Asheville, NC vs Fort Collins, CO; outdoor recreation (Greenville, Bent Creek: ski resorts, to live in)

[thitzler]

Where is the outdoor recreation better? My primary interests are mountain biking and hiking, although I want to get into kayaking, fishing, and maybe snowboarding. Please keep in mind the convenience factor - the closer and more convenient to the center of town, the better.

[drfranklin]

As I live 1 hour south of Asheville, I venture to Western NC quite a bit for mountainous excursions. Additionally, I've been to Denver/Ft Collins/SE Wyoming several times.

Asheville/Western NC - much, MUCH greener than Ft Collins, much more humid as well. Gentle, rolling mountains. Significant tree canopy. Highest elevations are 6500+ feet. Great whitewater rafting and fishing. Limited ski areas that DO NOT EVEN COME CLOSE to ski resorts out west. Very rarely do the resorts enjoy "powder" conditions here. Western NC is relatively close to the Atlantic (if that's important to you). Limited population and limited upscale amenities (again, if that's important to you). Great mountain biking in many areas (check out mtbikewnc.com).

Ft Collins - MUCH drier, W I D E open spaces (this is extremely rare in the East) - I would argue easier access to upscale shopping/retail/amenities - easy access to Denver and world class ski resorts. Great mountain biking as well. (Of course) limited water activities.

[thitzler]

Thanks drfranklin - good info. I will check the mountain biking link you sent me. I have heard that Bent Creek is nice and just a bit Southeast of the city. Is it good there?

[Art123]

I used to live in Fort Collins. Now I live in Greenville, SC but visit Asheville regularly.

As far as comparing the two places for hiking/mountain biking, you are kind of comparing apples to oranges. You'll find great hiking near both places, but the terrain is vastly different. Colorado is about huge mountains, pine trees, jaw-dropping vistas, getting your heart rate up (steepness and altitude of the mountains, real mountains I might add), and huge expanses of public lands. The mountains of WNC are equally as beautiful but in a much different way. It's a deciduous forest teaming with life, seasonality and a diversity you won't find in Colorado. In Colorado you have winter season, mud season, and summer. The hikable (word?) season here is longer, albeit the summers quite warmer (at least as far as the mountains, FC gets pretty darn hot in the summer, but its' a "dry heat.") The "mountains" here are hills compared to the Rockies, but the creeks and waterfalls are more numerous here. Also Asheville is IN the mountains, FC is nestled up to the foothils, more or less on the edge of the plains. So if you want to feel like your in more of a mountain town, Asheville is a better choice.

In FC, the Poudre is the main river and the fun part of it is probably 30 minutes from town. Great kayaking and great fishing. The kayaking in Colorado is much more intense than here (overall). You can mountain bike from town up around Horsetooth lake. There are thousands of miles of trails in Colorado. Also, Colorado is a very fit state as far as the people go. I found that very motivating when I lived there. You'll have no problem finding people to ride or hike with there.

You can't compare the skiing/snowbaording in the two places, but great skiing is a bit of a drive from FC. Boulder has closer options. You are looking at least an hour and half drive to Eldora or a little more to Winter Park. A-Basin, Breck, Keystone, Vail, etc. are 2.5 hours plus, depending on traffic.

Another great thing about FC is that Wyoming isn't too far. Some INCREDIBLE hiking up there. Out west is majestic in terms of the views and vistas. Out here is incredible in terms of diversity and having more seasons.

[thitzler]

Thanks Art, for the good input.