Mountain - Plains - Trip Planning!

OK, a big b-day is coming up. I need suggestions for a Febuary holiday. I'm not a skier, but I am looking for a resort type experience w/in 8 hrs drive of CoS, or a cheap flight away. Any thoughts?

Any one check out Devil's Thumb Ranch?

Moab

What are you wanting to do? Devils thumb is a nice Cross countr ski place...good snow shoeing and a nice experiance..but it is $$$$$$ I love Winter Park But I also Snowboard!! What are som activities you are looking into?

What are you wanting to do? Devils thumb is a nice Cross countr ski place...good snow shoeing and a nice experiance..but it is $$$$$$ I love Winter Park But I also Snowboard!! What are som activities you are looking into?

Devils Thumb is great for XC skiing but only for a day trip. If you want something more economical in the same area, look at Snow Mountain Ranch (http://www.ymcarockies.org/resources/files//PDFs/Reservations/SMRrates.pdf) YMCA of the Rockies. Similar terrain and surroundings and it has more stuff to do if you aren't playing in the snow.

Ojo Caliente (http://ojocalientesprings.com/) - get pampered.

Excellent suggestions! I just may get pampered! Lord knows, I need it!

Excellent suggestions! I just may get pampered! Lord knows, I need it!

Taos.

I spent a couple of days in Ouray (http://www.ouraycolorado.com/) a few years ago. Nice spot. Big hot springs pools open all winter. About an hour from Telluride, and Mapquest sez it's about 5 hours from you.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Forest/2485/colorado/ouray1.jpg

Ouray is awesome and I really enjoyed a previous trip there.

Right now I'm leaning towards Ojo Caliente, and would love some Taos and Santa Fe recommendations!

Ouray is awesome and I really enjoyed a previous trip there.

Right now I'm leaning towards Ojo Caliente, and would love some Taos and Santa Fe recommendations!

I wish I could give you recommendations regarding Taos but it was always the budget inn for me. I will say that they 3 times I've been there have always been magical. During the winter it was for skiing, during the summer my wife and I hiked, rafted, mountain biked all in a whirlwind of a weekend.

The food there is unique and wonderful, mix of native indian, south of the border, fresh chilis, spices, unlike anything else. Lots of art galleries to wander through at your own pace. The Taos Peublo is another must see while your down there, something about 400 year old adobe buildings is pretty cool.

If you enjoy the book The Milagro Beanfield War, you will love Taos. If you don't know the book, get it, read it, and if you enjoyed it, then go to Taos.

Santa Fe on the other hand is like disneyland, all made up to be "Authentic", but so overbuilt and over blown its just a plastic shell of its former self. Or do you want me to tell you what I really feel about it : )

Hope you have a good one, I love planning trips...

Thanks! I think I'll stick with a Taos day trip, or to escape to if I'm bored my the spa!

In Sante Fe
The Georgia O'Keefe Museum is pretty awesome. Allow a whole morning or afternoon to explore the museum and the shops.

A stroll and lunch on Canyon Road is fun. Lot's of art galleries, cafes and coffee shops. Walk there from the east end of the Plaza, no reason to take a car there.

+1 for Ojo Caliente, the road from there to Taos is fun, goes down into the Rio Grande river canyon, excellent drive!