Whether you want to take a quiet walk, learn some history, or get your Halloween spook on, ski town cemeteries are full of insight into the religious, spiritual, and even medical aspects of life back in the day. We've rounded up our favorite ski country boneyards from Tahoe to Crested Butte, Telluride to Stowe, and provided a handy guide to the creepiest stories and most notable residents.
↑Pioneer Cemetery, Coloma: Ninety minutes from Tahoe's North Shore, along historic Highway 49 and the American River gorge, lies the former gold camp of Coloma. This aptly-named cemetery - part of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park- was originally named Sutter's Mill Cemetery (for those of you who have forgotten your Gold Rush history, this would be Ground Zero). Founded in 1848, it's home to not only the miners who made a place in history, but also lies near Donner Pass, site of the infamous Donner Party incident. If cannibalism doesn't creep you out, then perhaps the many reported instances of paranormal activity will.
↑Ketchum Cemetery, Idaho: Even without the pioneers, miners, sheepherders, and assorted ski town luminaries, all you really need to know is that several generations of Hemingways have been laid to rest here, including Papa, himself.
↑Sierra Vista Cemetery, Taos: There's something inherently spooky about New Mexico. The vast open skies, unearthly light, and trippy geographical formations have long inspired creative types. This 19th-century graveyard is overrun with juniper and Cottonwood, and in parts, has fallen into decrepitude. But there's no denying its stark beauty. In it lie the remains of WWI vets, local legend Thomas "Doc" Martin, famous locals, including the founding painters of the Taos Society of Artists, and socialite Millicent Rogers, granddaughter of Standard Oil Company co-founder Henry Huttleston Rogers. Despite having homes the world over, she chose to settle in Taos for its artist community.
↑Glenwood Cemetery, Park City: No surprise that this famous silver mining center has a historic cemetery. Founded in 1885 as a resting place for pioneers, it's on the National Register of Historic Places and is unusual in that it's still in use today. Like many cemeteries of the day, it's segregated: you've got your Croatians here, Jews, there, and Veterans and Officers of the Peace there. Halloween is a big deal at Glenwood, when costumed actors play famous residents and provide a living historical tour of all the spookiest spots.
↑Columbia Cemetery, Boulder: As the gateway to Colorado's ski country, this pioneer cemetery, established in 1870, is full of history and Union soldiers, miners, an infamous 19th-century "lady of the evening," and a recently identified Jane Doe from a 1954 murder case. The location- near Chautauqua Park and overshadowed by the Flatirons- makes this a popular spot for locals to run, stroll, and walk their pooches (seriously, do you know any other graveyards that have dog waste bags in them?). No disrespect intended, but the names on many of the headstones make for a fascinating time, too. Curbed Ski faves include: Sex, Liverhaste, Belcher, Slauter, Hussie, and Goodnow.
↑Linwood Cemetery, Glenwood Springs: The land for this famous hot springs downvalley from Aspen originally belonged to the Ute Indians; after being discovered by homesteaders and miners in the late 19th century, it saw its share of rowdy behavior. A magnet for some of the Old West's most infamous gunslingers and their associates, this stark cemetery (you expect to see tumbleweeds rolling past) is famed as the last stop for Doc Holliday, and Harvey Logan, aka Kid Curry, a member of Butch and Sundance's gang.
↑Lone Tree Cemetery, Telluride: Curbed Ski's favorite cemetery lies near the end of this box canyon, perched on a gently sloping hillside. It's a fascinating- albeit sobering- view of Colorado's 19th century pioneer/mining life. From influenza epidemics and avalanches to mine collapses, it's all here, etched in stone. Miners from all over Europe- primarily Scandinavia, England, Italy, and Northern Europe- came to rest in this peaceful spot. As the story goes, Edwin "Little Ned" Andrus was the first to be buried at Lone Tree, in 1885 at the age of 18 months. His parents owned the land, and eventually sold the plot to the town for $75. Today, the Telluride Historical Museum offers tours of Lone Tree- including around Halloween, but you can just as easily visit yourself.
↑Hillside Cemetery, Silverton: One of the prettiest cemeteries in the West, this scenic spot lies in an alpine valley dominated by the San Juans. Like Telluride's Lone Tree Cemetery, the worn grave markers tell a sad story of early death due to "miners consumption," avalanches, influenza, and other afflictions of the day. You'll find residents from all over the world, including the Tryol, Yugoslavia, and Canada, as well as quirky names (our faves: the curiously named Lotta Black, and Bessie Boss).
↑Crested Butte Cemetery: In a town known for having more than its fair share of ghosts, it's only fitting this miners' cemetery should have a stellar location. Located just outside of town with Mt. Crested Butte looming in the background, this is the place to come if you want an insight into Crested Butte's origins as a hardscrabble coal mining community of Eastern European immigrants, to its ranching roots, and present incarnation as the "last of the great Colorado ski town."
↑Stowe Cemetery: In one of the oldest, most historically rich regions of the nation lies this 207-year-old resting place for generations of local families, early settlers, and veterans of the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War. Even non-history buffs will appreciate the eerie, if lovely aesthetics of this small town cemetery.
· Crested Butte, the Most Haunted Ski Town in America [Curbed Ski]
· Hint: This is an Epicenter of Paranormal Activity [Curbed Ski]
· A Map Guide to Los Angeles' Fascinating Oldest Cemetery [Curbed LA]
· Mapping 13 of New York City's Hidden Historic Cemeteries [Curbed NY]