Jessica Biel and Kevin Costner both call it home, long-time celeb couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been part-time residents for almost 30 years, it's one of Tom and Katie's best-loved holiday destinations and style-guru Ralph Lauren's favourite home (actually it's a ranch) is nestled in its landscape. Yes, it's official, Colorado is the nature-loving celebrity's go-to state.
Big city lights
The capital and undeniable hub of Colorado is Denver, which is big enough that you feel like you're in a true metropolis, but small enough (the population is just 600,000) that it's full of friendly charm and is fairly easy to navigate. Flanked by the beautiful Rocky Mountains, the ‘Mile-High City' - it literally sits at a mile above sea level - is a mixture of hip, arty culture at the Art District on Santa Fe Drive; chic tapas bars and eateries at LoDo (or Lower Downtown); and a fantastic second-hand shopping scene - as well as a late night party scene - at SoBo (or South Broadway).
Overall, however, the most delightful aspect of Denver is the cowboy culture - Duane "Dog" Chapman, of Dog The Bounty Hunter fame is from there, need we say more? Think ten-gallon hats, big steaks and rodeos. But it's not all cheese; cowboys have had a trendy renaissance of late, and the best way to sample a piece of the Western pie is to visit iconic restaurant the Buckhorn Exchange (www.buckhornexchange.com), where, if you're brave, you can sample Rocky Mountain Oysters. Warning: these little puppies aren't seafood. What are they, you ask? Well, these shots of protein are only for the most daring of foodies - they're actually bull testicles.
Moving on, if it's less gag-worthy foods and more of a liberal-college-town vibe you seek, then Boulder is a mere 30 km - and very scenic - drive from Denver, and is well worth a visit. Not only is it a party-hard university town, and the training ground of choice for many elite athletes due to the altitude, it's also the home of new age culture in Colorado, and is a hub for meditation centres and the like - Goldie Hawn is a huge fan of anything transcendental, so you're likely to spot her somewhere.
Ski with the stars in Aspen, Vail and Telluride
Move over Ski Dubai, the ski resorts of Colorado are unabashedly swanky and are truly swarming with celebs. The most VIP-heavy is probably Aspen, which is home to a beautiful and quaint red-brick downtown area and swathes of luxury lodges and hip hangouts. Power couples like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones and Seal and Heidi Klum call it their home-away-from-home (their Christmas and New Year's Eve parties are said to be epic) and Will Smith, Jennifer Aniston, Paris Hilton and Jack Nicholson are all spotted there regularly.
Fancy spying Paris Hilton? Then head to ski lodge, Little Nell (www.thelittlenell.com), because during the winter months you're highly likely to see an heiress or two enjoying a cheeky après ski at the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the beautiful Aspen Mountain. Oprah Winfrey's also a fan, and let's face it, if Queen O likes something enough to leave her spaniels at home, it's clearly beyond fabulous.
If it's a more raucous night you seek, head to the members-only Caribou Club (www.caribouclub.com), which was the scene of Kate Hudson's bachelorette bash before her (now finito) marriage to Black Crowes singer, Chris Robinson. As you can imagine, this is the kind of place you can really let your hair down at and, while it's members only, they do offer week-long memberships for Dh1,800 per couple per week (well worth it if celeb-spotting is your number one hobby).
Other celebrity vacation favourites, which are considered more laidback and less ‘spoilt', are Vail - the largest single-mountain ski resort in North America, boasting a whopping 21 sq km of ski-friendly, wide-open terrain and a vibrant cuisine culture (try Kelly Liken, which serves up delicious seasonal produce, www.kellyliken.com) - and Telluride, home to the famous film festival every September and the holiday homes of Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise.
So get online, order some designer ski boots, book your flights and be ready to rub shoulders with the A-listers this season: who knows, you may even get to share a ski lift with a faux-fur clad Goldie.
Trip notes
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
Just south of Denver and east of Aspen, this beautiful public park is home to some of the world's most stunning rock formations - including the precariously perched Balanced Rock.
gardenofgods.com
Telluride Film Festival
Born in the 70's, this September film fest is famous for focusing on premieres of smaller films - meaning it unearths new cinematic talent. Last year's attendees included Glenn Close and Tilda Swinton.
telluridefilmfestival.org
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain
This hotspot was voted the best ski resort in America by Condé Nast last year. Nestled in the trendiest part of the Vail area, the skiing is second-to-none, but the temptation of the 23,000-sq-ft spa means you may never make it onto the slopes.
starwoodhotels.com
Stay here
Budget: Magnolia Hotel, Denver
This affordable option in downtown Denver is walking distance from the bustling city's most on-trend nightlife options: in fact, in-house Harry's Bar is always rammed with locals as well as tourists, and is known for being very Mad Men-esque (we hope that means Don Draper lookalikes on tap). Book a room with a fireplace and cosy up during your winter stay in this dynamic and fun city.
Cost From Dh400 a night
www.magnoliahotels.com/denver
Mid-Range: Mountain Lodge, Telluride
This ski resort in southwestern Colorado offers cute lodge and cabin accommodation right on the mountains. Every guest room offers immediate access to the slopes - just wake up, strap on your skis and get going - and there's also a year-round heated pool to warm your cockles post-piste. Not a ski fan? Why not book a stay here in the summer, when the mountains are equally picturesque, or go late-summer for the tres trendy Telluride Film Festival in September.
Cost From Dh700 a night
www.mountainlodgetelluride.com
Luxury: Hotel Jerome, Aspen
If it's good enough for Johnny Depp, Heidi Klum and Uma Thurman, it's good enough for us. This historic - it opened in 1889 - celeb favourite is bang in the centre of Aspen, but still boasts mountain views and the biggest hotel rooms within its zip code (with one-bedrooms ranging from 525 sq ft to 1,200 sq ft, there will be plenty of room for your ski boots). Make sure to try the famous burgers at J-bar restaurant and reserve time to zip off to The Aspen Club & Spa, a members-only club that you can use for free when staying at the hotel, at which a soak in the oversized tubs is a must.
Cost From Dh2,500 a night
hoteljerome.aubergeresorts.com
Filmed there
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Dumb and Dumber, Nurse Betty, About Schmidt, Catch and Release, Mr and Mrs Smith
Fly there
Qatar Airways flies to Houston via Doha from Dh3,860 return and United Airlines flies to Denver from Houston from Dh500 return. Visit www.qatarairways.com and www.united.com for more details.
