This Lesser-known Colorado Mountain Town Is Called the 'Switzerland of America' for Its Skiing and Natural Beauty

"Driving up on the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado-one of the most dangerous roads in America-there are no guardrails, and as you gain elevation, the side of the road plunges into a desolate valley of tall pines and sheer rock. For most people, the risk simply isn't worth it. But, for intrepid backcountry skiers, it's just another day getting to Ouray."

""It feels really wild, like you've gone through a time portal," says Nate Disser, owner of San Juan Mountain Guides. Disser has led avalanche safety courses and backcountry ski treks in the area since 2002, though he explains the town's history goes back much further. The San Juan Mountains, known to their original inhabitants, the Utes, as the Shining Mountains, were home to some of the country's richest gold and silver mines."

"For less experienced skiers, Telluride Ski Resort, on the other side of the mountain, is about an hour away from Ouray by car, and 59 percent of its trails are rated for beginners and intermediates. You can make trips to the other resorts, but Ouray is primarily a backcountry hub and an incredibly charming spa town with an unlikely location that even non-skiers can enjoy."

The Million Dollar Highway into Ouray has no guardrails and drops into a desolate valley, making the road risky for most drivers but commonly used by backcountry skiers. The San Juan Mountains, called the Shining Mountains by the Ute people, hosted some of the nation's richest gold and silver mines during the late 1800s. Highway 550 links Ouray with Silverton and nearby Silverton Mountain, which is for advanced skiers, while Telluride sits about an hour away with 59 percent of trails rated beginner or intermediate. Ouray functions primarily as a backcountry hub and a charming spa town nicknamed the "Switzerland of America."

Read at Travel + Leisure