The Southern: Outdoors

Long-time Vail residents fondly say, “Winter is great, but summer is why we live here,” despite the global popularity of its ski slopes. While the winter experience at the sprawling slopes of the Bavarian-style resort is spectacular, Vail’s summer adventures are next level. Offering an abundance of treasures one typically seeks in Colorado’s High Country for a summer getaway — great hiking, biking, golf, and sunny patios — Vail also throws in extras like llama picnics, a world-class farmers market, and one-of-a-kind festivals. Hiking Vail offers several hiking trails with spectacular views.

Patrick Clarke | (TNS) TravelPulse Travelers have plenty of accommodation choices when they travel this summer thanks to the emergence of home-sharing platforms like Airbnb, making it easier to save on their stay. Upgraded Points recently analyzed average nightly rates for hotels and Airbnbs in 100 of the largest cities across the U.

Great literature is deeply rooted in place, and Colorado towns have been inspiring authors for decades. Ready to try a fiction-fueled vacay? Here’s how it works: Pick a title from the list below, read it solo or with your book club, then follow our travel notes to immerse yourself in a real-life literary setting. Sink a line in Crested Butte KnopfThe Guide by Peter Heller Thrillers aren’t exactly known for their literary prowess, and yet Denver-based writer Peter Heller – a poet and former journalist – manages to weave high-quality nature writing into his page-turners.

At first glance, if you search for Winnipeg, Manitoba, on a map, it appears to be in the middle of nowhere. That’s because it kind of is: the next-closest big city is Minneapolis — and it’s 450 miles away. Look closer, however, and you will see that Winnipeg is also uniquely located smack dab in the middle of North America: in the heart of the continent. And despite its geographical isolation — some will say it’s as a result of it — Winnipeg, which is celebrating its 150-year birthday in 2024, has matured into a cosmopolitan city that is a cauldron of creativity.

The past 12 months have been an exciting time for skywatchers and stargazers. In October 2023, the path of a “ring of fire” eclipse clipped southern Colorado, visible from Mesa Verde National Park and its neighbors. Next came the April solar eclipse, which revved up enthusiasm for astrotourism even more despite Colorado not being among the 15 lucky states in the path of totality. Now that the sky has your attention, there’s a lot more to marvel at in Colorado’s celestial theater: Helped by recent legislation to turn off the lights and make night skies as dark as possible, the Centennial State is vying to become a top astrotourism destination. In 2022, the state legislature signed a law awarding communities grants to help them darken their night skies. Colorado is home to 10 International Dark Sky Parks and five communities, many of which have been awarded designations in recent years. Sections of the state that are high elevation with low humidity have a natural edge regarding stellar stargazing. However, coalitions are working even more to obscure artificial city lights further and promote the idea that the park system stretches beyond land and into the sky. Colorado may soon be home to the planet’s largest dark sky preserve. The proposed Sangre de Cristo International Dark Sky Reserve, a swath of 4,200 square miles along the eponymous mountain range, would cover Salida down to the New Mexico border and stretch from Alamosa to LaVeta. Many small communities with star status celebrate with public stargazing parties throughout the summer. Here are seven staycation ideas for aspiring and expert stargazers alike. Trained Star Guides point to stars with laser pointers and talk about stars and dark skies during the “Public Star Party: The Awe of the Milky Way” event at the Smokey Jack Observatory at Bluff Park in Westcliffe on June 7, 2019.

Summer officially arrived on Thursday, as defined by the June solstice, which means fourteener season is fast approaching. For some hardy hikers, it has already begun. Inexperienced peak baggers would be wise to wait a while before venturing out. Patchy snow is being reported on many trails where microspikes or crampons are recommended.