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
 

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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.

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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