In general the Rockies are at their busiest in July and August, when crowds can become problems at key sights and accommodation becomes expensive and hard to find.

A better bet, if you can, is visiting in June or September or even October, though be prepared for snow at higher elevations in June and for evening temperatures to be chilly in September and October.

The other great peak in activity is at the ski resorts during the winter. Their season runs from mid-December to March with the busiest periods around Christmas and New Year and during the March Spring Break.

November is a pretty unpredictable time for a visit and snow will certainly be building up in the mountains; Spring in April and May can produce some nice weather – as well as lengthy rainy periods which together with all the snowmelt means that this is the “mud-season” on trails, making hiking and biking unpleasant.