Coolest mountain towns
 

I know this forum is fairly well traveled so I was hoping people would have some thoughts.

I'll be moving westward in a couple or years. At the moment Crested Butte, CO is by FAR the coolest town I have ever spent time in and I doubt it can be topped, however its also VERY pricey. Therefor I was hoping to learn about some new towns Ive never been too.

Doesnt have to be Colorado(Im fairly sure that Ive been enough around CO to know there may be nothing like it there....never been to Telluride though), but heres what I like about CB

-Mountain environment
-Laid back atmosphere with real character(town ordinance against franchises is in place)
-Good mountain biking
-Good skiing
-Lack of urban sprawl that is rapidly taking over most mountain towns
-Lack of snobby vibe/designer shops( ie aspen/vail/ etc
-Other than that I cant really describe it, just fell in love with the place.

Anyone been anywhere similar?

Thanks,
Evan

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

You know what other forum is fairly well traveled?

Start at the top of the sidebar, work your way to the bottom, and then you have one guess.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Hmm, since you put it so kindly.... wasnt aware we had that.

Furthermore I meant 2p2 in general.

Feel free to move

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

You didn't guess... [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
You didn't guess... [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

That we have a travel forum?

No, its early and I dont even keep that section of sidebar open

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Telluride is incredible, but very very small. I don't think I can imagine spending more than a few months there. They've militantly avoided chain stores, sprawl, etc. If you're mountain-town shopping you really should visit.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
Telluride is incredible, but very very small. I don't think I can imagine spending more than a few months there. They've militantly avoided chain stores, sprawl, etc. If you're mountain-town shopping you really should visit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool, thats what Ive heard, just wasnt sure if theyve avoided the sprawl takeover. Thanks

CB is very small as well and is one of the reasons I find it so appealing. Not really a city type. Only city Ive ever visited that Id ever consider living in is Anchorage...and MAYBE Denver if there was some compelling reason, but basically only because of proximity.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

I haven't read this whole article, so these places might be more commercialized than what you're looking for, but

Men's Journal 10 Coolest Mountain Towns

I've actually read elsewhere that Sandpoint, Idaho is pretty awesome for small town mountain living.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Noah,

Not familiar with either Sandpoint or Livingston. Both sound interesting.

Thanks

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
I haven't read this whole article, so these places might be more commercialized than what you're looking for, but

Men's Journal 10 Coolest Mountain Towns

I've actually read elsewhere that Sandpoint, Idaho is pretty awesome for small town mountain living.

[/ QUOTE ]

that's kind of a weird list.

anyways, in my experience Stowe is easily the best on the East Coast. it has much of what you're looking for, and the skiing can surprisingly be really excellent, especially if you find some local to show you around the backcountry.

more west, Bozeman and Jackson are my favorite places

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

One of my best friends actually lives in Stowe so I spend a decent amount of time there. If I stay east coast its top of the list, but I dont think that will happen.

Was def thinking of checking out Bozeman. Have always known of Jackson but never been. Will add that.

Thanks

edit- agree its a kinda bizarre list...lol

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
I haven't read this whole article, so these places might be more commercialized than what you're looking for, but

Men's Journal 10 Coolest Mountain Towns

I've actually read elsewhere that Sandpoint, Idaho is pretty awesome for small town mountain living.

[/ QUOTE ]

On a side note, who the [censored] buys Men's Journal/Men's Health? Who came up with the marketing plan to put shirtless guys with six packs on the cover and aim it towards hetrosexual men?

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]


On a side note, who the [censored] buys Men's Journal/Men's Health? Who came up with the marketing plan to put shirtless guys with six packs on the cover and aim it towards hetrosexual men?

[/ QUOTE ]

a shirtless tom brady could sell chuck norris a magazine.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]

On a side note, who the [censored] buys Men's Journal/Men's Health? Who came up with the marketing plan to put shirtless guys with six packs on the cover and aim it towards hetrosexual men?

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe the target demographic is Senator Larry Craig & friends.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

OMG. You must be a super trust fund baby from the East Coast. Don't worry. You will be able to find your tribe in crested Butte or Telluride or Vail or Jackson Hole or basically any town with a half way decent ski area. You will have so much fun rocking out to Phish while you drink kegs of super expensive micro brew and smoke mediocre weed.

[ QUOTE ]

...but heres what I like about CB

-Laid back atmosphere with real character(town ordinance against franchises is in place)
-Lack of urban sprawl that is rapidly taking over most mountain towns
-Lack of snobby vibe/designer shops( ie aspen/vail/ etc


[/ QUOTE ]

Lack of a snobby vibe, lack of urban sprawl and ordinances against chain stores are mutually exclusive from both laid back vibe and towns with real character.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
You know what other forum is fairly well traveled?

