Durango versus Steamboat Springs: Which is the Best Town Ever? Outside Magazine wants readers to decide in its sixth annual Best Town Ever contest, in which Durango and the ski town to the north, Steamboat Springs, are battling head to head in the third round.
Outside looked for “great access to trails and public lands, thriving restaurants and neighborhoods, and, of course, a good beer scene,” and asked its Instagram followers for nominees. Durango made the list with several other Colorado and southwestern towns, and it has survived two rounds in the bracket-style voting.
“We have some friendly competition,” said Bob Kunkel, executive director of the Durango Area Tourism Office. “We’re going back and forth with Steamboat Springs. They say, ‘We have this,’ and we say, ‘Well, we have a train.’ This is a fun way to raise awareness about the things you’re touting and known for. We have everything the state of Colorado promotes. River rafting, biking, climbing, the train: We have all that stuff. If people want to recognize it, that’s great.”
Sixty-four towns faced five rounds, competing with others with similar recreational offerings, and the winners will advance until two nominees remain. Whichever receives the most votes by May 27 will be the overall winner.
Round 3 leaves Durango and Steamboat Springs nearly tied in the “mountain town” category. Other Colorado cities have made the list, including Aspen (knocked out by Taos, New Mexico) and Denver (competing in Round 3 against Seattle) for “culture.” Salida, which offers world-class rafting and river sports on the Arkansas River, was beaten in Round 2 by Bend, Oregon.
Click here to cast your vote.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect that Durango and Steamboat Springs are competing head to head in the third round, not the finals.
