Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park: There is something for everyone here, from short hikes around a lovely mountain lake to the difficult 8-mile trek to the top of 14,255-foot Longs Peak. Trail heads can be accessed with the park's shuttle bus, from campgrounds, and stops along Trail Ridge Road. However you do it, getting into the wilds is a treat in this beautiful setting.

Cowpunching on a Cattle Drive: To really step back into the West of the 1800s, join working cowboys on a genuine cattle drive. The Saddleback Ranch near Steamboat Springs (tel. 970/879-3711) is a working cattle ranch, where you'll become just another cowpuncher, moving stock from one pasture to another, and performing other ranch duties.

Skiing the San Juan Hut System: Ambitious cross-country skiers who want to put a few miles behind them and ski among 14,000-foot alpine peaks love the San Juan Hut System's trail and series of shelters between Telluride and Moab, Utah. Designed for intermediate skiers, the trail can be tackled in small sections or its entirety, with overnight stays in the well-equipped huts.