Alpenglow Cabin ᨒ dreamy mountains, sauna, hot tub

Entire cabin in Twin Lakes, Colorado

  1. 4 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 3 beds
  4. 2.5 baths
Hosted by Christine & Daniel
  1. Superhost
  2. 6 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 1% of homes

This home is one of the highest ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

Featured in

Condé Nast Traveler, January 2025
HBO/Magnolia design show Homes With a View, October 2025

Your very own spa

Relax with the sauna and jacuzzi.
Come let nature restore you in historic Twin Lakes. Our modern, alpine cabin is located just over two hours from Denver, at the base of Independence Pass, one of the world's top scenic drives. Surrounded by 14ers and 10 minutes from Colorado's largest glacial lakes, freshly renovated Alpenglow is a perfect spot for all your outdoor adventures. Curl up in the custom sauna or sip your morning coffee in the hot tub--all while soaking up panoramic views of snow-capped peaks.

The space
*If you don't see your preferred dates please send us a message to get on the waitlist! Follow us on IG @alpenglowcabin for last-minute cancellations/openings.*

ALPENGLOW
〰 "a reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains" (Merriam-Webster)
〰 that cozy feeling you get curled up by the fire with friends and family after a day of fresh air and adventure

IG @alpenglowcabin
WEBSITE alpenglowcabincolorado dot com
DESIGN SHOW Homes With a View (Magnolia Network/HBO Max)
FEATURES Condé Nast Traveler, Dwell, Cabin Tripping, Apartment Therapy, Lonely Planet, My Scandinavian Home, Travel + Leisure, Field Mag, Cabin Diaries, The Cabin Chronicles, The Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, etc.

OUR STORY Our family gutted, designed, and renovated every inch of Alpenglow Cabin ourselves, with blood, sweat, tears, and big love. A DIY adventure! Our goal is minimalist comfort for seekers of wilderness, beauty, and solitude.

DREAMY MOUNTAIN CABIN Cozy up by the Vermont-made HearthStone wood-burning stove while admiring panoramic mountain views from the cathedral windows. The biggest peak you can see from our living room is La Plata (fifth highest in the Rockies). Mt. Elbert, Colorado's highest peak, is behind us (trailhead a few minutes down the road). We love watching the alpenglow morning and evening and we know you will, too!

GREAT ROOM The open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area offers a wood-burning stove, handmade white oak table, dramatic pendant lighting, vaulted ceilings, leather couch, West Elm velvet chairs, Klipsch stereo, fast Starlink satellite WiFi, and of course mountain views from every window.

KITCHEN Fully equipped kitchen with quartz countertops, vintage copper faucet, full-size appliances, OXO and Chemex coffee makers, teapots, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, ceramic dishes, and all the pots and pans you need (we love to cook!).

BEDROOMS Three bedrooms with comfy Tuft & Needle mattresses, cozy 100% linen duvets, crisp Supima cotton percale sheets, black-out blinds, and Magic Linen curtains. Main-floor large queen bedroom with en suite bathroom; two upstairs bedrooms (one queen, one full). Note that the upstairs bedroom with full bed is rather small.

BATHROOMS Two and a half baths. All bathrooms have been stylishly renovated with vintage sink, walk-in shower, wallpaper from Hygge and West, and/or porcelain tile. Bath products from Public Goods. Scandinavian-inspired towels for the bath and Olive & Linen Turkish towels for the hot tub and sauna. Fluffy Parachute spa robes in the main bedroom.

SAUNA Welcome to your own private wellness mountain retreat! We invite you to enjoy our gorgeous free-standing sauna, custom designed by Sota Sauna, with Huum rock stove. Enjoy breathtaking mountain and forest views from the glass windows! (Sauna access is included with your stay, but a signed waiver is *required* before use.)

HOT TUB Large hot tub on the deck facing La Plata Peak and the gorgeous mountains of the Sawatch range.

OUTDOORS Wraparound deck with hot tub, Muskoka/Adirondack chairs, concrete table and wooden benches, Weber gas grill, and sun umbrella. In the summer, we have a large Tentsile tree hammock set up outside. Alpenglow Cabin sits on 1.5 acres. Our backyard is National Forest and we are surrounded by federally-designated wilderness areas.

BASEMENT Ping pong, air hockey, children’s books, a few toys, pack 'n play, high chair, booster seat, iron, etc. in the unfinished basement.

