Here’s a gentle travel truth: We’re tired of the crowds, the time spent getting places, and the hustle. Instead, we seek quieter escapes closer to our own backyard, which is why the “slow travel” trend is taking off worldwide. Focused forays are replacing wild bucket lists, and more chill visits, where you can sink into the local vibe, are becoming the hallmark of a well-planned getaway.
September is the perfect time for one last getaway into the mountains before the snow falls. Autumn's soothing golden hues are sure to encourage you to snuggle up and stay awhile. Here’s a slower, gentler guide to some of our favorite go-to mountain spots.
1. Crested Butte
Go Slow: Fall in Crested Butte offers quiet streets, golden light, and a Nordic sensibility: space, stillness, and color.
Where to Stay, Eat & Explore: Scarp Ridge Lodge continues to enchant with boutique comfort near downtown’s café-lined main street. Sunflower remains a fall favorite for hyper-local mountain fare, and the Center for the Arts glows with galleries and occasional film or music events.
Fall Color Highlight: Take the Beaver Ponds Trail via Ohio Pass—a gentle 1.1-mile walk through aspen groves that open onto reflective ponds with the Anthracite Range framing your view. It’s short, stunning, and usually serenely empty.
2. Frisco
Go Slow: Frisco brings lake reflections, microbrew cafés, and that quiet energy Nordic skiers love year-round.
Where to Stay & Sip: The Frisco Inn on Galena continues to be an exceptional retreat, offering cozy rooms, hearty breakfasts, and the quiet comfort of a hot tub. Wander into House of Vibes Coffee & Curio in nearby Silverthorne or settle in at Bagels for relaxed Colorado‑inspired meals. Explore the Frisco Historic Park & Museum for a mellow dose of local heritage.
Fall Color Highlight: The Meadowcreek Trail, just off I‑70, offers a peaceful, aspen‑lined stroll only about a mile in, perfect for slowing down and breathing in the golden hush of autumn.
3. Tabernash / Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Go Slow: The hush here feels Nordic: log cabins, trail‑edged silence, and mountain air that fills your lungs.
Where to Stay & Savor: The ranch’s rustic‑luxury guest cabins embody log‑cabin warmth with a hint of hygge, while the Ranch House Restaurant offers refined mountain fare. In evenings, Heck’s Tavern beckons with wine, firelight, and soft acoustic threads.
Fall Color Highlight: For a short scenic spin, head out toward Guanella Pass—hike Burning Bear or Three Mile Trail, where whispering aspens and glowing birches frame a quiet forest retreat.
4. Breckenridge
Go Slow: With its walkable core and mountain grit, Breckenridge is ideal for Nordic skiers seeking easy walking days before the snow arrives.
Where to Stay & Sip: The Bivvi Hostel is design-minded and ski-friendly, with social nooks for lingering. Drink slow‑roasted coffee at The Crown or enjoy cabin‑food comfort at Cabin Juice. The Breckenridge Arts District hums with workshops and gallery shows; the Riverwalk Center hosts mellow September music.
Fall Color Highlight: Drive Boreas Pass Road, a quiet, historic rail‐grade ascent through golden aspens and sweeping high‑country ridgelines. Stop often; there’s room to wander or lean back with a thermos .
5. Vail (East Vail / Red Cliff area)
Go Slow: East Vail and nearby Red Cliff offer a softer side of Vail, including quiet lodges, roadside charm, and alpine calm.
Where to Stay & Dine: Stay at the Green Bridge Inn in Red Cliff for a quaint, rustic escape. Eat Alpine-inspired fare at Almresi. Sip in style at Two Arrows Coffee & Bar, where you enjoy coffee by day and cocktails by the fire at night. Check local listings for intimate fall concerts through Bravo! Vail or at the Vilar Performing Arts Center.
Fall Color Highlight: Make a day out of driving toward Black Powder Pass (near Como), then hike a short stretch of alpine trail where late‑September light strikes aspen-speckled slopes in quiet grandeur.