9 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in The Rockies

The Rockies, stretching from New Mexico in the U.S. to British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, form a chain of high-country towns where a three-day weekend fills up fast: morning gondola rides, afternoons forest trails, and evenings built around locally owned restaurants. For an exceptional alpine escape, places like Banff, Jackson, and Crested Butte make the list for their walkable main streets, standout skiing, and trail networks that start close to town. Pack your bags and discover nine perfect destinations for a long weekend in the Rockies.

Tulleride, Colorado

Bridal Veil Falls crashes 365 feet at the end of Telluride’s box canyon, a dramatic marker for a town small enough to fully experience in a three-day sweep. Eight blocks wide and twelve long, this former silver camp in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, a subrange of the Rockies, keeps everything within walking distance of the San Miguel River and the free gondola linking downtown to Mountain Village and Telluride Ski Resort, one of America’s top-rated ski destinations. Stay at The Hotel Telluride for immediate access to the historic downtown core, or book slopeside at Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge or The Peaks Resort & Spa and ride the gondola down for dinner. Among Colorado Avenue’s preserved Victorian storefronts are several great places to eat, including Tellurado Studio & Bistro, The Butcher and The Baker, The Grand, and Van Atta Est. 1886 Telluride Cocktail Bar & Restaurant.

Banff, Alberta

Fairmont Banff Springs, the 1888 railway-era hotel often called the “Castle in the Rockies,” sits just minutes from downtown Banff and offers easy access to hiking, wildlife viewing, skiing at Banff Sunshine Village, and the hotel's championship golf course. While this is the luxury option for a long weekend in this Rocky Mountain town, there are numerous accommodations suitable for every traveler, including campsites. Banff Avenue threads through downtown toward the Bow River, framed by Cascade Mountain. Downtown features multiple acclaimed restaurants, including The Grizzly House, Bluebird Woodfired Steakhouse, and PARK Distillery Restaurant + Bar spirits distillery. Also downtown, the 1903 log-built Banff Park Museum National Historic Site houses more than 5,000 botanical and zoological specimens. Beyond the town streets, the Banff Gondola ascends to 2,281 meters, where a boardwalk connects the summit complex to a historic weather station. Then there are the mineral waters at Banff Upper Hot Springs, which remain accessible in winter and summer alike, meaning there are multiple long weekends when visitors can enjoy them.

Sun Valley, Idaho

For a long weekend centered on skiing or snowboarding, few Rocky Mountain towns are as purpose-built as Sun Valley, Idaho. Bald Mountain rises directly above town, forming the backbone of Sun Valley Resort, where the world’s first chairlift debuted in 1936. Today, Baldy’s 2,533 acres include sustained fall-line runs and more than 350 acres of gladed terrain, with an additional 90 acres of tree skiing. Dollar Mountain, lower and separate, features beginner and terrain-park zones within minutes of the village core. Sun Valley Resort and Sun Valley Lodge both sit right in town, with the latter being a former home of Ernest Hemingway and now hosting his gravesite. The 1936 Sun Valley Lodge remains the most direct base, its original X-shaped footprint still intact and its year-round heated outdoor pool open even in winter. Warmer months shift the focus uphill with lift-served hiking on Bald Mountain, fly fishing on the Big Wood River as it passes through town, and concerts at the R.E. Holding Pavilion during the three- to four-week-long Sun Valley Music Festival, which includes the August long weekend.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is world-famous for skiing, festivals, and its restaurant scene, making it an ideal destination for a three-day weekend in the Rockies. The town runs along the Roaring Fork River, cradled by the Elk Mountains within the White River National Forest. Downtown Aspen puts the slopes and the river at your doorstep, with Aspen Mountain rising above the center of town. Its terrain challenges advanced skiers on double-black runs and the Highland Bowl, while Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass provide options for beginners and intermediates. Snowboarders gather for the annual two-day Boardfest at Snowmass, and summer converts ski trails into hiking and cross-country routes along the river. Aspen Music Festival dominates the summer, including two three-day weekends, and Jazz Aspen Snowmass takes place over Labor Day long weekend. There are numerous places to stay in Aspen, including The St. Regis Aspen Resort, W Aspen, and The Little Nell, all of which put visitors close to some great dining options such as The Monarch, Casa Tua Aspen, and Clark’s Oyster Bar.

