How is it even possible to choose the best businesses, destinations and events in the Rocky Mountain Region?
We trust our readers. So we asked them to nominate and then vote with their hearts in categories in a region that includes Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Of course, there is no one single best out there, but the winners here garnered the love and admiration of the people who trust this magazine as their source to go outside and play.
BUSINESSES
Best Outdoor-based Company to Work for
American Adventure Expeditions — Buena Vista, CO
The infectious stoke level of the company’s well educated and happily employed guides, keeps them coming back to work here. americanadventure.com
Runners Up: Verde Brand Communications, Outdoor Industry Association
Best Après Spot
The Jailhouse Craft Beer Bar — Buena Vista, CO
Craft beer and jail? It’s a match made in heaven. Plus, the combination of an exceptional beer list and history and decor put this spot over the top.
thejailhousebv.com
Runners Up: T-Bar Steamboat, Upslope Brewing Company
Best Bike Retail Shop
Orange Peel Bicycle — Steamboat Spring, CO
It’s no surprise this local’s favorite in Bike Town USA won. orangepeelbikes.com
Runners Up: Absolute Bikes, Cycles of Life Leadville
Best Bike Guide Service
Beer and Bike Tours — Fort Collins, CO
What better way to explore a town than hopping on a bike? Throw in stops at breweries along the way, and you have a winner. beerandbiketours.com
Runners Up: At Your Pace, Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides
Best Brewery
Ska Brewing Company — Durango, CO
When you make some of the best beer in the region and call Durango home, you’re practically a shoo-in for best brewery. skabrewing.com
Runners Up: Elevation, Upslope
Best Cidery
Colorado Cider Company — Denver, CO
Ciders aren’t just a passing fad or craft beer’s weird younger sibling anymore. This Denver producer topped our list. coloradocider.com
Runners Up: Big B’s, C Squared
Best Climbing Guide Service
Pikes Peak Alpine School — Colorado Springs, CO
Pikes Peak Alpine School gets newbies and vets out on snow, rock and ice. Plus, they offer avalanche safety classes. pikespeakalpineschool.com
Runners Up: San Juan Mountain Guides, Vetta Mountain Guide
Best Climbing Gym
CityROCK — Colorado Springs, CO
Forty-three-foot walls, 3,500 square feet of bouldering surface area, 15,000 square feet of roped climbing and a specially designed area for kids put CityROCK over the top. climbcityrock.com
Runners Up: EarthTreks, Movement
Best Coffee Shop
The Buena Vista Roastery and Café — Buena Vista, CO
Sustainably-minded coffee in one of Colorado’s best towns is a winner. Be sure to sign up for the shop’s awesome coffee-of-the-month membership. bvroastery.com
Runners Up: Camp 4 Coffee, City on a Hill Coffee
Best Dispensary
Terrapin Care Station — CO
Terrapin offers a variety of homegrown strains, and serves communities throughout Colorado. terrapincarestation.com
Runners Up: Nature’s Medicine, LivWell
Best Distillery
Wyoming Whiskey — Kirby, WY
This independent, family-owned distillery makes damn good whiskey. wyomingwhiskey.com
Runners Up: Deerhammer, Woods
Best Hiking Guide
Aspen Alpine Guides — Aspen, CO
Hut trips, avy courses, winter programs, summer programs—Aspen Alpine Guides offers it all. aspenalpine.com
Runners Up: Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides, Glacier Guides
Best Outdoor Gear Brand
Voormi — Pagosa Springs, CO
If you’ve ever donned one of Voormi’s thoughtfully-crafted and comfortable pieces of apparel, you’ll understand why. voormi.com
Runners Up: Melanzana, Big Agnes
Best Outdoor App
ViewRanger
ViewRanger wowed readers by continuing to be the most innovative GPS app out there. viewranger.com
Runners Up: Mountain Project, Open Snow
Best Outdoor Job Title
Gear Tester
Why, we happen to be quite familiar with that term.
