Steamboat Springs, known as Skitown USA has produced more winter Olympians than any North American town, sending 17 athletes to the 2010 games alone, more than most countries. Unfortunately, I visited in August, with all the snow melted and mountain biking took over the slopes. My time in Steamboat was short-lived but while there I got the chance to eat one of the best breakfast burritos at Azteca, see a natural hot spring, witness some fly fishing and capture some of the best open country pictures yet. On the way to the next destination a round of mini golf and donuts in the truck were necessary at the most awkwardly and epicly placed free putt putt courses in the country
The next destination was Crested Butte, made famous in recent times by Bud Light's Whatever U.S.A campaign, being the town you see in the commercials. The small town with its origins in mining sits at around 9,000ft with the peak of the mountain at just around 12,000ft. A Main Street that makes it a true old school american town, world renowned back-country skiing and a surprisingly amazing food scene have made it a must see for any Colorado visitor. On two separate occasions I was lucky enough to eat the best pizza I have ever consumed in my 26 years of existence at The Secret Stash. Each pie (around two dozen) with its own unique crust and toppings and a meat slice and vegetable slice special that changes its toppings on a daily basis with toppings such as duck and focaccia crust have earned these pies gold medals. My favorite was the Notorious F.I.G, winner of the World Champion Pizza Challenge, topped with three cheeses, prosciutto, dried figs and truffle oil. The town has a perfect blend of resort feel and college town, allowing the small town to actually have a bustling nightlife. The hiking outside of town is pristine as we chose to bushwhack it in Pittsburg, Colorado of all places Wildflowers such as Columbines cover the mountainsides with small patches of snow interspersed in the valleys. Using a filter to turn some local stream water into Rocky Mountain refreshment shows the dedication that the people of Crested Butte have to preserving the environment and coexisting with nature. There are those that believe that James Cameron's film Avatar is based on Crested Butte where Cameron had spent some time, as the people of Crested Butte had fought to keep big mining out of the area behind a mayor that was also in a wheelchair much like the main character in the movie.While we are on the topic of crazy far fetched ideas, we woke up at 5;30am to watch our friend head out on a 39.6 mile race from Crested Butte to Aspen.
Steamboat Springs, CO
In Between
Crested Butte, CO
