1. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is an amazing city to visit and offers a wide variety of activities. For those who wish to ski, it is home to the Ski Santa Fe ski resort. For those who want to see the sights, Santa Fe offers lots of amazing traditional Spanish architecture throughout the city. Its home to the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Assisi as well as the world famous art exhibit, Meow Wolf.
2. Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Pagosa is the perfect place to either relax or get amped. Pagosa is home to the famous Pagosa Hot Springs, where students can relax and enjoy the warmth of the natural hot springs. On the opposite side of the spectrum, students looking to go big or go home can venture 30 minutes north to Wolf Creek Ski Area.
3. Moab, Utah
This fun adventure takes you into the deserts of Utah where you can find beautiful formations of sand and stone. Moab, Utah is home to world class climbing and off-roading. It’s also home to the famous Arches National Park where students can see the amazing red, sandstone arches of the Utah desert.
4. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
This desert attraction allows students to explore the beautiful canyons and buttes carved out of the Utah desert by the Colorado River. Canyonlands offers climbing, hiking, camping and more with the beautiful backdrop of red sand and rocks.
5. Taos, New Mexico
Listed as one of the top ten best ski towns in the United States by Travel and Leisure, Taos, New Mexico offers amazing ski terrain and snow quality without the crowds typical of similar resorts in Colorado at their local resort, Taos Ski Valley. Taos is also home to the historic Taos Pueblo, a Native American community over 1,000 years old.
6. Ouray, Colorado
Ouray is small town Colorado at its finest. The mining town of Ouray is home to the Ouray Hot Springs, the world famous Ouray Ice Park and amazing backcountry ski terrain. Ouray offers this all with a Victorian area feel surrounded by 13,000 foot peaks in the heart of the San Juan Mountains.
7. Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is home to the world famous Telluride Ski Resort. Telluride is famous for its picturesque mountain landscape and its incredible ski terrain. Telluride is also among the top ten best ski towns in the U.S and is right here in the San Juans.
8. Crested Butte, Colorado
Another top ten ski town in the United States, Crested Butte is home to the famous Crested Butte Mountain Resort, offering students to world class ski terrain. Crested Butte is also rich with history and also boasts a vibrant nightlife.
9. Leadville, Colorado
This little town in the mountains offers students an opportunity to see historic buildings and learn more about the rich history of the state and its mountains. Leadville is also home to the Mellanzana Store. The only place where people can buy the coveted Mellanzana apparel.
10. Aspen, Colorado
The legendary home of the Winter X Games Aspen brings fun and excitement to the table with four amazing ski areas to choose from. Aspen Snowmass, Buttermilk Ski Area, Aspen Mountain Ski Resort and Aspen Highlands Ski Resort. Aspen also has a bustling nightlife with lots of options for all.
11. Powderhorn, Colorado
This unique location is right were the desert meets the mountains. Powderhorn is on the edge of Grand Mesa, the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. Powderhorn offers unique ski terrain and amazing views, making it a fun destination for spring break travels.
12. Monument Valley, Utah
Hidden in the deserts of Southern Utah is Monument Valley. Monument Valley is home to some of the most picturesque desert tower formations in the world. In Monument Valley students can camp, off-road, and enjoy the scenic desert landscape.
13. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado
Traveling to the Canyons of the Ancients provides students with another fun filled desert adventure. Students can camp, hike, and view one of the largest concentrations of ancestral Puebloan archeological sites.
14. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mesa Verde is located just outside Mancos, and protects some of the best preserved ancestral Puebloan archeological sites. The park currently protects 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.
15. Rico, Colorado
This former mining town is notable for its turn of the century building and historical look at past mountain life in Colorado. Rico is also home to the Rico Hot Springs, a free primitive hot springs accessed by a short trail near the Dolores River, making it an excellent spot to relax and enjoy the mountain views.