Escape the hustle and bustle of Aspen with a short jaunt to this rustic ski town, and grab some onion rings and a margarita while you're there.

As Colorado’s snowpack nears record lows, popular ski areas are relying on manmade snow to open terrain as thousands of tourists visit over the Christmas holiday, many planning to ski or snowboard.

It is the season of envy in Colorado. The all-too-brief time of year when we admire our forests in their finest states — awash in gold. It is, of course, aspen putting on the dazzling displays. This ...