TWIN LAKES + INDEPENDENCE PASS The cabin is located at the base of Independence Pass, on the Twin Lakes side. (Note that in winter and spring when the pass is closed—early November to late May—there is no access to Aspen from our side of the pass.) We are in the Sawatch mountain range in Lake County, the highest county in the Rocky Mountains. Endless options for hiking, back-country skiing, snowshoeing, paddling, rafting, rock-climbing, and mountain biking are all within minutes. We are surrounded on all sides by rugged mountains that are full of gorgeous wildflower hikes and rushing rivers in summer and magical snowscapes in winter. A nature-lover's paradise! We might be biased, but we can't imagine a better spot for enjoying the beauty and wilderness Colorado has to offer.

WHO WILL LOVE OUR CABIN Alpenglow is ideal for couples, families, and friends looking for a cozy mountain getaway, a personal retreat for writers and creatives, or a rejuvenating wellness experience for anyone in need of nature's healing. We invite you to unplug, slow down, breathe in fresh pine, and soak up the ridiculous 360-degree views. We offer our cabin as a peaceful escape and it is not okay to bring extra guests or throw parties here. Please be truthful about the number of people coming. This is our treasured personal weekend home that we rent out to guests. We ask that you treat our home with respect, as you would your own.

THINGS WE CAN'T OFFER :) We think the simplicity adds to the allure and helps us to slow down and unplug, but if any of these are a turn-off for you, please look elsewhere. We want you to be happy here!
〰 No cell service
〰 No landline (we suggest you enable WiFi calling on your phone or use Whats App or iMessages over our fast Starlink satellite WiFi)
〰 No TV/movies (unplug and enjoy the stars!)
〰 No trash service (please plan to pack out your trash and recycling--we provide pre-paid bags for our local drop-off site)
〰 No AC (no one has it up here; mountain nights are chilly and we have fans)
〰 No washer/dryer

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT OUR UNIQUE LOCATION
〰 High altitude environment (~10,000 feet). Please make sure to educate yourself about high altitude sickness and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Alcohol and caffeine make it worse. Electrolytes might help. If you're coming up from sea level, it's a great idea to spend a night or two on the Front Range before coming up to the high country to help yourself acclimate.
〰 4WD/AWD and snow tires (or chains) are *required* in winter and spring (ie Sept-May, see Colorado traction law). We have a local plower but paths and decking may be slippery or icy so watch your step. Please read our winter info under "other things to note" and come prepared for unpredictable and sometimes extreme winter conditions.
〰 We are truly in the wilderness. Bear, mountain lion, elk, moose, fox, and big-horn sheep live here, too. Never leave trash or food outside, on the deck, or in your car. Please clean grill and grill tools after every use.
〰 Although we are on 1.5 acres with National Forest behind us, we do have neighbors and noise travels in the woods! Please be mindful of noise and music--especially outside, on the deck, and in the hot tub. Please respect our neighbors' privacy and do not wander onto their properties.
〰 We are 30 minutes from the nearest full-service towns. We recommend getting groceries and gas ahead of time so you can unplug and relax once you're here. (More on this under "other things to note.”)
〰 Exterior cameras (front door, facing the driveway, back corner). Cameras do not point at interior spaces or hot tub. We respect your privacy but need to monitor snow levels, plowing, packages, wildlife, etc.
〰 Interior and exterior stairs and uneven paths
〰 Prior to using the sauna, guests must sign a waiver and watch our instructions video. Guests assume all liability for risk and damages, and hosts are not liable for any injuries. Children (under 18) are not permitted to enter or use the sauna. The sauna is not a playhouse. Supervise children at all times.
〰 High interior landing and high exterior deck, unprotected wood stove, sauna, hot tub, high hammock, woodpile axe, wildlife, and limited amenities for babies/toddlers. Please consider whether or not our mountain property is appropriate for you and supervise children at all times.
〰 Delicate alpine septic system (TP *only* in toilets and no grease, bleach, coffee grounds, or food solids down the sink, please). We are on a well so we ask that you please conserve water when possible.
〰 Our incredible housekeeper works very hard to have the cabin spotless upon your arrival. We understand that accidents happen but please tell us right away if you stain, break, or damage anything. The cabin is remote, and we need to know so we have time to take care of it. Soiled or stained linens that we can't remedy with laundering will be your responsibility.
〰 In the summer, we have a large Tentsile tree hammock set up outside. Please don't move it and remember it's NOT a trampoline. Enjoy but use at your own risk. :)
〰When Independence Pass to Aspen is open (late May-late October/early November), it takes ~45 minutes to get to Aspen; however, when the pass is closed (Nov-May), it takes 3 hrs to go the long way.
〰 Seasonal closures/vibe: see "other things to note."

