Does the golf ball go farther at high altitude? You’ll just have to visit the highest golf course in North America to find out. At 9,680 feet, the 65-year-old Mt. Massive Golf Course, at the base of the 14,421-foot-high mountain for which it was named, also sits just a few miles from the historic mining town of Leadville. Unlike many courses, there are no homes to block the views, just the trees of the San Isabel National Forest in front of some of the magnificent peaks of the Sawatch Range, including Massive (Colorado’s second-highest mountain) and Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert, 5 miles away but seemingly right next to it. Opening Saturday. Green fees: 9 holes $23; 18 holes $36. 59 County Road 5, 719-486-2176,
Kyle Wagner
STAY: Baby Doe Tabor was a regular visitor at the Delaware Hotel, where she would warm her feet and write letters, and the welcome has been warm here ever since. Built in 1886, the pretty, lace-lined lodging has been impeccably restored, and it’s unique in that the antique furnishings change because they’re for sale, pieces the owners acquire on their world travels. Breakfast of house-baked pastries and fruit is included. Golfers note: A package deal for those headed to Mt. Massive course starts at $70 per person for a double twin and goes up to $85 pp for the deluxe king, and includes 18 holes of golf and a beverage at the lobby bar. Regular rates start at $70 a night for two twin beds, $119 a night for two queens. 700 Harrison Ave., 800-748-2004,
DINE: High-altitude golf works up a high-altitude appetite, and High Mountain Pies can help. The groovy pizza spot has some of the best pizza anywhere, served by a raucous crew in a little blue building. You need to be hungry to take down the El Hidalgo ($13.50-$23), their crispy crust topped with garlic oil, tender sirloin, thin, caramelized onions, blue cheese, dried cherries and arugula, and the Carnivore ($12.50-$22) is just a ridiculous meat lover’s version that adds capicola, ham and bacon to a traditional pepperoni and sausage pie. They also make killer St. Louis-style, spicy-sweet pork ribs. The place is small, so if it’s packed, you might want to think about takeout, although the patio is a nice alternative. Open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 115 W. Fourth St., 719-486-5555
Leadville is 103 miles west of Denver via Interstate 70, Colorado 90 and U.S. 24 or U.S. 285 and U.S. 24
