“If you spend time in Colorado, it’s a must-do experience,” says Aspen’s Christy Mahon, who has hiked and skied all of Colorado’s 54 14ers. “It’s such a great challenge—mentally, physically and spiritually.”

Colorado boasts 54 of these coveted mountains (80 percent of the 14ers in the contiguous United States), which offer variety in terms of aesthetics, level of difficulty and timeframe.

Mahon’s favorite 14er in the state is nearby Pyramid Peak. 

“It’s challenging, but doable. There’s nothing too scary, but you still feel like you’re on a real adventure. And it’s so fun that you can see it from town. Whenever you see it from the golf course or ski areas, you can think back on that special time.”