The summer residency of Utah’s Ballet West, the Aspen Theatre in the Park, and the renowned film festival also make Aspen a vacation destination for the film industry in our country.
6 thoughts on “The 6 Most Blissful Mountain Towns in America”
Jackson Hole, WY, is my favorite mountain town. I love the tranquility and the beauty of the northern Rockies. We’ve been there from the East Coast about 6 times and we just don’t get tired of this area: the beauty of the fauna and the excitement of seeing the wildlife, elk and deer, and an occasional bear with cubs. Wonderful!
Your description of the Jackson Hole area in Wyoming didn’t do it justice. There were no mention of wither the well-known Snow King Ski area located just a few blocks from the center of town, the daily presentation of the “Clover, the Killer” skit, or the Jackson Hole Ski Area with it’s magnificent Arial Tramway which is one of the longest of its kind in the country. Abd finally no selection of famous Mountain Towns of America can be complete without mention of Ketchum, Idaho, and the Sun Valley Ski Area ! Two others that deserve consideration are the Grand Targhee Ski Area in Idaho, with its base elevation of 8,000 feet and vertical rise of 2,000 feet to the top of the chair lift, and the Big Sky Ski Area and Resort north of West Yellowstone, Montan.
We went for a week to Jackson Hole and I thought it was a big nothing. The only part worthwhile was our day tour of the nearby park. The town itself doesn’t have much of interest. I recommend Colorado instead.
I’m surprised that you did not include the iconic town of Ketchum, Idaho with it’s most famous, and one of the first, ski areas, Sun Valley. And then there is always the well known resorts and ski areas of New York, New Hampshire and Vermont as well.
Just returned from Jackson Hole, my fifth time. So beautiful, whether it is Fall or winter. Yellowstone is so beautiful and it’s not far away. Had an awesome trip there several years ago to see the wolves in winter. What a spiritual journey. Love this area.
I guess you’ve never been in the nc and va. mountains.