Monday, May 26, 2008

Destination Wedding: Colorado, Rocky Mountain Nuptials

Wedding facts

Colorado is one of the easiest states in the West in which to get a marriage license. There is no blood test, medical exam or waiting period. Drop by any marriage-license office in the state, show some form of ID (you both need to be present), pay $20, and that's it. You've got a marriage license good for 30 days anywhere in the state.


When to go

In recent years, Colorado has developed into a year-round destination. Obviously, winter skiing is still the big attraction. What if you want to avoid the crowds? Depending on the snow conditions, some resorts open in November and offer discount lodging and lift tickets.

January is a "value season" at most resorts because the crowds thin out after the New Year's holiday. Spring skiing (late February through April, except for spring break) offers good conditions and sparse crowds. The best tip: Ski during the week to avoid weekend crowds of local Coloradans who flood the slopes on Saturdays and Sundays.

What about the rest of the year? After the skiing ends, many resorts offer year-round activities like golf, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The best times to visit in the summer are probably June and July (increasingly popular August family vacations make that month less attractive). In the fall, the changing foliage usually peaks in early to mid-September.


Insider tips

Spend the first night or two in Denver to acclimate to the altitude. Drink lots of fluids and limit alcohol to avoid altitude sickness or dehydration. The best way to save money on ski lift tickets: get them as part of a package or buy them at discounted prices from grocery stores (King Soopers and Safeway) in Denver.


Who to call

There are several excellent books to help you plan a Colorado trip. The Colorado Guide (published by Fulcrum Publishing, 800-992-2908) is about as comprehensive as you can get, while Absolutely Every Bed & Breakfast in Colorado (Rockrimmon Press, distributed by Harbinger House: 800-759-9945) is a good source for B&Bs.

No comments:

Post a Comment