I think any of the mountain communities that have become destinations would do. My personal favorite is Steamboat Springs but there a varity of others from which to choose.

For ease of getting there if the weather is bad, either Vail or Glenwood Springs would probably be better because they are both on I-70 and unlike other distinations, crossing the major mountain pass is through the Eisenhower Tunnel.

What are your days of arrival and departure? That makes a difference of what I would recommend. Second, end of February is the beginning of Spring skiing which brings large crowds so the ski areas should be avoided.

Check out the Summit - 2 hours from Denver - with Victorian themed Breckinridge and cute little Frisco - and we like this quaint B & B in Frisco - the Frisco Lodge.

OOps - forgot to paste it: http://www.friscolodge.com/

Lots to do in Frisco and close to the rest of the areas. There's a tubing hill, cute restaurants.

Hi Guys,

Thanks! We arrive Denver on the 23rd (Saturday), and will go to a Denver nuggets game on the 25th in Denver.
Should we sleep around Frisco for two days and travel from there or sleep one day at Frisco and one day somewhere else? We like the outdoors, so initially thought sleeping around Estes Park but I rather you don't recommend this?

I'm not sure why no one has recommended Estes Park. For a short visit that doesn't involve skiing, EP is the logical choice. You're right there at the entrance to Rocky Mountain NP, and there's enough to do in the park and in town to easily occupy a couple days.

There are lots of places to see close to Denver. It depends on what you'd like to do. You could go to Frisco for a night, then work your way back on the 2nd day to check out Georgetown or Idaho Springs - small, historic mining towns in beautiful settings.

This doesn't put you too far away so you feel like you're just staying on I-70. You won't be rushed to get back to town for your hotel and the game.

OR you could stay in Denver - there are plenty of nice spots to visit!

Hi again,

Thanks..We really like the outdoors so we rather arrive to Denver around 16:00 on the 25th (the game is at 19:00 and travel around till then..
Will two nights at Estes park will be OK or maybe spend 1 night there and the other night somewhere else? Are there a lot of wandering about to do when you're not sking over there?

Thanks again!

EP is not the logical choice and doesn't meet the original request for beauty of Colorado. It is a summer resort town dried up in the winter. It is at the entrance to Rocky Mt. Nat Park but the entrance is closed in the winter so you can only go a little ways into the park. Second the drive to EP is OK but not our prettiest part of Colorado.

My recommendation would be to drive to Glenwood Springs for two nights. In good weather three hours from the airport. The whole drive along I-70 is very scenic especially Glennwood Canyon. There are a couple of elegant, old Victorian hotels along with a huge hot springs swimming pool in Glenwood Springs. An hour SE is Aspen for a day trip. It will be crawling with skiers and you can swing by the Maroon Bells. For something a little different you have the Colorado wine country and tasting rooms an hour further west along I-70. Either going or coming you could hit Vail and Georgetown at the eastern foot of the climb up to the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnels under the divide. Those two days would bury in the mountains.

Avoid at all costs returning to Denver from the mountains on Sunday afternoon and evening. Return on Monday morning and see your game that evening.

"EP is not the logical choice and doesn't meet the original request for beauty of Colorado. It is a summer resort town dried up in the winter. It is at the entrance to Rocky Mt. Nat Park but the entrance is closed in the winter so you can only go a little ways into the park. Second the drive to EP is OK but not our prettiest part of Colorado"

B.S.

OP didn't ask for a lively resort town, she asked for nature and beauty. She didn't ask for a scenic drive so she could sit in a hot spring. And she specifically said she wanted one location, not a recommendation to visit several towns in a couple days.

The entrance to RMNP is not closed in winter. Not sure where you get your info but all entran ces are open. Trail Ridge Road is closed on the middle section,but there is plenty to do other than drive up and over that one road. Especially for 2 days, there is more than enough to do in the park during the day, and in Estes Park at night.

WhereAreWe is correct that the entrance to RMNP is NOT closed in the winter. I love RMNP, but I'm not a fan of Estes Park, especially in the summer when it is crowded. I'm not sure how many places are open during the off season.

<< An hour SE is Aspen for a day trip. It will be crawling with skiers and you can swing by the Maroon Bells.>>

Love Aspen, but you can't swing by Maroon Bells since the road is closed to traffic in the winter, unless you want to cross country ski or snowmobile in.

With only have two nights for scenery, I'd probably pick someplace close to Denver like Breckenridge. Breckenridge Nordic Center is great for checking out the beautiful scenery while snowshoeing.

I would not pick EP in the mid-winter for a quick vacation. There is lots to do in Summit County. Breck or Frisco would be great and much within a drive as long as you want.

Breck is 9600 feet, Frisco is 9000. Estes Park is 7500. Where would you rather sleep without an acclimation day?

Oh, dear. We have gone to Denver, Breck, Vail, Snowmass, Estes Park-- wherever without an "acclimation day". AND we drank a LOT of water, whatever. You do NOT 'need' to give a day to acclimation. It can be "good". Do not be deterred.
Have some aspirin, drink a LOT of water A LOT LOT OF WATER and continue reading.

Hi Guys,

Thanks! I'm a bit confused, but I think we'll take the recommendations for the summit country. We'll try to sleep in Frisco since it's relatively affordable compared to others (we are students..).
We love to drive and cruise around..
Any specific recommendations in that area?

Thank you very very much for all your help...

BY the way-
What do you guys think of steamboat? Is it nice like Frisco or should I stay in the summit country?

It's a fun ski town so it will be ski prices. I think there is plenty to do around Frisco and it's a tad closer.

Thanks Gretchen!
Any good scenic drives around there and what is a nice way to head back to Denver? Should We take the I-70 or is there another nicer road?

70 is about the only way during the winter, and a short time I think, but maybe some of the residents can offer something.
You should go on west and take a look at Breck and Vail while you're in the neighborhood.