HOUSE RULES
- No smoking, vaping, or drugs (this includes marijuana)
- No pets
- No parties, gatherings, or events
- No extra or undisclosed guests beyond the number on your reservation
- Sauna waiver *required* before use; children are not permitted to play in or around the sauna
- No trash or food left outside or in cars (bear country)
- No outdoor fires, charcoal grills, or smoking anywhere on the property due to permanent ban on short-term rental fires and constant risk of forest fire on this precious wild land
- No loud music/noise at any time
- No amplified music outside, in the hot tub, or on the deck
- No shoes or jumping on hammock (not a trampoline)
- Use woodpile axe at your own risk
- Do not build a fire in the wood stove unless you've read our instructions and safety rules. Never dump ash or coals outside. Even lukewarm ash can start a forest fire.
- Use hot tub and sauna at your own risk
- No commercial photo shoots or filming without prior consent
- Person making the booking must be at least 25 years old

ALL ARE WELCOME, regardless of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion/creed, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, etc. We love welcoming people. We adore our cabin and hope you will too!

LICENSE We are licensed by Lake County License #2025-008.

Guest access
You'll have the cabin to yourself.

Please do not arrive early without prior arrangements.

Other things to note
WINTER & SPRING (early Nov. to Memorial Day): Our cabin is accessible year-round. Highway 82 is a state-maintained road, but when Independence Pass to Aspen is closed (typically late Oct/early Nov through late May; check cotrip for status), we think it's the “prettiest dead-end road in Colorado.” (When Independence Pass to Aspen is open (late May-early Nov), it takes ~35-40 minutes to get to Aspen; however, when the pass is closed (Nov-May), it takes 3 hrs to go the long way. If visiting Aspen is a priority for you, please visit us in summer/early fall.) In winter and spring, the shops and food trucks in tiny Twin Lakes village shut down. We LOVE the seclusion but it's not for everyone. Be aware that you'll need to bring your groceries and fill your gas tank ahead of time; the closest (adorable!) towns are Buena Vista and Leadville (each 30 minutes away). We get ~140 inches of snow per year. *Please come prepared for snowy, unpredictable winter conditions.* 4WD/AWD and snow-rated tires (or chains) are required throughout the Colorado mountains Sept-May (look up Colorado traction law!), plus if you don't have them you might not be able to make it up the driveway. Our driveway is plowed within 24-48 hours of snowfall over 4-5 inches. We do our best to shovel and salt walkways and decks before your arrival, but please watch for slippery, icy areas on the walkways/deck and around the hot tub and sauna, as well as large icicles hanging from the roof. There are shovels, ice melt, and a snow blower on site if needed. We have a wood-burning stove which can maintain heat in the event of a power outage but if the power goes out, be aware that Starlink/WiFi calling will also go out. Outages are rare and are typically resolved very quickly, but they can happen. We don't mean to scare you, just to set expectations on the realities of mountain winter/spring at 10,000 feet. If you come prepared, winter is magical!

SUMMER & FALL (Memorial Day - early November): Independence Pass (with access to Aspen) is open and so are the shops and food trucks in tiny Twin Lakes. Always check for updates on cotrip, but typical open dates are Memorial Day through late Oct/early Nov. Be aware that when you're on the deck you may hear cars on the pass, especially on popular summer/fall weekends. We don't have AC because we don't need it (gotta love those cool mountain nights!), but we do have a ceiling fan plus regular fans, if needed. Twin Lakes village is 10 minutes from the cabin. The General Store is small but you'll be able to get basics (plus cute souvenirs!) if you don't feel like driving to Leadville (30 mins), Buena Vista (30 mins), or Aspen (45-60 minutes). There is also a cute outdoor patio with yummy food trucks (BBQ, pizza, cocktails/drinks, coffee + breakfast burritos), a coffeeshop at the Roadhouse, boat tours, and SUP + bike rentals. And of course the lakes, rivers, and trails!

Where you’ll sleep

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What this place offers

Mountain view
Kitchen
Wifi
Free driveway parking on premises
Private hot tub - available all year

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 371 reviews.

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

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Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Twin Lakes, Colorado, United States
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

Alpenglow Cabin sits on 1.5 acres in a secluded alpine neighborhood. This means you can see our neighbors through the trees (please respect their privacy and love of quiet) but the backyard is National Forest.

Meet your host

Superhost
382 reviews
5.0 out of 5 average rating
6 years of hosting
Where I went to school: University of Virginia
My work: writer, photographer
We are world travelers, nature-lovers, DIY home designers, and parents to two wonderful kids. We love cooking delicious meals for friends and family, curious and open-hearted conversation, laughing hard, and the wild beauty of nature.

Christine & Daniel is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Co-hosts

  • Daniel

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

House rules

Check-in after 4:00 PM
Checkout before 10:00 AM
4 guests maximum

Safety & property

Exterior security cameras on property
Pool/hot tub without a gate or lock
May encounter potentially dangerous animal

Cancellation policy