It’s Time to Book Travel for This Summer’s Hottest Races
Racing season in Colorado is starting up and will soon be in full swing. It’s one of the things we love about visiting and living in Colorado. With access to all kinds of races across the state, from bike races to trail races to triathlons and races of all lengths, it’s a good time to begin planning your accommodations for travel racing. Lodging in town near the starting line can get booked early, and you may want to stay outside of town in the near vicinity anyway, to keep costs down and to stay out of the race-day crowd. Here are some things to consider before you book your travel on race weekends.
What you want to look for:
- Best basecamp towns
- Ridgway and Montrose offer the best value and central access to races in Ouray, Telluride, Durango, Silverton
- Key regional races
- Ouray 100, Hardrock 100, Imogene Pass Run, Ridgway Trail Runs, Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
- What racers need in lodging
- Gear space, pet-friendly rooms, family accommodations
- Budget strategy
- Stay outside high-price race towns like Telluride
- Ideal location
- Ridgway – centrally located between Ouray, Telluride, Silverton and Montrose.
Race Season in the San Juans: Why Athletes Travel Here
Every spring and summer, endurance athletes and adventure racers descend on the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The region is famous for high-altitude trail runs, mountain bike races, and legendary endurance events.
From the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango to the Imogene Pass Run between Ouray and Telluride, race weekends bring athletes, families, and support crews from around the country.
Everyone faces the same common problem. Lodging in race towns like Telluride and Ouray often sell out months in advance, and prices can skyrocket during race weekends.
Experienced racers know a simple trick: Stay nearby, not directly in the race town.
Choosing the right basecamp for racers, and spectators, can save money, reduce stress, and give everyone room to relax.
What Racers Actually Need in a Race Weekend Hotel
Anyone who travels for races knows that hotels designed for vacationers aren’t always ideal for athletes. Racers and their crews come with gear piles, extra equipment, recovery needs, early mornings, and sometimes muddy shoes.
The best race lodging includes:
- Space for gear
- Trail runners and cyclists travel with gear bags, bikes, hydration packs, recovery tools, and spare shoes. A cramped hotel room can make race prep stressful. Safe parking for vehicles should also be a consideration, so they can remain partially packed overnight without worrying about theft.
- Pet-friendly options
- Many athletes bring their dogs along for training runs and post-race recovery walks. Look for a hotel that welcomes dogs.
- Room for family or support crews
- Races often become mini family vacations. Parents, partners, and kids frequently travel together. Look for lodging that offers suite-style rooms and connecting rooms. Consider rooms with kitchens and kitchenette so you can prep training meals and store healthy food.
- Easy access to race towns
- Driving 15–45 minutes is usually far better than paying double for a crowded hotel next to the starting line.
- Extra amenities that support race recovery and training
- Look for small resorts and hotels that offer hot tubs, access to hot springs, pools, saunas, massage, and workout rooms. Or easy access to parks and trails that provide pre-race and post-race training options.
Key Race Weekends in the San Juan Mountains
Here are several of the biggest races that bring athletes to the region each year.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic – Durango (May 23-24)
- One of Colorado’s most iconic cycling events, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic challenges riders on the stunning mountain route between Durango and Silverton.
- Thousands of cyclists travel to Durango for this weekend.
- Smart racers and spectators often stay in nearby towns or along the San Juan Skyway where lodging is more affordable. Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa in Ridgway is an excellent option if you’re looking for hot tubs to aid in recovery, easy load-in and -out for gear, kitchens and kitchenettes for meal prep, and a safe place to park your vehicle and sleep worry-free. Located in walkable Ridgway on highway 550, with easy access to Ouray, Silverton, and Durango.
- Dogs are welcome and a variety of rooms and suites make this an excellent option for a longer stay.
San Juan Trail Tri – Ridgway State Park (June 13)
- Ridgway itself has become a growing hub for trail runners.
- With quick access to Ridgway State Park, Dallas Divide, and the San Juan trail network, the town hosts smaller but rapidly growing race events and training weekends, including the San Juan Tri.
- For runners looking to experience the San Juans without Telluride prices, check out Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa in Ridgway with superb amenities for athletes and their crews. The resort has several rooms with private hot tubs, plus common hot tubs accessible to all hotel guests. An outdoor pool, plus both a spa and restaurant on property make this a truly full-service option for the weekend or a longer stay.
San Juan Solstice 50 Mile – Lake City (June 20)
- This grueling but epic 50 mile trail race begins and ends in Lake City and takes athletes on a loop that climbs to the Continental Divide and follows the CT/CDT for almost 10 miles, before dropping back down to cross through private and public lands.
- The race benefits Lake City volunteer EMTs and a scholarship fund for graduating high school students, and other Lake City charities.
