An Exciting Today
Today, Leadville is clearly one of the most popular heritage tourist destinations in the country. It epitomizes the American spirit and the tenacity and creativity of what has made this nation great. The stories are endless of the struggles and successes of those who were willing to take a chance… who refused to give up… who fought the odds and lost time and time again, only to fight back even harder and suddenly strike the mother lode and become a millionaire overnight.
Leadville is the nation’s highest incorporated city located at 10,152 feet above sea level. Taking the self guided historical walking tour through the streets of historic Leadville, driving through the numerous mine tailings and gallows on the self guided auto tour known today as the Route of the Silver Kings or hiking through them on the nationally acclaimed 11 mile long non-motorized Mineral Belt Trail are magnificent monuments to the tenacity of Leadville and those who lived and died here.
Leadville is also famous for its athletic events and the challenges presented to sports enthusiasts at this "2 mile high” elevation. The famous Trail 100 races, 100 miles of running and biking, have intrigued athletes like Lance Armstrong into competition in this unique area. Winter events include Ski Joring down Harrison Ave in early March drawing thousands of spectators from around the globe to watch horses running at full gallop while pulling courageous skiers behind jump after jump. Summer hosts Boom Days, an annual tribute to those who made Leadville what it is today, with pack burro races up Mosquito Pass and back to town.
Winter also brings skiers to Ski Cooper, rated as one of the favorite family ski areas in the nation. Relying totally on Mother Nature, Ski Cooper brags ALL natural white powder snow and remains one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.
Fishing, hunting, running, hiking, biking, jeep’ing and off-road ATV fun year round, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and year round special events make Leadville a vacation destination for everyone. Add to it some of the most amazing antique stores and unique gift shops, and Leadville merchants will make sure the avid shopper won’t ever want to leave. Leadville brags some of the nicest lodging facilities and eateries in the State, including some of the finest Victorian Bed and Breakfast facilities around.
This web site is but a brief introduction to the "City Above the Clouds." There is so much more and so, through this site, we hope to offer portals to other more topic specific web sites that will answer all your questions about this most amazing of all western cities.
It has been said, "There is only one Leadville, and there will never be another."