Winter Landscapes in Southwestern Colorado's Mountains

For most of my adult life, winter has meant skiing, and living in Arizona has afforded me easy access to some of the best ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains.  While packed powder slopes and parabolic skis guarantee Olympian thrills, the mountains provide some of the most sublimely beautiful scenery in the world.  Below are some pictures from a couple recent trips into southwestern Colorado - just a seven hour drive from Phoenix - where the world-class ski parks at Telluride, Purgatory and Wolf Creek promise adventures for both the athlete and the nature lover.

Mountain scenery from the slopes of Telluride Ski Resort.

Mountain scenery from the slopes of Telluride.

Mountain scenery from the slopes of Telluride.

Mountain scenery from the slopes of Purgatory Ski Resort.

Scenery from the slopes of Purgatory.

Scenery from the slopes of Purgatory Ski Resort.

Scenery from the highway between Pagosa Springs and Wolf Creek Ski Area.

Mountain scenery from the slopes of Wolf Creek Ski Area.

Mountain scenery from the slopes of Wolf Creek.  While not as high as Mount Everest, some of the surrounding peaks are close to 14,000 feet.  So it's safe to say you feel like you're on top of the world.