Colorado's High Country

The ascent from Denver to the breathtaking vistas of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains graduates from bustling cityscape to groves of snow-dusted pine and spruce, a constellation of mountain towns and mining hubs of yore. Here, the peaks are epic in scale, unbelievable in their beauty. The I-70 mountain corridor brings families who traverse it up to a host of backcountry riches, where fairy-tale snowscapes abound.

THE TERRITORY 

Colorado High Country’s historic heart, Frisco, is nestled among national forestland and ski country, in Mount Royal’s valley. An easy ride from Denver makes way to a classic western Main Street, an echo of the town’s past as a mining camp. Here, secret sledding spots and wintry hikes (plus, plenty of toasty beverages) await. 

THE CULTURE 

Ski bums and weekenders anchor a warm, laid-back community of outdoorspeople. Mountain-dwellers are outside in all seasons, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, fishing, and boating—and historic Main Street’s vibrant lineup of shops, restaurants, and breweries make life in this small town infectiously exuberant year-round. 

KEY INTEL 

Ask around and locals will be quick to steer you to a fortifying morning breakfast before getting out in the snow and the brewery that's a local institution, ideal for afternoon rest and recovery.

Wayfinding: Loveland Pass is the crown jewel of local drives. Montezuma Road is a more rugged option, and the Copper-Leadville-Minturn Loop via Highway 91 to 24 is a scenic Colorado classic that weaves through public wilderness, ski terrain, and mining towns; four-wheel drive is recommended. 

Base camp town: Frisco is just 70 miles west of Denver, with a bustling main drag of restaurants, cafes, and storefronts that invite slow perusing. 

Field & Stream: This isn’t your average sledding hill: Frisco’s free sledding spot on Recreation Road offers plush powder runs surrounded by forest and peaks. 

Room to Roam: The Rainbow Lake hike is a family-friendly 1.5-mile outing; Frisco’s Nordic Center offers miles of pristine groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, as does the expansive acreage at Eagles Nest Wilderness, part of White River National Forest.

The MAZDA CX-50 is built for adventure. With a refined interior, thoughtful storage, responsive handling, and rugged capability, it’s the ultimate road trip vehicle—ready to help you discover what's around that next bend, whether it's paved or not.