Start at the top of the sidebar, work your way to the bottom, and then you have one guess.

[/ QUOTE ]

Brick and mortar?

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

OK now I'll be nice,

Bozeman - Doesn't fit your criteria for atmosphere. It does however have access to 3 great ski areas within one hour drive. Mountain biking is above average, not legendary. It's also big enough that you could have problems making friends if your not in college.

Sand Point. Awesome town. Doesn't quite fit your vibe requirements but getting closer.

Whitefish. I lived there and loved it. You will fit right in. Ray Zee will make jokes about you.

Fernie, BC is a good place.

You will love Jackson Hole.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

i went to crested butted for a few weeks about 8 years ago. it was in the summer and i mountain biked a ton.

cb was still somewhat unknown at the time but it was starting to gain a tourist following esp in the winter. the locals were cool enough but you could tell they werent too happy about the influx of tourists. but then tourists=money so its a real stupid relationship.

anyway, i wonder how much it changed.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

is this the thread where posters initially offer rude and sarcastic comments and then follow it up w/ helpful advice?

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Men's journal is by far one of the best magazines out there.

I get what your saying about Men's Health but u apparantly don't read Men's Journal cuz it doesn't apply there.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
Men's journal is by far one of the best magazines out there.

I get what your saying about Men's Health but u apparantly don't read Men's Journal cuz it doesn't apply there.

[/ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately I see them as the same magazine but it's been a few years since I actually opened one. The days of me reading magazines are mostly over.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

I used to live in Crested Butte and loved it. We had to leave when the property values were plummeting due to the mountain's financial troubles. Have they worked things out since then?

My favorite mountain town at the moment is steamboat springs. It is larger than crested butte, but is not anywhere close to vail or aspen.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
OMG. You must be a super trust fund baby from the East Coast. Don't worry. You will be able to find your tribe in crested Butte or Telluride or Vail or Jackson Hole or basically any town with a half way decent ski area. You will have so much fun rocking out to Phish while you drink kegs of super expensive micro brew and smoke mediocre weed.

[ QUOTE ]

...but heres what I like about CB

-Laid back atmosphere with real character(town ordinance against franchises is in place)
-Lack of urban sprawl that is rapidly taking over most mountain towns
-Lack of snobby vibe/designer shops( ie aspen/vail/ etc


[/ QUOTE ]

Lack of a snobby vibe, lack of urban sprawl and ordinances against chain stores are mutually exclusive from both laid back vibe and towns with real character.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummmmmm...ok

I dont have a trust fund
Im a totally self supporting 22 year old
I can count on my hands the number of times Ive smoked weed
I hate phish
I listen to mostly music that almost all of this forum would call "noise"
I seldom drink beer
Anyplace I move will be paid for by poker winnings

And I disagree about them being mutually exclusive.

CB not having any frachises=All unique shops/places to eat=All three of those things

Edit- I also didnt say that suggestions require all of those, mearly that they were things I happened to like about CB.

Perhaps I didnt word things well

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
OK now I'll be nice,

Bozeman - Doesn't fit your criteria for atmosphere. It does however have access to 3 great ski areas within one hour drive. Mountain biking is above average, not legendary. It's also big enough that you could have problems making friends if your not in college.

Sand Point. Awesome town. Doesn't quite fit your vibe requirements but getting closer.

Whitefish. I lived there and loved it. You will fit right in. Ray Zee will make jokes about you.

Fernie, BC is a good place.

You will love Jackson Hole.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for the now helpful comments

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
i went to crested butted for a few weeks about 8 years ago. it was in the summer and i mountain biked a ton.

cb was still somewhat unknown at the time but it was starting to gain a tourist following esp in the winter. the locals were cool enough but you could tell they werent too happy about the influx of tourists. but then tourists=money so its a real stupid relationship.

anyway, i wonder how much it changed.

[/ QUOTE ]

My take on things(granted I was only there for 4 days) was that there were two general classes of people.

-The ski/bike bum types working service jobs, just getting by, and generally having a good time

-The people with serious money...HOWEVER my take on these people was that they were more laid back and less snobby about the bums. For example many of the best bike trails run through private land. There are signs all over the place reading something like "Private property, but feel free to use the trails, jsut close the gate"

So I could be way off, but everyone seemed to do just fine together

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
is this the thread where posters initially offer rude and sarcastic comments and then follow it up w/ helpful advice?

[/ QUOTE ]

Evidently

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Let me clarify a little more.

