Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Pagosa Springs is such a cool little town, about 5 hours drive from Colorado Springs, we had to tell you about it.

Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, it may get lost in the shadow of the northern Colorado giants like Vail, Aspen, and Beaver Creek. But that's exactly what makes it so desirable.

It's a small town with a relaxed vibe. It smells like sulphur because it has a mineral hot springs right in the middle of its downtown, on the bank of the San Juan River.

The name Pagosa comes from the Ute word "Pah gosah" which means "healing waters."

The Springs Resort (pictured above) offers several hot springs to soak in, and at night they're illuminated, glowing an eerie turquoise. This is especially unique in the wintertime, when the heat and cold collide.

Through the Fairfield activity center, we took a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a snowy forest, and enjoyed soaking in a private hot tub that overlooked Pagosa Peak.

We originally found Pagosa Springs by way of snowboarding at Wolf Creek Ski Area, which is only 15 minutes east of town, and offers "the most snow in Colorado" at 456 inches per year.

While driving across the pass, we often saw people cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. It really is like a snow-sports playground up there.

Every morning in Pagosa, we would see hot air balloons on the horizon, regardless of the temperature.

We also got in some snowshoeing at the nearby West Fork Ski Track.

And did I mention those hot sulphur springs in the middle of town?

The locals say you should wait until the next day to shower after soaking in the springs, so the minerals can sink into your body.

It's odd, your skin really does kind of vibrate afterwards…

That's just the winter. And there is the entire Weminuche Wilderness Area we still need to explore.

Also, the city of Durango is only an hour west of town, offering more restaurants, shopping and skiing.

We can't wait to go back to Pagosa Springs!

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