With more than two dozen large ski areas, including world-famous locations such as Aspen and Vail, Colorado is by far the most important skiing region in the country. Natural experiences are not only available in the winter, however. In summer, and in the lower areas in particular, hikers, mountain bikers and rafting, riding and off-road fans will find everything they need.

Almost every municipality has trails into the surrounding mountains. The passages of the famous Colorado Trails, which cover the 465 miles from Durango to the capital city Denver through a fantastic high mountain landscape, are particularly fascinating. It is considerably flatter, on the other hand, to the east of the metropolis (population 550,000) - this is where the prairie begins.

Aspen was founded in 1879 by silver prospectors, who named the town after the aspen trees. The signs of the times were realized at an early stage, however, and the first ski lifts were already whirring their way up the slopes by 1937. In the meantime, winter sport enthusiasts can now curve, carve and board on four well-connected mountains. This 6,000-inhabitant town is not only busy on the ski slopes, but also in the shopping area around Cooper Avenue and Hyman Avenue - this in the summer as well. There is a good chance of seeing a "Promi" in the boutiques and high-class restaurants here.

There are few roads into the gorge, but the South Rim Road starting from the Visitors Center opens up spectacular views over the fascinating steep walls and the black needles of rock. At the end of this road, a short footpath leads to Warner Point. There is also a four-hour descent behind the river. You should only attempt the more difficult trails with a Ranger, however, or you should obtain detailed information first. Information events are offered throughout the summer. This applies in particular to climbers and kayaks. Another exciting way to get to know the 12.5-mile gorge is on horseback.

Unlike other "Gold Rush" towns that became ghost towns long ago, Cripple Creek has managed to stay alive. The reason: the brightly colored gambling casinos that have moved into the Victorian houses along Bennett Avenue. In addition to thousands of slot machines, the number of bars, restaurants and hotels has increased noticeably in the last few years. If you nevertheless want to experience something of the old times, you can descend into the Molly Kathleen Mine for 45 minutes in order to obtain your own impression of the working conditions in those days.

It is not only clear from the legendary TV series Dynasty that the metropolis is a mecca for oil and power companies. A drive through the modern downtown, with its skyscraper skyline, confirms Denver's importance as a business location. Tourists come for other reasons, however. One of these is the Denver Art Museum, in which modern art and good Indian collections are exhibited. Other important sites in the city are the Museum of Nature and Science, in which the creation and the natural history of the Rocky Mountains are shown in an impressive manner, and the Colorado State Capitol. This granite building, with its 24-carat gold-plated dome and Corinthian columns, is a reminder of the days of the Gold Rush. The extensive Six Flags Elitch Gardens leisure park is a magnet for families, and is also located in downtown Denver.

Although the area of the finds and the associated Visitors Center are very popular, the real attraction of the area is formed by the impressive gorges further north. The core area can only be reached by foot or by boat. This is, of course, particularly appreciated by nature lovers who prefer wild landscapes. Anyone arriving by car can choose from three approach roads. The most exciting of these are the Echo Park Road and the Yampa Bench Road, which require a four-wheel drive vehicle.

New sand is continually being accumulated from the south by the winds coming from the San Luis Valley. The material collects in this corner of the valley because the air has to rise over the Medano Pass from here. In the summer, there is a trail over the pass for four-wheel drive vehicles, which can, however, be very difficult, particularly on the lower part. Hikers interested in dune walking will look in vain for marked hiking trails, as the sand landscape of this 40-square mile National Park is continually changing.

In the mean time, several thousand individual ruins have been discovered on Mesa Verde by archaeologists. Reason enough for UNESCO to add the 82-square mile National Park to its list of World Heritage sites, as the most impressive ruined city from pre-Columbian times in North America. The largest residential building in the National Park is the Cliff Palace, with more than 200 rooms and 23 kivas (cult chambers) and the Spruce Tree House, with 114 rooms and eight kivas. The facilities of the National Park also include two museums that show the life and the art of the ancient Indian Anasazi culture. Researchers believe that the earliest inhabitants of Mesa Verde lived there from 100 to around 700 A.D.

It is one of the few roads in this terrain that benefits the plant and animal world. In the lower area above all, the largely wild forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir provide a protected home for a rich animal world. The large herds of Wapiti deer and thick-horn sheep are well worth mentioning. The inhabitants of the national park, which was founded in 1915, also include black bears, coyotes and golden eagles. Anyone traveling along the more than 375 miles of hiking trails, and stopping at one of the few camping and picnic places, can expect encounters with four-legged "friends".