Runners Up: raft guide, avalanche forecaster
Best Outdoor Retail Shop
Mountain Chalet — Colorado Springs, CO
New owners have breathed new vitality into this icon in the Springs. mountainchalet.com
Runners Up: CKS Main, Bentgate Mountaineering
Best Outdoor Start-Up
Mountain Standard — Boulder, CO
This Boulder-based brand is selling directly to the consumer, keeping the cost for their high-quality goods awesomely low. mountainstandard.com
Runners Up: Grass Sticks, Gociety
Best Restaurant
Hell’s Backbone Grill — Boulder, UT
It’s in one of the most remote towns in the country, but it’s home to one of the most celebrated restaurants in the West. hellsbackbonegrill.com
Runners Up: House Rock Kitchen, Bin 707 Grand Junction
Best Running Retail Shop
Twisted Trails — Steamboat, CO
Weekly “beer runs” and top-of-the-line gear and helpful staff earned this small town shop the nod. twistedtrailsrunning.com
Runners Up: Oxygen Hog, Boulder Running Company
Best Whitewater Guide Service
AVA Colorado Rafting
From whitewater rafting trips for beginners, to advanced epic expeditions, AVA has an excellent reputation in the adventure community. coloradorafting.net
Runners Up: American Adventure Expeditions, RMOC
Best Winery
Vino Salida — Salida, CO
Vino Salida serves up house-made wines and wine cocktails seven days a week. vinosalida.com
Runners Up: Two Rivers Winery, Infinite Monkey Theorem
Best Yoga Studio
Colorado School of Yoga — Boulder, CO
This studio puts the focus on training teachers to better help us walk in the world. coloradoschoolofyoga.org
Runners Up: Jala Blue, Freeman Yoga
Best Non-Profit
UpaDowna — Colorado Springs, CO
This inclusive non-profit’s mission is to provide access to outdoor adventures for all through events and programs that empower individuals, create healthier communities, and foster a respect for the environment. upadowna.org
Runners Up: Southwest Utah Wilderness Alliance, First Descents
DESTINATIONS
Best Adventure Park
Browns Canyon Adventure Park — Buena Vista, CO
You have to love 66 unique obstacles and seven different zip lines.
brownscanyonadventurepark.com
Runners Up: Glenwood Springs Adventure Park, CO; Royal Gorge Adventure Park, CO
Best Climbing Crag
Shelf Road — CO
Climbers of all levels can hone their skills on 800+ routes at one of the most well maintained rock climbing areas in the country.
Runners Up: Indian Creek, UT; Eldorado Canyon, CO
Best Bouldering Area
Vedauwoo — Wyoming
Know best for its off-widths, Vedauwoo has a huge variety of bouldering problems and few crowds.
Runners Up: Joe’s Valley, UT, Clear Creek Canyon, CO
Best Hiking Trail
Mill Castle Trail — Gunnison, CO
This epic trail takes you through the West Elk Wilderness with a steep ascent over Storm Pass at 12,440 feet.
Runners Up: Copper Lake/East Maroon Pass, Aspen, CO; Emerald Lake, MT
Best Running Trail
Snodgrass — Crested Butte, CO
With an elevation gain of 1,421 feet, this six-mile out-and-back is a perfect, moderate-level trail run.
Runners Up: Soldier Ridge Trail, Sheridan, WY, Bridger Ridge, MT
Best Whitewater Run
The Numbers — Arkansas River, CO
One of the best Class IV+ rapids along the Arkansas River, the Numbers is made up of seven major rapids in just under six miles.
Runners Up: Oh Be Joyful, Crested Butte, CO, Snake River, WY
Best SUP Spot
Buena Vista Whitewater Park — Buena Vista, CO
With five main whitewater structures catering to all ability levels, the whitewater park runs through downtown Buena Vista.
Runners Up: Lower Gunnison from Pleasure Park Down, CO; Ruby Horsethief, CO/UT
Best Campground
Hopi Campground — Snow Mountain Ranch, CO
Open to tents or van lifers this camp takes full advantage of Snow Mountain Ranch’s facilities. snowmountainranch.org
Runners Up: Fruita, Capitol Reef, UT; Goblin Valley, UT
Best Dog Friendly Outdoor Destination
Gunnison, CO
Many of Gunnison’s hotels are happy to welcome your furry friends—then get out and play together.
