Mountain Reservations: Our Favorite Picks: Mountain Towns

It's no secret that here are VacationRoost we love everything to do with the mountains--the fresh air, the views, the smells, the outdoor activities--everything about the mountains is perfect...especially the towns that are situated so perfectly among the wonderfully fragrant balsam trees and aspen meadows. Like a beautiful ocean sunset, most people can't resist the temptation of a mountain escape into scenery that can only be viewed during an actual getaway into the mountains (sorry folks, viewing beautiful peaks from afar just won't give you the same butterflies). Maybe it's time that you channeled your inner-mountain man (or woman), rubbed some dirt in it, and let your mind be cleared by the magnificence of high altitude. So sit back, relax, and learn about these awesome mountain towns and why you should visit them! Lake Tahoe, NV/CA

• Separated as North and South Tahoe, visitors can get the best of both worlds between outdoor adventure and a bustling night scene.
• Lake Tahoe is the third deepest lake in North America, and tenth in the world. In fact, the water is so clear visibility can reach almost 70 feet in many areas.
• Despite the winter snow, Lake Tahoe never freezes because it's so large and therefore constantly in motion.
• The area boasts 24 hour casinos on both the North and South shores, perfect for those who like to stay up all night.
• The name Tahoe comes from a mispronunciation of the Washoe Native American name for Lake Tahoe, da ow a ga, which means, “edge of the lake.”
• The sun shines at Lake Tahoe for 75% of the year...pretty good odds if you are looking for a nice summer vacation.
• Lake Tahoe is home to an abundance of outdoor activities all year long--you name it, they have probably got it!

>>Search Lodging Breckenridge, CO

• Breckenridge is only 7 miles long and 2 miles long...but don't worry, there are still 76 bars and restaurants in that small amount of space.
• Over 300 days of sunshine are reported annually in Breckenridge, which is great for hikers and skiers alike!
• Breckenridge boasts the highest chairlift in North America--the Imperial Chair--at an elevation of 12,840 feet.
• Known as one of the best mining towns in Colorado back in the 1800s, tours of old mines are still available today in Breckenridge.
• In order to get a post office during the founding in 1856, the town of Breckenridge was originally spelled "Breckinridge" after the vice president during that time.
• Breckenridge was Colorado's first major ski resort to allow snowboarding in 1984.

>> Search Lodging Park City, UT

• A fire destroyed the entire town in 1898, but the determined residents were able to rebuild in just one year with many of those original buildings still being in use today.
• Halloween is Park City's favorite holiday, as the town is said to be very haunted, so each year haunted houses are built underground in the town's tunnel system.
• The Kimball Arts Festival held every August is the longest running arts festival in the West.
• Park City is 30 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport, making it one of the most accessible ski areas in the world.
• Home to Utah Olympic Park and host to the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City brings in Olympic athletes to train from all over the world.
• Main Street and Park Avenue boast over 20 bars and 50 restaurants, many with a 5-Star rating.
• High West Whiskey distillery has resided in Park City since 1870 and is the oldest in the state.

>> Search Lodging Sun Valley, ID

• 56 past and current Olympians are from Sun Valley and have their own ski run on Baldy.
• Sun Valley is one of the top small towns for art with 20 galleries, two live theater companies, and one of the West's premier non-profits for arts.
• The fly-fishing rivers are some of the best in North America, many of which are gold-medal trout streams, and are accessible all year long.
• Every year during one week in the fall sheep clog the streets as they are herded from their summer pastures into the mountains.
• Big ski ideas are born in Sun Valley, such as the modern day chairlift, aluminum ski pole, double-lensed goggle, and collapsible skies.
• Sun Valley is a geothermal "hotspot" with 13 named hot springs, and not to mention many "secret" and unmapped spots.
• Sun Valley is pretty much even when it comes to gender ratios, which is unusual for a ski town. But beware, the women in Sun Valley are probably better at skiing than you are.

>> Search Lodging Jackson Hole, WY

• The Tetons are so aptly named by French-Canadian fur trappers in the 1920s who called the peaks "Let Trois Tetons", meaning "The Three Breasts". The peaks are now known as Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and South Teton.
• The US Voyager II, launched in 1977 for space exploration, carries an Ansel Adams photograph of Jackson Hole as part of its artifacts.
• Mountain men used the word hole to describe valleys completely surrounded by mountains, hence Jackson Hole.
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has the lowest elevation of any ski resort in the Rocky Mountains at just 6,311 feet.
• The National Elk Refuge is the largest elk preserve in North America, and over 9,000 elk can be observed on sleigh rides from December thru April.
• Jackson Hole is in close proximity to Yellowstone National Park, which was the first national park in the country, and is home to the famous gyser "Ole Faithful".
• The New York Philharmonic held its first summer residency in its 147 year history in Jackson Hole, performing four concerts for the Grand Teton Music Festival.

>> Search Lodging Safe Travels, The VacationRoost Team If you loved this post and look forward to more, be sure to share with your friends and let them love the mountains too!