Play Hard, Live Here
What makes a great adventure town? Every year, that same question is at the core of the debate over our Best Towns list. The answer, of course, depends on what you're into. That's why, this time around, we decided to try and please everyone. Instead of compiling a single catchall list, we picked the best places for our favorite sports: running, cycling, skiing, paddling, and surfing—and because some of us like a little of everything, the best multisport meccas, too. But while the quality of the sporting life was a defining factor, it wasn't the only one. For a town to make the list, it also had to be balanced—culturally vibrant, with a resilient economy and a sane housing market. Reconciling all that wasn't easy, but the result is a surprising list of places we're sure are about to get the attention they deserve. Even if some of the locals don't want it.
How We Picked Them
We started by casting a wide net, soliciting nominations from writers, photographers, gear designers, professional athletes, our families and friends, and people who "like" us on Facebook. Next we culled the list by examining a few key stats, like the percentage of a town's population with a bachelor's degree (sorry, Salida, Colorado) and the cost of living as compared with the national average (we'll still dream about you, Jackson, Wyoming, and Ventura, California). To further narrow the field, we fact-checked claims of "epic singletrack!" and "empty rivers!" with sport-specific sources such as the International Mountain Biking Association and American Whitewater and hunted down telling facts, like the miles of trail within an hour's drive, the frequency of group rides, and proximity to worthy ski areas. Then the really heated debates began, and many of these were ultimately settled with two decisive questions: Would we be excited to move there? And can you walk—not drive—from your home and, a few minutes later, engage in the sport you love most?
Comments
liked your choices this year but your population statistics were inflated across the board you have portland maine at over 500k population? it was like 60k when i lived there in 2000 otherwise a liked the diversity of choices
Flag Thisliked your choices this year but your population statistics were inflated across the board you have portland maine at over 500k population? it was like 60k when i lived there in 2000 otherwise a liked the diversity of choices
Flag ThisGreg, Portland,Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 3 counties: Cumberland(278,559),Sagadahoc(36,391) and York (201,876) according to US Census Bureau(www.census.org). Greater Portland MSA has a total population of 516,826 living within a radius of less than 1 hour from downtown Portland. Many Portland residents are choosing to live in Porltand but work in Boston & commute daily by Amtrak train. See our vibrant,growing creative economy: www.liveworkportland.org . We Love Portland,Maine!
Flag ThisGreg, Portland,Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 3 counties: Cumberland(278,559),Sagadahoc(36,391) and York (201,876) according to US Census Bureau(www.census.org). Greater Portland MSA has a total population of 516,826 living within a radius of less than 1 hour from downtown Portland. Many Portland residents are choosing to live in Porltand but work in Boston & commute daily by Amtrak train. See our vibrant,growing creative economy: www.liveworkportland.org . We Love Portland,Maine!
Flag ThisGreg, Portland,Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 3 counties: Cumberland(278,559),Sagadahoc(36,391) and York (201,876) according to US Census Bureau(www.census.org). Greater Portland MSA has a total population of 516,826 living within a radius of less than 1 hour from downtown Portland. Many Portland residents are choosing to live in Porltand but work in Boston & commute daily by Amtrak train. See our vibrant,growing creative economy: www.liveworkportland.org . We Love Portland,Maine!
Flag ThisGreg, Portland,Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 3 counties: Cumberland(278,559),Sagadahoc(36,391) and York (201,876) according to US Census Bureau(www.census.org). Greater Portland MSA has a total population of 516,826 living within a radius of less than 1 hour from downtown Portland. Many Portland residents are choosing to live in Porltand but work in Boston & commute daily by Amtrak train. See our vibrant,growing creative economy: www.liveworkportland.org . We Love Portland,Maine!
Flag ThisGreg, Portland,Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 3 counties: Cumberland(278,559),Sagadahoc(36,391) and York (201,876) according to US Census Bureau(www.census.org). Greater Portland MSA has a total population of 516,826 living within a radius of less than 1 hour from downtown Portland. Many Portland residents are choosing to live in Porltand but work in Boston & commute daily by Amtrak train. See our vibrant,growing creative economy: www.liveworkportland.org . We Love Portland,Maine!
Flag ThisGreg, Portland,Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 3 counties: Cumberland(278,559),Sagadahoc(36,391) and York (201,876) according to US Census Bureau(www.census.org). Greater Portland MSA has a total population of 516,826 living within a radius of less than 1 hour from downtown Portland. Many Portland residents are choosing to live in Porltand but work in Boston & commute daily by Amtrak train. See our vibrant,growing creative economy: www.liveworkportland.org . We Love Portland,Maine!
Flag ThisGreg, Portland,Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 3 counties: Cumberland(278,559),Sagadahoc(36,391) and York (201,876) according to US Census Bureau(www.census.org). Greater Portland MSA has a total population of 516,826 living within a radius of less than 1 hour from downtown Portland. Many Portland residents are choosing to live in Porltand but work in Boston & commute daily by Amtrak train. See our vibrant,growing creative economy: www.liveworkportland.org . We Love Portland,Maine!