Runners Up: Pagosa Springs, CO, and Boulder, CO (TIE)
Best Fly Fishing River
Arkansas, CO
With 102 river miles, the Arkansas River claims one of the longest stretches of Gold Medal water in North America.
Runners Up: Madison, MT; Rio Grande, NM
Best Kid Friendly Outdoor Destination
Snow Mountain Ranch, CO
This YMCA facility near Winter Park has a plethora of activities for all ages, all year round. Activities include whitewater rafting, ziplining, horseback riding, winter dog sledding, fat bike rentals, you name it. snowmountainranch.org
Runners Up: Buena Vista, CO; Vail Adventure Ridge, CO
Best Mountain Biking Trail
Doctor Park — Crested Butte, CO
This 19.3 mile fun ride gives intermediate to downhill riders the thrills they seek.
Runners Up: Lunch Loops, Grand Junction, CO; RAT Trails, Ridgway, CO
Best Mountain Summit
Mt. Princeton, CO
Towering over the Arkansas River Valley at 14, 197 feet, Mt. Princeton is a burly but rewarding hike. From the main trailhead outside of Buena Vista, climb 5,400 feet in just under 7 miles.
Runners Up: Mt. Sneffels, CO; Longs Peak, CO
Best Place for Outdoor Singles to Live
Fort Collins, CO
With a vibrant nightlife and a flourishing craft brew scene, it’s the perfect place to expand your social circle and maybe you will meet that special someone.
Runners Up: Golden, CO; Bozeman, MT
Best Road Bike Ride
Cottonwood Pass, CO
At 12,126 feet, Cottonwood Pass is the third highest paved road in Colorado. Steep switchbacks and breathtaking scenery make it an iconic and challenging ride.
Runners Up: Colorado National Monument CO; Independence Pass, CO
Best Ski/Snowboard Resort
Crested Butte Mountain Resort — Crested Butte, CO
With 15 lifts and 121 trails, Crested Butte has no shortage of fun terrain for all ability levels. Skiing not your thing? Take a snowshoe tour, rent a fat bike, or enjoy CBMR’s adventure park. skicb.com
Runners Up: Copper Mountain, CO; Big Sky, MT
Best Inbounds Ski/Snowboard Terrain
Crested Butte Mountain Resort — Crested Butte, CO
Not only did CB win all-around best resort, it also took home the honors when it comes to the best terrain in area, thanks, no doubt, to classic gnarly stuff like the Headwall and Teocalli Bowl. skicb.com
Runners Up: Palmyra Peak, Telluride, CO; Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY (TIE)
Best Terrain Park
Breckenridge Ski Resort — Breckenridge, CO
With 14 jumps, 75 rails, boxes, wallrides, jibs and bonks along with a 22-foot superpipe, Breck’s terrain parks aren’t messing around. breckenridge.com
Runners Up: Woodward at Copper Mountain, CO; Area 51 Keystone, CO
Best Urban Park
Palmer Park — Colorado Springs, CO
Sitting on 740 acres, smack dab in the middle of Colorado Springs, Palmer Park has 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and an off-leash dog park. cospringstrails.com
Runners Up: Kendrick Park, Sheridan, WY; Fairmont Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Best Water Park
Buena Vista Whitewater Park — Buena Vista, CO
Kayakers, stand up paddlers and picnickers alike will tell you that the Buena Vista Whitewater Park is one of the best spots in the state. Hit the shops and eats on South Main when you are done playing. southmainco.com
Runners Up: Green River Whitewater Park, WY; Montrose Water Park, CO
Best Wilderness Area
Indian Peaks Wilderness, CO
Here you get 76,711 acres of lakes, waterfalls, and jagged peaks claiming elevations ranging from 8,300 to 13,500 feet, all within a short drive from Denver.
