Leaf peeper is a friendly name for those of us who get excited as the fall colors begin to change in the mountains, marking that the ski season isn’t far away. Bright colors reach the mountains near our favorite ski resorts at different times, at different stages and with a multitude of colors. The gold standard for fall foliage is New England, and more specifically the Green Mountains of Vermont that turn red, yellow, and orange in the fall for a few glorious weeks.
While it may seem odd that we get such joy from the annual death of leaves from deciduous trees, there’s a fascinating science behind it. Scientists explain the short version like this: The colors are due to plant pigments in leaves. Chlorophyll is the pigment responsible for the green color in leaves, and responsible for producing carbohydrates that plants need for growth. It does this through the process of photosynthesis, producing sugars and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water. Carotenoids are the pigments responsible for yellow and orange colors in leaves, while anthocyanins are the pigments responsible for red and purple fall leaf colors. These colors are only produced in the fall when sugars are trapped in the leaves.
The beginning of the autumn season, late September and early October, is often the peak fall foliage season in New England, when the rolling hills and ski areas are dotted with a brilliant array of colors. Peak fall colors is typically just a little later in the Smoky Mountains, with the autumn colors at their height in mid- to late-October. Out west, those blazing yellow aspen groves are brilliant, which you’ll find at many of your favorite Rocky Mountain ski resorts. Colors typically peak in Colorado’s northern mountains throughout September. The central mountains typically peak the last week of September. Later in the fall, in October, is when its peak fall color season in Wyoming. By early November the fall foliage season is waning; leaves begin falling from trees more rapidly and it’s nearly time for the ski season.
Here’s our guide to the best places to catch the fall colors at ski destinations, from the east to the west.
Fall colors at ski resorts out West
1. Jackson Hole
Wyoming may not have the fall street cred of destinations like New England and the Smoky Mountains, yet it’s no less beautiful. Fall colors start making their appearance in Jackson Hole in early September, while it’s usually in early- to mid-October when the colors reach their peak in Jackson Hole. Those aspen trees are brightly yellow just before the snow starts flying at Jackson Hole Resort.
2. Aspen Snowmass
It’s only fitting that Aspen would be on a list of the tap fall foliage destinations, since it’s named after the aspen trees that dot the region. Don’t wait until October, however, to see Aspen’s aspens. Peak foliage in Aspen has a short window, but is typically in September toward the end of the month.
3. Telluride
Similarly, September is primetime fall foliage season in Telluride, located 200 miles south of Aspen. Mid- to late-September is your best chance of seeing Telluride bathed in yellow. Tip: Check Telluride’s webcam to see when the leaves start turning.
4. Crested Butte
Generally speaking, mid- to late-September is your best bet in Colorado for leaf peeping, and Crested Butte is no exception. Recent years, however, have seen a long and late fall foliage season that has extended into October. Drive Kebler Pass, just west of Crested Butte, for one of the most beautiful fall foliage drives in Colorado.
5. Palisades Tahoe
Further west, on the California/Nevada border, the fall colors hit a little bit later in fall, typically in October. You could hit the Colorado Rockies’ fall colors in late September, and then head to California. Roads like the one in the below photo, near Palisades Tahoe, are beautiful year-round, but especially during the month of October just before it starts snowing.
6. Mammoth Mountain
Mammoth Lakes in the fall is a colorful prelude to winter. The fall foliage starts turning around mid-September, and depending on the year, the color can remain as long as late October. Because of the vastness and elevation differences across the Eastern Sierra, you’ll have no problem finding a lot of color throughout September and October.
7. Park City Mountain Resort
Fall is a short, but beautifully sweet season in Park City, Utah. Mid- to late-September is a safe bet for seeing the best of Park City’s fall foliage, with the leaf peeping season often wrapping by early October. Don’t visit Park City in autumn without driving the beautiful Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway.
Fall colors at ski resorts in the East
8. Wachusett Mountain
While Vermont may be the first thing to come to mind when you think New England fall foliage, don’t sleep on Massachusetts. Wachusett Mountain, near Worcester, Massachusetts, offers up a full-color display in fall. You can expect the best fall colors around Wachusett Mountain in late September and early October.
9. Killington and Stowe
As the photo below shows, there’s a reason why Vermont is so renowned for its fall colors. Despite the name, the Green Mountains of Vermont bring a kaleidoscope of colors come fall. In the Killington area, you can expect the colors to start changing in mid-September, and linger as long as late October. Nearby, Stowe is just an hour and a half away. Make a long weekend of peeping Vermont’s fall foliage so you can see the stunning colors surrounding Killington, Stowe, and more.
10. Snowshoe Mountain
West Virginia is a sleeper for fall foliage, often overlooked for Smoky Mountain destinations like Tennessee and North Carolina. Around Snowshoe, the fall foliage often kicks in later than many other destinations, typically in late-September, and continues through much of October.
Hero image ©Snehit Photo/Shutterstock.com
September 18, 2024