Jasper, Alberta

The perfect basecamp for a three-day weekend in Jasper, Alberta, is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, a 700-acre resort wrapping around Lac Beauvert within Jasper National Park. The property includes cabin-style accommodations, a golf course, multiple dining rooms, and a spa, all set beneath the Colin Range. Those who prefer to stay directly in the village can check into Astoria Hotel on Connaught Drive, home to Papa George’s Restaurant and the De’d Dog Bar & Grill. The town stands at the junction of the Athabasca and Miette rivers, about 362 kilometers southwest of Edmonton. The Jasper SkyTram climbs Whistlers Mountain to 2,263 meters, making it the highest and longest guided aerial tramway in Canada; the Upper Station includes interpretive displays and the Summit Restaurant. The Athabasca River cuts through town, and summer rafting departures leave right from Jasper. The most cost-effective time to visit is from mid-September to mid-October, with the rest of the year attracting a steady crowd of those eager to explore Jasper’s outdoors or pamper themselves at the famous resort.

Driggs, Idaho

Mountain bikers roll straight into Driggs on the Aspen Trail and the fast-moving singletrack in Horseshoe Canyon, two of the most ridden systems in Teton Valley. At 6,000-plus feet, Driggs spreads across open farmland between the Teton Range to the east and the Big Hole Mountains to the west, both subranges of the Rockies. Destination Balloon Rides takes groups up into the sky above the Teton Valley. Visitors can rent paddleboards from Wai Mauna and enjoy a three-hour float down the Teton River from Bates Bridge to Big Eddy, a stretch also popular for fly fishing. In downtown Driggs, Forage Bistro & Lounge turns out farm-driven plates, while the summer-only Spud Drive-In screens double features with burgers and tater tots delivered to your car. Lodging options such as Teton Valley Cabins and Teton West Motel keep everything within minutes of the trails, river access points, and the road to Grand Targhee Resort just over the state line.

Revelstoke, British Columbia

Revelstoke offers a range of accommodations for a long weekend, from the ski-in/ski-out Sutton Place Hotel at the base of Revelstoke Mountain Resort to boutique options like Basecamp Resorts, perched above the Columbia River, and Eleven Revelstoke Lodge, a historic 1911 building with exposed brick, a speakeasy, and a hot tub. Winter transforms the town into a skiing hub, with Revelstoke Mountain Resort delivering one of North America’s greatest vertical terrains, powder runs, and lift-accessed alpine slopes. Downtown, heritage brick buildings frame Grizzly Plaza, where restaurants, summer concerts, and public art converge, while the Revelstoke Railway Museum documents the town’s Canadian Pacific Railway legacy. Summer opens the Meadows in the Sky Parkway in Mount Revelstoke National Park, winding through wildflower meadows and alpine trails, and the Giant Cedars Boardwalk immerses visitors in old-growth forests. During their long weekend trip, travelers can explore The Enchanted Forest, home to 350 handcrafted figurines, BC’s tallest treehouse, and a hidden castle.

Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte is a preserved Victorian town turned year-round Rocky Mountain destination in the Gunnison Valley. Those traveling with a dog can stay at The Ruby of Crested Butte for a blend of historic elegance and modern comfort, and others can book into The Lodge at Mountaineer Square, where penthouse suites and studio rooms are a few minutes from the Red Lady Lift, indoor-outdoor pools, and heated parking. Winter is the best time to enjoy the Crested Butte Mountain Resort, with its 14 lifts, 2,858-meter base elevation, and double-black-diamond terrain. Cross-country trails wind through lower valleys, while ice skating rinks appear in town. Summer transforms the valley with alpine wildflowers along the Lupine Trail and Kebler Pass, ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and photography. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park nearby offers steep cliffs and narrow canyon exploration.

Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson, Wyoming, is about an hour from the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park and even closer to Grand Teton National Park. This makes it one of the more appealing Rocky Mountain towns for travelers to set up camp, although Mountain Modern Jackson Hole in downtown is a lot more comfortable as far as accommodations go. During the winter, skiers and snowboarders head to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. At its base, the Mangy Moose Jackson Hole provides the perfect place for après ski. With its dynamic live music scene and large menu, it’s somewhere tourists can enjoy multiple times during their long weekend trip. Down in the town itself, there’s a larger assortment of dining spots, including Glorietta Trattoria and The Wild Sage Restaurant at the Rusty Parrot Lodge. Between the town and the mountain is the semi-private Jackson Hole Golf Course. Then there's the Jackson Hole Rodeo, a weekly event hosted at the Teton County Fairgrounds that includes events during multiple long weekends in July and August.

Whether carving Crested Butte’s double‑black‑diamond runs, ascending British Columbia's tallest treehouse in the Enchanted Forest, or taking in the Sun Valley Music Festival in Idaho, the Rockies can easily compress world-class adventure into a single long weekend. Alpine skiing, hot springs, wildflower hikes, historic streets, and immersive museums all fit into three days of exploration. Plan your itinerary around these peaks, valleys, and cultural highlights to turn a standard three-day weekend into a full-on Rockies experience.