Mile-high fitness: hike or bike your way through awesome fall foliage for an invigorating calorie blast—at bargain rates! - venture out

Shape, Sept, 2003 by Stacy Whitman

Want a mountain practically to yourself, with a chairlift that takes you to miles of sky-high hiking and cycling trails? With the summer crowds gone and the first snowstorm still months away, autumn is prime time at many North American ski resorts for catching a natural fitness high. From Snowshoe, W.Va., to Lake Tahoe, Calif., the following five mountain towns offer unlimited avenues to blast calories, sublime ways to unwind and eye-popping fall foliage to view. And if you're watching your wallet (who isn't these days?), you'll also enjoy snagging a swank room at an ultrareduced fall rate. Lodging rates are per night; activity rates are per person.

1. Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia

Mountain mojo Adjacent to Monongahela National Forest, Snowshoe boasts 11,000 acres of forests, meadows and rushing streams and more than 125 miles of hiking and biking trails. The pedestrian-only village, perched on the mountain's scenic, 4,848-foot summit, is about three hours east of Charleston and south of Pittsburgh.

Where to stay Commanding the southern edge of the village is the stately and stylish Allegheny Springs, a new lodge featuring private soaking pools, outdoor fire pits and a small workout center (from $140; 877-441-4386 or snowshoemtn.com for reservations).

Pack a lunch The Market, at the base of the mountain, is the best place to pick up trail mix and snacks.

Get a lift Chairlifts (free to guests at Allegheny Springs resort; otherwise trail passes are $9 per day and include use of the Ballhooter lift) run daily until Labor Day, then weekends only through Oct. 11.

Break a sweat Hike the trails (many of them served by lifts) to venture into the Technicolor forest or rugged backcountry; you'll discover old logging roads and inspiring overlooks. Rent a bike from the mountain-bike center in Snowshoe Village or at the base of the mountain and cruise along the Greenbrier River Trail, which runs 75 miles and crosses 35 bridges. Or trek the three-mile Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail to Sunrise Backcountry Hut, which serves an inexpensive and hearty hiker's lunch. Reservations are required for lunch; call (304) 572-5477.

Kick back At day's end, slip into one of the Split Rock Pools' outdoor hot tubs located at the lodge to soothe your muscles and watch the sun set over the ridge.

Don't miss the Snowshoe Brews and Blues Festival on Sept. 27. The festival kicks off at 8 a.m. with a five-mile fun run.

For more info (877) 441-4386, (304) 572-1000 or snow shoemtn.com

2. Stowe, Vermont

Mountain mojo With quaint craft shops, country inns and a white-steeple church, this quintessential New England ski town, located about three hours north of Boston, nestles in rolling foothills below Mount Mansfield, the state's tallest peak at 4,395 feet.

Where to stay Four miles south of the ski slopes sits Topnotch Resort, a fitness spa offering a high-tech workout center, luxury treatments and a host of exercise classes, including Pilates, yoga and water aerobics in an Olympic-sized indoor pool. Enjoy gourmet spa cuisine in the resort's glass-walled dining room (from $235; 800-451-8686, 802-253-8585 or topnotchresort.com).

Pack a lunch At Topnotch, you can order an Action Pack bag lunch, which includes a hearty, lowfat sandwich and cookies, fresh fruit and bottled water for $10. Or pick up a turkey wrap with tomato pesto, carrots and sprouts from the Harvest Market about a mile from Stowe on Mountain Road.

Get a lift Ride the gondola ($11 round-trip; 802-253-3200 or e-mail info@stowe.com) to The Cliff House, then hike for about 15 minutes to "The Chin" for jaw-dropping vistas of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

Break a sweat From the chairlift, take a day hike along Vermont's beautiful 265-mile Long Trail. Or pedal Cottonbrook Trail, a densely wooded 11-mile loop that crosses six different streams. Alternatively, head for the paved 5.3-mile recreation path from Topnotch to Stowe for cycling, walking, jogging and inline skating.

Kick back Back at Topnotch, chill out with the Vermont Wildflower Treatment--80 luxurious minutes of an herbal wrap and massage ($130).

Don't miss the latest flavors at Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, located 10 miles south of Stowe. You can bike there, but it's along very busy Route 100, so be careful (802-882-1240 for tours; 866-258-6877 for info; benjerry.com).

For more info (802) 253-7321, stowe.com, gostowe.com or e-mail askus@gostowe.com

3. Telluride, Colorado

Mountain mojo Tucked into a narrow box canyon framed by jagged, 13,000-foot peaks, Telluride is a laid-back ski town with Old West saloons and colorful Victorian houses located about 125 miles north of Durango.

Where to stay Conveniently situated on Telluride's main drag, the New Sheridan Hotel is a historic, 26-room Victorian charmer with period furniture, turn-of-the-previous-century photographs and a dark, wood-paneled bar that's a hot spot at night (from $100; 800-200-1891, 970-728-4351 or newsheridan.com).

Pack a lunch Drop by Baked in Telluride (970-728-4775) for a brown-bag lunch. One to try: their yummy hummus on homemade sourdough wheat, paired with fresh fruit, baked chips and bottled water.