Comment on Steigerwald Lake, Pearsoll Peak hikes, more outdoor/travel stories from Northwest newspapers

It shouldn’t come as a surprise. Colorado is, after all, the best state in the United States for both skiing and drinking. But the competition was pretty stiff: Tahoe, Whistler, Vermont, Jackson Hole. Still, Colorado landed two spots on USA Today’s new list of the best après-ski bars in North America — and the top spot was a brewery. Coming in a No.

If you hear holly, jolly noises echoing from Concourse B at Denver International Airport this season, that’s just Santa and a few dozen of his closest friends. DIA’s Santa Layover Lounge is popping up for the 2024 holiday travel season with themed drinks, food and other festive offerings. (Jerrod Kazumi Popham, provided by DIA) “You see a lot of Christmas pop-up bars in downtown areas, and when we were talking last year about promotions I thought, ‘Why don’t we try that at the airport?'” said Stacey Stegman, senior vice president of communications and marketing at DIA.

With hundreds of breweries and dozens of distilleries, Colorado’s craft beverage scene is overflowing with options. Choosing where to belly up can be tough when you’re oh-so-thirsty. While we highly recommend checking out the local libations wherever your journey takes you, these 10 beer and spirits producers are destinations in their own right with, drinks and atmospheres that turn a simple pitstop into a memorable experience. The Block Distilling Sure, The Block Distilling makes vodka and whiskey, but what you really want to try are its brandies, aperitifs and liqueurs, which you won’t find house-made at many other distilleries.

Condé Nast Traveler magazine this month named Denver to its list of Best Places to Go in North America and the Caribbean in 2025, joining familiar locales such as Alaska and Cuba, but also Boise, Idaho, and Greenland (yes, it’s part of North America too). The article covers amenities for the first-timer and/or out-of-towner, such as the urban hotels and bars that set the tone for vacationers and conventioneers.

By Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse (TNS) If it seems like the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales start earlier and earlier every year it’s because they do. Or at least it feels that way. But that doesn’t mean these awesome discounts and special perks on travel are to be ignored. Timing is everything. Sure, a flooded inbox can be a turnoff but don’t let a minor annoyance cost you big-time savings this holiday season. Airlines, cruise lines, hotels and resorts, tour operators and other travel suppliers are already offering up notable deals on travel whether you’re looking for one last getaway in 2024 or lining up your dream vacation for the New Year. In many cases, travelers will have to be patient and book during special Black Friday and Cyber Monday windows that start just ahead of Thanksgiving and wrap up in early December. Black Friday is November 29 and Cyber Monday is December 2 but oftentimes these offers extend beyond these dates. Nonetheless, having a plan could net you some major deals, including an additional $1,055 in resort credits at Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico (November 21 to December 3), for example. Related Articles Travel | How to enjoy hotel pools and spas without an overnight stay Travel | Colorado’s winter huts blend adventure, luxury, and scenic beauty Travel | 30 Denver restaurants that are essential to the Mile High food scene Travel | Try a flight simulator at this new hotel next to the Air Force Academy Travel | What’s new in Buena Vista: Hot springs, hotels, bars Airlines like Southwest are even extending their bookable flight schedules so that fast-acting travelers can book a getaway well in advance. It’s true that some offers require travelers to leave home by the end of the year but there’s a sea of savings for those who want to have something to look forward to in 2025 while keeping their budget intact. Working with an experienced travel adviser could score you even more special savings and perks, as these professionals have access to additional discounts and connections that will only enhance your trip while saving you headaches this holiday season. ©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC.

The holidays are a time of coming together with family and friends, embracing traditions … and spending more than usual on travel. But what if you’re staying home? An online marketplace called ResortPass allows hotels and resorts to lay out their day-pass offerings so that locals (and travelers staying elsewhere) can enjoy pools, hot tubs, spas and other amenities during certain hours instead of booking a room for the night.