Ski Cooper: The Locals’ Mountain
Enjoy super soft, all-natural snow at Ski Cooper, Leadville’s hometown mountain. The trees on this historic ski mountain were first cut by Colorado’s 10th Mt. Division, which used Tennessee Pass’s…
Snowmobile Trails Abound at 10,200 Feet
Snowmobiling is one of the most thrilling ways to experience America’s snow-lined backcountry. And Leadville, with its abundance of snow and national forest land, is the quintessential snowmobiling destination. Snowmobile…
Bike the Winter Blues Away
Don’t hang up your bike just because the trails are covered in snow. Grab a fat bike and head to one of Leadville’s numerous groomed trails. In this high-altitude city,…
The Lake County War
In Chaffee County (once part of Lake County), the Lake County War was a series of events that led to the formation of a vigilante group that used illegal arrests…
Ski Joring: Leadville’s Signature Event
Join the residents of Leadville as they cheer on, or compete in, Colorado’s most wild winter event—Ski Joring! During this event, horses and riders pull skiers at a fast pace…
Matchless Mine and Baby Doe’s Cabin
In 1879, silver tycoon, Horace Tabor, purchased the richest silver mine of the time, an investment that brought in $2 billion by today’s standards. However, wasteful spending by him and…
Climate at 10,200 Feet
At 10,200 feet, Leadville feels as though it touches the sun. With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s almost always a great time to play outside. Summers…
Solitude and Serenity Accompany High-Mountain Fishing
Despite being landlocked, Colorado offers hundreds of stunning locations for fishing. With an abundance of snow and subsequent runoff, the Centennial State boasts more than 6,000 miles of streams and…
Welcome to Leadville
In the heart of Colorado, tucked in a high mountain valley and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is Leadville, a city rich in history, abundant in outdoor recreation, and home to…
Hit Your Longest Drive at America’s Highest Golf Course
Want to hit your longest drive? Then head up to high elevation, where thinner air means less resistance on your golf ball. It’s been calculated that for every 5,000 feet…
Turquoise Lake: Leadville’s Sparkling Gem
Five miles west of Leadville sits Turquoise Lake, one of Colorado’s favorite high-altitude recreation destinations. Dammed in the 19th century and named for the rare turquoise deposits found nearby, Turquoise…
Follow the Train Line on Hagerman Pass
In the late 19th century, the president of the Colorado Midland Railroad built a line from Leadville to Aspen. Today, Hagerman Pass follows this train line, providing an adventurous way…
Breathtaking Views at Clear Creek Reservoir
Twenty miles south of Leadville is Clear Creek Reservoir, a body of water that’s part of the “Eleven-Mile Reach,” a 500-year-old floodplain that starts at the confluence of the Arkansas…
Skate Away at Huck Finn Ice Rick
This winter, head to Leadville’s Huck Finn Ice Rink, an outdoor skating rink that’s ideal for athletes wanting to switch up their routine, families seeking a fun activity, and kids…
Leadville: A Small City with a Big History
Leadville’s 150-year history has had a profound effect on shaping Colorado’s landscape. From its earliest gold strikes to the establishment of its national forests, Leadville has played a major role…
The Stagecoach Robbery Mystery
In 1879, when the silver boom was at its peak, loads of the precious metal were being shipped from Leadville to Buena Vista via stagecoach. The days and times of…
Jesse Fuller McDonald: From Engineer to Politician
Born in 1858 in Ohio, Jesse Fuller McDonald was a student of civil engineering and surveying. In 1879, he moved to Leadville to pursue a career in mining, though his…
Ride the Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad
Hop aboard the Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad for the most relaxing and scenic Rocky Mountain experience. This two-and-a-half-hour train ride takes passengers up 1,000 feet from Leadville and through…
Explore the Original Tabor Home
Horace Tabor and his first wife, Augusta, moved into a two-story clapboard house in 1877. Just two years later, Horace declared their home’s location ideal for his new project—the Tabor…
Booms and Busts: The Route of the Silver Kings
Ride the Route of the Silver Kings, a self-guided driving tour that takes visitors through Leadville’s historic mining district. This 20-square-mile tour consists of a set of interconnected roads where…
Boom Days: A Celebration of Leadville’s Mining History
Celebrate Leadville’s rich mining history at Boom Days, a multi-day street fair that takes place the first weekend of every August. Stroll among 100 food carts and crafts booths, take…
Play Like a Kid in Leadville’s Big Backyard
Leadville is a world-renowned recreation destination. Whatever the season, there’s an exciting and fun activity waiting for you. With its cooler temperatures, sunny, blue skies, and fields full of wildflowers,…
Hundreds of Hikes for All
John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks.” Nowhere is this sentiment truer than in Leadville, where hiking trails veer through alpine forests,…
Boat America’s Best Whitewater
With the arrival of warm springtime temperatures, Colorado’s snow trickles into streams, flows into creeks, and finally joins a mighty river where it becomes whitewater. It’s during this time of…