Colorado Hostels
The quiet mountain town of Grand Lake, Colorado is quite simply a place of stunning natural beauty. Named after the largest natural lake in Colorado, Grand Lake was first settled in 1876 as a supply center town when gold and silver were discovered in the nearby Colorado River. On the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Grand Lake – Shadowcliff hostel overlooks Grand Lake Village and the Colorado Great Lakes area. As the snowmobiling capital of the state, Grand Lake offers more than 300 miles of snowmobile trails, including the popular trails in Arapaho National Forest, where you can rent your own or take part in a professional guided tour. Adjacent to the Grand Lake – Shadowcliff hostel, the 416 square-mile Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 349 miles of wilderness hiking trails, the hills of which are splashed with vivid color during the June and July wildflower season. Bringing Broadway to the Rockies, the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre presents three live Broadway musicals in the summer, as well as one in the fall; productions have included professional renditions of Seussical, Footloose, and 42nd Street.
The popular destination of Breckenridge is the oldest and largest town in Colorado, well-known for its world-class ski resort. The skiing season runs from November through April, weather permitting, with average winter temperatures at 28 degrees daytime and 15 degrees at night. The Breckenridge hostel is five minutes by free shuttle to the lifts at the Breckenridge ski resort, which offers more than 2,043 acres of groomed trails. But Breckenridge isn’t just a winter destination. Spring and summer bring unparalleled hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing. The annual Spring Massive, held in April, is a celebration of April skiing, entertainment, and more. Events include an April Fools Day celebration, concerts, comedy tours, and Bite of Breckenridge, during which premiere restaurants feature gourmet food at a special price. Strike it rich at the Country Boy Mine, where guests can pan for gold at this hard-rock mine near the Blue River, where gold was first panned in Colorado in 1859. Take part in a guided tour over 1,000 feet into the 1887 authentic gold mine before trying your panning luck.
Colorado’s highest precipitation occurs in July, with the lowest in October. Winters are cold, with the average January high of 31 degrees and low of 0 degrees, while summers are mild with the average July high of 73 degrees.