- For experienced trail runners only, athletes must manage changing weather conditions, as well as cattle, as they navigate a course through some of the most scenic country in the region. Race entry is competitive.
Hardrock 100 – Silverton (July 10)
- The legendary Hardrock 100 ultramarathon brings elite trail runners to Colorado’s rugged alpine terrain. While Silverton hosts the race, runners and crews often stay throughout the region due to limited lodging.
- Nearby towns like Ridgway and Montrose offer larger lodging options, grocery stores, and recovery amenities. A smaller resort like Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa in Ridgway in Ridgway offers a variety of room configurations including connecting rooms and suite-style rooms to accommodate families and larger groups traveling together.
Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K – Silverton (July 18)
- This race is an epic trail adventure. The 50K and Marathon (~26.7 miles) loop takes you through the heart of the San Juan Mountains, following the historic Alpine Loop jeep roads. Along the way, you’ll pass old ghost towns such as Howardsville, Eureka, Animas Forks, and Gladstone, which were originally mining towns. The course’s high point reaches a breathtaking 12,930 feet.
- A shorter 8-mile out-and-back race option is also available, where runners can get a taste of the Alpine Loop as they make their way to Howardsville and back.
Telluride Mountain Run – Telluride (August 22-23)
- The Telluride Mountain Run is a challenging and technical mountain race in the San Juan Mountains above the beautiful historic mining town of Telluride, Colorado. With five routes to choose from, runners navigate old mining roads, singletrack and alpine tundra over mountain passes, exposed ridgelines, and high summits. This is an extremely difficult race with big elevation gain at altitudes above 13,000 ft.
- The focus of the race is the experience: the burn of high elevation and the striking colors of the San Juans. Consider staying in Ridgway for a more affordable option for lodging. Add days before and after the race to get oriented to the altitude and the course in advance of race day, or to rest and recover after.
- Consider booking a lodge with hot tubs, a swimming pool, and massage services available.
53rd Annual Imogene Pass Run – Ouray to Telluride (September 12)
- The Imogene Pass Run is one of the most famous mountain races in the country. Runners climb from Ouray to Telluride over a 13,000-foot pass, creating a breathtaking but brutal course.
- Hotels in both towns sell out quickly. Many runners stay in Ridgway, which sits just 15 minutes from Ouray and 45 minutes from Telluride.
Why Ridgway Is the Perfect Basecamp for Race Athletes and Spectators
Ridgway sits at the crossroads of the region’s biggest race destinations. From Ridgway you can reach:
- Ouray: ~15 minutes
- Telluride: ~45 minutes
- Montrose Airport: ~35 minutes
- Durango: ~2 hours via scenic highway
Racers can access multiple events while staying in a quieter, more relaxed mountain town in a full-service lodging destination suited for longer stays. Boutique resorts like Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa are tailor-made for athletes and their support teams.
Ridgway also offers quick access to:
- Ridgway State Park for shakeout runs
- The San Juan Skyway scenic drive
- Hot tubs and hot springs
- Trail networks for training and cool-downs
Travel Strategies for Budget-Conscious Athletes
Experienced racers use a few simple strategies.
Stay Outside the Main Race Town
Staying 30–45 minutes away from the race town can dramatically reduce both lodging and dining costs.
Look for Lodging With Suites or Kitchenettes
Preparing race nutrition, storing hydration mixes, and organizing gear is much easier with extra space.
Suites, connecting rooms, and multi-room accommodations can also allow families or support crews to stay together.
Look for Pet-Friendly Properties
Trail runners and athletes like to travel with their best friends. Finding a lodging option that welcomes pets removes a lot of travel stress.
Book Early for Major Races
Race weekends like the Hardrock 100 or Iron Horse Classic draw thousands of visitors. Book lodging now, or at least three months in advance to save significant money.
A Quiet Respite Between Race Towns
Race weekends can be intense. Athletes often appreciate returning to a quieter environment after the event, somewhere they can stretch, eat, and sleep without crowds.
Ridgway offers a calm atmosphere while still being close to major race hubs.
Extend Your Race Weekend To Take Full Advantage of the San Juans
Race weekends don’t have to be just about competition. Consider booking an extra few days at the beginning or following race weekend. Many athletes extend their trip to explore the region.
Popular post-race weekends adventures include:
- Hiking Dallas Divide during peak wildflowers
- Paddleboarding at Ridgway State Park
- Soaking in hot springs
- Driving the San Juan Skyway scenic loop
- Exploring Telluride or Ouray historic downtown
What starts as a race weekend can become a full summer getaway. Staying at a small resort like Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa, can make your stay exceptional. With a pool, hot tubs, and the Chipeta Lodge Spa by ISUN on property, athletes find the prep and recovery amenities they need to perform at their best.
Choosing the right race weekends destination lodging as an athlete can be the difference between finishing with a personal best, or maybe not finishing.
