Blasting into spring: Rocky Mountain Weekender's top picks for enjoying Colorado.

• Author: Peterson, Eric
• Position: [travel] COLORADO GETAWAYS

Ah, springtime in the Rockies! It's not too difficult to rhapsodize about it, but it's also one of the least predictable seasons on the planet. With the last blasts of snow likely hitting any day now, there is plenty to celebrate: warmer weather, mountain trails emerging from the snow (but watch out for the mud), and lower room rates until the summer hits its stride in a month or so.

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And with so many great destinations combining the great outdoors and not-too-shabby indoors (including some remarkable spas) in colorful Colorado, the unpredictable weather and the threat of mud on the trails should not deter any of us from hitting the road for a spring getaway. This is when the state's treasures are ours and ours alone, when the ski resorts are closed but the summer tourists have yet to arrive. And the spa is open for business regardless of the weather. So dust off your bikes and boots and gaiters, gas up the car, and pick a swank getaway to refresh, recharge and recreate.

The Rocky Mountain Weekender's Top Indoor/Outdoor Getaways for Spring

GLENWOOD SPRINGS

The home of the world's largest hot springs pool is also a nifty getaway during mud season. And by mud season, I'm not referring exclusively to the mix of snowmelt and dirt in the surrounding high country--I'm also talking about the mud baths at the Spa of the Rockies at Glenwood Hot Springs (www.hotspringspool.com) and Yampah Spa Vapor Caves (www.yampahspa.com). Then there are other caves to spelunk at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (www.glenwoodcaverns.com) or--if Mother Nature delivers more sun than snow--two splendid bike trails to pedal and plenty of whitewater to paddle.

More info: www.visitglenwood.com

DEVIL'S THUMB RANCH AND THE FRASER VALLEY

The Fraser Valley's preeminent green guest ranch, Devil's Thumb Ranch (www.devilsthumbranch.com) is offering a Spring Forward package May 21-23: $595 per person gets you two nights' lodging, one dinner, a cooking class and nutrition clinic, and two spa treatments at the ranch's excellent spa. Out of doors, the trails are typically in good hiking shape by mid-May, and horseback riding is available in both the ranch's arena and its trails. Within a short drive are mountain-biking trails snaking through the scenery of Winter Park Resort and myriad surrounding public lands. On the mind-soothing end of the outdoor spectrum, there's excellent fly-fishing onsite, private river access nearby, and professional guides on staff...