EAT
Down a breakfast burrito and stock up on beans at Buena Vista Roastery Cafe (bvroasterycafe.com). Each delicious small-batch bag is roasted just down the street.Grab a seat in the dining room (or on the sunny patio) at the House Rock Kitchen (houserockkitchen.com) and order one of the house bowls that are packed with all of the healthy grains, veggies and protein that you need to sustain that big outdoor adventure. When you’re done, pay a visit to Deer Hammer Distillery (deerhammer.com) and savor a glass of the distillery’s sought-after American Single Malt Whiskey or a delicious handcrafted cocktail.
SLEEP
Wake up to a warm-water soak at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort (mtprinceton.com). Tucked into the accessible backcountry beauty of Chaffee County, the cozy lodge and cabins here give you access to the historic bath house, hot springs and a wellness facility. Looking for something closer to town? Check out the paddler friendly Surf Chateau (surfchateau.com), with Arkansas riverfront access and a short walk (and stumble home) from the vibrant dining and shopping scene of downtown Buena Vista.
PLAY
Most people know BV as a summer destination, thanks to its world-class River Park (southmainco.com) and hiking and climbing along the Continental Divide. But in the winter, the powder-filled glades, bowls and chutes of the Collegiate Peaks provide backcountry fun far out in the wild. Buena Vista Mountain Adventures (bvmountainadventures.com) ferries skiers and split-boarders out into the action via short snowmobile rides and guided tours for all ability levels. They also offer backcountry ski and splitboard clinics, as well AIARE Level I and II and companion rescue courses to up your avalanche knowledge (check the calendar page on BVMA’s website for dates and to sign up). Not a big skier or rider? You can sign up for snowshoe and cross-country ski tours here, too.
—Tyra Sutak