By things like "laid back" and "atmosphere" I meant things like the following

-slower pace of life(however all of west is like this compared to east coast)
-Bike racks all over town
-Free town shuttle to mountain

I am by no means a yuppie.....christ

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
I used to live in Crested Butte and loved it. We had to leave when the property values were plummeting due to the mountain's financial troubles. Have they worked things out since then?

My favorite mountain town at the moment is steamboat springs. It is larger than crested butte, but is not anywhere close to vail or aspen.

[/ QUOTE ]

Spent some time in Steamboat as well....didnt like it.

Kindy sprawly
Lousy riding

It IS reffered to by CO natives as "the poor mans aspen" or something like that

If I were going for someplace much bigger I think Durango is at the top of the list

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Personally, I would say Copper, CO fits several of those characteristics. It's VERY small and quite laid back. Though there are some luxurious accomodations, there isn't the snobby "see-and-be-seen" crowd that populates Vail, Aspen, etc. The mountain is definitely better than adequate for skiing, too, with plenty of nice backcountry.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You didn't guess... [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

That we have a travel forum?

No, its early and I rip that sidebar out with javascript, so I have no idea what forums are there anyhow

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Jasper, Alberta, Canada...love it

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Truckee, Ca (near Lake Tahoe, along I-80)

We used to be a great mtn town, but with all the money here they are trying to turn into Vail.

We do have:

-great skiing/snowboarding
-tons of mtn biking trails
-good rock climbing
-Pacific Crest Trail
-lots of lakes for boating/fishing
-great weed

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Spent some time at Alpine Meadows last winter(didnt see truckee) and had sorta ruled that area out due to the packed nature of things.

However youre the second to mention truckee to me, so Ill have to check it out

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Bump for night crowd

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

I lived in Crested Butte for a year. I actually lived up towards the mountain, would have preferred to have lived in town but its really hard to find a place there, especially if you don't know anybody. It's a great town lots of fun friendly people. Everybody in town rides one of these:
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5140/posterbm9.jpg

They are worth a decent amount, at least in crested butte but there is no need to lock one up which really makes for a pleasant place to live. You really don't need a car since the bus is free and very convenient. The locals have a ton of influence on the town, which is why you won't find any chains there. The mountain has some of the best steep skiing in the US, just too bad it doesn't snow more often. Also to do laps on the best/toughest part of the mountain involves taking 3 lifts and maybe some hiking.

Year after that I lived in Alpine Meadows. Great neighborhood, kinda tucked away. Doesn't have a town, but is 15 minutes either way to both Tahoe City and Truckee. Truckee has a nice historic downtown area, kinda touristy though. I hate the rest of the town since its basically a highway pitstop. Worst thing about Truckee is that its basically only construction workers and 2nd home owners since nobody else can afford to live there. Or rednecks that live in the more run down parts. Tahoe City is ok, not laid out very well, but more young people there.
I skied at Squaw. Tons of steep terrain, quads everywhere so you can get in tons of laps, and it dumps there. I think the year I lived there we got 600 inches. It snows even more at Alpine, we had 35 ft snow banks at my house. Really nothing like being at Squaw on a powder day. Everybody lines up at kt-22, and if you aren't one of the first ones in line you just watch as ripper after ripper stomps 40 ft airs till all the landings are bombed out. Its actually a pretty sick show.

I live right outside of Truckee now, kinda thinking of moving either to reno or closer to Tahoe but still undecided.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
Truckee, Ca (near Lake Tahoe, along I-80)

We used to be a great mtn town, but with all the money here they are trying to turn into Vail.

We do have:

-great skiing/snowboarding
-tons of mtn biking trails
-good rock climbing
-Pacific Crest Trail
-lots of lakes for boating/fishing
-great weed

[/ QUOTE ]
Right near truckee is Downieville, which is far more oriented toward mountain biking. It's got a pretty good vibe, especially if you ride bikes.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

I wouldn't say Downieville is right by Truckee. Its hour and a half with good weather, would take forever in the snow though. Nice small town, but pretty isolated. And there is tons of good mountain biking around truckee/tahoe.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

Taos NM

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, since you put it so kindly.... wasnt aware we had that.

Furthermore I meant 2p2 in general.

Feel free to move



[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, you can post in the travel forum (actually, I never noticed that one either). Then when you move to your destined town you can post all about your travels from your home town.

This may or may not be the right forum, but the travel forum has nothing to do with what you are asking.

Re: Coolest mountain towns
 

[ QUOTE ]
-Mountain environment
-Laid back atmosphere with real character

[/ QUOTE ]

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1...uthparkgu9.png