Flag ThisThanks for the feedback. We took our statistics from the U.S. Census bureau as detailed in the post by Pete123. Outside
Flag ThisSorry, Pete123. If you lived here, you'd know how off this population data sounds. Outside's error has been pointed out in at least two local media here already. The city of Portland is home to 64,000 residents. About 230,000 live in what is regarded as the Greater Portland area,
Flag ThisPete, I apologize. It sounds as if you do live here. That means you know what you're saying is raising eyebrows. The population claim paints a false picture.
Flag ThisHi Edie, Yes, I do live here.I was born in Portland,ME.Lived in greater Portland all my life. Portland is a dynamic city and I love living here. I read Max Monks article/editorial. Lousy reporting. The first town Boise, Idaho had "Population(Metro)" but the rest didn't have "Metro". Even so, if he qestioned population, check some sources, like maybe US Census Bureau!? As a reporter to say, population must be Portland,Oregon. What! No, Outside is right, you are wrong..& should not be a reporter
Flag ThisThe city of Portland, Maine's own website lists the population as 64,500.
Flag This1st you can drive for 6 hours through maine and not see 500k people. The surf is garbage unless a hurricane actually makes it that far up the coast which happens once a decade. Portland Oregon has legit 500k actually more and has more to do (skiing Hood) and better surf about an hour away. The writer didnt even mention skiing in Bend which is epic at Mt. Bachelor. Then you list new england spots for the skiing???? I dont care where you go or when. The skiing in new england is a joke.
Flag ThisI'm still laughing about someone trying to say there are 500k people in Portland Maine.
Flag ThisNot mentioning skiing in Bend is like not mentioning surfing in a discussion about Oahu. Your writers spend too much time in cubicles.
Flag ThisI love Portland, too, Pete, and one reason I love it is its small population. Outside paints a false picture by relying on the U.S. Census Bureau definition, which does not from "on the ground" experience, but a standardized radius applied to every community, be it Los Angeles or Burlington, Vt.) People living in Brunswick, Bath, Topsham, York, Ogunquit , Biddeford, etc., do not consider themselves residents of Greater Portland.
Flag ThisWhoops - I omitted a word in my comment below. Sentence should read, "Outside paints a false picture by relying on the U.S. Census Bureau definition, which does not come from "on the ground" experience ..." At the very least, Outside should have specified that its population statistic is not for Portland proper, but the census-defined MSA.
Flag ThisI have to say that although Bozeman is my favorite town Boise is also a great hub. Summers are normally hot but this summer has been extremely easy. When you have a river, foothills, mountains, desert, valleys and lakes without leaving the greater metro area Boise is not lacking something to do. And within two hours you can access enough to keep you busy for years. My favorite are those places no on know about. http://www.BuildIdaho.com
Flag ThisEdie, I live in York which is 3/4 hour from Portland and 1 hr 20 minutes from Boston. Half of my neighbors work in Greater Portland and the other half work in Greater Boston. We DO consider ourselves to live in Greater Portland. We dine in Portland restaurants, visit the Portland Musesum of Art and attend Maine Red Claws games. Portland is much more convenient for us. Folks on the NH side of the border are 1 hr from Boston and gravitate(work/shop/visit) more to Boston.
Flag ThisBend is a great and Portland, OR is consistently over rated. Everything in Portland is too far to hit after work-plus the city is against mtn biking.
Flag ThisJOSH, Re: my post of August 6, 2010 to GREG, US Census Bureau has City of Portland with 65,979 residents & Portland's Metropolitan Statstical Area(MSA) with a total population of 516,826 all of whom live less than one hour from Portland. Portland's MSA consists of 3 counties,Cumberland(278,559)York(201,876) and Sagadohoc(36,391). Portland's urban core doesn't stop at the city line but extends into suburbs. Portland's total MSA population of 516,826 more accurately represents Portland's size
Flag ThisCheck out the article on America's LEAST Active Cities: http://www.activejunky.com/blog/lumpy-junky-americas-active-cities/
Flag ThisSo glad to see Jackson NH listed on the top 25. But you totally missed it. Yea, the x-country and the down hill skiing are great, but you forgot the outback. Deep powder on the back side of Wildcat Moutain, or ski in to one of our winter huts. When not waiting for snow, we"ve got 2000 foot elevation gains for biking, white water canoe, trail running and thrown in para gliding off Mt Washington. Just as well you didn't mention any of this. We'd appreciate it if you all went to Boulder.
Flag ThisYou guys are missing the obvious, just a little north of the border... Nelson BC is by far the greatest place for outdoor pursuits with no lift lines, million acre snowfields, countless miles of single track and hiking trails, a 90-mile long lake, 75 restaurants and no pretense. Kootenay folk don't care what type of car you drive but they do monitor snowfall! I travel the world with my business (www.iroamtheworld.com) and have not found a better town yet. Cheers, Brian (from Nelson
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