Runners Up: Frank Church-River of No Return, ID; Bridger, WY
EVENTS
Best Beer Festival
Chili and Beer — Crested Butte, CO
The only thing that can beat beer: chili! Saturday, Sept 9, 2017. cbchamber.com/events/beer-and-chili-festival
Runners Up: Colorado Cider and Beer Circus, Copper Mountain, CO; Breckenridge Beer Fest, Breckenridge, CO (TIE)
Best Climbing Event
Ouray Ice Festival — Ouray, CO
There is no bigger celebration of the sport of ice climbing on the planet and no better place to enjoy it than at this ice park made for and by climbers. January 2018.
ourayicepark.com/ouray-ice-festival
Runners Up: WSCU Climbing Comps, Gunnison, CO; International Climbers Festival, Lander, WY
Best Costumed Event
Steamboat Springs Mustache Ride — Steamboat, Colorado
Yes, it’s a pub crawl in costume, but it’s also a fundraiser for the Routt County Humane Society. Oct. 7, 2017. ssmustacheride.com
Runners Up: Al Johnson Telemark Race, Crested Butte, CO; Tour de Fat, Fort Collins, CO
Best Cyclocross Race
New Mexico Cyclocross Series
With races across the state, this comprehensive series has something for every level of rider. mcyclocross.com
Runners Up: Ogden Cyclocross, UT; Waffle Cross, Boise, ID (TIE)
Best Mountain Bike Race
Beti Bike Bash — Castle Rock, CO
This week of celebration culminates in a rollicking women’s mountain bike race for all levels. June 4, 2017. betibikebash.com
Runners Up: Growler, Gunnison, CO; Fat Bike World Championship, Crested Butte, CO
Best Multisport Festival
CKS Paddlefest — Buena Vista, CO
It may have began as a paddling event, but it has evolved into so much more with everything from music to bouldering to running races and more. May 26-29, 2017. ckspaddlefest.com
Runners Up: GoPro Mountain Games, Vail, CO; Rocky Mountain State Games, Colorado Springs, CO
Best Music Festival
Targhee Fest — Wyoming
You want a real music festival in the mountains? Get to Wyoming. July 14-16, 2017.
grandtarhttps://www.grandtarghee.com/summer-music-festivals/targhee-summer-music-fest/ghee.com
Runners Up: Upslope Get Down, Boulder, CO; WinterWonderGrass, Steamboat, CO
Best Paddling Event
Golden Games — Golden, CO
Backed by the local community, this event just keeps growing. May 19-21, 2017. goldengames.com
Runners Up: CKS Paddlefest, Buena Vista, CO; FibArk, Salida, CO
Best Road Bike Race
West Elk Bicycle Classic — CO
Sadly, our readers choice for best road bike race is cancelled this year. But it hopes to return—maybe this award will help. westelkbicycleclassic.com
Runners Up: Copper Triangle, CO; Silver City Tour of the Gila, NM
Rowdiest Outdoor Event
Boom Days — Leadville, CO
Yes, Leadville is still the type of place you could get yourself beat up—or just have a real mountain-town blast at this festival. August 4-6, 2017. leadvilleboomdays.org
Runners Up: Late Night Fibark, Salida, CO; Wind River Mountain Festival, Pinedale, WY
Best Running Race
Ned Ned — Nederland, CO
With none of the pretense of other running races, this family friendly costumed event combines a 5K, 10K and dirt/road half marathon—and it reeks of Ned.
teensinc.org/nedned-race
Runners Up: Leadville Trail 100 Run, Leadville, CO; Bolder Boulder, Boulder, CO
Toughest Race or Event
Gore-tex Grand Traverse — Crested Butte, CO
Competitiors race the clock and brave storms in the middle of the night to gut it through the 40-mile ski from Crested Butte to Aspen. thegrandtraverse.org
Runners Up: Hardrock 100, Silverton, CO; West Elk Classic, Gunnison, CO
Best Triathlon
CB3P — Crested Butte, CO
Starting in Mt. Crested Butte and finishing in Gunnison, this multi-sport triathlon combines uphill/downhill skiing, road biking and kayaking. crestedbutte3p.com
Runners Up: Ironman Boulder 70.3, Boulder, CO; Toughman Utah, Provo, UT
Best Warrior/Mud Run Race
AXS Moab Adventure Race — Moab, Utah
Tough it out mountain biking, kayaking the Colorado River and rappeling down a 300-foot cliff in this blast of an adventure. April 22, 2017. axsracing.com/moab
Runners Up: Montana Warrior Run, Billings, MT; Dirty Girl Mud Run, Copper, CO
by Lily Krass and Tyra Sutak
